Sysmtem

AC Electrical System & Sensitive Electronic Equipment

Sensitive electronic systems and equipment should have an electronics grade electrical distribution system unlike “standard” electricaldistribution system for proper equipment and systems operation.

The major differences between a standard electrical distribution system and an “electronics” grade electrical distribution system is thepanels, wiring of the panels and branch circuits. It is common practice and meets the NEC (National Electric Code) to have shared neutrals in a standard electrical distribution system. Such a systemwill be a three wire topology; phase neutral & ground for a 120 volt branch circuit. The ground in a standard electrical distribution system is a combination of case ground and electrical ground(the ground of the panel, conduit and electrical outlet are common).

In a standard electrical distribution system the below conditions are common.
□ The primary neutral conductor and the neutrallug are sized per the NEC (not oversized).
□ The neutral conductors in branch circuits are often “shared” (common or used by more than one 120 volt branch circuit).
□ The ground of the circuits andcase ground (conduit & panel) are common (bonded) and not isolated. (older systems relied on conduit for ground or had no ground)
□ Circuit breakers are most often builder’s grade “snap in” andseldom “bolt in” breakers.
□ Electrical outlets will be builder’s grade “three wire” outlets (phase neutral & ground).

Electronics grade power distribution panels have a number of primary differencesfrom a standard electrical distribution panel. An electronics grade power distribution panel and wiring system will always have the below configuration.

□ The primary neutral conductor and theneutral lug are oversized, (sized two times NEC requirements), to deal with harmonic currents generated by switch mode power supplies.
□ The neutral conductors in branch circuits are home runs...