Posted on Jul 3, 2018
What is a "three king" or 3 grounding rods in a circle? How safe?
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I know how to properly ground the generator. However, when I was out in mission, I saw other units have other ways to ground their gen. One of the thing I saw was called 3 kings where 3 grounding rods are formed in a circle connected by copper wire. I thought that was interesting because I've never seen it that way but I never really asked why , the only reason I could think of was that they don't have coupling to connect the rods together. Anyway, how safe is this?? It is not the proper way to ground gens tho. So, I'm not sure if I should recommend doing that way.
Posted in these groups: Generator MechanicGenerator Maintenence Course
52D: Power Generator Technician
52D: Power Generator Technician
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 4
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A 3 king grounding set-up
Is designed in theory to so the external surge energy is dissipated in a star pattern.
Again this is in theory it is covered in the TM
But this will not work in wet ground!
Is designed in theory to so the external surge energy is dissipated in a star pattern.
Again this is in theory it is covered in the TM
But this will not work in wet ground!
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Wheb we deployed we ditched the 1.5KW generators for a place to hold extra ammo. The 4.2 remained with the TOC
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In all my years of service never heard of such an animal.
There are several means of ensuring you have a grounded system based on the resistance the soil is providing. Sometimes it is necessary to bury plates in dry loose soil to gain the proper surface area to ensure grounding or salt and wet soil in a pit around a rod. Both these methods are in the electricians FM under grounding and bonding and in the old 51 series 51H30 MOS manual as an acceptable alternate means of grounding.
You would have to refer to the -10 manual to see what is recommended for the particular piece of equipment to determine if it's "appropriate". To determine if it's a "safe" alternative you would need an ohm meter to see if there is resistance on the ground. Remember there is often a difference between "appropriate", "recommended" and "safe". Ideally you pick one that covers all three.
There are several means of ensuring you have a grounded system based on the resistance the soil is providing. Sometimes it is necessary to bury plates in dry loose soil to gain the proper surface area to ensure grounding or salt and wet soil in a pit around a rod. Both these methods are in the electricians FM under grounding and bonding and in the old 51 series 51H30 MOS manual as an acceptable alternate means of grounding.
You would have to refer to the -10 manual to see what is recommended for the particular piece of equipment to determine if it's "appropriate". To determine if it's a "safe" alternative you would need an ohm meter to see if there is resistance on the ground. Remember there is often a difference between "appropriate", "recommended" and "safe". Ideally you pick one that covers all three.
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CSM Richard StCyr
So the triple rod configuration is called a DELTA, the three king may be a trade or local name, it is used frequently for lightning protection. Multiple rods in any configuration are called supplemental grounding and the goal is to get the ohms below 25.
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SGT (Join to see)
I think that might be it! "3 kings" might be their term, because it's new to me. The only way I know how to ground is according to Gen TMs like 3 rods together connected by coupling and drill them 8 feet under - that's the only way I know how to. I mean, I've only been in the Army for 3.5 years. Thank you so much CSM Richard StCyr!
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SP5 (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) Might also be worth looking at the National Electrical Code for generator grounding. Between the TM and NEC there should be reliable guidance to keep the volts where they belong.
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