CG Bar vs IEB Bar: Key Differences in Electrical Grounding Applications

In electrical systems, grounding is essential for safety, stability, and the proper functioning of equipment. While most professionals are familiar with basic grounding practices, the difference between a Common Ground (CG) Bar and an Isolated Earth Bar (IEB) is often overlooked or misunderstood — especially when it comes to setting up electrical panels in sensitive environments.

CG Bar

CG Bar stands for Common Ground Bar. It is a metallic bar mounted inside an electrical panel that serves as the main point for connecting all grounding (earthing) wires.

Main Features:

• Connected directly to the building’s main earth pit or grounding system.
• Used for general-purpose grounding.
• Provides a path for fault current to safely dissipate into the earth.
• Commonly connected to lighting circuits, power outlets, motors, and other standard electrical loads.

IEB Bar

IEB Bar stands for Isolated Earth Bar (also called Clean Earth Bar). It is physically and electrically separated from the CG bar and is used for sensitive electronic equipment that requires clean or noise-free grounding.

Main Features:

• Not directly connected to the CG bar inside the panel.
• Linked to a separate earth pit, often far from the main grounding system to reduce electrical noise.
• Used in data centers, hospitals, audio-visual rooms, and places where EMI (electromagnetic interference) can cause issues.
• Protects sensitive devices from ground loops, interference, and voltage fluctuations.

Key Differences Between CG Bar and IEB Bar

When to Use an IEB Bar?

• In IT rooms or data centers
• In hospitals, especially with diagnostic or life-support equipment
• In recording studios and broadcast environments
• When using high-speed control systems or automation panels