Isolated Grounds

[Bill Warner]

For discussion sake...

How often do you encounter isolated ground circuits in commercial facilities?
If you encounter them, what (if anything) do you say to the client or in the report?
I do include a blurb about them in my reports when encountered. Just want to see other thoughts on this.

 

[Terry Clayton]

They were the rage for a while and are still found in use. There main purpose when installed was for dedicated computer equipment do to noise on equipment ground and harmonics in a system. Can't say I have seen any new installations in the last 15+ years being designed with them.

 

[Bill Warner]

Here's info I dug up a while back... these articles encouraged me to write a blurb about them for my reports.

http://ecmweb.com/content/basics-isolated-grounding-receptacles
http://ecmweb.com/content/demystifying-isolated-grounding-systems-part-1
http://ecmweb.com/content/demystifying-isolated-grounded-systems-part-2

 

[Terry Clayton]

Thanks for the read.

 

[Dale Duffy]

Good information, haven't seen an IG since I inspected a medical or dental facility.

Personally, I don't note items like that or many other specificity items in a PCA any longer.

Although it certainly wouldn't hurt to have an auto-comment in a PCA like you stated.

Especially if numerous were found, and the buyer was changing occupancy.

 

[Bill Warner]

I've run into them twice in the last month... both were in warehouse/office facilities. One had these circuits run throughout the office where one of the articles specifically indicates that computer equipment and networked peripherals can cause concerns. The other had the circuit in the warehouse portion.