GroundHog V2 Common Point Ground Monitor User Manual

Introduction

The Botron GroundHog V2 Intelligent Common Point Ground Monitor serves two essential roles in an ESD Protected Area (EPA): it provides a common bonding point for ESD-control equipment and continuously checks the electrical safety of the outlet it’s plugged into.

IMPORTANT: Device Limitations

This device monitors the electrical outlet only, not the ESD equipment connected to it. It does not verify wrist strap connections, test mat resistance, or confirm ESD equipment function.

Not a protective device:

Does not interrupt branch circuit current
Does not provide ground-fault circuit interruption (GFCI)
Does not provide overcurrent protection
Does not replace building electrical system safety features

Note: The GroundHog senses a subset of wiring conditions and cannot detect every possible wiring or installation fault. Always verify building wiring per local electrical code prior to use.

Operating Principle

The GroundHog contains two electrically common bus bars that serve as the local bonding point for all connected ESD equipment.

An internal relay connects these bus bars to the outlet’s equipment grounding conductor (EGC) only after the GroundHog verifies that the outlet wiring and ground are safe.

The device performs this verification automatically using an isolated sensing circuit powered from the AC line. This circuit checks the relationship between the outlet’s hot, neutral, and ground connections to confirm that the wiring is correct and that a valid ground path exists.

If the GroundHog detects a wiring fault, missing ground, or unsafe condition, the relay opens disconnecting the bonding network from the outlet’s ground. During this time, all connected ESD equipment remains bonded together, keeping the work area at a single electrical potential while safely isolated from the faulty outlet. This isolation prevents external fault current from reaching connected equipment.

This isolation does NOT provide:

Protection for equipment requiring EGC for electrical safety
GFCI protection for personnel
Isolation from capacitively or inductively coupled voltages

LED Status Colors

This section provides a concise, LED-only reference for interpreting the device’s indicators. It is intended for technicians and end-users who need quick, unambiguous guidance on what each LED color means and what immediate action to take. This section covers both the Outlet Verification LED and the AVG (Audit & Verify Ground) port LED status colors.

Outlet Verification — LED

Blue: Outlet wiring and equipment grounding conductor are correct.
- Action: ✓ OK for normal use.
Orange: Hot and neutral are reversed.
- Action: ⚠ Do not use. Unplug devices and have a qualified electrician correct the wiring.
Red: Ground / equipment grounding conductor is missing or has high impedance.
- Action: ⚠ Do not use. Unplug devices and have a qualified electrician inspect and repair the ground.

AVG Port — LED (Audit & Verify Ground)

Blue: No electrically continuous connection detected (open or very high resistance).
Green: Low resistance; electrically continuous (good path to ground).
Yellow: Higher resistance but still electrically continuous (near upper threshold).

Installation

IMPORTANT: Required before installation

Must be supplied by a properly grounded 120V outlet
Outlet must have functioning equipment grounding conductor

Use a receptacle tester to verify:

Correct hot-neutral-ground wiring
Presence of equipment ground
No voltage on EGC relative to neutral

If the outlet fails these tests, do not install the device. Contact a qualified electrician to correct building wiring per local electrical code requirements.

Note: The GroundHog will detect miswiring, but relying on the device to identify building code violations is outside of the intended utility. Verify building wiring first.

Device Connection

Plug GroundHog into verified 120 VAC outlet
Verify blue LED before proceeding

If LED shows orange or red: Outlet has fault condition. Unplug device and do not use outlet for any purpose until repaired by qualified electrician.

Securing Permanently

The GroundHog provides a mounting tab that can be used to mount the device permanently to a duplex outlet using the outlet’s center screw.

Remove the outlet center screw
Install the GroundHog in the lower receptacle
Insert the center screw in the GroundHog mounting tab
Tighten securely

Connecting ESD Equipment

Connect ground wires of your ESD equipment to either the banana type or screw terminals.

Do not overtighten screw terminals. If permitted by local electrical code, you may stack multiple ground cords or cables on a single screw terminal. Ensure each screw is securely tightened and cannot loosen over time.

Recommended single-point bonding: All ESD control equipment in the work area should connect only to the GroundHog terminals. Do not create parallel ground paths to building ground through other equipment.

Ground Hazard Interrupt (GHI)

The GHI relay disconnects the common bonding point from the outlet EGC when sensing indicates unsafe conditions. This prevents external fault current from reaching connected equipment during outlet faults.

Isolated vs. Grounded Operation

Relay Closed (Normal):

Bus bars connected to outlet EGC
ESD equipment referenced to building ground
Standard ESD control practices apply

Relay Open (Fault Condition):

Bus bars isolated from outlet EGC
All connected equipment remains at same potential relative to each other
ESD control maintained within isolated network
Equipment is NOT earth-grounded

Safety During Isolation

During isolated operation (relay open):

Personnel remain protected from external fault voltage that may be present on outlet EGC
Equipment bonding is maintained through internal bus bars
Static charge equalization continues within the bonded network
Earth grounding is lost until fault clears and relay recloses

IMPORTANT: Equipment that requires earth ground for electrical safety (e.g., AC-powered devices with Class I construction) must NOT have their safety ground connected to the GroundHog. Such equipment requires a permanent, uninterrupted connection to building EGC.

Fault Response

Fault Indicators

When EGC resistance exceeds 20 kΩ:

Relay opens (disconnects bus bars from outlet EGC)
LED turns red
Buzzer sounds continuously

When reverse polarity (swapped hot and neutral wires) is detected:

Relay opens (disconnects bus bars from outlet EGC)
LED turns orange
Buzzer sounds continuously

Equipment remains bonded together through internal bus bars during fault condition. This maintains equipotential bonding for ESD control within the isolated network.

Fault Response Actions

Do not silence or disable the alarm. A Red or Orange LED and buzzer indicates the outlet requires repair.

Report to facility maintenance or qualified electrician
Do not disconnect and relocate device to “bypass” the fault

The relay will automatically reclose when the outlet EGC returns to an acceptable resistance and the wiring is correct. No manual reset is required.

Intermittent Faults

If faults occur and self-clear:

May indicate loose outlet ground connection
May indicate moisture intrusion in building wiring
May indicate shared neutral/ground bonding issues

All intermittent faults should be investigated immediately. They indicate building electrical system deficiencies that may worsen over time.

LED Not Illuminated

If the GroundHog is plugged into an outlet and its LED indicator fails to illuminate:

May indicate that the device is not receiving enough power
May indicate the LED could be damaged
May indicate a miswired outlet and/or ground fault hazard

IMPORTANT: Because a ground fault could be present, turn off power at the breaker before handling the device. Remove the GroundHog and verify its functionality at a known good outlet. If the outlet requires repair, it must be inspected and repaired by a qualified electrician.

Audit Verification Ground (AVG) Function

The AVG jack provides a low voltage resistance continuity measurement from grounded ESD equipment back to the GroundHog’s internal ground bus. This will verify electrical continuity for devices grounded at the external bus bars and equipment connected directly to the EGC by other means.

AVG Measurement Procedure

Insert 4mm banana plug into AVG jack (bottom of unit)
Touch probe tip to ESD equipment surface or ground point
Read LED color:
1. Blue: > 140 kΩ, Open circuit; no connection detected
2. Green: < 2 kΩ, Acceptable for most ESD applications
3. Yellow: 2–140 kΩ, May be acceptable depending on equipment type
When completed remove the probe.

The test probe can be combined with 5-lb weights or clamps to perform continuity checks.

Physical Description

Housing

Plastic enclosure, 104 × 74 × 41 mm (4.1″ × 2.9″ × 1.6″), 230g (0.5 lb). Two aluminum bus bars exposed on the left and right sides. NEMA 5-15P plug blades integrated into the rear panel (plug-in style, no cord).

Electrical and Connections

Input:

Integrated NEMA 5-15P plug on rear
120 VAC ±10%, 60 Hz

Bonding terminals:

12 x 4mm banana jacks (standard spacing, two rows of 6)
10 x screw terminals accepting ring or spade terminals (Phillips head, two rows of 5)

Auxiliary:

1× 4mm banana jack (bottom), labeled AVG (Audit Verification Ground)

USB (Type-C connector):

Used for firmware updating

Safety Requirements

Warnings

Plugging a common point ground, such as the GroundHog, into an outlet with an active fault condition could result in electrical shock or electrocution. Always verify outlets are wired correctly before installation and removal. Turn power off at the supply before removing or handling the GroundHog in the presence of an electrical fault.

Electrical Installation

Connect only to properly grounded 120 VAC outlet
Do not use adapters, cheater plugs, or remove ground pin
Verify outlet ground before installation

Prohibited Uses

NEVER connect to GroundHog terminals:

AC-powered equipment safety grounds (Class I equipment)
Equipment requiring EGC for fault protection
Lightning protection ground conductors
Telecommunications ground reference
Any conductor carrying or intended to carry fault current

The GroundHog is designed solely for static control bonding. It is not rated for fault current and includes a safety relay that opens automatically under fault conditions.

Environmental Limitations

Indoor use only
Avoid exposure to moisture, conductive dust, or corrosive atmospheres
Do not install in hazardous (classified) locations unless specifically approved
Maintain 10–35°C operating temperature

Maintenance

Verify LED shows blue during operation
Check screw terminal tightness (do not overtighten)
Inspect plug blades for damage or corrosion

Test AVG function on known-good equipment
Clean exterior with dry cloth only

Record the LED status during normal operation
Verify all connected equipment using AVG function
Inspect all ground cords and connections for damage

Cleaning

Use dry cloth only. Do not use:

Solvents (acetone, alcohol, thinners)
Water or aqueous cleaners
Abrasive materials
Compressed air (may drive contaminants into jacks)

Calibration and Service

The GroundHog contains no user-adjustable components. Verification should be performed in a controlled environment where electrical safety precautions are in place.

Recommended calibration interval: 12 months

Calibration services are provided by Botron Co. Inc., please contact Botron directly.

Warranty

Warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year from purchase date. Warranty excludes:

Damage from misuse or incorrect installation
Operation outside specified parameters
Unauthorized modification or repair
Damage from external electrical faults

Liability is limited to repair or replacement of the defective unit. Botron Co. Inc. is not liable for consequential damages, facility downtime, or injury resulting from improper use.

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