ELECTRICAL PROTECTION

AND EARTHING SYSTEM

Prepared By

Joshua I.E

TDO I, ISTC-Ikeja
OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the workshop, participants

will be able to:
• Describe electrical protection systems;
• Identify electrical protective devices;
• Describe electrical earthing systems
• Identify types of earthing systems.
• Demonstrate the various ways of carrying out earthing.
INTRODUCTION

A good protection
system will • Electrocution
minimize damage
to electrical • injuries from electric
equipment. shock (including from
Electrical secondary causes such
protection is a as falls as a result of
primary control for an electric shock)
many of the
electrical key risk • Electrical burns
areas and is used • Fires, etc.
to minimise the
risk of:
Below are some of the faults
we need to protect against:

Instantaneous short
circuit current

Overcurrent

Earth fault current

Earth leakage current

(personnel protection)

Earth continuity
(open circuit or short
circuit)

Reduction of phase to earth insulation

(Earth fault lockout)
For the purpose of this programme, the two protective devices below will
be discussed:

• Fuses
• Circuit Breakers

FUSE

A fuse is an electrical protection device that operates to provide

overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit. A fuse is a metal wire
element with a very low resistance which melts or blown whenever a
current higher than the rating of the wire flows through it.

The International Electrotechnical Commission publishes standard 60269

for low-voltage power fuses. The standard is in four volumes, which describe
general requirements, fuses for industrial and commercial applications, fuses
for residential applications, and fuses to protect semiconductor devices. The
IEC standard unifies several national standards. IEC 60269 fuses.
 Typical fuses and schematic symbol

Why Does A Fuse Blow?

Ø A fuse blows because the electrical current through the fuse is too high.

Ø The high electrical current through the fuse melts the wire inside the fuse.

Ø High electrical current is unsafe – the fuse blows and removes all electrical current.

Ø The usual cause of high current is a faulty electrical appliance.

Ø A fuse has a rating, say 5 amps or 13 amps; if the electrical current goes above the fuse rating, the fuse blows .
TYPES OF FUSE

Rewirable Fuses

The fuse case and the fuse carrier are the two
main parts of the rewirable fuse. The base of the
fuse is made up of porcelain, and it holds the
wires which may be made of tinned copper. The
fuse carrier can be easily inserted or taken out in
the base without opening the main switch.
 Totally Enclosed or Cartridge
Type Fuses

The fuse element is totally enclosed in a

container, and it has metal contacts on
both sides.

The main parts of the Cartridge type fuse are the base, adapter
ring, cartridge and a fuse cap. The cartridge is kept in the fuse
cap, and the fuse cap is fixed to the fuse base. The cartridge tip
touches the conductor when it is completely screwed to the
base and thus completes the circuit through the fuse links .
High Voltage High Rapture Capacity (HRC) Fuses

• Cartridge Type HV HRC Fuse

The fuse element of the HRC fuse is wound in the shape of

the helix which avoids the corona effect at the higher
voltages.
Liquid Type HV HRC Such type of fuses is filled with carbon
Fuse tetrachloride and sealed at both ends
of the caps. When the fault occurs,
exceed beyond the permissible limit,
the fuse element is blown out. The
liquid of the fuse acts as an arc
extinguishing medium for the HRC
fuses. They may be employed for the
transformer protection and the backup
protection to the circuit breaker.

Liquid Type High Voltage HRC Fuse

Expulsion Type HV Fuse

Expulsion type fuses are widely used

for the protection of feeders and
transformer. It is developed for 11kV,
and their rupturing capacity is up to
250 MVA. Such type of fuses
comprises a hollow open-ended tube
made of synthetic resin-bonded paper.

The fuse elements are placed in the

tubes, and the ends of the tubes are
connected to suitable fittings at each
end.
CIRCUIT BREAKERS

A low - voltage circuit

Unlike a fuse, which breaker is one which is
operates once and suited for circuits rated
then must be replaced, at 600 volts or lower.
a circuit breaker can One of the most
be reset (either Type of Circuit commonly used low-
manually or Breakers voltage air circuit
automatically) to • Low-voltage breakers is the moulded
resume normal circuit breakers case circuit breaker.
operation. Its basic Low-voltage types are
function is to interrupt common in domestic,
current flow after a commercial and
fault is detected. industrial application,
and includes:
Miniature circuit
breaker (MCB)—rated
current not more than
100A. Trip
characteristics normally
not adjustable. Thermal
or thermal-magnetic
operation.

Moulded Case Circuit

Breaker (MCCB)—rated
current up to 2,500A.
Thermal or thermal-
magnetic operation. Trip
current may be adjustable
in larger ratings.
The DIN rail-
mounted thermal-
magnetic miniature
circuit breaker is
the most common
style in modern
domestic
consumer units
and commercial
electrical
distribution
boards. The design
includes the
following
components:
 Parts of MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)
1. Actuator lever - used to manually trip and
reset the circuit breaker. Also indicates the
status of the circuit breaker (On or
Off/tripped). Most breakers are designed so
they can still trip even if the lever is held or
locked in the "on" position. This is sometimes
referred to as "free trip" or "positive trip"
operation.
2. Actuator mechanism - forces the contacts
together or apart.
3. Contacts - allow current when touching and
break the current when moved apart.
4. Terminals
5. Bimetallic strip - separates contacts in
response to smaller, longer-term overcurrents
6. Calibration screw - allows the manufacturer
to precisely adjust the trip current of the
device after assembly.
7. Solenoid - separates contacts rapidly in
response to high overcurrents
8. Arc divider/extinguisher
 Magnetic circuit breakers
• Magnetic circuit breakers use a solenoid (electromagnet). The circuit
breaker contacts are held closed by a latch. As the current in the solenoid
increases beyond the rating of the circuit breaker, the solenoid's pull
releases the latch, which lets the contacts open by spring action.

Thermal-magnetic circuit breaker trip latch operation: (a) normal; (b) overcurrent condition
Thermal magnetic circuit breakers

Thermal magnetic circuit breakers, which are the type found

in most distribution boards, incorporate both techniques with
the electromagnet responding instantaneously to large
surges in current (short circuits) and the bimetallic strip
responding to less extreme but longer-term over-current
conditions. The thermal portion of the circuit breaker provides
a time response feature that trips the circuit breaker sooner
for larger overcurrent but allows smaller overloads to persist
for a longer time.
Other types Breakers for protections
of breakers against earth faults too small
to trip an over-current device:

Residual-current device
(RCD, formerly known as
a residual current circuit
breaker) is a life-saving
device which is designed
to prevent one from
getting electric shock.
Residual current breaker with over-current protection
(RCBO) — combines the functions of an RCD and an MCB
in one package. Panel-mounted devices that combine
ground (earth) fault detection and over-current protection are
called ground fault interrupter (GFI) breakers; a wall mounted
outlet device or separately enclosed plug-in device providing
ground fault detection and interruption only (no overload
protection) is called a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
 Earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) —is a safety
device used in electrical installations with high Earth
impedance to prevent shock. It detects small stray
voltages on the metal enclosures of electrical
equipment, and interrupts the circuit. It detects current in
the earth wire directly rather than detecting imbalance.
MAINTENANCE OF CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Conditions • High humidity and high ambient

temperature.
that make • Dusty or dirty atmosphere.
frequency • Corrosive atmosphere.
maintenance • Frequent switching operations.
and inspection • Frequent fault operations.
• Older equipment.
necessary are:

• An initial check of the breaker should be

made in the TEST position prior to
withdrawing it from to enclosure.
• Insulating parts, including bushings, should
Maintenance be wiped clean of dust and smoke.
Procedures • The alignment and condition of the movable
and stationary contacts should be checked
and adjusted according to the
manufacturer's instruction manual.
 Maintenance Procedures

Check arc chutes and replaces any damaged parts.

Inspect breaker operating mechanism for loose hardware and missing or broken cotter pins, etc. Examine
cam, latch, and roller surfaces for damage or wear.

Clean and lubricate operating mechanism with a light machine oil (SAE-20 or 30) for pins and bearings
and with a nonhardening grease for the wearing surfaces of cams, rollers, etc.

Set breaker operating mechanism adjustments as described in the manufacturer's instruction manual.

Replace contacts if badly worn or burned and check control device for freedom of operation.

Inspect wiring connections for tightness.

Check after servicing circuit breaker to verify the contacts move to the fully opened and fully closed
positions, that there is an absence of friction or binding, and that electrical operation is functional.
ELECTRICAL EARTHING SYSTEMS

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.
Importance of Earthing

Earthing is essential because of the following

reasons:
• Earthing provides the safety of the personnel from electric shock. It
insures that the non-currents carrying parts, such as equipment
frames are always safe at ground potential even though the
insulation fails.
• Earthing is essential for the safety of the equipment and personnel
against lightning and voltage surges, providing the discharge path
for surge arrestors, gaps, and other similar devices.
• It provides the ground connections for the ground neutral system.
• It provides a means of positively discharging and de-energizing
feeders or equipment before proceeding with maintenance on
them.
• To avoid the risk of fire in electrical installation systems
• To keep voltage as constant in the healthy phase (If fault occurs on
any one phase).
 TYPES OF EARTHING SYSTEM
The International standard IEC60364, part 4, and
reference 10 uses a set of diagrams to explain
the five basic methods of earthing and
providing the neutral of an electrical installation
where it is required. Valid system types in the
17th Edition IEE regulations: The five methods
are abbreviated as: TN-S, TN-C-S, TN-C, TT, and
IT

• T = Earth (from the French word Terra): -

denotes that the consumer is solidly earthed
Independently of the source earthing method.
• N = Neutral
• S = Separate: - denotes that the neutral
conductor routed from the source is separate
Where those letters from the protective earthing conductor, which
indicate: is also routed from the source.
• C = Combined: - denotes that the neutral
conductor and the protective earthing
conductor are one and the same conductor.
• I = Isolated: -denotes that the star point and
the winding are isolated from the earth.
First letter:
• T: - The live parts in the system have one or more
direct connections to earth.
• I: - The live parts in the system have no connection
to earth, or are connected only through a high
impedance.
Second letter:
• T: - All exposed conductive parts are connected via
your earth conductors to a local ground connection.
• N: - All exposed conductive parts are connected via
your earth conductors to the earth provided by the
supplier.
Remaining letter(s):

C: - Combined neutral and protective earth functions (same conductor).

S: - Separate neutral and protective earth functions (separate conductors).

TN-C: - No separate earth conductors anywhere - neutral used as earth throughout

supply and installation (very rarely used).

TN-S: - Probably most common in older housing stock, with supplier providing a
separate earth conductor back to the substation.

TN-C-S (Protective Multiple Earthing): - Supply combines neutral and earth, but they are
separated out in the installation. More common in newer houses.

TT: - No earth provided by supplier; installation requires its own earth rod etc. Note that a TT earth
will frequently not offer low enough impedance by itself to provide adequate circuit protection.
Hence TT systems must use a RCD for additional protection.

IT: - Supply is e.g. portable generator with no earth connection, installation supplies
own earth rod.
 A TT system has a direct
connection to the supply
TT SYSTEM source to earth and a direct
connection of the installation
metalwork to earth. An
example is an overhead line
supply with earth electrodes,
and the mass of earth as a
return path as shown below.
 In an IT network, the
IT SYSTEM electrical distribution
system has no
connection to earth at
all, or it has only a high
impedance connection..
 A TN-S system has the supply source directly
connected to earth, the installation metalwork
TN-S connected to the neutral of the supply source
via the lead sheath of the supply cable, and the
SYSTEM neutral and protective conductors throughout
the whole system performing separate
functions. The resistance around the loop P-B-N-
E should be no more than 0.8 ohms. Separate
protective earth (PE) and neutral (N) conductors
from transformer to consuming device, which
are not connected together at any point after
the building distribution point.
 Combined PE and N conductor all the way
TN-C from the transformer to the consuming
SYSTEM device.
 A TN-C-S system is as the TN-S but the supply
cable sheath is also the neutral, i.e. it forms a
combined earth/neutral conductor known as
TN-C-S a PEN (protective earthed
SYSTEM neutral) conductor.
The installation earth and neutral are
separate conductors. This system is also
known as PME (protective multiple earthing).
The resistance around the P-B-N-N loop
should be less than 0.35 ohms..
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 as
follows:

1). Pipe Earthing:

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
dimension of the pipe is usually 40mm (1.5in)
in diameter and 2.75m (9ft) in length for
ordinary soil or greater for dry and rocky 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).
 2). 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.
General method of Earthing / Proper Grounding Installation
(Step by Step)

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

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)

Bury an appropriate (usually 2’ x 2’ x 1/8” (600x600x300 mm) copper plate in that pit
in vertical position.

Tight earth lead through nut bolts from two different places on earth plate.

Use two earth leads with each earth plate (in case of two earth plates) and tight
them.

To protect the joints from corrosion, put grease around it.

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

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.

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).

Earth continuity conductor which is connected to the body and metallic parts of all
installation should be tightly connected to earth lead.

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.
Note: other earthing accessories which helps
electrode to perform better under any soil conditions
are viz. charcoal, common salt, backfill compound.
Earthing System Maintenance Procedures

Follow safety rules and guidelines.

Obtain drawings relevant to area of all neutral, body and

structure earth pits.

Take care due to step and touch potential.

Use insulated tools.

Do not disconnect more than one earth pit at a time.

Do not disturb neutral earth pit terminations of Generator and

transformer while in service.
Checks should cover earthing system
of the following:

Transformer body and

neutral earth.

Generator body and neutral

earth.

Body earth of all panel, DBs and electrical

systems.

Structure earthing.

Lightning arrester earthing.

Building lightning protection earthing.

Station fencing, gates and doors.

Electrical installation.
 Checks and
Measurements:

Check earth electrode and earth mat terminations for

loose connection, contact, pitting and flash marks.

Inspect all terminations for salt

formation and clean.

Ensure moisture level is maintained in earth pit.

Inspect the earth pit brick / concrete lining

and pit cover for good condition.

Ensure all pits have unique identification.

Measure earth resistance value of earth electrode.

Ensure all the pit covers are in position.

CONCLUSION

Circuit breakers, if installed

within their ratings and
properly maintained,
should operate trouble-free
for many years. In contrast,
a functional earth
connection serves a
purpose other than shock
protection.
REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthing_system
www.eece.uwa.edu.au
www02.abb.com/global
www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au
www.electrical-installation.org/
https://www.schneider-electric.com.au/
https://www.ies.org.sg/professional