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Ground Check Monitoring for mining applications

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majesus

Electrical
Aug 16, 2007
262
The MSHA and CSA requires a ground conductor monitoring system for movable equipiment in mining application. I can't seem to find in either codes any details in the type of ground conductor monitoring.

An impendance monitoring system seems to meet the requirements, however this type of system won't detect parallel return ground paths. Thus the possibility may occur where the grounding conductor breaks, yet still be grounded.

A continuity system that injects an audio signal will detect this, however is it necessary for compliance?
The disadvantage is its prone to ac induced noise as well as its limiation in distance.



 
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The typical system used for this application used to be manufactured by Pemco. I see on their website that there is no reference to the ground monitoring systems that I have seen and worked on which they did produce a few years ago.


I would give them a call and ask if they are still available there or who you could call about the systems.
 
Startco seems to be well accepted in Canada for this. I've seen Bender making inroads lately too though and I believe they are at a better price.

 
Majesus,

Three important questions...
(1) Location... USA or Canada?
(2) System voltage?
(3) Underground or Surface mining?

I'm much more familiar with MSHA regulations than with Canadian mining regulations, so please forgive my ignorance in that area.

If low voltage (600V & below) you have more choices. The previously mentioned units from AMR, Mining Controls, and Startco are all good units, as well as units from Line Power and SMC Electrical.

If high voltage (above 1000V) then the choices are a little more limited although all the above mentioned manufacturers have products in the HV category also.

All the units have very good broken ground wire detection, so that shouldn't be a major concern. The audio tone type systems are pretty immune to induced AC noise and can monitor trailing cables that are several miles in length, especially the units from AMR. If your trailing cable has the ground wire(s) in the concentric center of the cable, then induced AC noise becomes almost non-existent.

I've been in the mining industry since 1979 (underground longwall coal and surface dragline) in the USA and overseas and haven't really had significant problems with the ground monitors themselves. When I did have problems, the ground monitors were pointing me to other problems, usually having to to with the trailing cable itself.

Hope this helps.

John
 
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