Personal protective grounding (PPG) practices can vary from one utility to the next. Consequently, there is a strong desire in the industry to unify grounding practices and adopt methods which provide safety while considering practicalities such as ease-of-installation, cost, and adverse environmental effects. This comprehensive reference guide addresses practical issues related to the use and application of PPG. It includes sections on shock hazard types and scenarios, quantifying shock hazards, fault protection, and worker safety methods, among other topics.

Grounding systems are crucially important components of any power supply system because they impact public and employee safety, supply system reliability, power quality and life expectancy of power equipment. This report provides guidelines for maintenance of different components of grounding systems, from simple grounding systems such as a single ground rod to the complex grounding systems employed in large substations. Grounding systems with both primary electrodes and auxiliary electrodes are addressed.

This report assists utilities in making quick decisions in response to copper theft and presents a spectrum of available mitigation solutions. It 1) captures various staged responses in the event of theft, 2) identifies several utility assets requiring protection against copper theft, and 3) details numerous broad measures that are or can be adopted by utilities to deter copper theft or can be applied by engaging law enforcement or via legislative action. Each of these copper theft mitigation measures are discussed and analyzed based on pros and cons, approximate cost, complexity, and efficiency.

This report provides guidelines for assessing the condition of components of aged grounding systems. Existing best practices are outlined along with mitigation strategies to address defects commonly found in aged systems. Various grounding investigation techniques were analyzed and tested to confirm their ability to accurately assess the state of key parameters determining grounding operational readiness. The results of the investigation are a set of recommendations aligned with the challenges faced by utilities when evaluating and maintaining the condition of aged grounding installations.

Properly designed substation grounding is intended to provide adequate safety and reliability to workers against unsafe potentials. This research project examines various activities and hazards that arise during substation construction projects. It summarizes existing practices and explores a wide range of tools and procedures that could reduce step and touch potentials. It also quantifies the efficiency and hazard reduction value offered by differing mitigation methods and provides recommendations to improve touch coordination during substation expansion.