I agree with John Woodgate that you may be best off using dual nomenclature. NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, uses "Ground" and not "Earth". The Canadian Electrical Code is the same. Neither defines "Earth" and both use it to refer to the dirt and rock beneath a structure, not an equipotential reference normally connected to the earth.
I can also look at IEC 60950-1. Clause 1.2.13.10 defines "Protective Earthing Conductor", but there is also a note for this clause which states "In some countries, the term 'grounding conductor' is used instead of 'protective earthing conductor'." This note is not universal in IEC standards as I can not find the word "ground" anywhere in IEC 60335. Have you considered defining "Ground" or "Earth" in your manual so that the English language readers clearly understand to what you are referencing? The NEC defines "Ground" as "A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth." This may be the place to start for a definition. Ted Eckert American Power Conversion/MGE http://www.apc.com/ The items contained in this e-mail reflect the personal opinions of the writer and are only provided for the assistance of the reader. The writer is not speaking in an official capacity for APC-MGE or Schneider Electric. The speaker does not represent APC-MGE's or Schneider Electric's official position on any matter. John Woodgate <jmw@jmwa.demon.c o.uk> To Sent by: emc-p...@ieee.org emc-p...@ieee.org cc Subject 02/29/2008 11:09 Re: Protective Earthing AM In message <OF991E870B.BC390323-ON852573FE.005AED36-852573FE.005BEAFD@US.Schneider-E lectric.com>, dated Fri, 29 Feb 2008, john.merr...@us.schneider-electric.com writes: >I have a case where some want to substitute the word "Ground" for >"Protective Earth" in product manuals. The products are marked with IEC >5019a protective Earthing symbol and I have no trouble proving the >requirements for that. It's in the manual where references to Wire Size >of Protective Earthing conductor etc that some here want to change this >to "Ground". From the IEV 60050-195 the term ground is a Local US term >and the manual has worldwide distribution in four languages. > >Any suggestions on where to find good arguments against doing this? The best argument is that it is not 'either ...or...'. Only the English language is affected: I don't think there are similar variants in other languages. So the simplest solution is to print 'earth/ground' wherever necessary. Some people whose first language is not English have learned 'earth' and others have learned 'ground'. Since you have only four languages, there will be such people reading the English. -- OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk For very important information, please turn over. John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to emc-p...@ieee.org Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas emcp...@ptcnh.net Mike Cantwell mcantw...@ieee.org For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org David Heald: emc-p...@daveheald.com All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to emc-p...@ieee.org Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas emcp...@ptcnh.net Mike Cantwell mcantw...@ieee.org For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org David Heald: emc-p...@daveheald.com All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
