THE EFFECT OF CORROSION MYTHS ON NATIONAL ELECTRICAL STANDARDS

It appears that many national codes and standards have promulgated req uirements concerning electrical grounding without a real consideration of corrosion basics. An example of this is the listing of stainless s teel as an acceptable, perhaps preferred, material for ground rods. Pr esumably this was done in the belief that stainless steel does not cor rode. A review of corrosion basics along with a detailed account of ho w stainless steel does corrode is provided. Examples of other misconce ptions on the part of electrical engineers, as well as corrosion engin eers, are also discussed. This discussion underlines the need for a st rong liaison between the IEEE and the National Association of Corrosio n Engineers (NACE).