{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/45.2-809.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/45.2-809.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/45.2-809.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/45.2-809.html"}],"law_id":364481,"edition_id":2,"section_id":364481,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-809","catch_line":" Grounding","history":"1966, c. 594, \u00a7 45.1-79; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.188; 1999, c. 256; 2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery metallic sheath, armor, or conduit that encloses a power conductor shall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded effectively.\n\nB\n\nEvery metallic frame, casing, or other enclosure of stationary electrical equipment that can become electrified through failure of insulation or by contact with energized parts shall be grounded effectively, or equivalent protection shall be provided.\n\nC\n\nAny three-phase alternating current circuit that is used underground shall contain either a direct or derived neutral that shall be grounded through a suitable resistor at the power center. A grounding circuit that originates at the grounded side of the grounding resistor shall extend with the power conductors and serve as the grounding conductor for the frame of every piece of electrical equipment that is supplied with power from that circuit. A grounding resistor that is manufactured to meet the extended time rating as set forth in American National standard IEEE C57.32-2015 is deemed to meet the requirements of this section. High-voltage circuits extending underground shall be supplied with a grounding resistor of a proper Ohmic value located on the surface to limit the voltage drop in the grounding circuit external to the resistor to not more than 100 volts under fault conditions. Such grounding resistor shall be rated for maximum fault current continuously and insulated from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system. Every resistance-grounded alternating circuit used underground shall include a fail-safe ground check circuit to monitor continuously the grounding circuit to ensure the continuity of the ground conductor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1357890,"text":"Every metallic sheath, armor, or conduit that encloses a power conductor shall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded effectively.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1357891,"text":"Every metallic frame, casing, or other enclosure of stationary electrical equipment that can become electrified through failure of insulation or by contact with energized parts shall be grounded effectively, or equivalent protection shall be provided.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1357892,"text":"Any three-phase alternating current circuit that is used underground shall contain either a direct or derived neutral that shall be grounded through a suitable resistor at the power center. A grounding circuit that originates at the grounded side of the grounding resistor shall extend with the power conductors and serve as the grounding conductor for the frame of every piece of electrical equipment that is supplied with power from that circuit. A grounding resistor that is manufactured to meet the extended time rating as set forth in American National standard IEEE C57.32-2015 is deemed to meet the requirements of this section. High-voltage circuits extending underground shall be supplied with a grounding resistor of a proper Ohmic value located on the surface to limit the voltage drop in the grounding circuit external to the resistor to not more than 100 volts under fault conditions. Such grounding resistor shall be rated for maximum fault current continuously and insulated from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system. Every resistance-grounded alternating circuit used underground shall include a fail-safe ground check circuit to monitor continuously the grounding circuit to ensure the continuity of the ground conductor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52029,"edition_id":2,"name":"Electricity","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":2,"parent_id":52027,"metadata":{"child_laws":15,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:50","permalink":{"id":1450443,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52029,"identifier":"2","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52027,"edition_id":2,"name":"Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":2,"parent_id":52016,"metadata":{"child_laws":64,"child_structures":6},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:49","permalink":{"id":1450427,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52027,"identifier":"8","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52016,"edition_id":2,"name":"Underground Coal Mines","identifier":"B","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":51931,"metadata":{"child_laws":141,"child_structures":17},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:10","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:40","permalink":{"id":1450097,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52016,"identifier":"B","token":"45.2\/II\/B","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51931,"edition_id":2,"name":"Coal Mining","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":51927,"metadata":{"child_laws":337,"child_structures":56},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:51:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:33","permalink":{"id":1449649,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51931,"identifier":"II","token":"45.2\/II","url":"\/45.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51927,"edition_id":2,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":99,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":627,"child_structures":120},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:51:17","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:33:32","permalink":{"id":1449541,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51927,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":364475,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-803","catch_line":" Surface electrical installations","url":"\/45.2-803\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-803","metadata":false},{"id":364476,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-804","catch_line":" Surface transformers","url":"\/45.2-804\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-804","metadata":false},{"id":364477,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-805","catch_line":" Underground transformers","url":"\/45.2-805\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-805","metadata":false},{"id":364478,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-806","catch_line":" Stations and substations","url":"\/45.2-806\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-806","metadata":false},{"id":364479,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-807","catch_line":" Power circuits","url":"\/45.2-807\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-807","metadata":false},{"id":364480,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-808","catch_line":" Trolley wires and feeder wires","url":"\/45.2-808\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-808","metadata":false},{"id":364481,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-809","catch_line":" Grounding","url":"\/45.2-809\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-809","metadata":false},{"id":364482,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-810","catch_line":" Circuit breakers and switches","url":"\/45.2-810\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-810","metadata":false},{"id":364483,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-811","catch_line":" Communication systems","url":"\/45.2-811\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-811","metadata":false},{"id":364484,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-812","catch_line":" Electrical equipment","url":"\/45.2-812\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-812","metadata":false},{"id":364485,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-813","catch_line":" Trailing cables","url":"\/45.2-813\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-813","metadata":false},{"id":364486,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-814","catch_line":" Inspection of electrical equipment and wiring; checking and testing methane monitors","url":"\/45.2-814\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-814","metadata":false},{"id":364487,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-815","catch_line":" Repairs to circuits and electric equipment","url":"\/45.2-815\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-815","metadata":false},{"id":364488,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-816","catch_line":" Underground illumination","url":"\/45.2-816\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-816","metadata":false},{"id":364489,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-817","catch_line":" Inspection of electric illumination equipment","url":"\/45.2-817\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-817","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":364480,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-808","catch_line":" Trolley wires and feeder wires","url":"\/45.2-808\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-808","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":364482,"structure_id":52029,"section_number":"45.2-810","catch_line":" Circuit breakers and switches","url":"\/45.2-810\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-810","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-809\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1966. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 594 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1966 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1994, chapter 28<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 256<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 826<\/a> and 862<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1450469,"object_type":"law","relational_id":364481,"identifier":"45.2-809","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-809","url":"\/45.2-809\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-809\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/2\/45.2-809","dublin_core":{"Title":" Grounding","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-809","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every metallic sheath, armor, or conduit that encloses a power conductor shall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded effectively. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every metallic frame, casing, or other enclosure of stationary electrical equipment that can become electrified through failure of insulation or by contact with energized parts shall be grounded effectively, or equivalent protection shall be provided. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any three-phase alternating current circuit<\/span> that is used underground shall contain either a direct or derived neutral that shall be grounded through a suitable resistor at the power center. A grounding circuit<\/span> that originates at the grounded side of the grounding resistor shall extend with the power conductors and serve as the grounding conductor for the frame of every piece of electrical equipment that is supplied with power from that circuit<\/span>. A grounding resistor that is manufactured to meet the extended time rating as set forth in American National standard IEEE C57.32-2015 is deemed to meet the requirements of this section. High-voltage circuits<\/span> extending underground shall be supplied with a grounding resistor of a proper Ohmic value located on the surface to limit the voltage drop in the grounding circuit<\/span> external to the resistor to not more than 100 volts under fault conditions. Such grounding resistor shall be rated for maximum fault current continuously and insulated from ground for a voltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system. Every resistance-grounded alternating circuit<\/span> used underground shall include a fail-safe ground check circuit<\/span> to monitor continuously the grounding circuit<\/span> to ensure the continuity of the ground conductor. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n GROUNDING (\u00a7 45.2-809)\n\nA. Every metallic sheath, armor, or conduit that encloses a power conductor\nshall be electrically continuous throughout and shall be grounded effectively.\n\nB. Every metallic frame, casing, or other enclosure of stationary electrical\nequipment that can become electrified through failure of insulation or by\ncontact with energized parts shall be grounded effectively, or equivalent\nprotection shall be provided.\n\nC. Any three-phase alternating current circuit that is used underground shall\ncontain either a direct or derived neutral that shall be grounded through a\nsuitable resistor at the power center. A grounding circuit that originates at\nthe grounded side of the grounding resistor shall extend with the power\nconductors and serve as the grounding conductor for the frame of every piece of\nelectrical equipment that is supplied with power from that circuit. A grounding\nresistor that is manufactured to meet the extended time rating as set forth in\nAmerican National standard IEEE C57.32-2015 is deemed to meet the requirements\nof this section. High-voltage circuits extending underground shall be supplied\nwith a grounding resistor of a proper Ohmic value located on the surface to\nlimit the voltage drop in the grounding circuit external to the resistor to not\nmore than 100 volts under fault conditions. Such grounding resistor shall be\nrated for maximum fault current continuously and insulated from ground for a\nvoltage equal to the phase-to-phase voltage of the system. Every\nresistance-grounded alternating circuit used underground shall include a\nfail-safe ground check circuit to monitor continuously the grounding circuit to\nensure the continuity of the ground conductor.\n\nHISTORY: 1966, c. 594, \u00a7 45.1-79; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.188; 1999, c. 256;\n2011, cc. 826, 862; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}