PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-724
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 724
MARCH 2013
51
PS 724
MAR 13
3. Equipment grounding conductors (EGCs) or bonding wires are just as
important as earth grounds.
Check them also. They are there for your protection. EGCs are usually the green
wire in the cable bundle that connects to the generator. Check to make sure EGCs
or bonding wires are in place. Make sure they are not broken. Check connections to
make sure they are tight.
Equipment specialists need to ensure that a low-impedance path to clear the
mobile power equipment circuit breakers is in place and intact. Use your TM to
check for a damaged EGC and the steps to take if you Fnd one.
4. Co-located shelters need
to be both grounded and
bonded.
Bonding is when you elec-
trically connect two shelters
to keep them at the same
voltage. A voltage difference
between
two
shelters
can
lead
to
shocks
and
even
electrocution. The best place
for this bond is at the ground
connections of the co-located
equipment and shelters.
5. Check all ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCIs) and circuit
breakers monthly.
They are for your protection. But if
they are not maintained, they will not
work. And if they don’t work, they
won’t protect anyone.
Check
the
G±CIs
and
circuit
breakers to make sure they haven’t
tripped. If they have tripped, the switch
or lever will not be fully seated. G±CIs
usually have a separate indicator that
pops out when tripped. It’s also a good
idea to turn breakers off and back on to
make sure the switches move.
Circuit breakers should never be used as a switch, unless they’re designed to be
one like on most generators and CE shelters. If a circuit breaker repeatedly trips,
there is a reason. There is either an overcurrent, a short to ground or an equipment
malfunction. All are dangerous conditions.
Press test buttons to make sure GFCIs work
Bond and ground co-located shelters
One other tip:
Opening a ground
circuit does
not
cure a circuit
breaker tripping
problem.
it just creates
another
problem
…a
hazardous
one.
For more
information, get
CECOM Pamphlet
TR 98-6,
Earth
Grounding and
Bonding.
Contact CECOM Directorate for Safety
at DSN 648-3812, (443) 395-3812, fax
(443) 395-3836 or email:
usarmy.APG.cecom.mbx.amsel-sf@mail.mil
CECOM Directorate for Safety
ATTN: AMSEL-SF
3200 Raritan Avenue
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-1850
You can
also
mail your
request
to…
When you work with
electrical systems…
whether it’s mobile
power or fixed
installations…
never
take nominal voltage
for granted.
All
Soldiers are
responsible
for
looking over
electrical equipment
and spotting
problems.
Qualified Soldiers
must
verify voltage,
good grounding,
good wiring and
good bonding.
They must
also
make sure all
electrical safety
procedures are
followed.
724 50-51.indd
1-2
1/29/13
3:00 PM
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