An integrated grounding practice for digital systems

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements that apply to the grounding of digital systems are described. Some of the most common recommended installation requirements that do not comply with the NEC, and the applicable NEC sections which apply to those installation requirements are discussed. An integrated grounding practice for digital control systems which meets the requirements and recommendations of the 1990 NEC, Federal Information Processing Standard Publication Number 94, and the soon to be released IEEE Standard P1100 is described. The grounding practice is designed to function as a standard practice for typical installations and to meet the low electrical noise requirements of equipment suppliers. The grounding of digital systems from the standpoint of digital control systems for facilities and plants is addressed. The principles and practices apply to most any installation of digital systems