Detailed Report on Grounding Neutral And Earthing

Muhammad Irfan (2017-F-MS-EE-27)

Department of Electrical Engineering,
University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract—. One of the major differences between the
grounding and the earthing is that in grounding, the current
carrying part is connected to the ground whereas in
earthing the non-current carrying parts is connected to
ground. In grounding the neutral of the equipment is
connected to ground so that all the equipment is at
equipotential. While in Earthing the body of equipment is
grounded to save the people from shock.
Keywords—Grounding Neutral, Earthing
I. INTRODUCTION
Electrical circuits may be connected to ground (earth) for
several reasons. In mains powered equipment, exposed metal
parts are connected to ground so that if, due to any fault
conditions, a "line" supply voltage connection occurs to any
such conductive parts, the current flow will then be such that
any protective equipment installed for either overload or
"leakage" protection will operate and disconnect the line
voltage. This is done to prevent harm resulting to the user from
coming in contact with any such dangerous voltage in a
situation where the user may, at the same time, also come in
contact with an object at ground/earth potential. [1]
UK's BS 7671 list systems that are required to be grounded. [6]
According to the NEC, the purpose of connecting an electrical
system to the physical ground (earth) is to limit the voltage
imposed by lightning events and contact with higher voltage
lines, and also for voltage stabilization. In the past, water supply
pipes were used as grounding electrodes, but due to the
increased use of plastic pipes, which are poor conductors, the
use of an actual grounding electrode is required. This type of
ground applies to radio antennas and to lightning protection
systems. [1]
II. GROUNDING
1. Definition of Grounding.
In grounding, the current carrying parts are directly connected
to the ground. The grounding provides the return path for the
leakage current and hence protect the power system equipment
from damage.

For measurement purposes, the Earth serves as a (reasonably)

constant potential reference against which other potentials can
be measured. An electrical ground system should have an
appropriate current-carrying capability to serve as an adequate
zero-voltage reference level. In electronic circuit theory, a
"ground" is usually idealized as an infinite source or sink for
charge, which can absorb an unlimited amount of current
without changing its potential. used in classification. The case
of a continuous dependent variable is more referred to as metric
regression to distinguish it from related problems. [1]

Electrical power distribution systems are often connected to

ground to limit the voltage that can appear on distribution
circuits. A distribution system insulated from ground may attain
a high potential due to transient voltages caused by arcing,
static electricity, or accidental contact with higher potential
circuits. A ground connection of the system dissipates such
potentials and limits the rise in voltage of the grounded system.
A grounding electrode conductor (GEC) is used to connect the
system grounded ("neutral") conductor, or the equipment to a
grounding electrode, or a point on the grounding electrode
system. This is called "system grounding" and most electrical
systems are required to be grounded. The U.S. NEC and the
When the fault occurs in the equipment, the current in all the
three phases of the equipment become unbalance.The
grounding discharges the fault current to the ground and hence
makes the system balance.
The grounding has several advantages like it eliminates the
surge voltage and also discharge the over voltage to the ground.
The grounding provides the great safety to the equipment and
improves the service reliability. [2]
 2. Types of Grounding. 4. Resistance Grounding.

• Solid Grounding In this type of neutral grounding, the neutral of the system is
• Resistance Grounding connected to ground through one or more resistance. Resistance
• Reactance Grounding. grounding limits the fault currents. It protects the system from
• Peterson Coil Grounding transient overvoltages. Resistance grounding decreases the
• Grounding by Transformer. arcing grounding risk and permits ground-fault protection.

3. Solid Grounding. The value of resistance used in the neutral grounding system
should neither be very high nor be very low shown in the figure
A power system is said to be effectively grounded or solidly below. [3]
grounded when the neutral of a generator, power transformer or
grounding transformer are directly connected to the ground
through a conductor of negligible resistance and reactance. A
part of a system or system is said to be solidly grounded when
the positive-sequence impedance of the system is greater or
equal to the zero-sequence resistance, and positive sequence
reactance is three times greater than or equal to the zero-
sequence reactance. [3]

A very low resistance makes the system to the solidity

grounded, whereas a very high resistance makes the system
ungrounded. The value of resistance is chosen such that the
ground-fault current is limited, but still sufficient ground
current flows permit the operation of ground faults protections.
In general, the ground fault may be limited up to 5% to 20% of
that which occur with a three-phase line.
5. Reactance Grounding.

In reactance grounded system, a reactance is inserted between

the neutral and ground to limit the fault current as shown in the
figure below.

Consider a system having three phases a, b and c shown in the

figure above. If the single-ground-fault occur in phase a the
voltage of the phase becomes zero. However, the remaining two
phases b and c will still have the same voltages as before shown
in the figure below. When the fault occurs in the system, in
addition to the charging current the power source also feeds the
fault current.

For the solidly neutral grounded system, it is necessary that the

ground fault current should not exceed 80% of the three-phase
fault. It is usually used for keeping the fault current within safe
limits.
To minimize transient overvoltage’s, the ground fault current in
a reactance grounded system should not be less than 25% of the
three-phase fault current. This is considerably more than the
minimum current desirable in resistance grounded systems. [3]
6. Peterson Coil Grounding
Peterson coil is an iron core reactor connected between
transformer neutral and ground. It is used for limiting the
capacitance earth fault current which is flowing when the line
ground fault occurs in the line. The coil is provided with the
tapping so that it can be adjusted with the capacitance of the
system. The reactance is selected so that the current through the
reactor is equal to the small line charging current which would
flow into the line-to-ground fault.
Consider an LG fault in phase B at a point F as shown in the
figure below. The line-to-ground voltage of phase B becomes
zero. The voltage of the phases R and Y increase from phase
values to line values. [4]
If IC is equal to IL there will be no current through the ground,
and there will be no tendency of the arcing grounds to occur.
With the help of Peterson coil neutral grounding, arc resistance
is reduced to such a small value that it is usually self-
extinguishing. Therefore, Peterson coil is also known as a
ground fault neutralizer or arc suppression coil.
Peterson coil is rated for a short time of about 5 minutes, or it
is designed to carry its rated current continuously. It reduces the
transient fault which occur due to lightning and also minimized
the single line-to-ground voltage drops. [4]
4. Grounding via Transformer.
The grounding transformer is used to provide a path to an
ungrounded system or when the system neutral is not available
for some reason, for example, when a system is delta connected.
It provides a low impedance path to the neutral and also limits
the transient overvoltage when the ground faults occur in the
system. The grounding of the system can be done in the
following way. [5]
• By using a delta-star grounding transformer.
• By using a zig-zag grounding transformer.
1) Delta-Star Grounding Transformer
In a case of delta-star grounding transformer, the delta side is
closed to provide a path for zero-sequence current. The star
winding must be of the same voltage rating as the circuit that is
to be grounded, whereas the delta voltage rating can be chosen
to be any standard voltage level. [5]
The selection of the type of grounding depends on the type of
the system and its voltage levels. The following considerations
are made for the selection of the grounding
• Transient overvoltage developed.
• The Magnitude of ground-fault current as a percentage
of 3-phase fault current.
• Dip in line voltage due to fault conditions.
Generally, solid grounding is used for a low-voltage system up
to 600V. For voltages up to 11KV resistance grounding is used.
 5. ZIG-ZAG TRANSFORMER
A zig-zag transformer is used for providing grounding on the
transformer. It provides insulation between the ground and the
component so that the system component may not be affected
by the fault currents. Zigzag transformer terminates the
harmonics of the power system. It also protects the power
system by reducing the stress of the voltage under a fault
condition.
The zig-zag transformer has no secondary winding. It is a three-
limbed (branched) transformer. Each limbed has got two
identical windings. One set of windings is connected in the star
to provide the neutral point. The other ends of this set of
windings are connected to the second set of windings as shown
in the figure below. The direction of current in the two windings
on each limb is opposite to each other. [6]
Under normal operating conditions the total flux in each limb
is negligibly small. Therefore, the transformer draws very small
magnetizing current. Under fault conditions, the impedance of
the grounding transformer is very low.
In order to limit the fault current, a resistor is connected in series
with the neutral grounding. It is designed for a short-time kVA
rating and for carrying the rated current for a very short time of
10 seconds.
III. EARTHING
1. Definition of Earthing
The ‘earthing’ means the connection of non-current carrying
part of the equipment to the earth. When the fault occurs in the
system, then the potential of the non-current part of the
equipment raises, and when any human or stray animal touch
the body of the equipment, then they may get shocked.
The earthing discharges the leakage current to the earth and
hence avoid the personnel from the electric shock. It also
protects the equipment from lightning strokes and provides the
discharge path for the surge arrester, gap and other devices.
The earthing is achieved by connecting the parts of the
installation to the earth by using the earth conductor or earth
electrode in intimate contact with the soil placed with some
distance below the ground level. [2]
1. Types of Earthing
The electrical equipment mainly consists of two non-current
carrying parts. These parts are neutral of the system or frame of
the electrical equipment. From the earthing of these two non-
currents carrying parts of the electrical system earthing can be
classified into two types.
• Neutral Earthing.
• Equipment Earthing.
1) Neutral Earthing.
In neutral earthing, the neutral of the system is directly
connected to earth by the help of the GI wire. The neutral
earthing is also called the system earthing. Such type of
earthing is mostly provided to the system which has star
winding. For example, the neutral earthing is provided in the
generator, transformer, motor etc.
2) Equipment Earthing
Such type of earthing is provided to the electrical equipment.
The non-current carrying part of the equipment like their
metallic frame is connected to the earth by the help of the
conducting wire. If any fault occurs in the apparatus, the short-
circuit current to pass the earth by the help of wire. Thus,
protect the system from damage.
2. Methods of Earthing
There are several methods of earthing which are given below.
• Earthing Mat.
• Earthing Electrode.
• Pipe Earthing.
 • Plate Earthing.
• Earthing through water mains.
1) Earthing Mat.
Earthing mat is made by joining the number of rods through
copper conductors. It reduced the overall grounding resistance.
Such type of system helps in limiting the ground potential.
Earthing mat is mostly used in a placed where the large fault
current is to be experienced. While designing an earth mat, the
following step is taken into consideration.
• In a fault condition, the voltage between the ground
and the ground surface should not be dangerous to a
person who may touch the noncurrent-carrying
conducting surface of the electrical system.
• The uninterrupted fault current that may flow into the
earthing mat should be large enough to operate the
protective relay. The resistance of the ground is low to
allow the fault current to flow through it. The
resistance of the mat should not be of such a
magnitude as to permit the flow of fatal current in the
live body.
• The design of grounding mat should be such that the
step voltage should be less than the permissible value
which would depend on the resistivity of the soil and
fault required for isolating the faulty plant from the
live system. [7]
2) Earthing Electrode
In this type of earthing any wire, rod, pipe, plate or a bundle of
conductors, inserted in the ground horizontally or vertically. In
distributing systems, the earth electrode may consist of a rod,
about 1 meter in length and driven vertically into the ground. In
generating substations, grounding mat is used rather than
individual rods. [7]
3) Pipe Earthing.
This is the most common and best system of earthing as
compared to other systems suitable for the same earth and
moisture conditions. In this method the galvanized steel and
perforated pipe of approved length and diameter in place
upright in a permanently wet soil, as shown below. The size of
the pipe depends upon the current to be carried and type of soil.
Normally, the size of the pipe uses for earthing is of diameter
40 mm and 2.5 meters in length for ordinary soil or of greater
length in case of dry and rocky soil. The depth at which the pipe
must be buried depends on the moistures of the ground.
The pipe is placed at 3.75 meters. The bottom of the pipe is
surrounded by small pieces of coke or charcoal at a distance of
about 15 cm. Alternate layers of coke and salt are used to
increase the effective area of the earth and to decrease the earth
resistance respectively. [7]
Another pipe of 19 mm diameter and minimum length 1.25
meters is connected at the top of GI pipe through reducing
socket.
During summer the moisture in the soil decreases, which causes
an increase in earth resistance. So a cement concrete work is
done to keep the water arrangement accessible, and in summer
to have an effective earth, 3 or 4 buckets of water are put
through the funnel connected to 19 mm diameter pipe, which is
further connected to GI pipe.
The earth wire either GI or a strip of GI wire of sufficient cross
section to carry faulty current safely is carried in a GI pipe of
diameter 12 mm at a depth of about 60cm from the ground. [7]
4) Plate Earthing.
In Plate Earthing an earthing plate either of copper of dimension
60cm×60cm×3m of galvanized iron of dimensions 60 cm× 60
cm×6 mm is buried into the ground with its face vertical at a
depth of not less than 3 meters from ground level.
The earth plate is inserted into auxiliary layers of coke and salt
for a minimum thickness of 15 cm. The earth wire (GI or copper
wire) is tightly bolted to an earth plate with the help of nut or
bolt. The copper plate and copper wire are usually not
employed for grounding purposes because of their higher cost.
The earth plate is inserted into auxiliary layers of coke and salt
for a minimum thickness of 15 cm. The earth wire (GI or copper
wire) is tightly bolted to an earth plate with the help of nut or
bolt. The copper plate and copper wire are usually not
employed for grounding purposes because of their higher cost.
5) Earthing Through Water Mains
In this type of earthing the GI or copper wire are connected to
the water mains with the help of the steel binding wire which is
fixed on copper lead as shown below. [7]
The water pipe is made up of metal, and it is placed below the
surface of the ground, i.e. directly connected to earth. The
fault current flow through the GI or copper wire is directly get
earthed through the water pipe.
3. Importance of Earthing
The earthing is essential because of the following reasons
• The earthing protects the personnel from the short-
circuit current.
• The earthing provides the easiest path to the flow of
short-circuit current even after the failure of the
insulation.
• The earthing protects the apparatus and personnel
from the high voltage surges and lightning discharge.
Earthing can be done by electrically connecting the respective
parts in the installation to some system of electrical conductors
or electrodes placed near the soil or below the ground level. The
earthing mat or electrode under the ground level have flat iron
riser through which all the non-current-carrying metallic parts
of the equipment are connected.
When the fault occurs the fault current from the equipment
flows through the earthing system to the earth and thereby
protect the equipment from the fault current. At the time of the
fault, the earth mat conductors rise to the voltage which is equal
to the resistance of the earth mat multiplied by a ground fault.
The contacting assembly is called earthing. The metallic
conductors connecting the parts of the installation with the
earthing are called electrical connection. The earthing and the
earthing connection together called the earthing system.
4. Specifications for Earth Electrodes
1. The earthing electrode should not be placed near the
building whose installation system is earthed more
than 1.5 m away.
2. The resistance of the earth wire should not be more
than 1 ohm.
3. The wire use for electrode and circuit should be made
up of the same material.
4. The electrodes should be placed in vertical position so
that it can touch the layers of the earth.
The size of the conductor should not be less than 2.6 mm2 or
half of the wire used for electrical wiring. Bare copper wire is
used for earthing and grounding. Green 6 THHN
(Thermoplastic high heat neutral coating wire) and gauged
copper wire of different sizes like 2,4,6,8 etc. are also used for
earthing and grounding. [2]
IV. COMPARISON CHART
earth electrode is placed between the equipment body
and the earth pit which is placed under the ground.
5. In grounding the equipment is not physically
connected to the ground, and the current is not zero on
the ground, whereas in earthing the system is
physically connected to the ground and it is at zero
potential.
6. The grounding gives the path to an unwanted current
and hence protects the electrical equipment from
damage, whereas the earthing decrease the high
potential of electrical equipment which is caused by
a fault and thus protects the human body from the
electrical shock.
7. The grounding is classified into three types. They are
the solid grounding, resistance grounding and
reactance grounding. Earthing can be done in five
ways.The different methods of earthing are the pipe
earthing, plate earthing, rod earthing, earthing through
tap and strip earthing. [2]

VI. CONCLUSION
Ground is a source for unwanted currents and also as a return
path for main current. While earthing is done not for return path
but only for protection of delicate equipment’s. It is an alternate
low resistance path for current.

Earth is used for the safety of the human body in fault

conditions while Grounding (As neutral earth) is used for the
protection of equipment.

REFERENCES

[1] Wikipedia “Ground(Electricity)”, [Online]

Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_(electricity)
[2] Circuitglobe.com “Difference Between Grounding and Earthing”,
[Online] Available: https://circuitglobe.com/difference-between-
grounding-and-earthing.html
[3] Circuitglobe.com “Solid Grounding”, [Online]
Available: https://circuitglobe.com/solid-grounding.html
[4] Circuitglobe.com “Peterson Coil Grounding”, [Online]
Available: https://circuitglobe.com/peterson-coil-grounding.html
V. KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GROUNDING AND EARTHING
[5] Circuitglobe.com “Grounding Transformer”, [Online]
Available: https://circuitglobe.com/grounding-transformer.html
1. The Multiple Regression procedure fits a model [6] Circuitglobe.com “Zig Zag Transformer”, [Online]
relating a response variable Y to multiple predictor Available: https://circuitglobe.com/zig-zag-transformer.html
variables X1, X2, .... The earthing is defined as the [7] Circuitglobe.com “Methods of Earthing”, [Online]
Available: https://circuitglobe.com/methods-of-earthing.html
connection of the non-current carrying part like the
[8] Circuitglobe.com “Electrical Earthing”, [Online]
body of the equipment or enclosure to earth. In Available: https://circuitglobe.com/electrical-earthing.html.
grounding the current carrying part like neutral of the
transformer is directly connected to the ground.
2. For grounding, the black color wire is used, and for
earthing the green colour, the wire is used.
3. The grounding balanced the unbalanced load whereas
the earthing protect the equipment and human from an
electrical shock.
4. The grounding wire is placed between the neutral of
the equipment and the earth whereas in earthing the