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Earthing
Earthing : Earthing means connecting the neutral point of a supply system or the non –
current carrying metal parts used in electrical distribution system to the general mass of
earth by wire of negligibale resistance in such a manner that at all times an electrical
discharge of electrical energy takes place without danger. This brings the body of the
equipment to zero potential and thus will avoid the shock to the operator.
Purpose of earthing:
1. To avoid electrical shock to human body.
2. To avoid risk of fire due to earth leakage current through unwanted path.
3. To ensure that no current carrying conductor rise to potential with respect to earth than its
designed insulation.
Important term used in Earthing
Earth electrode: A conductor or group of conductores in intimate contact with and
providing an electrical connection to earth.
Earth electrode resistance: The resistance of an earth electrode to earth.
Touch voltage : The potential differance between a grounded metallic structure and the
point on the earth's surface seperated by a distance equal to the normal maximum horizontal
reach approximately one meter.
Step Voltage : The potential differance between two points on the earth's surface seperated
by a distance one pace, that will be assumed to be one meter in the direction of maximum
potential gredient.
Earth Grid: A system of grounding electrodes consisting of inter connected connectors
burried in the earth to provide a common ground for electrical divices and mettalic structure.
Earth mat: A grounding system formed by grid of horizontally buried conductors and
which serves to dissipate the earth fault current to earth and also as an equipotential bonding
conductor system.
Ground symbols
1) Neutral Earthing
2) Body Earthing
Neutral Earthing
Solidly Earthing / Effectively Earthing
Non effectivaly Earthing
a) Reactor Earthing
b) Resistor earthing
Isolated Earthing
Earthing design considerations
A correctly designed and installed earthing system will safeguard both lives and equipment.
A good earth connection should have,
Low electrical resistance to earth
Good corrosion resistance
Ability to carry the required current repeatedly
A reliable life span of the earthing system.
The crucial factors that determine the resistance to earth of an electrode are:
Soil resistivity
Electrode dimensions
Area available
Earth electrode materials
Soil resistivity
Physical composition
Different soil compositions give different average resistivities
Effect of soil type on resistivity
Soil type Typical resistivity
Ohm-m
Marshy ground 2 - 2.7
Loam and clay 4 - 150
Chalk 60 - 400
Sand 90 - 8,000
PeatRock 200 upwards
Sandy gravel 300 - 500
Rock 1,000 upwards
Moisture
Increased moisture content of the ground can rapidly decrease its resistivity.
It is especially important to consider moisture content in areas of high seasonal variation in
rainfall.
Wherever possible the earth electrode should be installed deep enough to reach the "water
table" or "permanent moisture level".
Effect of moisture on resistivity
Chemical composition
Certain minerals and salts can affect soil resistivity. Their levels can vary with time due to
rainfall or flowing water.
Note that although the addition of salts can lower soil resistivity, they are not recommended
due to corrosion and leaching.
Effect of salt on resistivity forsandy loam, 15.2% moisture
When the ground becomes frozen, its resistivity rises dramatically. An earth that may be
effective during temperate weather may become ineffective in winter.
Please note that, if your soil temperature decreases from +20°C to 5°C, the resistivity
increases more than ten times.
Effect of temperature on resistivity forsandy loam, 15.2% moisture
Different methods of earthing
1. Earhing through a water mains.
2. Wire or strip earthing.
3. Rod earthing.
4. Pipe earthing.
5. Plate earthing.
Classification of system based on types of system earthing :
1. TN System
2. TT System
3. IT System
The first letter indicates the connection between earth and the powersupply equipment
(generator or transformer):
T : direct connection of a point with earth;
I : no point is connected with earth (isolation), except perhaps via a high impedance.
The second letter indicates the connection between earth and the electrical device being
supplied:
T : direct connection with earth, independent of any other earth connection in the supply
system;
N : connection to earth via the supply network.
S : Seperate
C : Combined
1. TN network
In a TN earthing system, one of the points in the generator or transformer is connected with
earth, usually the star point in a threephase system. The body of the electrical device is
connected with earth via this earth connection at the transformer.
The conductor that connects the exposed metallic parts of the consumer is called protective
earth (PE). The conductor that connects to the star point in a threephase system, or that
carries the return current in a singlephase system, is called neutral (N). Three variants of
TN systems are distinguished:
TN−S : PE and N are separate conductors that are connected together only near the power
source. Separate protective earth (PE) and neutral (N) conductors from transformer to
consuming device, which are not connected together at any point after the building
distribution point.
TN−C : A combined PEN conductor fulfills the functions of both a PE and an N conductor.
Combined PE and N conductor all the way from the transformer to the consuming device.
TN−C−S : Part of the system uses a combined PEN conductor, which is at some point split
up into separate PE and N lines. The combined PEN conductor typically occurs between the
substation and the entry point into the building, whereas within the building separate PE and
N conductors are used. In the UK, this system is also known as protective multiple earthing
(PME), because of the practice of connecting the combined neutralandearth conductor to
real earth at many locations, to reduce the risk of broken neutrals with a similar system in
Australia being designated as multiple earthed neutral (MEN).
Combined PEN conductor from transformer to building distribution point, but separate PE
and N conductors in fixed indoor wiring and flexible power cords.
It is possible to have both TNS and TNCS supplies from the same transformer. For
example, the sheaths on some underground cables corrode and stop providing good earth
connections, and so homes where "bad earths" are found get converted to TNCS.
2. TT network
In a TT earthing system, the protective earth connection of the consumer is provided by a
local connection to earth, independent of any earth connection at the generator.
3. IT network
In an IT network, the distribution system has no connection to earth at all, or it has only a
high impedance connection. In such systems, an insulation monitoring device is used to
monitor the impedance.