Professional Documents
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Version 1.0
NPQS
E3 - Earthing & Bonding
CONTENTS
Page
SECTION E3-10, SUB-STATION & SYSTEM EARTHING
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1
1
1
1
2
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Overall resistance to earth
Substation earthing systems
Calculation for particular service criteria
General requirements
LV system neutral to earth connection
2
2
2
2
2
3
3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
MATERIALS
Earth rods and couplings
Earth mats
Inspection pits
Conductors and connectors
Earth bars
Protective earth systems
Functional ('Clean') earth systems
Main equipotential bonding
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
WORKMANSHIP
Earth rod installation and interconnection
Connection to metal reinforcement or structures
Protective and functional earth conductors
Connections
Items requiring special consideration
4
4
5
5
5
5
5.
5.1
5.2
6
6
6
1.
1.1
1.3
1.4
7
7
7
8
2.
2.1
2.2
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Distribution Earthing
Equipotential Bonding
8
8
9
3.
MATERIALS
10
4.
WORKMANSHIP
10
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
5.
5.1
5.2
10
10
10
12
1.
12
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
1.1
Scope
This Specification and the associated Project Specific Data specify the
requirements for fixed earthing system for low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV)
electricity supply systems, and equipment earthing within substations where an
LV supply is derived from a transformer supplied from an external source at HV.
1.2
1.3
General
Unless otherwise agreed by the SO/Engineer, the works are to comply with the
relevant requirements of the Standards and Codes listed below or referenced in
the body of the specification. Materials or products manufactured in accordance
with alternative Standards and Codes may be proposed for approval by the
SO/Engineer, provided it can be demonstrated that the materials or products
comply with the requirements of the specified standards. All Standards and
Codes quoted are current version, unless specific year references are noted.
Provide earthing arrangements to comply with the requirements of BS 7430, SS
CP16 and the general requirements of SS CP5.
1.3.2
Local Authorities
Ensure that the works shall comply with the relevant authority regulations and
directions.
Where the terms testing authority, approving authority, relevant authority,
local authority or local authorities are used in this section, the bodies referred
to are as follows:
Energy Market Authority (EMA)
SP Services Ltd
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
Trade preliminaries
1.4.1
2.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
General requirements
Where an independent earthing system is provided install the main earth
electrode network such that individual components can be isolated for inspection
and testing. Where it is not practical to test individual components, divide the
main earth network into two separate halves such that each half can be tested
individually.
Ensure that no materials or component parts of the earthing system are smaller
than the minimum dimensions required by BS 7430.
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
2.5
3.
MATERIALS
3.1
3.2
Earth mats
Where earth conditions do not permit the use of rods as electrodes, form the
earth electrode from an earth mat comprising 25mm x 3mm bare copper lattice or
solid copper plate or 95mm bare stranded copper lattice, buried in trenches such
that the buried depth, where practicable, is not less than 450mm.
Copper strip or stranded cable may be installed in the same trenches as HV/LV
cables, providing they are separated from all other cables and services by a
distance not less than 300mm.
3.3
Inspection pits
Provide inspection pits to be either galvanised steel with a galvanised lid or
concrete with a concrete lid as specified in the Project Specific Data. Permanently
identify lids with the wording "EARTH ROD". Ensure that lids are capable of
carrying the load indicated in the Project Specific Data.
3.4
3.5
Earth bars
Manufacture Earth bars from hard drawn high conductivity copper. Ensure that
the dimensions, number of disconnecting links and minimum number of
connection ways are as indicated in the Project Specific Data Sheets or drawings.
Supply Earth bars complete with porcelain or epoxy insulators fixed onto a steel
mounting plate. Unless indicated on the drawings, mount earthing bars at a
height of 450mm above finished floor level.
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
Ensure that the diameter of fixing holes does not exceed one third of the width of
the earth bar. Where this is not possible, make the connection to a copper flag
bolted to the earthing bar.
3.6
3.7
3.8
4.
WORKMANSHIP
4.1
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
Make each connection between an earth rod and the connecting tape using a
separate clamp.
Avoid joints in the connecting tape or in the final connection to the main earth bar.
Where joints are unavoidable, for example if the length of a connection is greater
than the maximum obtainable length of conductor, make the joint in an inspection
pit. Buried joints are not permitted.
Welded joints are permitted only with the written approval of the SO/Engineer.
Make welded joints using a proprietary exothermic molecular welding process,
carried out strictly in accordance with the manufacturers instructions using
purpose-made tools and equipment provided by the manufacturer.
4.2
4.3
4.4
Connections
Make connections between main earthing terminal or bars, equipment earthing
terminals, etc, and stranded copper cables with appropriate compression type
lug, bolt, nut and lock washers. Ensure that contact surfaces are thoroughly
cleaned and tinned.
Ensure that sockets lugs, bolts, nuts, washers, screws, rivets, clamps, cleats or
other items which come into direct contact with copper conductors, bars, strips,
cables etc, are non-ferrous and manufactured from brass, bronze or other
suitable conducting material which will not cause electrolytic or other corrosion.
Where connections occur between copper and galvanized structures, ensure that
contact surfaces are, additionally, tinned and after completion compounded to
exclude moisture. Install all conductors, cables, strip, bars, lugs, etc, in visible
and serviceable positions.
Make connections to pipework using clamps to SS 322.
4.5
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
5.
5.1
5.2
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
1.1
Scope
This Specification details the requirements for earthing and bonding in low
voltage (LV) installations. It does not replace any requirements stipulated in SS
CP5 and SS CP16.
1.2
1.3
General
Unless otherwise agreed by the SO/Engineer, the works are to comply with the
relevant requirements of the Standards and Codes listed below or referenced in
the body of the specification. Materials or products manufactured in accordance
with alternative Standards and Codes may be proposed for approval by the
SO/Engineer, provided it can be demonstrated that the materials or products
comply with the requirements of the specified standards. All Standards and
Codes quoted are the current version, unless specific year references are noted.
Ensure that the earthing arrangements comply with the requirements of BS 7430,
SS CP16 and the general requirements of SS CP5.
1.3.2
Local Authorities
Ensure that the works comply with the relevant authority regulations and
directions.
Where the terms testing authority, approving authority, relevant authority,
local authority or local authorities are used in this section, the bodies referred
to are as follows:
Energy Market Authority (EMA)
PowerGrid Ltd
SP Services Ltd
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
Trade preliminaries
1.4.1
2.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
2.1
Distribution Earthing
Ensure that circuit protective conductors are formed wholly or partly by the
following:
a. a separate green/yellow insulated copper cable,
b. a dedicated conductor in a multi-core cable or busbar system,.
Where the circuit protective conductor is formed by two or more conductors in
parallel, ensure that all conductors are terminated at both ends of the circuit.
Do not use metal cable enclosures such as conduit or trunking systems used as
circuit protective conductors.
Ensure that the armouring of plastic sheathed cable is terminated in a suitable
compression gland.
Where conduits and cable glands of up to 25mm diameter terminate on
switchgear, distribution boards, starter panels or other apparatus, install brass
compression washers or zinc plated lockwashers to ensure an effective earth
connection. Ensure that the clearance of the hole does not exceed the nominal
thread diameter by more than one millimetre.
Where cable glands larger than 25mm diameter are used to terminate plastic
sheathed cables, install an earth tag. Connect the earth tag with the apparatus
earthing terminal with a protective conductor. Ensure that the earth tag is
manufactured from a high conductivity material compatible with the cable gland.
Ensure that the armouring of metal sheathed cables other than mineral insulated
types is securely clamped to the gland at the cable termination with a purposemade bolted clamp. Install a protective conductor to connect the armour clamp or
gland fixing bolts to the apparatus earthing terminal.
Terminate multi-core mineral insulated cables in a purpose-made gland fitted with
an earth tail seal. Ensure that the earth tail is connected to the apparatus earthing
terminal without intermediate joints. Identify earth tails identified by a green/yellow
PVC sheath or sleeving.
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Equipotential Bonding
Ensure that metallic services including gas mains, water mains, dry risers, etc,
entering or leaving the building or structure are effectively bonded to the main
earthing terminal at their point of entry or exit. Make the connections to the
services with purpose-made earthing clamps to BS 951.
Bond metal pipes together at the point of entry to the building. Make connections
using purpose-made earthing clamps. Install a bonding conductor of
green/yellow PVC insulated stranded copper cable of size in accordance with SS
CP5 to connect the pipework to the earthing terminal in the local distribution
board.
Bond metal sinks, basins, etc, to any metallic pipes serving the sink or basin, to
the earth terminal of the distribution board, with purpose made earthing clamps.
Bond all cable tray, ladder, trunking etc entering or leaving substations to the
main earthing terminal. Install the type and size of the conductor as shown in the
drawings or in compliance to SS CP 5.
Bond all cable tray, ladder, trunking etc at each end to the earthing terminal of the
associated distribution board. Where cables supply distribution boards along the
run of the cable tray, ladder, trunking etc install a bonding conductor between the
cable tray, ladder, trunking, etc and the earthing terminal of the distribution board.
Ensure that the cross sectional area of bonding conductors is not less than half
that of the circuit protective conductor.
Where connections are made between sections of cable tray or trunking, install
the manufacturer's earth continuity link across the joint.
Where cable tray, ladders, trunking etc cross building expansion joints, install a
copper braid to ensure electrical continuity.
Where cable support systems are not installed in an electrically continuous run,
for example where the support system changes from ladder to tray, install a
bonding conductor to ensure electrical continuity.
Unless stated otherwise, provide conductors used to ensure electrical continuity
of cable support systems with a cross sectional area of not less than half that of
the largest circuit protective conductor of the circuits supported.
Bond the main support grid of all suspended ceilings to the earth terminal of
adjacent luminaires. Ensure that the bonding conductor is 2.5mm green/yellow
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PVC insulated stranded copper cable, connected to the support grid by means of
a compression type cable lug, nut, bolt and lockwashers. Ensure that sufficient
bare metal is exposed on the ceiling grid to ensure satisfactory electrical
continuity. Provide a minimum of one bonding connection for each 20M of
ceiling, excluding any fortuitous bonds provided by luminaires or other electrical
equipment.
Bond raised floors in accordance with the floor manufacturer's recommendation.
Provide a minimum of one bonding connection for each 10M of raised floor.
Provide bonding conductors of 4mm green/yellow PVC insulated stranded
copper cable. Where applicable, connect bonding conductors to fixed metalwork
forming part of the electrical installation, such as underfloor power trunking, cable
tray, etc. which is bonded to the earthing terminal in the distribution board.
Where there is no suitable fixed metalwork, daisy-chain the bonding conductors
together with a minimum of two conductors connected to the earthing terminal in
the distribution board.
Connect a copper braid bonding conductor across all insulating joints in metallic
ductwork and pipework.
Bond all metallic cladding on insulated pipework and ductwork to convenient fixed
metalwork forming part of the electrical installation. Ensure bonding conductors
are of insulated cable except where movement or vibration may be expected,
where copper braid shall be used.
Install all bonding conductors and connections so as to be clearly visible at all
times and not covered by lagging or be otherwise obscured.
Do not use bonding conductors of less than 2.5mm cross section.
3.
MATERIALS
Provide cables and wiring that meet the requirements of sections E6-20 and E630.
Provide purpose-made clamps for all connections to pipework.
4.
WORKMANSHIP
Install all cables and connections in accordance with sections E6-20 and E6-30.
Install all proprietary components fully in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations.
5.
5.1
5.2
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
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E3 - Earthing & Bonding
1.
Job Title:
Purpose of Issue:
General Data
Unit Reference
Quantity
Location
System
Type
Electrical Data
LV system
HV system
System voltage
400
TT
Solid
75 x 6
System voltage
22
For HV system
TNS
Earthing method
mm x mm
kV
Solid
75 x 6
mm x mm
1
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