Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt.

Polytechnic

Earthing
INTRODUCTION
Connecting the non-current carrying parts of the electrical equipments or the neutral point of
the supply system to earth is known as earthing. It is done to remove the large current which
draws due to fault.
In case the metal body becomes live, the circuit is completed through the live wire and the earth,
resulting in a high current. The fuse on the live wire side should blow out immediately and the
matter should be investigated and the fault rectified. In case the fuse does not blow out and a
person touches it, a severe shock is still prevented due to earthing. This is because most of the
current flows directly to the earth via the earth connection which has negligible resistance. An
extremely small current, if at all, may pass through the person's body which offers a resistance,
resulting in only a mild shock.
For an earth connection, a three-pin socket and plug are required. Due to the high current it
draws, the earth pin is made thicker and larger than the other two pins. This ensures that the
plug fits firmly into the socket, reducing the chances of sparking. The heat caused by sparking
causes the terminals to wear off and damages the socket and the plug.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF EARTHING

Earthing means connecting earth terminals to electrodes installed solidly in the mass of earth.
Earthing should generally be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Indian Electricity
Rules, 1956 and the relevant regulations of concerned electricity supply authority.
SOME FUNDAMENTAL DEFINATIONS
1. Earth: For electrical engineering point of view, earth is defined as the conductive mass of the
earth, whose electric potential at any point is conventionally taken as zero. Being electrically
neutral and at zero potential, the earth provides a common reference for voltage measurements.
2. Earthing: An electric connection to the general mass of earth whose dimensions are very large
as comparison to the electrical system being considered. The terms 'ground' and 'grounding’ are
synonyms with ‘earth' and 'earthing' respectively.
3. Equipotential bonding: Electrical connection putting various exposed conductive parts and
extraneous conductive parts at a substantially equal potential.
4. Exposed conductive part: A conductive part of an equipment which can be touched and which
is not a live part but which may become live under fault conditions.
5. Extraneous conductive part: A conductive part liable to transmit a potential including earth
potential and not forming part of the electrical installation.

NEED OF EARTHING
Earthing is of utmost importance for the safety of a plant, equipments, property and human as
well as animal life. In the absence of a well-designed effective earthing system, earth fault

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

conditions, may lead to tremendous loss of property and lives. The main objectives of the
earthing are as follows:
1. To ensure safety of life and property from hazards of electric shock and electric fires.
2. To ensure that system voltages on healthy lines remain within reasonable limits under fault
conditions thereby preventing insulation breakdowns.
3. To provide a low impedance path to facilitate the satisfactory operation of protective devices
under fault conditions.
4. To provide an equipotential plat form on which electronic equipments can operate.
5. 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.
6. To provide an alternative path for induced current and minimize the electrical noble in cables.

PURPOSE OF EARTHING
The followings are main purpose of earthing:
1. To save human life from danger or shock or death by blowing fuse of any apparatus which
becomes leaky.
2. To protect large building from atmospheric lighting.
3. To protect all machines fed from overhead lines from lighting arresters.
4. To maintain the line voltage constant.
5. To maintain the potential of any part of a system at a definite value with respect to earth.
6. To allow the current to flow to earth in the case of a fault, so that protective gear will operate
to isolate the faulty circuit.
7. To make sure that, in the event of a fault, the apparatus, should normally be dead and cannot
reach a dangerous potential with respect to earth. Good earthing is that earthing which gives
very low resistance to the flow of her current (short circuit current) of a machine/equipment.
EARTHING OF DOMESTIC FITTING APPLIANCES
According to IS 3043:1966, earthing of domestic fitting appliances are done as follows pin to the
earth.
(i) Plug and socket: Use three pin plug and socket outlet in wiring and connect the third pin to
earth.
(ii) Lighting fitting: If lamp holder are made up of conductors, then it should be earthed
(iii) Fan and its regulators: Use three pin plug for earthing of table-fan, pedestal fan exhaust fan
etc.
(iv) Electrical appliances: Domestic electrical equipments such as kettles, toaster, heaters, oven,
water boilers and hot plates should be earthed by using three pin plag
(v) Bathroom: Water heater of bathroom should also be earthed and all other equipment used
in bathroom having conductive material should also be earthed.
(vi) Other equipments: Washing machines, refrigerator, cooler, air conditioner, electric press,
radiators etc. should also be earthed by using three pin plug.

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

EARTHING IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES

In factories and workshops all metal conduits, cable sheath, switchgear, starter, distribution fuse
board, lighting fitting, motors and all other parts made of metal should be bonded together and
connected to an efficient earth system.
EARTHING OF SUBSTATION, GENERATING STATIONS AND OVERHEAD POWER LINES
Earthing of substation and generating station can be done by following ways:
1. Neutral point of all the system present in the substation should be earthed.
2. All the equipment related to the system, frame work, transformer tank switch prat frame etc.
should be earthed.
3. Outer frame work, which is not related to the power system like boundary fence, transmission
cables etc. should be earthed.
Requirements of a Station Earthing System in an Electrical Plants
The earthing system in a power plant has low earth resistance and is therefore virtually at earth
potential. Various plants to be earthed are connected in a low resistance metalhe conductors to
the station earthing system. The earthing system has underground vertical earth electrodes of
steel pipes, horizontal earthing, mesh of steel rods, all from welded at joints t form the station
earth. Various points to be earthed are connected to station earth by means of earthing
conductors, risers etc.
Total earth resistance of the station system must be below 3 ohms for low voltage domestic
system, below 0.5 ohms for low voltage and medium voltage sub-station and below 0.1 ohm for
220 kV and 400 kV substation and high power planta.
1. Equipment earthing: To ensure the body, structure other non current carrying parts are held
at earth potential and are safe to touch.
Points to be earthed: All non-current carrying metallic parts of equipments structures,
enclosures, cable sheaths, earthed screens, pipes, portable appliances fences. doors, screens,
overhead, shielding wires, flanges of bushings, equipment structures. Cores of transformer,
earthing bus of metal clad switchgear.
2. Neutral earthing: To ensure that neutral points are held at earth potential and return path is
available to neutral currents.
Points to be earthed: Transformer star (neutral) at sending end at each voltage level, star
(neutral) of generator, neutral of large motor for protection.
3. Chassis earthing: To prevent electromagnetic noise (disturbance) in measurement. control,
protection, communication signals.
Points to be earthed: Measuring instrument chassis, computer metal casing, control panel
enclosure, communication room screens, control cable sheath.
4. Discharge earthing: To provide discharge path to capacitive currents, earth return currents,
lightning and switching surges.
Points to be earthed: Surge arrester, earth pad, earthing switch discharge pad, field discharge
circuit breaker earthing pad. Overhead shield earthing (to discharge lightning surges), surge
suppressor earth terminal.

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

Earthing of Transformer
1. Generator transformer: Generating transformers are directly connected to the main
transmission line. Hence, according to 18:3043-1966, neutral point of the transformers are
directly connected by earthing.
2. Sub-station transformer: These transformers are connected to sub-transmission lines and
works on 6.6 kV, 11 kV, 33 kV and 66 kV. Resistance earthing should be done where chances of
occurrence of fault are large.
3. Distribution transformer: These transformers are connected with distribution lines High
voltage winding of these transformer are connected in delta winding while low voltage winding
are connected in atar winding. The neutral point, easily found in star winding should be earthed.
4. Delta winding transformer: Another earthed transformer is used to provide earthing to delta
winding transformer.
5. Earthing of lighting arrester: Lighting arresters should be directly connected to the earth for
earthing.
RULES FOR EARTHING ALL TYPES OF SYSTEM
1. Connection of earthing conductors:
(a) Main earthing conductors: Conductor used to connect, earth electrode with main switch is
called as main earthing conductors.
(b) Sub-main earthing conductor: Conductor used to connect main switch to diatribution board.
(c) Circuit earthing conductor: Conductor used to connect metal of equipment with main
earthing conductors, sub-main earthing conductor and distribution board.
2. Conduit, cable sheathed and armoured cable: Ends of these cables should be earthed by earth
wire near switch board.
3. Equipment mounted on metal frame work: Exposed part of the equipment those are attached
with the metal frame should be earthed.
4. Exposed metal of the equipment connected with flexible cable: Such equipment which are
contact with the flexible cable should be earthed.
5. Earthing of equipment: If any equipment does not earth by conduit, cable sheathed, Armoured
cable, equipment mounted on metal frame work, exposed metal flexible cable, then earth them
by using circuit earthing conductor class.
6. Switch, electrical accessories, electrical fitting etc. (comes under conduit wiring): Switch,
electrical accessories, electrical fitting etc, and material used in conduit wiring and clamp or clip
connected with conduit, can be consider as a part of the conduit and if conduit is earthed, then
there is no need to earth all these separately.
7. Material which should not be connected by the earthing: Sprinkler pipe, water pipe, hand
pump pipes through which gas passes, pipes through which oil passes etc should not be earthed.
8. Sheath of metal on the conductor for continuity and resistivity test:
(a) Continuity test: Earthing can be tested with the help of test lamp or the megger. To proceed
for the test with lamp, connect one end of test lamp to the phase wire and other end with the
metal parts of the fitting, if the fitting is properly earthed, then the lamp will glow. To proceed

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

for the test with megger connect the line wire with the metal parts of the fitting and the earth
wire of megger with some sound earth connection. If the fitting is properly earthed then on
rotating the handle of megger, the pointer will indicate zero.
(b) Resistivity test: Earth resistance is measured for a earthed metallic body or neutral point. It
is measured by means of earth resistance tester for good effective earthing, the earth resistance
should be of the order of 0.5 ohm.
EARTHING CONDUCTORS
The earthing conductor is commonly called the earthing lead. It joins the installation earthing
terminal to the earth electrode or to the earth terminal. It is a vital link in the protective system,
so case must be taken to see that its integrity will be preserved at all times. Aluminium
conductors and cables may now be used for earthing, but great care must be taken when doing
so to ensure that there will be problems with corrosion or with electrolytic action where they
come into contact with other metals. Where the final connection to the earth electrode or
earthing terminal is made there must be clear and permanent label where a buried earthing,
conductor is not protected against mechanical damage but is protected against corrosion by a
sheath, its minimum size must be 16 mm2 whether made of copper or coated steel.
INSTALLATION OF EARTHING CONDUCTOR
Earthing wire should be installed in such a way that it can not be injured or damage in any
accident. Fit clamps, saddle, ples, clouts etc. on the wire in such a way that it does not damage
the earthing conductor. Arial conductor should used with appropriate insulator. Earthing
conductor which is dugged should provide mechanical protection. It should also be protected
from moisture. Main earthing conductor having 7/1.60 mm diameter should be joint by soldering,
brazing and welding and the conductor having diameter greater than 7/1.60 mm should be joint
by using clamp.

FACTORS FOR AFFECTING THE EARTH RESISTANCE

The earth resistance depends upon the following factors
1. Condition of the soil.
2. Temperature of the soil
3. Quantity of moisture in soil.
4. Shape and size of earth electrode.
5. Different types of material use to make earth electrode
6. Depth to which the electrode is embedded
7. Quantity of charcoal and salt powder in the earth electrode pit.

EARTHING SYSTEM
For thing the machines, equipments, Indian Electricity Rule 1966, rule 33 and 61 should be
consider. Mainly earthing can be classify in following parts
1. Pipe earthing
2. Plate earthing

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

3. Strip earthing
4. Rod earthing
Methods of Earthing
1. Earthing to water main: For the cold water pipe is throughly cleared of all grease and dirt. An
adjustable clip is fixed at the cleaned spot. One end of the earthing cable in fined to a lug which
is attached to the clip by a fixing bolt and nut, tightening the wat draws the clip tight to grip the
pipe firmly. The other end of the earthing cable is similarly connected to the conduit up in with a
clamp and lag
2. Pipe earthing: A galvanized iron pipe 35 mm in diameter, and 2 meter long is driven into the
ground or a copper plate of adequate size buried edge wise in the earth is used as the earth
electrode. Its resistance must be kept be specified limit, packer percentage salts and powdered
cake or charcoal to a depth of 30 cm, all around pipe in low resistance, keeping the earth most
by ring water into the pipe.
According to the Indian Electricity Rules, the frame of all motors, transformers etc. and the metal
casings of alll power consuming equipments shall be earthed by two separate and distinct
connections with earth. On electrical appliance the manufacturer provides an earthing terminal.
The foundation bolts used for hold down the machines are often used for earthing them.

Pipe Earthing
3. Plate earthing: The earth connection can be provided with the help of a copper/ G.I. plate.
When G.I. plate is used it should not be of less than 60 cm x 60 cm x 6.35 mm.
The plate is kept with its face vertical at a depth of 3 m and is so arranged that it is bedded in an
alternate layer of coke and salt for a minimum thickness of about 15 cm, in case earthing is done
by copper plate and in coke layer of 15 cm, if it is done with GI plate. The earth wire is securely
bolted to the earth plate with the help of bolt, nut and washer.

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

(i) The earthing electrode should be situated at a plate at least √𝑙 metre away from (ie, outside)
the building whose installation system is being earthed.
(ii) The earth wire should be of name material as that of earth electrode.
(iii) The minimum sectional area of the earth lead wire should never be less that 0.02 square inch
(No. 8 S.W.G) and not more than 0.1 square inch (i.e. 7.036 S.W.G.)
(iv) The size of earth conductor as a general rule should not be less than half of the section of live
line conductor.
(v) The size of the continuous earth wires used with cables should not be either less than 0.0045
square inch (14 S.W.G) or half of the installation conductor size in case of light wiring.

Plate Earthing
4. Strip earthing: This method of earthing is used where earth bed have a rocky soil and
excavation of earth is difficult. In this system 5 S.W.G. copper wire or copper strip of size not less
than 25 mm x 1.6 mm is buried in horizontal trenches under such circumstances earth resistance
is high which is about 5 ohms.
5. Rod earthing: This type of earthing is done in sandy areas. In this method of earthing a copper
rod is hammered directly into earth. This is the cheapest method but earth resistance is also high
like strip earthing.
6. Tap earthing: For the purpose of temporary earth, water taps may be used. Before connecting
the top to the earth wire it should be ensured that the GI pipe has been used throughout since
these days PVC pipes are also being used for water supply. It is no advisable to use tap as the
earthing source.
Inspection and Maintenance of Earth Electrode: The correct design and careful installation of
electrical equipment and associated earthing system will enable the equipment and earthing to
operate at maximum efficiency but effective electrical maintenance keeps it going. Inspection
and maintenance schedule in respect of system has to be chalked out in the same fashion as done
in case of other electrical equipment.

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

Step Potential and Touch Potential:

Step Potential:
Step Potential is nothing the potential developed between the two feet on the ground of a man
or animal when a short circuit occurs. Due to this potential, the living body may get an electric
shock. This is mostly occurring in Electrical switchyard.
Touch potential:
Touch potential is nothing but the potential is developed between the living body touches the
faulty structure. When operating personnel touch electrical equipment during short circuit
condition, fault current flows through the human body.

Now, the most important thing is to understand the physical meaning and significance of Step
Potential and Touch Potential.
For theoretical considerations, True Earth is a conductor deep in the ground with virtually no
resistance. With this definition of True Earth, ground resistance can be thought of as the
resistance between, a ground mat or substation grid and true earth. By this definition, the surface
then is not true earth. Current can and will flow along the surface, but has a tendency to go deep.
In the figure below, Ground Network is the ground Mat.
Now consider a line to ground fault on a Transmission Tower in the Switchyard area. The
fault current on a transmission tower will travel down the grounding conductor and legs and
then spread out over the surface before going deeper, thereby posing a potential hazard to utility
workers in the vicinity. The closer to the tower legs, the greater the concentration of current and

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic
Unit 8: Earthing Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic

the higher the voltage. The wider apart the person’s feet or the greater the distance from the
hands (if touching the structure) to the feet (if standing at ground potential), the greater the
voltage gradient across the body. It is for this reason that Step and Touch potentials are
evaluated and measures taken to have them brought within safe limits.
Current flow causes a voltage drop at the earth’s surface. A person standing with feet apart will
develop a portion of this potential difference from foot to foot. Resistance increases as current
flows away from the point of entry into the soil at a ground rod or tower leg. Therefore, the risk
to personnel is greatest near the point of entry, with the voltage drop over the same span
becoming less and less with distance. Hence, the voltage gradient across the span of a typical
human step is Step Potential.
Touch Potential is the potential that can be established between the point at which a person is
standing on the ground and the point at which some contact is made with hardware, such as by
placing the hand on a substation fence.
Engineering standards use a one-meter reach distance for calculating Touch Potentials. A two-
meter reach distance is used when two or more objects are inside the event area. For example,
a person could be outstretching both arms and touching two objects at once such as a tower leg
and a metal cabinet.
Mitigating Step and Touch Potential hazards is usually accomplished through one or more of the
following three main techniques:
 Reduction in the Resistance to Ground of the grounding system
 Proper placement of ground conductors
 The addition of resistive surface layers.

Prepared by Sanjoy Pondit, Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering, Ghatal Govt. Polytechnic