Per/30100/SPB INTRODUCTION

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1. Air Force Station Leh is situated at an altitude of 10300 ft and due to its geographical location the place is having temperature ranging from 25 *C to + 25 *C. Precipitation is very less and is mainly in the form of snow also air is dry and relative humidity is very low. The conventional earth pits due to such weather conditions do not sustain and earth resistance varies hugely with change in weather, resulting in poor earth environment for sophisticated electronic equipments, which can result in severe damage to the equipment. AIM 2. The aim of the service paper is to study the types of earthing techniques available and to suggest best possible earthing technique for Leh area. EARTHING 3. Earthing means any connection given to the earth mass by means of a conductor connected to the earth electrode buried in soil. It is a place of zero potential, a place where fault currents can be directed. NEED OF EARTHING 4. The main objectives of earthing are as follows (a) To ensure safety of life and property from hazards of electric shock and electric fires. (b) To ensure that system voltages on healthy lines remain within reasonable limits under fault Conditions thereby preventing insulation breakdowns. (c) To provide a low impedance path to facilitate the satisfactory operation of Protective devices under fault conditions. (d) To minimize arcing burn downs as in an earthed system arcing fault would produce a current in ground path thereby providing an easy means of detecting and tripping against phase to earth arcing fault breakdowns. (e) To provide an equi-potential platform on which electronic equipments can operate.

(f) To provide an alternative path for induced current and minimize the electrical noise in cables. TYPES OF EARTHING 5. Various types of Earthing solutions available are (a) Conventional Earthing. It is further classified as (i) Pipe Earthing. (ii) GI Plate Earthing. (iii) Cast Iron plate Earthing. (iv) Copper plate Earthing. (b) Maintenance Free Chemical Earthing.

6. Conventional Earthing. The Conventional system of Earthing calls for dig-ging of a large pit into which a GI pipe or a copper plate is positioned amidst layers of charcoal and salt. It is cumbersome and only one or two pits can be installed in a day. The Conventional system of GI pipe Earthing or copper plate Earthing requires maintenance and pouring of water at regular interval. 7. Maintenance Free Chemical Earthing. It is a new type of earthing system which is readymade, standardized, scientifically developed. Its Benefits are (a) (b) Maintenance Free. No need to pour water at regular interval. Consistency. Maintain stable and consistent earth resistance around the year.

(c) 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. (d) (e) (f) (g) Low earth resistance. Highly conductive. Carries high peak current repeatedly. No corrosion. Eco Friendly. Long Life. Easy Installation.

TECHNICAL DETAILS OF MAINTENANCE FREE CHEMICAL EARTHING 8. Maintenance free earthing consists of two parts (a) Earthing Electrode. Two B class mild steel pipes, one inside the other, are subjected to Hot dip Galvanization : 80-100 micron on the secondary electrode and 250 300 micron on the primary electrode. Empty space inside the primary electrode and the secondary electrode is filled with CRYSTALLINE CONDUCTIVE MIXTURE and

then sealed. Empty space inside the primary and the secondary electrode is filled with Conductor rich crystalline mixture which contains metal alloys and natural compounds. (b) Back Fill Compound. Empty space around the electrode is filled with a compound which Contains eco-friendly materials. It maintains moisture and enhances conductivity around the electrode. It does not mix with or leach in to the soil and absorbs moisture 13 times its dry volume. There is no need to recharge pit. It improves electrode performance and protects the system in corrosive environment. QUALITIES OF GOOD EARTHING 9. The qualities of a good earthing system are (a) (b) (c) 10. Must be of low electrical resistance. Must be of good corrosion resistance. Must be able to dissipate high fault current repeatedly.

The above mentioned qualities depend on following factors (a) Soil Resistivity. It is the resistance of soil to the passage of electric current. It varies from soil to soil. It depends on the composition of soil, Moisture content, Dissolved salts, grain size and its distribution, seasonal variation, current magnitude. (b) Soil Condition. Different soil conditions give different soil resistivity. Most of the soils are very poor conductors of electricity when they are completely dry. Soil resistivity is measured in ohm-meters or ohm-cms. Soil plays a significant role in determining the performance of Electrode. Soil with low resistivity is highly corrosive. If soil is dry then soil resistivity value will be very high. If soil resistivity is high, earth resistance of electrode will also be high. (c) Moisture. Moisture significantly influences soil resistivity. Conduction of electricity in soil is through water. Soil resistivity drops significantly in soil with moisture content. Moisture is the most important element in conductivity. In many locations water table goes down in dry weather conditions. Therefore it is essential to pour water in and around earth pits to maintain moisture in dry weather conditions. (d) Dissolved Salts. Pure water is poor conductor of electricity. Resistivity of soil depends on resistivity of water which in turn depends on the amount and nature of salts dissolved in it. Small quantity of salts in water reduces soil resistivity by 80%. Common salt is most effective in improving conductivity of soil. But it corrodes metal and hence discouraged. (e) Grain Size & Distribution. The grain size, distribution and packing closeness also contribute to retention of moisture in the soil. (f) Seasonal Variation. Increase or decrease of moisture content determines the increase or decrease of soil resistivity. Thus in dry whether resistivity will be very high and in monsoon months the resistivity will be low.

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The variation in value of soil resistivity in different soil conditions is shown in table 1.

Table. 1. LEH : GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION AND EARTHING REQUIREMENTS 11. Leh is also known as COLD DESERT. The soil resistivity at this place is high due to following reasons. (a) Soil Condition. The soil is sandy to loamy in nature and is mixed with stones and gravels. (b) Moisture. Precipitation is very low with annual precipitation of 10cm mainly in the form of snow. Therefore it is essential to pour water in and around earth pits to maintain moisture in dry weather conditions. (c) Dissolved Salts. Soil is deficient in organic matter and availability of phosphorus and potashes is low. (d) Grain Size & Distribution. Soil is shallow in formation, weak and friable.

(e) Seasonal Variation. Due to high altitude and low humidity the radiation level is very high both in summers and winters. The global solar radiation is as high as 6-7 Kwh/mm.

12. Due to above mentioned geographical conditions the normal conventional earth pits performance in this place degrades very rapidly and thus modern chemical earth pits is a must requirement. CONCLUSION 13. Earthing is of utmost importance for safety of Human Life and also plant, equipment, property. In the absence of a well-designed effective earthing system, earth fault conditions may lead to tremendous loss of and lives and property. Earthing is fundamental to most of the practices for achieving safety. The earthing system must provide a direct route to the soil for fault current whilst minimising touch and step potentials. The secondary function is to help mitigate disturbances and serve as a common voltage reference for sensitive electronic equipment. However, with greater use of sensitive electronic equipment, particularly in Software Industries & Telecom Sectors, there is a growing awareness of the importance of the secondary function of the earthing system. This is leading to a consensus of opinion that the earthing system must be designed as an overall system such that it fulfills the safety and performance requirements.

(S P Birtharey) Flt Lt