EARTHING SYSTEMS: WHAT YOU

NEED TO KNOW
TECHNICAL BLOG

This week in the third edition of the LPI Group technical blog, we will
outline and explore the different types of earthing systems that are
required for various protection and functional purposes. We will also
discuss important definitions associated with earthing systems, highlight
examples of sample earthing applications and introduce the various
meanings behind earthing symbols that can be encountered during
earthing and bonding system applications.  
Before delving further into the technicalities of all you need to
know about earthing systems, it is important to consider them
as a critical system to mitigate any safety risks and adverse effects
that IT and electrical equipment may encounter due to potentional
differences, stray currents or a lightning strike.

Different Types of Earthing Systems 

There are three different types of earthing systems that are employed to
achieve different protection and functional goals, including:
       Safety earthing systems
       Functional bonding and earthing systems
       Lightning protection system earthing
The Safety Earthing System
These systems are related to the technical concepts of protective earthing
and bonding, and earthing schemes of power and distribution.
These technical concepts can be broken down into the following topics:
1.The LV Earthing Distribution Network (TN, TT & IT) for
AC and DC System – Note: The main attribution to the LV
distribution network is to provide protection against indirect
contact with voltage (Fault Protection). For this purpose,
protection shall be provided against dangers that may arise
from contact with exposed conductive parts of the installation
by people or livestock. 
2.The MV/HV Earthing Distribution Network (Directly
earthed, unearthed, resistance earthed, inductance earthed,
petersen coil, etc). – Note: Some schemes of earthing in this
regard are not solely for safety reasons. The system is also
used to avoid Arc Energy, extra voltage stress on the
equipment insulation and to provide conditions for the efficient
operation of the protection device.
3.Certain bonding schemes between metal exposed parts of
energized equipment.
4.Electrostatic bonding and earthing. 
Functional Bonding and Earthing
This type of earthing system is defined as an earthing point or points in a
system, in an installation, or within equipment for purposes other than
electrical safety.
Functional bonding and earthing concepts can be broken down into the
following topics:
 EMC Earthing
 DC System Special Configuration –(dc-I and dC-C)
 Data Centre and Telecommunication Equipment Bonding
Infrastructure
 Logical / Reference Voltage Earthing termination
 Signal Reference Connection and Networks
Important Note:
In some technical guidelines, the EMC Earthing is introduced as a
separate main topic and is not associated with a functional earthing
system. In this case, the different types of earthing systems can be
categorised as follows:
 Safety Earthing
 Functional Earthing
 EMC Earthing
 Lightning Protection System Earthing
Lightning Protection System Earthing
Figure 1 shows a sample configuration of an earthing electrode system at
a telecommunication tower that is situated adjacent to the
telecommunication building.
The electrode system is composed of rods, a ring and a radial earthing
electrode. The reason for this particular shape and the number of
electrodes is to distribute the lightning current adequately, and in such a
way that the resulting voltage gradient emerges far enough from the side
of the building (See Figure 2).

Figure 1
Figure 2 shows the sample of the voltage gradient zone on the ground
surface upon the lightning strike at the top of the Telecommunication
Tower.
Figure 2

Sample Applications
Sample Application 1 – Protective Earthing and Bonding System
Indirect Contact Without Earthing Connection of the Stove (Figure 3).
Figure 3
Performing a return Earthing Conductor connected to the metal body of
Equipment (CPC) (Figure 4).
Figure 4
Sample Application 1.2
As shown in figure 5, the implementing bonding connection will reduce
the touch voltage to the UC =RP x IF.inc, in other words, the amount of
touch voltage depends on the resistance of the bonding conductor which
could be less enough to avoid a high level of touch voltage.
Then what will happen if the bonding conductor does not exist?
Definitely, dangerous touch voltage can occur as in such case the touch
voltage is not dependent on a conductor resistance. The voltage is
directly imposed from the power system fault circuit.
 
Figure 5
Sample Application 1.3
A fault current and voltage in a TN system is demonstrated in figure 6.
Here the PE Conductor connects the metal body of the equipment to the
neutral point of its upstream supply, which is itself connected to earth
electrodes.
Figure 6
Sample Application 1.4
A fault current and voltage in a TN system is also demonstrated in figure
7. In this configuration, the metallic is directly connected to the local
earth electrode.

Figure 7
Sample Application 1.5
A fault current and voltage in an IT system at the first fault is
demonstrated in figure 8. In this configuration, the metal body of
equipment is directly connected to the earth electrode and none of the
supply circuit is directly connected to the earthing electrode.

Figure 8
Sample Application 1.6
A fault current and voltage in an IT system at a second fault is shown in
figure 9. In this configuration, the existence of PE conductors which
connect two metal bodies of equipment provides indirect contact when
the second fault happens and while the first fault still exists. And
ultimately control the exposed touch voltage.
Figure 9
Sample Application 1.7
Protection measures by utilising isolating material and equipotential
bonding is demonstrated in figure 10.

Figure 10
Sample Application 1.8
This figure shows the three accepted configurations to control static
discharge that could accumulate on different parts of a system and build
hazardous voltage differences.

Figure 11
Sample Application 2: Functional Earthing and Bonding System
Sample Application 2.1 EMC Earthing
EMC earthing refers to all bonding, shielding or earthing methods that
are implemented for IT or Electronic Equipment and their connected
circuits to reduce or eliminate the probable damage and inference to
electrical equipment.
EMC can be divided into the categories of:
       Shielding
       The particular configuration of earthing and bonding
networks
       Low transfer impedance earthing
Note: For EMC purposes, we can distinguish three almost hierarchical
definitions of the earth:
       An equipotential area or plan used as a system reference
       A low impedance path for currents to return to their
source
       A low transfer impedance path to prevent common-mode
currents from converting to differential mode.
Sample Application 2.3 – Logical or Reference Voltage Earthing
 Some electronic equipment requires a reference voltage at
about earth potential in order to function correctly.
Sample Application 2.3 – DC-I / DC-C  Earthing Configuration of
DC system
Sample Application 2.4 – Signal Reference Earthing Plan
Sample 3.1
Figure 12 represents a sample of the infrastructure at a
telecommunication bonding network. As shown, some earth bars and
conductors are connected in a certain way to build a
standardised bonding backbone which is introduced in standards
TIA607-C, BICSI 002, and BSEN50310. This backbone ensures that the
exceeded amount of voltage difference does not occur for two of the
interconnected IT equipment.
Figure 12
 Sample 3.2
Figure 13 represents a sample connection of DC-I earthing connection
between equipment and their power supply.
Figure 13 (*DCEG – DC Equipment Ground Conductor)
Sample 3.3
Figure 14 is another key example of a DC earthing system. As seen in
this example, there are two AC/DC power supplies that are located
inside one storage cabinet for the electrical panel. These power sources
are going to supply electrical equipment with DC power.
As shown, the DC return conductor of each source has been connected
to the same earth bar which itself is connected to the main earthing bar
for the entire facility.
Figure 14
Sample 3.4
Figure 15 excellently illustrates two interconnected equipment which
uses bonding and earthing as a reference signal plan.
This figure shows typical single-ended and differential interfaces.
  A single-ended interface uses a single signal conductor and
an earth return path.  Clearly, any potential difference between
the local ‘earth’ at the transmitter and receiver appears in series
with the signal and is likely to cause data corruption.  The
apparently simple solution of adding another signal conductor
between the two earth points is not feasible a large and
undefined current will flow causing interference and possibly
damage
 A differential interface uses two signal conductors and data
is sent as a voltage difference between them. Ideally, the
 receiver is sensitive only to the differential voltage between the
signal lines and insensitive to the common-mode voltage
 In summary, unlike single-ended transmission wiring which
is highly vulnerable to the different potential that may be
created by bonding and earthing reference plan, differential
transmission wiring shows the reference plan connection that is
considerably less vulnerable to earthing connection quality.

Figure 15
Sample 3.5
As shown in figure 16, a typical signal reference plan can be seen in the
form of a mesh (500mmx500mm) network. This mesh has also been
used for equipotential bonding purposes.
It is important to note that in some circumstances we can have a
separated bonding network and signal reference plan.
Figure 16
 
Sample 3.6
Shown in figure 17 is a sample of an earthing termination which is used
as a reference point voltage for communication purposes of two
electrical types of equipment.
Figure 17
Sample Application 4.1 – Common Bonding Network
A Common Bonding Network (CBN)  is the default bonding system at
the building and enlarges any intentional equipment multipoint bonding
topology.
 The primary example of the CBN is the multi grounding and
bonding which normally occurs when the ac power system is
installed into the building. Other connections to the ac power
system grounding conductors and other grounded entities (such
as a water pipe and rack work) serve to augment and enlarge the
CBN.
 The grounding electrode system, although a separate entity,
becomes a part of the CBN (because the CBN must always be
grounded). For example exposed beams and columns of
building steel that are utilised for the grounding electrode
system are also bonded to the chosen topology for the CBN 
These include metallic parts of the building such as I-beams and
concrete reinforcement where accessible, and cable supports,
trays, racks, raceways, and ac power conduit. Indeed, the CBN
always exists at the building.
CBN is an Equipotential bonding system providing both protective-
equipotential-bonding and functional-equipotential-bonding.
Figure 18

Important Symbols Associated with Earthing

Protective Earth (ground)

To identify any terminal which is intended for connection to an external
conductor for protection against electric shock in case of fault, or the
terminal of a protective earth(ground) electrode.
Equipotentiality
To identify the terminals which, when connected together, bring the
various parts of equipment or of a system to the same potential, not
necessarily being the (ground) protentional, e.g. for local
bonding.

Earth (ground)
To identify an earth (ground) terminal.

Noiseless (clean) earth (ground)

To identify a noiseless (clean) earth (ground) terminal, e.g. of a specially
designed earthing (grounding) system to avoid causing malfunction of
the equipment.

Frame or chassis
To identify the frame or chassis terminal.
Sample of Different Earthing Symbols
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this blog has discussed three critical earthing systems:
safety earthing systems, functional bonding and earthing systems, and
lightning protection system earthing. As always, we urge our readers to
consult a registered/certified earthing specialist to ensure the proper
design, installation, and ongoing maintenance and management of their
earthing system is accomplished safely. It is critical to always maintain
the highest level of safety standards around these installations.
LPI Group has a global network of certified technical design experts
who can assist you with your upcoming earthing project. By utilising
cutting-edge, innovative software, LPI Group is able to mitigate any
safety risks and adverse effects that IT and electrical equipment may be
exposed to.
If you have any questions on the topics covered in this week’s technical
blog or would like to discuss your earthing requirements for an
upcoming project, please leave a comment below or email
info@lpigroup.com and our team will get back to you promptly.
By Hadi Beik Daraei, Technical Designer at LPI Group