EARTHING

Prepared by: Asst. Prof. Divya Susanna Ebin

WHAT IS EARTHING ?
• Earthing is the process of creating an alternative path for the flow of fault/excessive currents
safely into the ground in the presence of minimal resistance or impedance.

NEEDS OF EARTHING
• The primary purpose of earthing is to reduce the risk of serious electric shock from current
leaking into uninsulated metal parts of an appliance, power tool, or other electrical devices.
• It protection from large electrical disturbances like lightning strikes and power surges. 
• It also aids in the dissipation of hazardous static electrical charges.
• Although most electrical systems have fuses or circuit breakers for protection against a fault
current, the human body may be fatally electrocuted by a current of less than one ampere
which is well below the point at which a fuse or breaker will operate.
• Earthing helps minimize such hazards from occurring. 
 THE FACTORS GOVERNING RESISTANCE OF EARTHING ELECTRODE

The resistance of an earthing electrode depends upon

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF EARTHING

• The depth of the electrode.

• Nature of the soil.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF EARTHING FOR DOMESTIC CIRCUITS

• There are two separate circuits in a house namely lighting circuit and power circuit.
• Lighting circuit with a 5 A fuse is used for running electric bulbs, radio, TV, tube lights etc.
• Power circuit with a 15 A fuse is used for running electric heater, electric iron, geyser, refrigerator etc
as it draws more current.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF EARTHING ARE:
• Pipe Earthing
• Plate Earthing
BASE COMPONENTS OF EARTHING Earth Lead
• Earth Electrode
• Earth Lead
Earth electrode
EARTH ELECTRODE:
• The conductor embedded in the ground for the purpose of making connection with the general mass
of earth is earth electrode.
EARTH LEAD:
• The wire which connects over heads earth wire (or any other equipments to the earthed) with earth
electrode is known as earthing leads.
PIPE EARTHING
• In this method a Galvanised iron (G.I) pipe of
38mm dia of 2m length (ordinary earthing)
having 12mm dia holes on its surface is buried
vertically in the wet earth to work as the earth
electrode, The depth depend upon the soil
conditions, there is no hard and fast rule for this.
• The funnel having a wire mesh is provided at the
top 19mm dia pipe.
• The earth electrode pipe is surrounded by 15cm
thick alternate layers of salt and charcoal. The
reason for adding salt is that is attracts moisture
from the soil, And the charcoal retains the
moisture which decreases the earth resistance.
PLATE EARTHING
• In this method of earthing a pit is dug in the
ground until a sufficient moisture is available in
the soil.
• Min size of the plate should not be less then 4sqft
with min 5-8mm thickness.
• The size and the thickness of the plate depends
up on the current load.
• The nets and bolts must be of same material of
that of earth electrode.
• And after the plate is placed at the bottom of the
pit and is covered with the alternative layer of
salt and charcoal to retain moisture and reduce
the earth resistance.
• Copper or G.I plates are used as electrode plates
generally.