TM 10-4930-204-132-3. STARTING.a. Preparation for Starting:(1) Check suction hose connections between the tanks and the pumping assembly to ensure that theyare properly locked into place.(2) Bonding and grounding procedures are as follows:DEATH or serious injury may result if proper grounding proceduresare not followed prior to operating the equipment.(a) Bonding is the process that equalizes the charge on two unlike objects such as an aircraft anda refueling nozzle. It is done in order to prevent arcing, in the presence of flammable vapors, as the two objectsare joined.1Extend the grounding cable from the ground reel assembly so the plug (if present) can beinserted into the vehicle receptacle. Otherwise, attach one of the grounding clips to a bare metal surface of thereceiving vehicle. Attach the remaining clip to the grounding rod. Bond before the dust cap or gas tank cap isremoved to prevent a spark occurring when fuel vapor is present. Do not disconnect the bond until refueling iscomplete and the gas tank cap and nozzle dust cap are replaced.(b) Grounding of equipment is a means to provide a conductive path into the ground so a staticcharge isn’t trapped on the surface of the equipment where it could discharge as a spark.1Insert the grounding rod into the soil to the required depth (refer to table 2-1). Drive therod into the soil to reach below the permanent ground moisture level.2If the top of the rod is level with the surrounding surface, scoop out an area around thetop to allow attachment of the ground dips to the rod. Attach the clip from the grounding wheel to the exposedportion of the grounding rod. The refueler and vehicle are now grounded and the refueling process may begin.Table 2-1. Required Depths for Ground RodsType of SoilDepth of Ground RodCoarse ground, cohesionless sands and gravels6 feetInorganic day, claying gravels, gravel-sand-4 feetday, claying sands, sandy clay, gravelly clay,and silty daySilty gravel, gravel-sand-silt, silty sand, sand,3 feetsilt, peat, muck, and swamp soil(c) Methods of Grounding. There is no quick or easy way to test the adequacy of a ground. Thetesting procedures (See FM 10-68 Appendix E) are complex and the equipment is bulky and expensive;therefore, several levels or methods of grounding and bonding are required to meet the various operationalneeds of the Army. The three methods/levels are listed in order of preference.1Method 1: equipment is grounded to a rod or rods that have measured resistance toground equal to or less than 10,000 ohms. Ground the refueling system to this tested ground rod. Bond thenozzle to the vehicle aircraft. This method is required, unless conditions, as described below, prevent its use.This method is the only standard of grounding acceptable, without authorization, at any fixed airfield orrefueling point. It is the safest method.2Method 2: If equipment is not available to test resistance to ground, use method 2.Method 2 uses an untested ground - a grounding system based on the knowledge that damp earth will acceptand drain off an electrical charge. Use method 2 when the location, tactical situation, or type of operationmakes it impossible to test ground rods. Ground equipment to a rod or rods driven a specific depth into theground depending on the type of soil at the site (see table 2-1). The depth to which the reds must be driven isdetermined by the normal depth of permanent ground moisture in the various types of soils. The commander ofthe operating unit must authorize the use of method 2. This method is less desirable. Employ method 2 whenimpossible to use method 1.Change 82-5
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