IEEE 142-1982

IEEE 142-1982 is the IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems, widely known as the IEEE Green Book. It addresses grounding methods for power systems used in industrial and commercial facilities, where correct grounding can help improve safety, limit electrical faults, and support reliable operation. As a superseded standard, IEEE 142-1982 remains useful as a reference point for legacy installations, engineering review, and comparison with later grounding practices.

About IEEE 142-1982

This technical document focuses on grounding practice for power, energy, and industry applications, with attention to how grounding affects system behavior, fault current paths, and equipment performance. IEEE 142-1982 is not a generic electrical code; it is a recommended practice intended to guide engineers working on industrial and commercial power systems. It is commonly consulted when evaluating grounding design choices, reviewing existing installations, or understanding the principles that shaped later grounding standards and design methods.

Where is IEEE 142-1982 used?

IEEE 142-1982 is typically used in industrial plants, commercial buildings, and facility power distribution projects where grounding design must be coordinated with electrical equipment and protective devices. It is relevant to switchgear, transformers, generators, motor control centers, and related low- and medium-voltage systems. The standard may also support engineering studies, retrofit planning, and maintenance reviews for installations that need a grounding reference aligned with the principles in IEEE 142-1982.

Importance in practice

Proper grounding influences safety, fault clearing, system reliability, and the consistency of electrical performance across a facility. Using IEEE 142-1982 as a reference can help engineers document grounding decisions, compare designs, and reduce uncertainty during procurement or inspection. For existing systems, it can also support troubleshooting and modernization planning by providing a structured basis for evaluating grounding arrangements, bonding paths, and the relationship between equipment protection and system operation.

• Grounding guidance for industrial and commercial power systems
• Legacy reference for the IEEE Green Book
• Useful for design review and retrofit assessment
• Supports safety and fault-current control