EARTHING SYSTEM

PRESENTED BY:
* MD. NOMAN SABER KHAN

The objective of a grounding system are:

1. To provide safety to personnel during
normal and fault conditions by limiting step
and touch potential.
2. To assure correct operation of
electrical/electronic devices.
3. To prevent damage to electrical/electronic
apparatus.
4. To dissipate lightning strokes.
5. To stabilize voltage during transient
conditions and to minimize the probability of
flashover during transients.
6. To divert stray RF energy from sensitive
audio, video, control, and computer

A safe grounding design has two

objectives:
1. To provide means to carry electric
currents into the earth under
normal and
fault conditions
without exceeding any operating and
equipment limits or adversely
affecting continuity of service.
2. To assure that a person in the vicinity
of grounded facilities is not exposed
to the
danger of critical electric
shock.

INTRODUCTION TO GROUNDING

The primary goal of the grounding system

throughout any facility is SAFETY.
Grounding is implemented to ensure rapid clearing
of faults and to prevent hazardous voltage, which in
turn reduce the risks of fires and personnel injuries.
Grounding serves the primary functions of
referencing the AC systems and providing a means
to ensure fault clearing.
99.5% survival threshold

116 mA for one (1) second.

367 mA for zero point one (0.1) second.

SIX (6) GROUNDING SYSTEMS IN USE

1. Equipment grounds,
2. Static grounds,
3. Systems grounds,
4. Maintenance grounds,
5. Electronic grounds,
6. Lightning grounds.

EQUIPMENT GROUNDS:

Equipment grounds: An equipment ground is the

physical connection to earth of non-current carrying
metal parts. This type grounding is done so that all metal
part of equipment that personnel can come into contact
with are always at or near zero (0) volts with respect to
ground. All metal parts must be interconnected and
grounded by a conductor in such away as to ensure a
path of lowest impedance for flow of ground fault current.
Typical items (equipment) to be grounded are; electrical
motor frames, outlet boxes, breaker panels, metal
conduit, support structures, cable tray, to name a few.

STATIC GROUNDS:

A static ground is a connection made between a

piece of equipment and the earth for the purpose of
draining off static electricity charges before a flash
over potential is reached. This type grounding
system is utilized in dry materials handling,
flammable liquid pumps and delivery equipment,
plastic piping, and explosive storage facilities.

SYSTEM GROUNDS:

A system ground refers to the point in

an electrical circuit that is connected to
earth. This connection point is typically
at the electrical neutral. The sole
purpose of the system ground is to
protect equipment. This type ground
also provides a low impedance path for
fault currents improving ground fault
coordination. This ensures longer
insulation life of motors, transformers

MAINTENANCE GROUNDS:

This type ground is utilized for safe

work practices, and is a temporary
ground.

ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER

GROUNDS:

Grounding for electronic equipment is a

special case in which the equipment ground
and the system ground are combined and
applied in unity. Electronic equipment
grounding systems must not only provide a
means of stabilizing input voltage levels, but
also act as the zero (0) voltage reference
point. Grounding systems for the modern
electronics installation must be able to
provide effective grounding and bonding
functions well into the high frequency
megahertz range.

LIGHTNING PROTECTION:

Lightning protection grounding requirements

are dependent upon the structure,
equipment to be protected, and the level of
lightning protection required of desired.

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

The area available for installation of the grounding

system. This could lead to the requirement and utilization
of chemical rods, or wells.
Water table and seasonal changes to it.
Soil condition and resistivity, Also elevation above sea
level and hard rocky soil are concerns that would need to
be addressed.
Available fault currents (i.e., three (3) phase, line-toground, and line-to-line-to ground, etc.).
NEC and ANSI/IEEE requirements. Also include here the
requirements of the process equipment to be installed.
Consideration to the number of lightning strikes and
thunder storm days per year.
Utility ties and/or service entrance voltage levels.
Utilization of area were ground system is to be installed,
(i.e., do not install under paved parking lot).

DEFINATION OF PROTECTIVE EARTH

(A protective earth (PE connection ensures

that all exposed conductive surfaces are at
the same electrical potential as the surface of
the Earth, to avoid the risk of electrical shock
if a person touches a device in which an
insulation fault has occurred. It also ensures
that in the case of an insulation fault, a high
fault current flows, which will trigger an
overcurrent protection device (fuse, MCB)
that disconnects the power supply.

IEC NOMENCLATURE

The first letter indicates the connection between

earth and the power-supply 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

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 three-phase system. The
body of the electrical device is
connected with earth via this earth
connection at the transformer

TN

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 three-phase system, or
that carries the return current in a
single-phase system is called neutral
N
. Three variants of TN systems are
distinguished:

TNS:PE and N are separate

conductors that are only connected
near the power source

.TNC:A combined PEN conductor

fulfills the functions of both a PE and
an N conductor

TNCS: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.

TN-S: separate protective earth (PE)

and neutral (N) conductors from
transformer to consuming device,
which are not connected at any point
after the building distribution point.

TN-C: combined PE and N conductor

all the way from the transformer to
the consuming device.
.

TN-C-S earthing system:

combined PEN conductor from
transformer to building distribution
point, but separate PE and N
conductors in fixed indoor wiring and
flexible power cords.

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.

IT NETWORK

In an IT network, the distribution

system has no connection to earth at
all, or it has only a high impedance
connection.

PROPERTIES

TN networks save the cost of a lowimpedance earth connection at the site of

each consumer. Such a connection (a
buried metal structure) is required to
provide protective earth in IT and TT
systems.
TN-C networks save the cost of an
additional conductor needed for separate
N and PE connections. However to
mitigate the risk of broken neutrals,
special cable types and lots of connections
to earth are needed.
TT networks require RCD protection and

SAFETY

In TN an insulation fault is very likely to

lead to a high short-circuit current that
will trigger an over current circuit-breaker
or fuse and disconnect the L conductors.

In the majority of TT systems the earth

fault loop impedance will be too high to
do this and so an RCD must be employed

In TN-S and TT systems (and in TN-CS beyond the point of the split), a
residual-current device can be used
as an additional protection. In the
absence of any insulation fault in the
consumer device, the equation
IL1+IL2+IL3+IN = 0 holds, and an
RCD can disconnect the supply as
soon as this sum reaches a threshold
(typically 10-500 mA). An insulation
fault between either L or N and PE
will trigger an RCD with high

In IT and TN-C networks, residual

current devices are far less likely to
detect an insulation fault.
In a TN-C system they would also be
very vulnerable to unwanted
triggering from contact between
earths of circuits on different RCDs or
with real ground thus making their
use impractical. Also RCDs usually
isolate the neutral core which is
dangerous in a TN-C system.

In TN-C and TN-C-S systems any

connection between the combined
neutral and earth core and the body of
the earth could end up carrying
significant current under normal
conditions and could carry even more
under a broken neutral situation.
In TN-C and TN-C-S systems any break in
the combined neutral and earth core
which didn't also affect the live conductor
could theoretically result in exposed

SUBSTATION EARTHING CALCULATION METHODOLOGY

Calculations for earth impedances and

touch and step potentials are based on
site measurements of ground resistivity
and system fault levels. A grid layout
with particular conductors is then
analysed to determine the effective
substation earthing resistance, from
which the earthing voltage is
calculated.

In practice, it is normal to take the highest fault

level for substation earth grid calculation
purposes. Additionally, it is necessary to
ensure a sufficient margin such that expansion
.of the system is catered for
To determine the earth resistivity, probe tests
are carried out on the site. These tests are best
performed in dry weather such that
conservative resistivity readings are obtained

EARTHING MATERIALS

1. Conductors: Bare copper conductor is usually

used for the substation earthing grid. The copper
bars themselves usually have a cross-sectional
area of 95 square millimetres, and they are laid at
a shallow depth of 0.25-0.5m, in 3-7m squares. In
addition to the buried potential earth grid, a
separate above ground earthing ring is usually
provided, to which all metallic substation plant is
bonded.

Connections: Connections to the grid and. 2

other earthing joints should not be soldered
because the heat generated during fault
conditions could cause a soldered joint to fail.
Joints are usually bolted, and in this case, the
. face of the joints should be tinned
Earthing Rods: The earthing grid must be. 3
supplemented by earthing rods to assist in the
dissipation of earth fault currents and further
reduce the overall substation earthing resistance.
These rods are usually made of solid copper, or
. copper clad steel

: Switchyard Fence Earthing. 4

The switchyard fence earthing practices are
. possible and are used by different utilities
: These are
Extend the substation earth grid 0.5m-1.5m ) i(
beyond the fence perimeter. The fence is then
bonded to the grid at regular intervals.
(ii) Place the fence beyond the perimeter of the
switchyard earthing grid and bond the fence to its
own earthing rod system. This earthing rod
system is not coupled to the main substation
.earthing grid

Different Equipments and Ground Connections

Apparatus

Parts to be Earthed

Method Of Connection

Transformer tank

Connect the earthing bolt on transformer tank to

station earth. Connect the neutral to earthing
system

High Voltage Circuit

Breakers

Operating mechanism, frame

Connect the earthing bolt on the frame and the

operating mechanism of Circuit Breaker to
earthing system

Surge Arrester

Lower Earth Point

To be directly connected to the earth mat

Support of bushing
insulators, lightning
arresters, fuse, etc..

Device Flange or Base Plate

Connect the earthing bolt of the device to the

station earthing system

Potential Transformer

Potential transformer tank, LV

neutral.

Connect the transformer earthing bolt to

earthing system Connect LV neutral of phase
lead to case with flexible copper conductor

Isolator

Isolator frame, operating

mechanism, bedplate

Weld the isolator base frame, connects it to the

bolt on operating mechanism base plate and
station earth.

Current Transformer

Secondary winding and metal

case

Connect secondary winding to earthing bolt on

transformer case with a flexible copper
conductor.

Power Transformer

HOW TO DETERMINE CORRECT NUMBER OF EARTHING ELECTRODES

Number of Earthing Electrode and Earthing Resistance

depends on the resistivity of soil and time for fault current to
pass through (1 sec or 3 sec). If we divide the area for
earthing required by the area of one earth plate gives the
number of earth pits required.
There is no general rule to calculate the exact
number of earth pits and size of earthing strip, but
discharging of leakage current is certainly dependent on the
cross section area of the material so for any equipment the
earth strip size is calculated on the current to be carried by
that strip.

HOW TO DETERMINE CORRECT NUMBER OF EARTHING

ELECTRODES

First the leakage current to be carried is calculated and

then size of the strip is determined.
For most of the electrical equipment like transformer, diesel
generator set etc., the general concept is to have 4 number
of earth pits. 2 nos for body earthing with 2 separate strips
with the pits shorted and 2 nos for Neutral with 2 separate
strips with the pits shorted.
The Size of Neutral Earthing Strip should be
capable to carry neutral current of that equipment.
The Size of Body Earthing should be capable to
carry half of neutral Current

HOW TO DETERMINE CORRECT NUMBER OF EARTHING

ELECTRODES

For example for 100kVA transformer, the full load current is

around 140A.
The strip connected should be capable to carry at least 70A
(neutral current) which means a strip of GI 25x3mm should
be enough to carry the current and for body a strip of 253
will do the needful. Normally we consider the strip size that
is generally used as standards.
However a strip with lesser size which can carry a current of
35A can be used for body earthing. The reason for using 2
earth pits for each body and neutral and then shorting them
is to serve as back up. If one strip gets corroded and cuts
the continuity is broken and the other leakage current flows
through the other run thery by completing the circuit.

HOW TO DETERMINE CORRECT NUMBER OF EARTHING

ELECTRODES

Similarly for panels the no of pits should be 2 nos.

The size can be decided on the main incomer circuit
breaker.
For example if main incomer to breaker is 400A,
then body earthing for panel can have a strip size of
256 mm which can easily carry 100A.
Number of earth pits is decided by considering the
total fault current to be dissipated to the ground in
case of fault and the current that can be dissipated
by each earth pit. Normally the density of current for
GI strip can be roughly 200 amps per square cam.
Based on the length and dia of the pipe used the
number of earthing pits can be finalized.

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR GROUNDING

Grounding and bonding are the basis upon which safety and power
quality are built. The grounding system provides a low-impedance path
for fault current and limits the voltage rise on the normally noncurrent-carrying metallic components of the electrical distribution
system.
During fault conditions, low impedance results in high fault current
flow, causing overcurrent protective devices to operate, clearing the
fault quickly and safely. The grounding system also allows transients
such as lightning to be safely diverted to earth.
Bonding is the intentional joining of normally non-current-carrying
metallic components to form an electrically conductive path. This helps
ensure that these metallic components are at the same potential, limiting
potentially dangerous voltage differences.
Careful consideration should be given to installing a grounding
system that exceeds the minimum NEC requirements for improved
safety and power quality.

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR GROUNDING

Equipment Grounding Conductors

Isolated Grounding System
BranchCircuit Grounding
Ground Resistance
Ground Rods
Ground Ring
Grounding Electrode System
Lightning Protection System
Surge Protection Devices (SPD) (formerly called TVSS
)

1. EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS

The IEEE Emerald Book recommends the use of equipmentgrounding conductors in all circuits, not relying on a raceway
system alone for equipment grounding. Use equipment
grounding conductors sized equal to the phase conductors to
decrease circuit impedance and improve the clearing time of
overcurrent protective devices.
Bond all metal enclosures, raceways, boxes, and equipment
grounding conductors into one electrically continuous system.
Consider the installation of an equipment grounding conductor
of the wire type as a supplement to a conduit-only equipment
grounding conductor for especially sensitive equipment.
The minimum size the equipment grounding conductor for
safety is provided in NEC 250.122, but a full-size grounding
conductor is recommended for power quality considerations.

1. EQUIPMENT GROUNDING CONDUCTORS

2. ISOLATED GROUNDING SYSTEM

As permitted by NEC 250.146(D) and NEC 408.40 Exception,

consider installing an isolated grounding system to provide a
clean signal reference for the proper operation of sensitive
electronic equipment.
Isolated grounding is a technique that attempts to reduce
the chances of noise entering the sensitive equipment
through the equipment grounding conductor. The grounding pin
is not electrically connected to the device yoke, and, so, not
connected to the metallic outlet box. It is therefore
isolated from the green wire ground.
A separate conductor, green with a yellow stripe, is run to the
panelboard with the rest of the circuit conductors, but it is
usually not connected to the metallic enclosure. Instead it is
insulated from the enclosure, and run all the way through to
the ground bus of the service equipment or the ground
connection of a separately derived system. Isolated grounding
systems sometimes eliminate ground loop circulating currents.
Note that the NEC prefers the term isolated ground, while the

2. ISOLATED GROUNDING
SYSTEM

3. BRANCH-CIRCUIT GROUNDING

Replace branch circuits that do not contain an equipment ground with

branch circuits with an equipment ground. Sensitive electronic
equipment, such as computers and computer-controlled equipment,
require the reference to ground provided by an equipment grounding
conductor for proper operation and for protection from static electricity
and power surges.

Failure to utilize an equipment grounding conductor may cause

current flow through low-voltage control or communication circuits,
which are susceptible to malfunction and damage, or the earth.

Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) must have connection to an

equipment grounding conductor.

4. GROUND RESISTANCE

Measure the resistance of the grounding electrode

system to ground.
Take reasonable measures to ensure that the resistance to
ground is 25 ohms or less for typical loads. In many
industrial cases, particularly where electronic loads are
present, there are requirements which need values as low as
5 ohms or less many times as low as 1 ohm.
Measuring earth resistance with fall of potential method (photo
credit: eblogbd.com)
For these special cases, establish a maintenance program for
sensitive electronic loads to measure ground resistance semiannually, initially, using a ground resistance meter. Ground
resistance should be measured at least annually thereafter.
When conducting these measurements, appropriate safety
precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of electrical
shock.
Record the results for future reference.Investigate significant
changes in ground resistance measurements compared with

4. GROUND RESISTANCE

5. GROUND RODS

The NEC permits ground rods to be spaced as little as 6

feet apart, but spheres-of-influence of the rods verlar.

Recommended practice is to space multiple ground rods a

minimum of twice the length of the rod apart. Install deepdriven or chemically-enhanced ground rods in mountainous or
rocky terrain, and where soil conditions are poor. Detailed
design of grounding systems are beyond the scope of this
document.

5. GROUND RODS

6. GROUND RING

In some cases, it may be advisable to install a copper ground

ring, supplemented by driven ground rods, for new
commercial and industrial construction in addition to metal
water piping, structural building steel, and concrete-encased
electrodes, as required by Code.
Grounding rings provide a convenient place to bond multiple
electrodes of a grounding system, such as multiple Ufer
grounds, lightning down-conductors, multiple vertical
electrodes, etc.
Install ground rings completely around buildings and structures
and below the frost line in a trench offset a few feet from the
footprint of the building or structure. Where low, ground
impedance is essential, supplement the ground ring with driven
ground rods in a triplex configuration at each corner of the
building or structure, and at the mid-point of each side.
The emergency generator connected to the ring-ground, and
additionally grounded to reinforcing rods in its concrete pad
(photo credit: psihq.com)

6. GROUND RING

7. GROUNDING ELECTRODE
SYSTEM

Bond all grounding electrodes that are present, including

metal underground water piping, structural building steel,
concrete-encased electrodes, pipe and rod electrodes, plate
electrodes, and the ground ring and all underground metal
piping systems that cross the ground ring, to the grounding
electrode system.

Bond the grounding electrodes of separate buildings in a

campus environment together to create one grounding
electrode system.

Bond all electrical systems, such as power, cable television,

satellite television, and telephone systems, to the grounding
electrode system. Bond outdoor metallic structures, such as
antennas, radio towers, etc. to the grounding electrode system.
Bond lightning protection down-conductors to the grounding
electrode system.

7. GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM

8. LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

Copper lightning protection systems may be

superior to other metals in both corrosion and
maintenance factors. NFPA 780 (Standard for the
Installation of Lightning Protection Systems) should
be considered as a minimum design standard.

A lightning protection system should only be

connected to a high quality, low impedance, and
robust grounding electrode system.

8. LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEM

9. SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES (SPD) (FORMERLY CALLED TVSS)

The use of surge protection devices is highly

recommended. Consult IEEE Standard 1100 (The
Emerald Book) for design considerations. A surge
protection system should only be connected to a
high quality, low impedance, and robust grounding
electrode system.

Generally, a surge protection device should not be

installed downstream from an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS). Consult manufacturers guidelines.

9. SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES (SPD) (FORMERLY

CALLED TVSS)

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BNBCEARTH CONDUCTORS IN PANEL AND TO CIRCUITS MINIMUM CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF COPPER EARTH CONDUCTORS
IN RELATION TO THE AREA OF ASSOCIATED PHASE CONDUCTORS

Cross-sectional Area of Phase

Conductor(s) (mm)

Minimum Cross-sectional Area of the

Corresponding
Earth Conductor (mm)

Less than 16

Same as cross-sectional area of phase

conductor but not
less than 14 SWG (3.243 mm)

16 or greater but less then 35

16

35 or greater

Half the cross-sectional area of phase

conductor

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BNBC

NB- In case of
copper wire being
used as earth
conductors, the size
of the wire shall not
be less than half the
area of the largest
current carrying
conductor supplying
the circuit.

RestrictionAluminium or copper
clad aluminium (clad
(PP of clothe)
sojjito) conductors
shall not be used for
final connections to
earth electrodes

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BNBC

Earth Lead
Earth lead is the link which provides connection
between the earth conductor(s) and the earth
[alvaa]electrode(s). Earthing leads shall be run in
duplicate down to the earth electrode so as to
increase the safety factor of the installation. Copper
wire used as earthing lead must not be smaller than
8 SWG (12 mm).
In normal provision the earthing lead connects the
earth electrode to a bus bar called earth bus bar.
earth conductor is connected to Earth bus bar

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BNBC

Earth Electrodes
The earth electrode shall, as far as practicable,
penetrate into permanently moist soil preferably
below ground water table. The resistance of earth
electrodes shall not be more than one ohm. The
following types earth electrodes are recognized for
the purpose of Code -Copper rods, Copper plates,
Galvanized iron pipes. Copper rods shall have a
minimum diameter of 12.7 mm. Copper plates shall
not be less than 600 mm x 600 mm in size, with 6
mm thickness.GI pipes shall have a minimum
diameter of 50 mm. Earthing cable sizes should be
adequate with respect to the phase.

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BNBCPhase cable size

Earthing cable size

Below 4 rm

Earthing not less than 3.243 mm2 or 14

SWG.But for the unavailability of this size it
can be considered as 4 rm. So it should not be
less than 4 rm

4 rm to 16 rm

Same size of the phase

25 rm and 35 rm

16 rm

35 above

Half of the phase cable size

In case of multiplication at LT panel

As it is power cable like 240/300/400/500 rm.

Then earthing cable size should be half of the
total size. Say,if the phase cable is 6X300 rm
then earthing cable will be 6X150 rm or 3X300
rm

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BS 7671-

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BS 7671-

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BS 7671-

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BS 7671-

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BS 7671-

EARTHING DEFINITIONS- AS PER BS 7671Requirements of using RCD

RCDs are designed to disconnect the circuit if there is a leakage

current. By detecting small leakage currents (typically 530
mA) and disconnecting quickly enough (<300 ms).

RCDs should operate within 2540 milliseconds with any

leakage currents (through a person) of greater than 30 mA,

RCDs operate by measuring the current balance between two

conductors using a differential current transformer. This
measures the difference between current flowing through the
live conductor and that returning through the neutral conductor
. If these do not sum to zero, there is a leakage of current to
somewhere else (to earth/ground or to another circuit), and the
device will open its contacts.

OPERATING PROCEDURE OF RCD

PURPOSE OF USING RCD AND RCBO

WHERE RCD IS REQUIRED?

WHERE RCD IS REQUIRED?

REQUIREMENTS OF EARTHING AND BONDING

EARTHING AND BONDING WITH METALLIC STRUCTURE

THE END