A ground bus bar consolidates equipment grounding conductors at a single, bonded point to provide a low-impedance path for fault and transient currents, protecting people and equipment and creating an equipotential reference. It is a required component in any code-compliant panel. This guide covers practical ground bus design for medium-voltage switchgear—from sizing calculations and bonding topology selection to EMI immunity and field verification testing. Learn what changed, proper bonding methods, IBT requirements, and common mistakes to avoid. This equipotential plane effectively minimizes voltage differences, safeguarding both individuals and equipment. Equipotential bonding is an electrical connection which brings the bodies of electrical equipment and external conductive parts to the same, or nearly the same, potential.
