TABLE OF CONTENTS Often the least expensive solution to a power quality problem is proper wiring and grounding, and the more expensive solution is the purchase and installation of the power conditioning equipment described in Chapter 4. However, many electricians wire and ground facilities according to the National Electric Code (NEC) but ignore the power quality aspects of wiring and grounding. Therefore, improper wiring and grounding practices cause most power quality problems (80 to 90 percent). A more cost-effective solution to these types of problems would be to correct the cause of the problem instead of just the symptom. Many times a power quality problem is caused by a loose connection, too small a neutral conductor, incorrect grounding, or a damaged conductor. This chapter explains why correctly wiring and grounding for power quality as well as safety is important and how to solve power quality problems caused by poor wiring and grounding practices. Before discussing wiring and grounding power quality problems and how to solve them, this section presents basic wiring and grounding principles.
The three basic principles of wiring:
Keep the length of the wire to a minimum to avoid an unnecessary voltage drop on the conductor.
Connect wires solidly to panels and switchboards.
Size and select the type of wires to match the current-carrying requirements of the load.
All three of these principles try to minimize the conductor and connector resistance. These principles apply as much to the inside of an end user s home as to...
