Grounding Bonding

Question 1

What is bonding in hazmat operations?

Answer 1

Bonding connects all metal objects (like the tanker, pump, and barrels) with cables to equalize electrical charges and prevent sparks.

Question 2

What is grounding in hazmat operations?

Answer 2

Grounding provides a safe path for static electricity to flow into the earth to prevent static buildup and sparks.

Question 3

What is the Fall-of-Potential method?

Answer 3

It’s a method to measure ground resistance by introducing current into the ground and calculating the voltage drop.

Question 4

One of the first considerations when grounding/bonding

Identify what?

Answer 4

Identify where to place the grounding rod, bonding cables, and probes.

Question 5

What is the first step in bonding equipment?

Answer 5

Attach a bonding cable to the damaged vessel, ideally on bare metal for contact

Question 6

How do you connect the pump to the tanker?

Answer 6

Bonding cable bare metal to bare metal
Tank first

Question 7

How do you bond the barrels to the system?

Answer 7

Use another bonding cable to connect the pump to the barrels, usually by placing a grounding rod in the barrel itself

Question 8

Where do you place the grounding rod?

Answer 8

Drive it into soft or moist soil, 10-20 feet from the tanker.

Question 9

How do you connect the grounding rod to the bonded system?

Answer 9

Attach a grounding cable from the rod to the tanker or pump.

Object first then rod

Question 10

How far should the current probe (H) be from the grounding rod?

Answer 10

Place it about 50-80 feet away.

Question 11

Where do you place the potential probe (S)?

Answer 11

At 62% of the distance between the grounding rod and the current probe.

30-45 if 50-80

Question 12

What does the E terminal on the AEMC 6422 connect to?

Answer 12

The grounding rod, which is the rod placed near the tanker or operation site.

Question 13

What does the H terminal on the AEMC 6422 connect to?

Answer 13

The current probe, placed approximately 50-80 feet away from the grounding rod.

Question 14

What does the S terminal on the AEMC 6422 connect to?

Answer 14

The potential probe, placed 62% of the distance between the grounding rod and the current probe.

Question 15

What is the acceptable ground resistance for general grounding systems?

Answer 15

25 ohms or less, per the National Electrical Code (NEC).

1000 or less for NFPA (jfrd uses this)

Question 16

What do you do if the AEMC 6422 shows resistance above 1000 ohms

Answer 16

Drive the grounding rod deeper, move it to wetter soil, or add a second rod 6-10 feet away (Atleast 2x the distance of the depth of the rod)

Question 17

What tool should you use to drill into a tanker?

Answer 17

A pneumatic (air-powered) drill to avoid sparks.

Question 18

How do you prevent sparks when drilling the tanker?

Answer 18

Bond the drill to the tanker with a bonding cable.

Question 19

What type of wires are included in the AEMC 6422 kit for grounding and bonding?

Answer 19

Stainless steel

Question 20

Why are the test leads in the AEMC 6422 kit made of stainless steel?

Answer 20

Stainless steel is used because it resists corrosion, can handle rough conditions, and provides reliable conductivity for testing in various environments.

Question 21

What material are the grounding rods in the AEMC 6422 kit made of?

Answer 21

The grounding rods in the kit are typically copper-clad steel, combining the conductivity of copper with the strength and cost-effectiveness of steel.

Question 22

Why are the rods in the AEMC kit copper-clad instead of solid stainless steel or copper?

Answer 22

Copper-clad steel rods are more conductive than stainless steel and stronger than solid copper, making them ideal for accurate ground resistance testing.

Question 23

How do stainless steel wires in the AEMC kit contribute to testing accuracy?

Answer 23

Stainless steel provides consistent electrical flow, ensuring accurate measurements, while withstanding harsh environments without degrading.

Question 24

Why are the test lead clamps in the AEMC kit made from corrosion-resistant metals?

Answer 24

Corrosion-resistant clamps ensure long-term durability and maintain strong, reliable electrical connections during tests.

Question 25

Why are stainless steel wires paired with copper-clad rods in the AEMC 6422 system?

Answer 25

Stainless steel wires are durable and resistant to environmental damage, while copper-clad rods provide superior conductivity for accurate grounding.

Question 26

Why is it important to have bare metal contact with the AEMC clamps?

Answer 26

Stainless steel wires and clamps must connect to bare metal surfaces to avoid resistance from coatings, rust, or debris.

Question 27

What is the 52/62/72 rule in Fall-of-Potential testing?

Answer 27

The rule involves taking measurements with the potential probe at 52%, 62%, and 72% of the distance between the grounding rod and the current probe to ensure accuracy.

Question 28

Why is the 62% point the standard for Fall-of-Potential testing?

Answer 28

At 62% of the distance between the grounding rod and the current probe, the ground resistance reading reflects the true resistance of the grounding system.

Question 29

What does the 52% and 72% test in the 52/62/72 rule accomplish?

Answer 29

Testing at 52% and 72% ensures that the measurements are consistent and not influenced by interference from the current probe.

Question 30

What does triangulating a field mean in Fall-of-Potential testing?

Answer 30

Triangulating a field involves testing at multiple distances and directions to confirm the reliability of ground resistance readings and detect possible interference.

Question 31

Why is triangulating a field important in grounding tests?

Answer 31

It ensures accurate measurements by identifying any anomalies or interference that could distort the resistance reading.

Question 32

What is an ohm?

Answer 32

An ohm is the unit of measurement for electrical resistance, representing how much a material resists the flow of current.

Question 33

What is potential?

Answer 33

Potential, or voltage, is the difference in electrical energy between two points, which drives the flow of current.

Question 34

What is current?

Answer 34

Current is the flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (amps), which moves through a conductor.

Question 35

What is resistance?

Answer 35

Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrical current, measured in ohms.

Question 36

What is conductivity?

Answer 36

Conductivity is the ability of a material to allow electric current to pass through it easily.

Question 37

What is static electricity?

Answer 37

Static electricity is the buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object, which can discharge as a spark.

Question 38

What is a grounding system?

Answer 38

A grounding system is a setup that provides a safe path for electrical current to flow into the earth, preventing buildup and sparks.

Question 39

What is a voltage drop?

Answer 39

A voltage drop is the decrease in electrical potential as current flows through a resistance.

Question 40

What is a circuit?

Answer 40

A circuit is a closed loop through which electrical current flows.

Question 41

What is the purpose of a grounding rod in electrical systems?

Answer 41

A grounding rod dissipates electrical energy into the earth.

Question 42

What is electrical potential difference?

Answer 42

Electrical potential difference is the energy difference per charge between two points, causing current to flow.

Question 43

The ______________ rod is driven into the ground near the tanker to provide a path for static electricity to flow into the earth.

Answer 43

grounding

Question 44

The ______________ cable connects the tanker, pump, and barrels to equalize their electrical charges.

Answer 44

bonding

Question 45

The ______________ probe is placed approximately 50-80 feet away from the grounding rod.

Answer 45

current

Question 46

The ______________ probe is placed at 62% of the distance between the grounding rod and the current probe.

Answer 46

potential

Question 47

The ______________ terminal on the AEMC 6422 is connected to the grounding rod during testing.

Answer 47

E

Question 48

The ______________ terminal on the AEMC 6422 is connected to the current probe during testing.

Answer 48

H

Question 49

The ______________ terminal on the AEMC 6422 is connected to the potential probe during testing.

Answer 49

S

Question 50

The AEMC 6422 measures ______________ to determine if the grounding system is effective.

Answer 50

resistance

Question 51

During Fall-of-Potential testing, the AEMC 6422 calculates resistance using the relationship ______________ = Voltage ÷ Current.

Answer 51

Resistance (Ohm’s Law)

Question 52

If the measured resistance is greater than ______________ ohms, the grounding rod may need to be driven deeper or moved to a better location.

Answer 52

1000

Question 53

The ______________ rule involves placing the potential probe at 52%, 62%, and 72% of the distance from the grounding rod to the current probe.

Answer 53

52/62/72

Question 54

Consistent readings at 52%, 62%, and 72% confirm there is no interference, meaning the ______________ is accurate.

Answer 54

ground resistance

Question 55

If resistance is too high, adding another grounding rod ______________ feet away and connecting it to the first rod can improve the system.

Answer 55

6-10 (Double the depth of the rod)

Question 56

______________ is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, measured in amperes.

Answer 56

Current

Question 57

______________ is the opposition to the flow of current, measured in ohms.

Answer 57

Resistance

Question 58

______________ is the energy difference between two points that drives the flow of current, measured in volts.

Answer 58

Potential (or Voltage)

Question 59

A ______________ is a closed loop through which current flows.

Answer 59

circuit

Question 60

Static electricity is a buildup of ______________ charges on an object, which can discharge as a spark.

Answer 60

electric

Question 61

The ______________ measures how much energy is lost as current flows through resistance.

Answer 61

voltage drop

Question 62

A ______________ system provides a safe path for stray current to flow into the earth.

Answer 62

grounding

Question 63

Considerations • Locate _______ points on the tankers and transfer pump. • Make connections to damaged tanker first to avoid a ______ • When possible, grounding systems should be established _____and outside of the ____ • Resistance measurement should be compliant with your local jurisdiction which usual follows _________ less or NEC _______ lower is always better. Higher resistance means longer ______ time.

Answer 63

Grounding Spark Up hill hot zone NFPA 472/1000 ohms At 1000 ohms or less Static discharge