How to Determine Correct

Number of Earthing
Electrodes (Strips, Plates
and Pipes) – part 1
By jiguparmar | April, 5th 2013 | 40 comments | Save to PDF
Share!

Home / Technical Articles / How to Determine Correct Number of Earthing Electrodes (Strips, Plates

and Pipes) – part 1

Introduction
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.
How to Determine Correct Number of Earthing Electrodes (Strips,
Plates and Pipes) – part 1
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.

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 no’s
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.
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 25×3 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.

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 25×6 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.

1. Calculate numbers of pipe

earthing
A. Earthing resistance and number of
rods for isolated earth pit
(without buried earthing strip)
The earth resistance of single rod or pipe electrode is calculated as
per BS 7430:

R=ρ/2×3.14xL (loge (8xL/d)-1)

Where:
ρ = Resistivity of soil (Ω meter),
L = Length of electrode (meter),
D = Diameter of electrode (meter)
Example:
Calculate isolated earthing rod resistance. The earthing rod is 4 meter
long and having 12.2mm diameter, soil resistivity 500 Ω meter.

R=500/ (2×3.14×4) x (Loge (8×4/0.0125)-1) =156.19 Ω.

The earth resistance of single rod or pipe electrode is calculated as

per IS 3040:

R=100xρ/2×3.14xL (loge(4xL/d))
Where:
ρ = Resistivity of soil (Ω meter),
L = Length of electrode (cm),
D = Diameter of electrode (cm)

Example:
Calculate number of CI earthing pipe of 100mm diameter, 3 meter
length. System has fault current 50KA for 1 sec and soil resistivity is
72.44 Ω-Meters.
Current Density At The Surface of Earth Electrode (As per IS
3043):
 Max. allowable current density I = 7.57×1000/(√ρxt) A/m2
 Max. allowable current density = 7.57×1000/(√72.44X1) =
889.419 A/m2
 Surface area of one 100mm dia. 3 meter Pipe = 2 x 3.14 x r x L =
2 x 3.14 x 0.05 x3 = 0.942 m2
 Max. current dissipated by one Earthing Pipe = Current
Density x Surface area of electrode
 Max. current dissipated by one earthing pipe = 889.419x 0.942 =
837.83 A say 838 Amps
 Number of earthing pipe required = Fault Current / Max.current
dissipated by one earthing pipe.
 Number of earthing pipe required = 50000/838 = 59.66 Say 60
No’s.
 Total number of earthing pipe required = 60 No’s.
 Resistance of earthing pipe (isolated) R =
100xρ/2×3.14xLx(loge (4XL/d))
 Resistance of earthing pipe (isolated) R = 100×72.44
/2×3.14x300x(loge (4X300/10)) = 7.99 Ω/Pipe
 Overall resistance of 60 no of earthing pipe = 7.99/60 = 0.133 Ω.

B. Earthing resistance and number of

rods for isolated earth pit
(with buried earthing strip)
Resistance of earth strip (R) As per IS 3043:

R=ρ/2×3.14xLx (loge (2xLxL/wt))

Example:
Calculate GI strip having width of 12mm , length of 2200 meter buried
in ground at depth of 200mm, soil resistivity is 72.44 Ω-meter.
  Resistance of earth strip(Re) = 72.44/2×3.14x2200x(loge
(2x2200x2200/.2x.012)) = 0.050 Ω
 From above calculation overall resistance of 60 no of earthing
pipes (Rp) = 0.133 Ω.
And it connected to bury earthing strip. Here net earthing
resistance = (RpxRe)/(Rp+Re)
 Net eatrthing resistance = (0.133×0.05)/(0.133+0.05) = 0.036 Ω

C. Total earthing resistance and

number of electrode for group
(parallel)
In cases where a single electrode is not sufficient to provide the
desired earth resistance, more than one electrode shall be used. The
separation of the electrodes shall be about 4 m. The combined
resistance of parallel electrodes is a complex function of several
factors, such as the number and configuration of electrode the array.

The total resistance of group of electrodes in different configurations as

per BS 7430:

Ra=R (1+λa/n) where a=ρ/2X3.14xRxS

Where:
S = Distance between adjustment rod (meter),
λ = Factor given in table below,
n = Number of electrodes,
ρ = Resistivity of soil (Ω meter),
R = Resistance of single rod in isolation (Ω)
Factors for parallel electrodes in line (BS 7430)
Number of electrodes (n) Factor (λ)
2 1.0
3 1.66
4 2.15
5 2.54
 6 2.87
7 3.15
8 3.39

9 3.61
10 3.8

For electrodes equally spaced around a hollow square, e.g. around the
perimeter of a building, the equations given above are used with
a value of λ taken from following table.

For three rods placed in an equilateral triangle, or in an L formation,

a value of λ = 1.66 may be assumed.

Factors for electrodes in a hollow square (BS 7430)

Number of electrodes (n) Factor (λ)
2 2.71
3 4.51
4 5.48
5 6.13
6 6.63
7 7.03
8 7.36
9 7.65
10 7.9
12 8.3
14 8.6
16 8.9
18 9.2
20 9.4
For Hollow square total number of electrodes (N) = (4n-1).
The rule of thumb is that rods in parallel should be spaced at least twice
their length to utilize the full benefit of the additional rods. If the
separation of the electrodes is much larger than their lengths and only a
few electrodes are in parallel, then the resultant earth resistance can be
calculated using the ordinary equation for resistances in parallel.

In practice, the effective earth resistance will usually be higher than

calculation.
Typically, a 4 spike array may provide an improvement 2.5 to 3 times.
An 8 spike array will typically give an improvement of maybe 5 to 6
times.

The Resistance of Original Earthing Rod will be lowered by Total of

40% for Second Rod, 60% for third Rod,66% for forth rod.

Example:
Calculate Total Earthing Rod Resistance of 200 Number arranges in
Parallel having 4 Meter Space of each and if it connects in Hollow
Square arrangement. The Earthing Rod is 4 Meter Long and having
12.2mm Diameter, Soil Resistivity 500 Ω.

First Calculate Single Earthing Rod Resistance:

 R = 500/ (2×3.14×4) x (Loge (8×4/0.0125)-1) =136.23 Ω.
Now calculate total resistance of earthing rod of 200 number in
parallel condition:

 a = 500/(2×3.14x136x4) =0.146
 Ra (Parallel in Line) =136.23x (1+10×0.146/200) = 1.67 Ω.
If earthing rod is connected in Hollow square than rod in each side of
square is 200 = (4n-1) so n = 49 No.

Ra (in hollow square) =136.23x (1+9.4×0.146/200) = 1.61 Ω.

Originally published at – Electrical Notes – Calculate Numbers of
Plate/Pipe/Strip Earthings (Part-1)
Calculate Numbers of Plate/Pipe/Strip Earthings (Part-3)
APRIL 1, 2013 30 COMMENTS
Calculate Min. Cross Section area of Earthing Conductor:
 Cross Section Area of Earthing Conductor As per IS 3043
 Cross Section Area of Earthing Conductor (A) =(If x√t) / K
 Where t= Fault current Time (Second).
 K= Material Constant.
 Example:
 Calculate Cross Section Area of GI Earthing Conductor for System has 50KA Fault Current for 1
second. Corrosion will be 1.0 % Per Year and No of Year for Replacement is 20 Years.
 Cross Section Area of Earthing Conductor (A) =(If x√t) / K
 Here If=50000 Amp
 T= 1Second
 K=80 (Material Constant, For GI=80, copper K=205, Aluminium K=126).
 Cross Section Area of Earthing Conductor (A) =(50000×1)/80
 Cross Section Area of GI Earthing Conductor (A)=625 Sq.mm
 Allowance for Corrosion = 1.0 % Per Year & Number of Year before replacement say = 20 Years
 Total allowance = 20 x 1.0% = 20%
 Safety factor = 1.5
 Required Earthing Conductor size = Cross sectional area x Total allowance x Safety factor
 Required Earthing Conductor size = 1125 Sq.mm say 1200 Sq.mm
 Hence, Considered 1Nox12x100 mm GI Strip or 2Nox6 x 100 mm GI Strips
Thumb Rule for Calculate Number of Earthing Rod:
 The approximate earth resistance of the Rod/Pipe electrodes can be calculated by
 Earth Resistance of the Rod/Pipe electrodes R= K x ρ/L
 Where ρ = Resistivity of earth in Ohm-Meter
 L= Length of the electrode in Meter.
 d= Diameter of the electrode in Meter.
 K=0.75 if 25< L/d < 100.
 K=1 if 100 < L/d < 600
 K=1.2 o/L if 600 < L/d < 300
 Number of Electrode if find out by Equation of R(d) =(1.5/N) x R
 Where R(d) = Desired earth resistance
 R= Resistance of single electrode
 N= No. of electrodes installed in parallel at a distance of 3 to 4 Meter interval.
 Example:
 Calculate Earthing Pipe Resistance and Number of Electrode for getting Earthing Resistance of 1 Ω
,Soil Resistivity of ρ=40, Length=2.5 Meter, Diameter of Pipe= 38 mm.
 Here L/d = 2.5/0.038=65.78 so K=0.75
 The Earth Resistance of the Pipe electrodes R= K x ρ/L =0.75×65.78=12 Ω
 One electrode the earth resistance is 12 Ω.
 To get Earth resistance of 1 Ω the total Number of electrodes required =(1.5×12)/1 =18 No
Calculating Resistance & Number of Earthing Rod:
 Reference: As per EHV Transmission Line Reference Book page: 290 and Electrical Transmission &
Distribution Reference Book Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Section-I Page: 570-590.
 Earthing Resistance of Single Rods: R = ρx[ln (2L/a)-
1]/(2×3.14xL)
 Earthing Resistance of Parallel Rods: R = ρx[ln (2L/A]/
(2×3.14xL)
 Where L= length of rod in ground Meter,
 a= radius of rod Meter
 ρ = ground resistivity, ohm- Meter
 A= √(axS)
 S= Rod separation Meter

Factor affects on Ground resistance:

 The NEC code requires a minimum ground electrode length of 2.5 meters (8.0 feet) to be in contact
with the soil. But, there are some factor that affect the ground resistance of a ground system:
 Length / Depth of the ground electrode: double the length, reduce ground resistance by up to 40%.
 Diameter of the ground electrode: double the diameter, lower ground resistance by only 10%.
 Number of ground electrodes: for increased effectiveness, space additional electrodes at least
equal to the depth of the ground electrodes.
 Ground system design: single ground rod to ground plate.
The GI Earthing Conductor sizes for various
Equipments:
No Equipments Earth Strip Size

HT switchgear, structures, cable trays & fence, rails, gate

1 and steel column 55 X 6 mm (GI)

Lighting Arrestor
2 25 X 3 mm (Copper)

PLC Panel
3 25 X 3 mm (Copper)

DG & Transformer Neutral

4 50X6 mm (Copper)

Transformer Body
5 50X6 mm (GI)

Control & Relay Panel

6 25 X 6 mm (GI)
 Lighting Panel & Local Panel
7 25 X 6 mm (GI)

Distribution Board
8 25 X 6 mm (GI)

Motor up to 5.5 kw
9 4 mm2 (GI)

Motor 5.5 kw to 55 kw
10 25 X 6 mm (GI)

Motor 22 kw to 55 kw
11 40 X 6 mm (GI)

Motor Above 55 kw
12 55 X 6 mm (GI)

Selection of Earthing System:

Installations/ IR Value Soil Type/ Resistivity Earth System
Isc Capacity Required
House hold 8 ohm Normal Soil/ up to 50 ohm-meter Single Electrode
earthing/3kA
Sandy Soil/ between 50 to 2000 ohm- meter Single Electrode

Rocky Soil/ More than 2000 ohm- meter Multiple

Electrodes

Commercial 2 ohm Normal Soil/ up to 50 ohm-meter Single Electrode

premises,Office /
5kA Sandy Soil/ between 50 to 2000 ohm- meter Multiple
Electrodes

Rocky Soil/ More than 2000 ohm- meter Multiple

Electrodes

Transformers, less than Normal Soil/ up to 50 ohm-meter Single Electrode

substationearthing, 1 ohm
LT line equipment/ Sandy Soil/ between 50 to 2000 ohm- meter Multiple
15kA Electrodes

Rocky Soil/ More than 2000 ohm- meter Multiple

Electrodes

LA, High current less than Normal Soil/ up to 50 ohm-meter Single Electrode
Equipment./ 50kA 1 ohm
Sandy Soil/ between 50 to 2000 ohm- meter Multiple
Electrodes
 Rocky Soil/ More than 2000 ohm- meter Multiple
Electrodes

PRS, UTS, RTUs, less than Normal Soil/ up to 50 ohm-meter Single Electrode
Data processing 0.5 ohm
centre etc./5KA Sandy Soil/ between 50 to 2000 ohm- meter Multiple
Electrodes

Rocky Soil/ More than 2000 ohm- meter Multiple

Electrodes

Size of Earthing Conductor:

 Ref IS 3043 &Handbook on BS 7671: The Lee Wiring Regulations by Trevor E. Marks.
Size of Earthing Conductor
Area of Phase Conductor S Area of Earthing conductor (mm2) Area of Earthing conductor (mm2)
(mm2) When It is Same Material as When It is Not Same Material as
Phase Conductor Phase Conductor

S < 16 mm2 S SX(k1/k2)

16 mm2<S< 35 mm2 16 mm2 16X(k1/k2)

S > 35 mm2 S/2 SX(k1/2k2)

K1 is value of Phase conductor,k2 is value of earthing conductor

Value of K for GI=80, Alu=126,Cu=205 for 1 Sec

Standard Earthing Strip/Plate/Pipe/wire Weight:

GI Earthing Strip:
Size (mm2) Weight

20 x 3 500 gm Per meter

25 x 3 600 gm Per meter

25 x 6 1/200 Kg Per meter

32 x 6 1/600 Kg Per meter

40 x 6 2 Kg Per meter

50 x 6 2/400 Kg Per meter

65 x 10 5/200 Kg Per meter

75 x 12 7/200 Kg Per meter

GI Earthing Plate:
Plate Weight

600 x 600 x 3 mm 10 Kg App.

600 x 600 x 4 mm 12 Kg App.

600 x 600 x 5 mm 15 Kg App.

600 x 600 x 6 mm 18 Kg App.

600 x 600 x 12 mm 36 Kg App.

1200 x 1200 x 6 mm 70 Kg App.

1200 x 1200 x 12 mm 140 Kg App.

GI Earthing Pipe:
Pipe Weight

3 meter Long BISE 5 Kg App.

3 meter r Long BISE 9 Kg App.

4.5 meter (15′ Long BISE) 5 Kg App.

4.5 meter (15′ Long BISE) 9 Kg App.

4.5 meter (15′ Long BISE) 14 Kg App

GI Earthing Wire:
Plate Weight

6 Swg 5 meter in 1 Kg

8 Swg 9 meter in 1 Kg