[TowerTalk] GROUNDING OF FIELD DAY STATIONS

[K8RI on Tower Talk]

Depending on the circuits a single GFI outlet at the beginning of the run 
will serve the entire line.
That is what they did in my shop.  I can actually short out one of the 
outlets to ground  with barely a spark.
That trips the breaker back at the panel.  The GFI has to be reset before 
the panel breaker can be reset.

Another option is to use GFI breakers...which are expensive.

Roger Halstead (K8RI, EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
N833R, World's Oldest Debonair (S# CD-2)
www.rogerhalstead.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim & Velma Woods" <woods at grantspass.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 2:21 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] GROUNDING OF FIELD DAY STATIONS


Regarding this topic, I believe that the NEC requires that portable 
generators have the neutral grounded when the power level is 5000 watts or 
higher.  This would explain why many generators do not have this provision.

Also, I believe that GFCI's could be effectively used ... even if the 
neutral is grounded.  They don't "measure" leakage through the grounded 
conductor but sample the degree of balance between the neutral and hot 
conductors.  If the imbalance is greater than about 5 mA, they trip.  The 
assumption is that the imbalance is current flowing via the grounded 
conductor.

I recommend that GFCI's be used on all 120 volt circuits that are in "wet 
locations" which includes outdoor circuitry.  Although in the US OSHA rules 
only apply to employer-employee sites (work settings like construction 
sites) use of GFCI's is considered "good electrical safety practice".

Jim Woods, W7PUP
(Retired Safety Engineer)
Grants Pass, OR
woods at grantspass.com
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