EARTHING

ELECTRICAL TRAINING PROGRAMME

Presentation Contents


BASICS OF EARTHING

EARTHING TERMINOLOGIES

EARTHING OPTIONS

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS














BASICS of EARTHING
In Electricity supply systems, an EARTHING system defines the
electrical potential of the conductors relative to that of the Earth's
conductive surface.

A protective earth (PE) connection ensures that all exposed
conductive surfaces are at the same electrical potential as the
surface of the Earth, to avoid the risk of electrical shock if a person
touches a device in which an insulation fault has occurred.

It ensures that in the case of an insulation fault (a "short circuit"), a
very high current flows, which will trigger an over current protection
device (fuse, circuit breaker) that disconnects the power supply.


EARTHING TERMINOLOGY
There are three families of EARTHING arrangements, using the two-
letter codes. They are TN, TT, and IT.

T = EARTH
N = NEUTRAL
C = COMBINED
S = SEPARATE
I = ISOLATED

The TN System has several sub-systems:
- TN - C : If the N neutral and PE conductors are combined (PEN)
- TN - S : If the N neutral and PE conductors are separate
- TN - CS : If the N neutral and PE conductors are separate
The first letter indicates the connection between EARTH and the
power-supply equipment (generator or transformer):
T : direct connection of a point with earth
I : no point is connected with earth (isolation),
except perhaps via a high impedance.
The second letter indicates the connection between earth and the
electrical device being supplied:
T : direct connection with earth, independent of any other
earth connection in the supply system;
N : connection to earth via the supply network.

EARTHING TERMINOLOGY
EARTHING TERMINOLOGY
TN- C EARTHING



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TN - C EARTHING SYSTEM :

A combined PEN conductor fulfills the functions of both a PE and an N
conductor.
EARTHING TERMINOLOGY
TN- S EARTHING



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TN S EARTHING SYSTEM :

PE and N are separate conductors that are connected together only
near the power source.

EARTHING TERMINOLOGY
TN- CS EARTHING



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TN - CS EARTHING SYSTEM :

The TN - CS System has the supply neutral conductor of a distribution main
connected with at source and intervals along its run. This is usually referred
to as PROTECTIVE MULTIPLE EARTHING (PME).
EARTHING TERMINOLOGY
TT - EARTHING



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TT - EARTHING SYSTEM :

In a TT - EARHTING system, the protective earth connection of the
consumer is provided by a local connection to earth, independent of any
earth connection at the generator.


In general, most grounding systems utilize two groups of ground
electrodes.

Primary ground electrodes are specifically designed for
grounding purposes.
Auxiliary ground electrodes are electrodes that comprise
various underground metal structures installed for purposes
other than grounding.

Typical primary electrodes include such things as grounding
grids, counterpoise conductors, ground rods, and ground
wells.

Typical auxiliary electrodes include underground metal
structures and reinforcing bars encased in concrete, if
connected to the grounding grid. Auxiliary ground electrodes
may have a limited current carrying capability.
Primary and auxiliary ground electrodes

AUXILIARY GROUND ELECTRODE

A ground electrode with certain design or operating constraints. Its
primary function may be other than conducting the ground fault current
into the earth.

GROUND ELECTRODE

A conductor imbedded in the earth and used for collecting ground current
from or dissipating ground current into the earth.

GROUND MAT

A solid metallic plate or a system of closely spaced bare conductors that
are connected to and often placed in shallow depths above a ground grid
or elsewhere at the earth surface, in order to obtain an extra protective
measure minimizing the danger of the exposure to high step or touch
voltages in a critical operating area or places that are frequently used by
people.

Grounded metal gratings, placed on or above the soil surface, or wire
mesh placed directly under the surface material, are common forms of a
ground mat
GROUNDING GRID

A system of horizontal ground electrodes that consists of a number of interconnected, bare
conductors buried in the earth, providing a common ground for electrical devices or
metallic structures, usually in one specific location.

NOTEGrids buried horizontally near the earths surface are also effective in controlling
the surface potential gradients.
A typical grid usually is supplemented by a number of ground rods and may be further
connected to auxiliary ground electrodes, to lower its resistance with respect to remote
earth.

GROUNDING SYSTEM
Comprises all interconnected grounding facilities in a specific area.


PRIMARY GROUND ELECTRODE

A ground electrode specifically designed or adapted for discharging the ground fault
current into the ground, often in a specific discharge pattern, as required (or implicitly
called for) by the grounding system design.
Grid with vertical electrodes
SOIL

CHARACTERISTICS
Range of Earth Resistivity
Use of sodium chloride, magnesium, and copper sulfates, or calcium
chloride, to increase the
conductivity of the soil immediately surrounding an electrode.
Further, the salt treatment must be renewed periodically.

Use of bentonite, a natural clay containing the mineral montmorillionite,
which was formed by volcanic action years ago. It is noncorrosive, stable,
and has a resistivity of 2.5 m at 300% moisture. The low resistivity
results mainly from an electrolytic process between water, Na2O (soda),
K2O (potash), CaO (lime), MgO (magnesia), and other mineral salts that
ionize forming a strong electrolyte with pH ranging from 8 to 10. This
electrolyte will not gradually leach out, as it is part of the clay itself.
Provided with a sufficient amount of water, it swells up to 13 times its dry
volume and
will adhere to nearly any surface it touches. Due to its hygroscopic nature,
it acts as a drying agent drawing any available moisture from the
surrounding environment. Bentonite needs water to obtain and maintain
its beneficial characteristics
Soil treatment to lower resistivity
Neutral Grounding Resistors


Neutral Grounding Resistors are installed in series with the power system
neutral grounding connection.

By inserting the impedance we can limit the ground fault current and the
damage which may result from a system phase to ground fault. The
neutral grounding resistor is provided with a termination for the power
system neutral and the opposite side is connected directly to a suitable
ground. In some cases the resistor may actually be wired to the secondary
of a single phase transformer which has its primary wired in series with
the power system neutral to ground connection.

The ratio of the transformer will reflect the resistors impedance into
the power system neutral bonding connection.

The location of the neutral grounding resistor also provides a convenient
point to monitor the ground fault current. A current transformer is often
placed in the neutral connection at this point to operate protective
relaying systems.