Earthing &

Grounding 1

PRESENTATION BY:
K.K.MEHTA
MEMBER EXPERT
NSC

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 Reference documents for earthing
2

IEEE Std 80
IS 3043 1987 code of practice of earthing
IE Rule 1956 and Regulation 2010

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Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EARTHING
(First Revision) IS : 3043 . 1987 3

 This Indian Standard ( First Revision ) was adopted by the

Bureau of Indian Standards on 6th August 1987, after the draft
finalized by the Electrical Installations Sectional Committee,
had been approved by the Electro technical Division Council.

 The Indian Electricity Rules, together with the supplementary

regulations of the State Electricity Departments and Electricity
Undertakings, govern the electrical installation work in
generating stations, substations, industrial locations, buildings,
etc, in the country.

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 4

 To ensure safety of life and apparatus against earth faults, it

was felt necessary to prepare a code of practice for earthing.
This code of practice is intended to serve as a consolidated
guide to all those who are concerned with the design,
installation, inspection and maintenance of electrical systems
and apparatus

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 IER 33/ Regulation 16 Earthed terminal on consumer’s
premises
10

 The supplier shall provide and maintain on the consumers ‘s

premises for the consumer’s use a suitable earthed terminal in an
accessible position at or near the point of commencement of
supply

 Earth Electrode

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 11

 The consumer shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent

mechanical damages to the earthed terminal and its lead
belonging to supplier
 The supplier may recover from the consumer the cost of
installation on the basis of schedule of charges in advance as
notified in relevant rule

 Earth Electrode

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IE Rule 61/Regulation 41. Connection with earth-
12

 (1) The following provisions shall apply to the connection with

earth of systems at low voltage in cases where the voltage
normally exceeds 125 volts and of systems at medium voltage: -
 [(a) Neutral conductor of 3 phase, 4-wire system shall be earthed
by not less than two separate and distinct connections with a
minimum of two different earth electrodes of such large number
as may be necessary to bring the earth resistance to a satisfactory
value both at the generating station and at the sub-station.
 The earth electrodes so provided, may be interconnected to
reduce earth resistance. It may also be earthed at one or more
points along the distribution system or service line in addition to
any connection with earth which may be at the consumer’s
premises.

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 13
 In an electrical installation, an earthing
system or grounding system connects
specific parts of that installation with the
Earth's conductive surface for safety and
functional purposes. The point of reference is
the Earth's conductive surface. The choice of
earthing system can affect the safety and
electromagnetic compatibility of the
installation. Regulations for earthing systems
vary considerably among countries, though
most follow the recommendations of the
International Electrotechnical Commission.
Regulations may identify special cases for
earthing in mines, in patient care areas, or in
hazardous areas of industrial plants.

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 Concept of Earthing Systems
All the people living or working in residential, commercial and
industrial installations, particularly the operators and personnel who
are in close operation and contact with electrical systems and
machineries, should essentially be protected against possible
electrocution.
 To achieve this protection, earthing system of an installation is
defined, designed and installed according to the standard
requirements..

30 28/12/23
 What Is Earthing
31

The process of connecting metallic bodies of all the electrical

apparatus and equipment to huge mass of earth by a wire having
negligible resistance is called Earthing.

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 What Is Earthing
32
The term earthing means connecting the neutral point of
supply system or the non current carrying parts of the
electrical apparatus to the general mass of earth in such a
manner that all times an immediate discharge of electrical
energy takes place without danger.

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 33

R
220V
440V

 Y B

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 34

• Provide an alternative path for the fault current to flow

so that it will not endanger the user
• Maintain the voltage at any part of an electrical system
at a known value so as to prevent over current or
excessive voltage on the appliances or equipment.

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 Qualities Of Good Earthing
35

Must be of low electrical resistance

• Must be of good corrosion resistance
• Must be able to dissipate high fault current repeatedly

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 Purpose of Earthing
36
• To save human life from danger of electrical shock or death by
blowing a fuse i.e. To provide an alternative path for the fault
current to flow so that it will not endanger the user
• To protect buildings, machinery & appliances under fault
conditions ie. To ensure that all exposed conductive parts do
not reach a dangerous potential.

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 To provide safe path to dissipate lightning and short circuit
currents. 37
 To provide stable platform for operation of sensitive electronic
equipments i.e. To maintain the voltage at any part of an
electrical system at a known value so as to prevent over current
or excessive voltage on the appliances or equipment

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 Electric shock
38
 An electric shock (electrocution)occurs when two portion of a
person’s body come in contact with electrical conductors of a
circuit which is at different potentials, thus producing a
potential difference across the body.

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 39

 The human body does have resistance and when the body is
connected between two conductors at different potential a circuit
is formed through the body and current will flow

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 40

 When the human body/birds comes in contact with only one

conductor, a circuit is not formed and nothing happens

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How electrocution occurs
47

There is no potential difference Victim one contact point is

Every where same potential on live part and other touching
as his both the legs (Contact point)
are in air while jumping ground so flow of currant

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 Equipment Earthing
52

In case of insulation failure, the primary object of

connecting all the above points and apparatus to earth is
to release the charge accumulated on them immediately
to earth so that the person coming in contact may not
experience electric shock.

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 Equipment Earthing(Cont.)
53

The other object is that a heavy current when flows

through the circuit that operates the protective devices
that is fuse or CB, which open the circuit

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Un attended and corroded earth
54

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 Max. Value of Earth Resistance to be achieved
55

Equipment to be Earthed Max. Value of Earth Resistance to

be achieved in Ohms
Large Power Stations 0.5
Major Substations 1.0
Small Substations 2.0
Factories Substations 1.0
Lattice Steel Tower 3.0
Industrial Machine and Equipment 0.5

* The Earth Resistance depends upon the moisture content in the soil.

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 Methods of Earthing
56

Generally two types of earting is in use

Conventional Earthing
Maintenance Free Earthing/ Chemical Earthing

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 Conventional Earthing
57
The Conventional system of Earthing calls for
digging of a large pit into which a GI pipe or a copper
plate is positioned in the middle layers of charcoal and
salt.
It requires maintenance and pouring of water at
regular interval.

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Conventional Earthing
58

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 Maintenance Free Earthing
59
• It is a new type of earthing system which is Readymade, standardized and
scientifically developed.
Its Benefits are
• MAINTENANCE FREE: No need to pour water at regular interval- except
in sandy soil.
• CONSISTENCY: Maintain stable and consistent earth resistance around the
year.
• MORE SURFACE AREA: The conductive compound creates a conductive
zone, which provides the increased surface area for peak current
dissipation. And also get stable reference point.

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Sandy Soil
60

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 Why copper is preferred than steel
61

 Corrosion Allowance — On an average, steel corrodes about six times as

fast as copper when placed in soil. The extent of corrosion depends
upon the properties of soil. The generally accepted correlation between
the electrical resistivity of soil and its corrosivity is as indicated in the
table below
 Soil Resistivity and Corrosion

Range of Soil Resistivity (Class of Soil)

(ohm-metres)
Less than 25 Severely corrosive
25-50 Moderately corrosive
50-100 Mildly corrosive
Above 100 Very mildly corrosive

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 62
 This following methods can be
adopted to safeguard Conductor
against excessive corrosion:
 a) Use of cathodic protection, and
 b) Use current conducting,
corrosion resistant coating on
steel (for example, zinc coating).
 The zinc coating on the tubes
shall be in accordance with IS
4736 : 1986 'Hot dip zinc coatings
on
 mild steel tubes with coating
thickness 150 microns
 catholid protection of a metal
structure from corrosion under
water by making it act as an
electrical cathode
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 HO A CONCLUSION! Why Chemical Earthing is more DURABLE
. AAND RELIABLE? W TO SELECT & INSTALL SLY Earthing Electrode
CONCLUSION!
EARTHGING SYSTEM?
Draw backs in coventianal earthing
63
LIFE OF EARTHING SYSTYEM:-
A.COPPER PLATE:-
1. The conventional copper pit type earthing has a very erratic behavior and the
ohmic values of earth resistance vary drastically on the following seasonal
factor:
a) SUMMER SEASON
b) WINTER SEASON
c) RAINY SEASON
The humidity factors in all the seasons vary because ambient temperature of
ground varies. The thumb rule for calculating humidity at a 20°c ambient
temperature and 1° variation in either side (+/-) will vary the humidity level in
the ground by 16%. This can now be understood why the ohmic values
remain erratic during the life of the system

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•Why conventional earthing is not durable and reliable ?
64

There is a general accepted fact and practice that pit type earthing is watered
through an additional pipe running through the depth of pit in summer season
obviously because of dry climate and low humidity.
Contrary to the belief that winter is a wet climate and has a higher humidity level
it is a myth that humidity is very low in winter because the ambient
temperature is in the vicinity of 4 to 6°c and as per the standard
the humidity is reduce by 16% of every degree of temperature. Therefore
humidity is reduced by 16x (20-6) =224%.
The coal used in the earthing pit burns and turns into ash under high level of fault
currents and on the top of it the quality of coke is used is very poor(Generally
in Powder form).
The salt used becomes water itself and looses its hygroscopic properties.
Conclusion: The life of pit type of earthing is not more then 3 years irrespective
of maintenance.

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 Maintenance Free Earthing(Contd.)
65

LOW EARTH RESISTANCE: Highly conductive. Carries

high peak current repeatedly.
NO CORROSION:
LONG LIFE.
EASY INSTALLATION.

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HOW TO SELECT & INSTALL SLY Earthing
EHlectrode
HOW EARTHGING
TO SELECT SYSTEMfree Earthing
& INSTALL Maintenance
Electrode
66
When the pipe earthing /chemical earthing/maintenance free earthing/Gel
earthing or whatever name it is called by various manufacturers, its
installation is done in following manner,
Installation procedure:-
Unlike Copper pit type earthing which used to be installed away from the
equipment because it was cumbersome to install the earthing near to the
equipments because of restriction of the space and other environmental
factors.
But chemical earthing is very compact and easy to install and placed
near to the equipments may be 2-3 meters away depending on the
situation.

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 67

Test Results:-
The results obtained will be as under:
Earthing installed in a bore of 8-10 inch
of diameter of appropriate length
depending upon size of electrode used.
The electrode is installed in the bore and
additional space surrounding the
electrode is filled with the slurry of
35-70kgs of GEM -KIMMOIST-
(Al2O34SiO3H2O).
The tests are carried after one week of the
installation of the electrode. This time
factor is necessary to allow curing
time for the chemical to mix with soil
conditions

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 68

The results are obtained by Earth

résistance measuring meters which
are basically version of
Wheatstone bridge method used
for measuring the Unknown
values of resistances.
The Values obtained are well within
the limit given as per IS: 3043-1987
i.e less than 2 ohms. In practical
sense the values obtained are
between 0.5 to 1.5 ohms depending
upon the soil conditions (Resistivity
of Soil) of the location
The test certificate is provided by the
manufactures certifying the values
obtained.

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 Chemical Electrode earthing:-

69

In the this type of earthing the following important factor are taking into the
consideration:
a) The hollow pipe used in the chemical pipe earthing is fitted with a G.I. strip
40x6mm and CCM (Crystalline conducive mixture) is compressed in to the pipe and
pipe is sealed at both the end.
b) CCM is a semi metal and the hollow pipe filled with CCM behave like a salt pipe
and therefore the current carrying capacity increases substantially.

c) The CCM has a high melting temperature of 2500°c and unlike coal it will not
burn into ashes under high temperatures of 1500°c under high fault currents
occurring due to phase to phase or phase to earth fault

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Chemical Electrode earthing:-

70

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 71

d) The humidity factor (The moisture level) is maintained by KIMMOIST

(GEM)surrounding the electrode in a slurry form. The KIMMOIST has a
property of absorbing water 15 times its weight and doesn’t dissolve in the
water. It remains moist and soft through out the life. A minimum rain fall of
2.5 cm in a year makes the KIMMOIST moist and humid for next one year
and therefore the cycle keeps on repeating year of year. Therefore, because of
quality of KIMMOIST no additional watering is done whether in summer,
winter or rainy season i.e. under any climatic condition.
e) In India the technology is only 14 years old and the failure record is almost
negligible. The earthing system properly installed under the guidance of
manufacturers can safely vouch for minimum ten years.

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 72

B..

Conclusion:- The life of chemical earthing as per the reports

from USA and other country is more than 15 years with no
failure records. Some company in USA guarantees life of 30 year
or may be above.
Draw back-:They fear that metal may erode due to chloride and
oxides are formed due to under ground chemicals.

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 Methods of Conventional Earthing
73

1. Plate Earthing
2. Pipe Earthing
3. Rod Earthing
4. Strip Earthing
5. Earthing through Water Mains

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 Earthing Electrode
74
The resistance of a ground
electrode has 3 basic
components:
A) The resistance of the ground
electrode itself and the connections
to the electrode.
B) The contact resistance of the
surrounding earth to the electrode.
C) The resistance of the surrounding
body of earth around the ground
Electrode. It consist of three basic components:
1.Earth Wire
2.Connector
3.Electrode

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 Plate Earthing
75

 In this type of earthing, the plate either of

copper or of G.I. is buried into the ground at a
depth of not less than 3 meter from the ground
level.
 The earth plate is embedded in alternative layer
of coke and salts for a minimum thickness of
about 15cm.
 The earth wire(copper wire for copper plate
earthing and G.I. wire for G.I. plate earthing) is
securely bolted to an earth plate with the help of
bolt nut and washer made of copper, in case of
copper plate earthing and of G.I. in case of G.I.
plate earthing.

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PLATE EARTHING
76

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 Pipe earthing
77

 Pipe earthing is best form of earthing and it is cheap also in this system of
earthing a GI pipe of 38 mm dia and 2meters length is embedded vertically
in ground to work as earth electrode but the depth depend upon the soil
conditions, there is no hard and fast rule for this.
 But the wire is embedded up to the wet soil.
 The earth wire are fastened to the top section of the pipe with nut and bolts.
 The pit area around the GI pipe filled with salt and coal mixture for
improving the soil conditions and efficiency of the earthing system.
 It can take heavy leakage current for the same electrode size in comparison
to plate earthing.
 The earth wire connection with GI pipes being above the ground level can
be checked for carrying out continuity test as and when desired, while in
plate earthing it is difficult.
 In summer season to have an effective earthing three or four bucket of water
is put through the funnel for better continuity of earthing.

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PIPE EARTHING
78

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 ROD EARTHING
79
 In this system of earthing 12.5mm
diameter solid rods of copper 16mm
diameter solid rod of GI or steel or
hollow section of 25mm GI pipe of
length not less than 3 meters are
driven vertically into the earth
 In order to increase the embeded
length of electrod under the ground,
which is some time necessary to
reduce the earth resistance to desired
value more than one rod section are
hammered one above the other.
 This system of earthing is suitable
for area which are sandy in character
.
 This system of earthing is very cheap

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 80

Aluminum Rods

Copper Rods

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 STRIP OR WIRE EARTHING
81

In this system of earthing strip electrod of cross section

not less than 25mm x 1.6mm of copper or 25mm x 4mm
of GI or steel are buried in horizontal trenches of
minimum depth of 0.5m
If round conductor are used their cross sectional area shall
not be smaller than 3 mm² if copper is used and 6mm² if
GI or steel is used.

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 82

The length of buried conductor shall be sufficient to

give the required earth resistance (about 0.5Ωto 1.5Ω)
It shall however be not less than 1.5 m
The electrod shall be as widely distributed as possible
in a single straight or circular trenches radiating from a
point
This type of earthing is used in rockey soil earth bed
because at such places excavation work for plate
earthing is difficult
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Procedure for filling up New
Earthing Pit
 Step A : 83
 Excavate the earthing pit size 2000 X 2000 X
2500 mm depth. Sprinkle sufficient quantity of
water in the bottom and surrounding walls to
become wetty only.
 Fill up the bottom layer of the pit up to 250 mm
height from the bottom by mixture black soft
soil + salt + wooden charcoal pieces. (Fig. I)
 Step B :
 Prepare the electrode assembly as per Sr. No. - 3
of the drawing and rest the entire Assembly in
the pit as shown in (Fig. II)

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 Procedure for filling up New Earthing Pit
84

 Step C :
 Collect thin C.R.C.(Cold Rolled Close) sheet approx 18 to 20 SWG
having size 500 mm width 3.5 meter length approx. (joints of three to four
pieces to achieve requirement of 3.5 meter length) (Fig. III-a)
 Prepare the Cylindrical Ring from the above sheet by bending both ends &
joining each other. The diameter "D" of the cylindrical ring shall arrive
approx. 1000 mm and height shall be 500 mm. Collect two pieces of scrap
G.I. wire of approx. 8-SWG and prepare two lifting round handles (Hooks)
on upper side of the cylindrical ring to facilitate the lifting of the
Cylindrical Ring. (Fig. III-b)
 Now wear this cylindrical ring to the electrode pipe of the electrode
assembly such a way that the electrode pipe remains in the centre of the
cylindrical ring. (Fig III-c)

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85

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 86

Fig iii
(a)

500mm
CRC SHEET (SCRAP)

3500mm

cylindrical
Handle Handle Cold Rolled Close
(Hook) (Hook)
5000mm

Fig. (iii b ) 1000mm

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 87

2250mm
2250mm

m
250m
m
250m

2000mm
2000mm

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 Procedure for filling up New Earthing Pit
88
Step D :
Fill up the inner part of the Cylindrical Ring with
Mixture - I ( Homogeneous mixture of Black Soft
Soil.
The remaining part i.e. the Gap between walls of the
pit and outer periphery of the Cylindrical Ring by
Mixture - II. After completing filling work of both the
mixtures up to 500 mm height, proper ramming and
watering is to be done. (Fig. IV)

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Procedure for filling up New Earthing Pit
89

 Step E :
 There after lift the Cylindrical ring by
help of two lifting handles (hooks) and
again rest it on the layer for carrying out
filling of 2nd layer cycle. Again fill up the
inner cylindrical part of the ring by
Mixture - I and outer gap between walls
of the pit & outer Cylindrical periphery
by Mixture - II up to height of the
Cylinder (i.e. 500 mm) (Fig. V)

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 Procedure for filling up New Earthing Pit
90

Step E :
There after lift the Cylindrical ring by help of two
lifting handles (hooks) and again rest it on the layer
for carrying out filling of 2nd layer cycle. Again fill
up the inner cylindrical part of the ring by Mixture - I
and outer gap between walls of the pit & outer
Cylindrical periphery by Mixture - II up to height of
the Cylinder (i.e. 500 mm) (Fig. V)

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 Procedure for filling up New Earthing Pit
91
 Step F :
 Lift the cylindrical ring by lifting handles (hooks) after proper
ramming and watering. Now again place the cylindrical ring on
upper layer and arrange 3rd cycle, subsequently complete the
filling of entire pit. water content should be minimum 20 %
 Fill up upper layer of the pit by crushed rock pieces (Gravel)
size 50 X 35 mm. 1 CMT. approx. to provide insulating layer
to person moving side by the pit, and to prevent reptile
movements subsequently causing hazards.

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 Standard Pipe & Plate Type Earthing Design for the
11 Kv. System Equipments, Distribution Transformer
Centers, L.T. Distribution System Equipments
92

• Design Details :
1. Earthing Pit : Size 1000 X 1000 X 1800 mm
Depth.M.S. / C.I. Plate : 500 X 500 X 8 mm
Thick.
2. Electrode Assembly : 40 mm Ø GI / CI
Perforated pipe duly fitted or welded with base
plate and 50 X 6 mm flat termination taken on top
for equipment earthing as shown in drawing.

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Standard Pipe & Plate Type Earthing Design for the 11
Kv. System Equipments, Distribution Transformer
Centres, L.T. Distribution System Equipments
93

4. Mixture - I : Homogeneous mixture of

black soft soil 0.3 CMT. approx.
5. Mixture - II : Homogeneous mixture of
common salt 25 Kgs. + wood charcoal
pieces 25 Kgs. + Black soft soil 1 CMT.
Approx.
6. Crushed Rock pieces Gravel Size 50 X 35
mm 0.1 CMT. Approx.
7. Arrangement for earthing lead
terminations from equipment body, and
connection for main earthing Grid.

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Typical arrangement for Pipe electrode earthing pit
(Bore Type)
94

• Design Details :
1. 75 mm thick RCC Cover.
2. 300 mm Ø 6000 mm deep (Approx. 20 ft.)
bore in the earth.
3. 65 mm Ø 6000 mm long (Approx 20 ft.)
G.I. pipe electrode. Forged at the top up to
75 mm length and 12 mm hole provided for
taking earthing connection.
4. A homogeneous mixture of 50 kgs. wooden
coal pieces + 50 kgs. common salt
5. Water pouring purpose at the time of
routine maintenance
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 Applications
95

• Telecommunication
• Transmission
• Substations & Power Generations
• Transformer Neutral earthing
• Lightning Arrestor Earthing
• Equipment Body Earthing
• Water Treatment Plants
• Heavy Industries
• College, Hospitals, Banks
• Residential Building

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119

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