EARTHING OR GROUNDING

What is Grounding or Earthing?

To connect the metallic (conductive) Parts of an Electric appliance or installations to the earth
(ground) is called Earthing or Grounding.

In other words, to connect the metallic parts of electric machinery and devices to the earth plate
or earth electrode (which is buried in the moisture earth) through a thick conductor wire (which
has very low resistance) for safety purpose is known as Earthing or grounding.

To earth or earthing rather, means to connect the part of electrical apparatus such as metallic
covering of metals, earth terminal of socket cables, stay wires that do not carry current to the
earth. Earthing can be said as the connection of the neutral point of a power supply system to the
earth so as to avoid or minimize danger during discharge of electrical energy.

Need of Earthing or Grounding and Why Earthing is Important?

The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of electrocution, fire due to
earth leakage of current through undesired path and to ensure that the potential of a current
carrying conductor does not rise with respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

When the metallic part of electrical appliances (parts that can conduct or allow passage of
electric current) comes in contact with a live wire, maybe due to failure of installations or failure
in cable insulation, the metal become charged and static charge accumulates on it. If a person
touches such a charged metal, the result is a severe shock.

To avoid such instances, the power supply systems and parts of appliances have to be earthed so
as to transfer the charge directly to the earth.

Below are the basic needs of Earthing.

 To protect human lives as well as provide safety to electrical devices and appliances from
leakage current.
 To keep voltage as constant in the healthy phase (If fault occurs on any one phase).
 To Protect Electric system and buildings form lighting.
 To serve as a return conductor in electric traction system and communication.
 To avoid the risk of fire in electrical installation systems.

Different Terms used in Electrical Earthing

 Earth: The proper connection between electrical installation systems via conductor to the
buried plate in the earth is known as Earth.
 Earthed: When an electrical device, appliance or wiring system connected to the earth
through earth electrode, it is known as earthed device or simple “Earthed”.

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  Solidly Earthed: When an electric device, appliance or electrical installation is
connected to the earth electrode without a fuse, circuit breaker or resistance/Impedance, It
is called “solidly earthed”.
 Earth Electrode: When a conductor (or conductive plate) buried in the earth for
electrical earthing system. It is known to be Earth Electrode. Earth electrodes are in
different shapes like, conductive plate, conductive rod, metal water pipe or any other
conductor with low resistance.
 Earthing Lead: The conductor wire or conductive strip connected between Earth
electrode and Electrical installation system and devices in called Earthing lead.
 Earth Continuity Conductor: The conductor wire, which is connected among different
electrical devices and appliances like, distribution board, different plugs and appliances
etc. in other words, the wire between earthing lead and electrical device or appliance is
called earth continuity conductor. It may be in the shape of metal pipe (fully or partial),
or cable metallic sheath or flexible wire.
 Sub Main Earthing Conductor: A wire connected between switch board and
distribution board i.e. that conductor is related to sub main circuits.
 Earth Resistance: This is the total resistance between earth electrode and earth in Ω
(Ohms). Earth resistance is the algebraic sum of the resistances of earth continuity
conductor, earthing lead, earth electrode and earth.

POINTS TO BE EARTHED

Earthing is not done anyhow. According to IE rules and IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers)
regulations,

 Earth pin of 3-pin lighting plug sockets and 4-pin power plug should be efficiently and
permanently earthed.
 All metal casing or metallic coverings containing or protecting any electric supply line or
apparatus such as GI pipes and conduits enclosing VIR or PVC cables, iron clad
switches, iron clad distribution fuse boards etc should be earthed (connected to earth).
 The frame of every generator, stationary motors and metallic parts of all transformers
used for controlling energy should be earthed by two separate and yet distinct
connections with the earth.
 In a dc 3-wire system, the middle conductors should be earthed at the generating station.
 Stay wires that are for overhead lines should be connected to earth by connecting at least
one strand to the earth wires.

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Components of Earthing System

A complete electrical earthing system consists of the following basic components.

 Earth Continuity Conductor

 Earthing Lead
 Earth Electrode

Earth Continuity Conductor or Earth Wire

That part of the earthing system which interconnects the overall metallic parts of electrical
installation e.g. conduit, ducts, boxes, metallic shells of the switches, distribution boards,
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Switches, fuses, Regulating and controlling devices, metallic parts of electrical machines such as,
motors, generators, transformers and the metallic framework where electrical devices and
components are installed is known as earth wire or earth continuity conductor as shown in the
above fig.

The resistance of the earth continuity conductor is very low. According to IEEE rules, resistance
between consumer earth terminal and earth Continuity conductor (at the end) should not be
increased than 1Ω. In simple words, resistance of earth wire should be less than 1Ω.

Size of the Earth Continuity Conductor or Earth Wire depends on the cable size used in the
wiring circuit.

Size of Earth Continuity Conductor

The cross sectional area of the Earth Continuity Conductor should not be less than the half of the
cross sectional area of the thickest wire used in the electrical wiring installation.

Generally, the size of the bare copper wire used as earth continuity conductor is 3SWG. But keep
in mind that, don’t use less than 14SWG as earth wire. Copper strip is also can be used as earth
continuity conductor instead of bare copper wire but don’t go for it until manufacture
recommend it.

Earthing Lead or Earthing Joint

The conductor wire connected between earth continuity conductor and earth electrode or earth
plate is called earthing joint or “Earthing lead”. The point where earth continuity conductor and
earth electrode meet is known as “connecting point” as shown in the above fig.

Earthing lead is the final part of the earthing system which is connected to the earth electrode
(which is underground) through earth connecting point.

There should be minimum joints in earthing lead as well as lower in size and straight in the
direction.

Generally, copper wire can be used as earthing lead but, copper strip is also used for high
installation and it can handle the high fault current because of wider area than the copper wire.

A hard drawn bare copper wire is also used as an earthing lead. In this method, all earth
conductors connected to a common (one or more) connecting points and then, earthing lead is
used to connect earth electrode (earth plat) to the connecting point.

To increase the safety factor of installation, two copper wires are used as earthing lead to connect
the device metallic body to the earth electrode or earth plate. I.e. if we use two earth electrodes
or earth plats, there would be four earthing leads. It should not be considered that the two earth
leads are used as parallel paths to flow the fault currents but both paths should work properly to
carry the fault current because it is important for better safety.

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Size of the Earthing Lead

The size or area of earthing lead should not be less than the half of the thickest wire used in the
installation.

The largest size for earthing lead is 3SWG and the minimum size should not be less than 8SWG.
If 37/.083 wire is used or the load current is 200A from the supply voltage, then it is
recommended to use copper strip instead of double earthing lead. The earth lead connection
methods is shown in the above fig.

Note: We will post additional article about Earth Plate size with simple calculations… Stay tune.

Earthing Electrode or Earth Plate

A metallic electrode or plate which is buried in the earth (underground) and it is the last part of
the electrical earthing system. In simple words, the final underground metallic (plate) part of the
earthing system which is connected with earthing lead is called earth plate or earth electrode.

A metallic plate, pipe or rode can be used as an earth electrode which has very low resistance
and carry the fault current safely towards ground (earth).

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Size of Earthing Electrode

Both copper and iron can be used as earthing electrode. The size of earth electrode (In case of
copper) 2×2 (two-foot-wide as well as in length) and 1/8-inch thickness, I.e. 2’ x 2’ x 1/8”,
(600x600x300 mm)

In case of Iron 2’ x2’ x ¼” = 600x600x6 mm

It is recommended to bury the earth electrode in the moisture earth. If it is not possible, then put
water in the GI (Galvanized Iron) pipe to make possible the moisture condition.

Earth Plate or Earth Electrode Size for Small installation

In small installation, use metallic rod (diameter = 25mm (1inch) and length = 2m (6ft) instead of
earth plate for earthing system. The metallic pipe should be 2 meter below from the surface of
ground. To maintain the moister condition, put 25mm (1inch) coal and lime mixture around the
earth plate.

For effectiveness and convenience, you may use the copper rods 12.5mm (0.5 inch) to 25mm (1
inch) diameter and 4m (12ft) length.

Methods of Earthing | Types of Earthing

Earthing can be done in many ways. The various methods employed in earthing (in house wiring
or factory and other connected electrical equipment and machines) are discussed below:

1. Plate earthing
2. Pipe earthing
3. Rod earthing
4. Earthing through the Waterman
5. Strip or Wire Earthing

1). Plate Earthing:

In plate earthing system, a plate made up of either copper with dimensions 60cm x 60cm x
3.18mm (i.e. 2ft x 2ft x 1/8 in) or galvanized iron (GI) of dimensions 60cm x 60cm x 6.35 mm
(2ft x 2ft x ¼ in) is buried vertical in the earth (earth pit) which should not be less than 3m (10ft)
from the ground level.

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Plate Earthing

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2). Pipe Earthing:

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A galvanized steel and a perforated pipe of approved length and diameter is placed vertically in a
wet soil in this kind of system of earthing. It is the most common system of earthing. The size of
pipe to use depends on the magnitude of current and the type of soil. The moisture of the soil will
determine the length of the pipe to be buried but usually it should be 4.75m (15.5ft).

3). Rod Earthing

It is the same method as pipe earthing. A copper rod of 12.5mm (1/2 inch) diameter or 16mm
(0.6in) diameter of galvanized steel or hollow section 25mm (1inch) of GI pipe of length above
2.5m (8.2 ft) are buried upright in the earth manually or with the help of a pneumatic hammer.
The length of embedded electrodes in the soil reduces earth resistance to a desired value.

4). Earthing through the Waterman

In this method of earthing, the waterman (Galvanized GI) pipes are used for earthing purpose.
Make sure to check the resistance of GI pipes and use earthing clamps to minimize the resistance
for proper earthing connection.

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If stranded conductor is used as earth wire, then clean the end of the strands of the wire and make
sure it is in the straight and parallel position which is possible then to connect tightly to the
waterman pipe.

5). Strip or Wire Earthing:

In this method of earthing, strip electrodes of cross-section not less than 25mm x 1.6mm (1in x
0.06in) is buried in a horizontal trenches of a minimum depth of 0.5m. If copper with a cross-
section of 25mm x 4mm (1in x 0.15in) is used and a dimension of 3.0mm2 if it’s a galvanized
iron or steel.

If at all round conductors are used, their cross-section area should not be too small, say less than
6.0mm2 if it’s a galvanized iron or steel. The length of the conductor buried in the ground would
give a sufficient earth resistance and this length should not be less than 15m.

General method of Earthing / Proper Grounding Installation (Step by Step)

The usual method of earthing of electric equipments, devices and appliances are as follow:

1. First of all, dig a 5x5ft (1.5×1.5m) pit about 20-30ft (6-9 meters) in the ground. (Note
that, depth and width depends on the nature and structure of the ground)
2. Bury an appropriate (usually 2’ x 2’ x 1/8” (600x600x300 mm) copper plate in that pit in
vertical position.
3. Tight earth lead through nut bolts from two different places on earth plate.
4. Use two earth leads with each earth plate (in case of two earth plates) and tight them.
5. To protect the joints from corrosion, put grease around it.
6. Collect all the wires in a metallic pipe from the earth electrode(s). Make sure the pipe is
1ft (30cm) above the surface of the ground.
7. To maintain the moisture condition around the earth plate, put a 1ft (30cm) layer of
powdered charcoal (powdered wood coal) and lime mixture around the earth plate of
around the earth plate.
8. Use thimble and nut bolts to connect tightly wires to the bed plates of machines. Each
machine should be earthed from two different places. The minimum distance between
two earth electrodes should be 10 ft (3m).
9. Earth continuity conductor which is connected to the body and metallic parts of all
installation should be tightly connected to earth lead.
10. At last (but not least), test the overall earthing system through earth tester. If everything
is going about the planning, then fill the pit with soil. The maximum allowable resistance
for earthing is 1Ω. If it is more than 1 ohm, then increase the size (not length) of earth
lead and earth continuity conductors. Keep the external ends of the pipes open and put the
water time to time to maintain the moisture condition around the earth electrode which is
important for the better earthing system.

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SI specification for Earthing

Various specifications in respect to earthing as recommended by International Standards are

given below. Here are few;

 An earthing electrode should not be situated (installed) close to the building whose
installation system is being earthed at least more than 1.5m away.
 The earth resistance should be low enough to cause the flow of current sufficient to
operate the protective relays or blow fuses. It’s value is not constant as it varies with
weather because it depends on moisture (but should not be less than 1 Ohm).
 The earth wire and earth electrode will be the same material.
 The earthing electrode should always be placed in a vertical position inside the earth or
pit so that it may be in contact with all the different earth layers.

Dangers of Not Earthing A Supply System

The danger of not earthing a supply system is that during discharge of electric current, the
impedance of the path of the current is low, a large amount of current flows to earth. When the
current exceeds the limiting value, the fuse provided in the circuit will blow off and will cut off
the appliances from power supply and there is also a risk of fire in the system.

In addition, if a live wire touches accidentally (in a faulty system) to the metallic part of a
machine. Now, if a man touches that metallic part of the machine, then the current will flow
through their body to the ground, hence, he will get shocked (electrocuted) which may lead to
serious injuries even to death. That’s why earthing is so important?

IEC terminology
International standard IEC 60364 distinguishes three families of earthing arrangements, using the
two-letter codes TN, TT, and IT.

The first letter indicates the connection between earth and the power-supply equipment
(generator or transformer):

"T" — Direct connection of a point with earth (Latin: terra)

"I" — No point is connected with earth (isolation), except perhaps via high impedance.

The second letter indicates the connection between earth and the electrical device being supplied:

"T" — Direct connection of a point with earth

"N" — Direct connection to neutral at the origin of installation, which is connected to
the earth

i) TN networks

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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.

The conductor that connects the exposed metallic parts of the consumer's electrical installation is
called protective earth. 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:

TN−S
PE and N are separate conductors that are connected together only near the power source.
This arrangement is a current standard for most residential and industrial electric systems
particularly in Europe.
TN−C
A combined PEN conductor fulfils the functions of both a PE and an N conductor.
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, and separated in the service head. In the
UK, this system is also known as protective multiple earthing (PME), because of the
practice of connecting the combined neutral-and-earth conductor to real earth at many
locations, to reduce the risk of electric shock in the event of a broken PEN conductor -
with a similar system in Australia and New Zealand being designated as multiple earthed
neutral (MEN).

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TN-S: separate protective earth TN-C: combined PE and N TN-C-S earthing system:
(PE) and neutral (N) conductors conductor all the way from the combined PEN conductor from
from transformer to consuming transformer to the consuming transformer to building
device, which are not device. distribution point, but separate
connected together at any point PE and N conductors in fixed
after the building distribution indoor wiring and flexible
point. power cords.

It is possible to have both TN-S and TN-C-S supplies taken 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 may be converted to TN-C-S.

ii) TT network

In a TT (Terra-Terra) earthing system, the protective earth connection for the consumer is
provided by a local earth electrode, and there is another independently installed at the generator.
There is no 'earth wire' between the two. The fault impedance is higher, and unless the electrode
impedance is very low indeed, a TT installation should always have an RCD as its first isolator.

The big advantage of the TT earthing system is that it is clear of high and low frequency noises
that come through the neutral wire from connected equipment. TT has always been preferable for
special applications like telecommunication sites that benefit from the interference-free earthing.
Also, TT does not have the risk of a broken neutral.

In locations where power is distributed overhead and TT is used, installation earth conductors are
not at risk should any overhead distribution conductor be fractured by, say, a fallen tree or
branch.

In pre-RCD era, the TT earthing system was unattractive for general use because of its worse
capability of accepting high currents in case of a live-to-PE short circuit (in comparison with TN
systems). But as residual current devices mitigate this disadvantage, the TT earthing system
becomes attractive for premises where all AC power circuits are RCD-protected.

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The TT earthing system is used throughout Japan, with RCD units in most industrial settings.
This can impose added requirements on variable frequency drives and switched-mode power
supplies which often have substantial filters passing high frequency noise to the ground
conductor.

iii) IT network

In an IT network, the electrical 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.

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Comparison

TT IT TN-S TN-C TN-C-S

Earth fault loop
High Highest Low Low Low
impedance
RCD preferred? Yes N/A Optional No Optional
Need earth electrode
Yes Yes No No Optional
at site?
PE conductor cost Low Low Highest Least High
Risk of broken
No No High Highest High
neutral
Safety Safe Less Safe Safest Least Safe Safe
Electromagnetic
Least Least Low High Low
interference
High loop
Double fault, Broken Broken Broken
Safety risks impedance (step
overvoltage neutral neutral neutral
voltages)
Continuity of Safety and
Advantages Safe and reliable Safest Cost
operation, cost cost

Different types of earthing systems are available. Popular methods are:

 Plate Earthing: A copper plate or galvanized plate is buried in an earth pit below ground
level. The plate electrode connects the electrical conductors to the earth.

 Pipe Earthing: A galvanized steel perforated pipe inside the ground connects the
electrical conductors to the earth.

 Rod Earthing: Similar to the Pipe earthing. A copper rod replaces the pipe electrode.

 Chemical earthing: Similar to the pipe earthing. A chemical compound material

replaces the charcoal and salt layers.

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The choice of earthing method primarily depends on:

 Service continuity requirement at different voltages

 Safety requirements for humans and equipment

 Possibility of overvoltage

 Maintenance requirements

 Cost consideration

Procedure for plate earthing

 Earth pit: Excavate and make an earth pit of size 900 mm x 900 mm x minimum 3.0
meter deep. Level the bottom surface.
 Plate electrode: Use GI plate of minimum size 600 Mm x 600 Mm x 6.3 mm thickness.
In case of a Copper plate, a minimum thickness of 3.15 mm can be used.
 Earthing connection: Fix two numbers of 50 mm x 6 mm GI strips to GI plate firmly
with GI nut, check nut, bolt and washer with each strip fixed to GI plate at two locations.
Weld the GI strips to GI plate. Join the two strips at the top with a GI strip of the same
size. Any loose earthing connection with the earth plate will have an adverse effect on the
electrode system resistivity.
 Water connection: Fix a 25 mm diameter GI pipe attached at the top with a funnel
covered with wire mesh. Water poured through this pipe will keep the area surrounding
the earth plate moistened.

 Backfill the excavated pit with soil free of stones and lumps.

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  Inspection chamber: Construct brick chamber of size 450 x 450 x 450 mm with 100 mm
thick brick walls over a P.C.C. layer. Keep 100 mm of the chamber above ground level.
Cover the top with a cast iron (CI) cover.

 Follow the approved design and drawing for fixing and laying of earth wires or GI/copper
strips between the earth electrode and the electrical room.

Procedure for pipe or rod electrode earthing

 Make a borehole of 500 mm diameter and 3.5 meters deep or as per the approved design
and drawing.
 Lower the Pipe electrode made of a 65 mm diameter GI perforated pipe of 3.0 meter
length attached at the top with a funnel covered with wire mesh. A G.I. strip is fixed to
the electrode to act as earthing connection. For rod earthing, a copper rod of required
diameter is used in place of the pipe.
 Fill the annular space between the electrode and borehole walls with alternating layers of
coke or charcoal and common salt.

 Inspection chamber: Construct brick chamber of size 450 x 450 x 450 mm with 100 mm
thick brick walls over a P.C.C. layer. Keep 100 mm of the chamber above ground level.
Cover the top with a cast iron (CI) cover.

 Follow the approved design and drawing for fixing and laying of earth wires or GI/copper
strips between the earth electrode and the electrical room.

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