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WhatisEarthing
NOVEMBER27,2011

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Introduction:
Themainreasonfordoingearthinginelectricalnetworkisforthesafety.Whenallmetallicpartsinelectricalequipmentsare
groundedtheniftheinsulationinsidetheequipmentsfailstherearenodangerousvoltagespresentintheequipmentcase.If
thelivewiretouchesthegroundedcasethenthecircuitiseffectivelyshortedandfusewillimmediatelyblow.Whenthefuseis
blownthenthedangerousvoltagesareaway.

PurposeofEarthing:
(1)SafetyforHumanlife/Building/Equipments:
Tosavehumanlifefromdangerofelectricalshockordeathbyblowingafusei.e.Toprovideanalternativepathforthe
faultcurrenttoflowsothatitwillnotendangertheuser
Toprotectbuildings,machinery&appliancesunderfaultconditions.
Toensurethatallexposedconductivepartsdonotreachadangerouspotential.
Toprovidesafepathtodissipatelightningandshortcircuitcurrents.
Toprovidestableplatformforoperationofsensitiveelectronicequipmentsi.e.Tomaintainthevoltageatanypartofan
electricalsystemataknownvaluesoastopreventovercurrentorexcessivevoltageontheappliancesorequipment.

(2)Overvoltageprotection:
Lightning,linesurgesorunintentionalcontactwithhighervoltagelinescancausedangerouslyhighvoltagestothe
electricaldistributionsystem.Earthingprovidesanalternativepatharoundtheelectricalsystemtominimizedamagesin
theSystem.

(3)Voltagestabilization:
Therearemanysourcesofelectricity.Everytransformercanbeconsideredaseparatesource.Iftherewerenotacommon
referencepointforallthesevoltagesourcesitwouldbeextremelydifficulttocalculatetheirrelationshipstoeachother.
Theearthisthemostomnipresentconductivesurface,andsoitwasadoptedintheverybeginningsofelectrical
distributionsystemsasanearlyuniversalstandardforallelectricsystems.

Conventionalmethodsofearthing:
(1)PlatetypeEarthing:
GenerallyforplatetypeearthingnormalPracticeistouse
Castironplateofsize600mmx600mmx12mm.OR
Galvanizedironplateofsize600mmx600mmx6mm.OR
Copperplateofsize600mm*600mm*3.15mm
Plateburredatthedepthof8feetintheverticalpositionandGIstripofsize50mmx6mmboltedwiththeplateisbrought
uptothegroundlevel.
Thesetypesofearthpitaregenerallyfilledwithalternatelayerofcharcoal&saltupto4feetfromthebottomofthepit.

(2)PipetypeEarthing:
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ForPipetypeearthingnormalpracticeistouse
GIpipe[Cclass]of75mmdiameter,10feetlongweldedwith75mmdiameterGIflangehaving6numbersofholesforthe
connectionofearthwiresandinsertedingroundbyaugermethod.
Thesetypesofearthpitaregenerallyfilledwithalternatelayerofcharcoal&saltorearthreactivationcompound.

MethodforConstructionofEarthingPit(IndianElectricityBoard):
ExcavationonearthforanormalearthPitsizeis1.5MX1.5MX3.0M.
Use500mmX500mmX10mmGIPlateorBiggerSizeformoreContactofEarthandreduceEarthResistance.
MakeamixtureofWoodCoalPowderSalt&Sandallinequalpart
WoodCoalPowderuseasgoodconductorofelectricity,anticorrosive,rustprovesforGIPlateforlonglife.
Thepurposeofcoalandsaltistokeepwetthesoilpermanently.
Thesaltpercolatesandcoalabsorbswaterkeepingthesoilwet.
Careshouldalwaysbetakenbywateringtheearthpitsinsummersothatthepitsoilwillbewet.
Coalismadeofcarbonwhichisgoodconductorminimizingtheearthresistant.
SaltuseaselectrolytetoformconductivitybetweenGIPlateCoalandEarthwithhumidity.
Sandhasusedtoformporositytocyclewater&humidityaroundthemixture.
PutGIPlate(EARTHPLATE)ofsize500mmX500mmX10mminthemidofmixture.
UseDoubleGIStripsize30mmX10mmtoconnectGIPlatetoSystemEarthling.
ItwillbebettertouseGIPipeofsize2.5diameterwithaFlangeonthetopofGIPipetocoverGIStripfromEARTH
PLATEtoTopFlange.
CoverTopofGIpipewithaTjointtoavoidjammingofpipewithdust&mudandalsousewatertimetotimethroughthis
pipetobottomofearthplate.
MaintainlessthanoneOhmResistancefromEARTHPITconductortoadistanceof15MetersaroundtheEARTHPITwith
anotherconductordipontheEarthatleast500mmdeep.
CheckVoltagebetweenEarthPitconductorstoNeutralofMainsSupply220VAC50Hzitshouldbelessthan2.0Volts.

FactorsaffectingonEarthresistivity:
(1)SoilResistivity:
Itistheresistanceofsoiltothepassageofelectriccurrent.Theearthresistancevalue(ohmicvalue)ofanearthpit
dependsonsoilresistivity.Itistheresistanceofthesoiltothepassageofelectriccurrent.
Itvariesfromsoiltosoil.Itdependsonthephysicalcompositionofthesoil,moisture,dissolvedsalts,grainsizeand
distribution,seasonalvariation,currentmagnitudeetc.
Independsonthecompositionofsoil,Moisturecontent,Dissolvedsalts,grainsizeanditsdistribution,seasonalvariation,
currentmagnitude.

(2)SoilCondition:
Differentsoilconditionsgivedifferentsoilresistivity.Mostofthesoilsareverypoorconductorsofelectricitywhentheyare
completelydry.Soilresistivityismeasuredinohmmetersorohmcm.
SoilplaysasignificantroleindeterminingtheperformanceofElectrode.
Soilwithlowresistivityishighlycorrosive.Ifsoilisdrythensoilresistivityvaluewillbeveryhigh.
Ifsoilresistivityishigh,earthresistanceofelectrodewillalsobehigh.

(3)Moisture:
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Moisturehasagreatinfluenceonresistivityvalueofsoil.Theresistivityofasoilcanbedeterminedbythequantityofwater
heldbythesoilandresistivityofthewateritself.Conductionofelectricityinsoilisthroughwater.
Theresistancedropsquicklytoamoreorlesssteadyminimumvalueofabout15%moisture.Andfurtherincreaseof
moisturelevelinsoilwillhavelittleeffectonsoilresistivity.Inmanylocationswatertablegoesdownindryweather
conditions.Therefore,itisessentialtopourwaterinandaroundtheearthpittomaintainmoistureindryweather
conditions.Moisturesignificantlyinfluencessoilresistivity

(4)Dissolvedsalts:
Purewaterispoorconductorofelectricity.
Resistivityofsoildependsonresistivityofwaterwhichinturndependsontheamountandnatureofsaltsdissolvedinit.
Smallquantityofsaltsinwaterreducessoilresistivityby80%.commonsaltismosteffectiveinimprovingconductivityof
soil.Butitcorrodesmetalandhencediscouraged.

(5)ClimateCondition:
Increaseordecreaseofmoisturecontentdeterminestheincreaseordecreaseofsoilresistivity.
Thusindrywhetherresistivitywillbeveryhighandinmonsoonmonthstheresistivitywillbelow.

(6)PhysicalComposition:
Differentsoilcompositiongivesdifferentaverageresistivity.Basedonthetypeofsoil,theresistivityofclaysoilmaybein
therangeof4150ohmmeter,whereasforrockyorgravelsoils,thesamemaybewellabove1000ohmmeter.

(7)LocationofEarthPit:
Thelocationalsocontributestoresistivitytoagreatextent.Inaslopinglandscape,orinalandwithmadeupofsoil,or
areaswhicharehilly,rockyorsandy,waterrunsoffandindryweatherconditionswatertablegoesdownveryfast.Insuch
situationBackfillCompoundwillnotbeabletoattractmoisture,asthesoilaroundthepitwouldbedry.Theearthpits
locatedinsuchareasmustbewateredatfrequentintervals,particularlyduringdryweatherconditions.
Thoughbackfillcompoundretainsmoistureundernormalconditions,itgivesoffmoistureduringdryweathertothedry
soilaroundtheelectrode,andintheprocesslosesmoistureoveraperiodoftime.Therefore,chooseasitethatisnaturally
notwelldrained.

(8)Effectofgrainsizeanditsdistribution:
Grainsize,itsdistributionandclosenessofpackingarealsocontributoryfactors,sincetheycontrolthemannerinwhich
themoistureisheldinthesoil.
Effectofseasonalvariationonsoilresistivity:Increaseordecreaseofmoisturecontentinsoildeterminesdecreaseor
increaseofsoilresistivity.Thusindryweatherresistivitywillbeveryhighandduringrainyseasontheresistivitywillbe
low.

(9)Effectofcurrentmagnitude:
Soilresistivityinthevicinityofgroundelectrodemaybeaffectedbycurrentflowingfromtheelectrodeintothesurrounding
soil.
Thethermalcharacteristicsandthemoisturecontentofthesoilwilldetermineifacurrentofagivenmagnitudeand
durationwillcausesignificantdryingandthusincreasetheeffectofsoilresistivity

(10)AreaAvailable:
Singleelectroderodorstriporplatewillnotachievethedesiredresistancealone.
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Ifanumberofelectrodescouldbeinstalledandinterconnectedthedesiredresistancecouldbeachieved.Thedistance
betweentheelectrodesmustbeequaltothedrivendepthtoavoidoverlappingofareaofinfluence.Eachelectrode,
therefore,mustbeoutsidetheresistanceareaoftheother.

(11)Obstructions:
Thesoilmaylookgoodonthesurfacebuttheremaybeobstructionsbelowafewfeetlikevirginrock.Inthatevent
resistivitywillbeaffected.Obstructionslikeconcretestructurenearaboutthepitswillaffectresistivity.Iftheearthpitsare
closeby,theresistancevaluewillbehigh.

(12)CurrentMagnitude:
Acurrentofsignificantmagnitudeanddurationwillcausesignificantdryingconditioninsoilandthusincreasethesoil
resistivity.

MeasurementofEarthResistancebyuseofEarthTester:
FormeasuringsoilresistivityEarthTesterisused.ItisalsocalledtheMEGGER.
Ithasavoltagesource,ametertomeasureResistanceinohms,switchestochangeinstrumentrange,Wirestoconnect
terminaltoEarthElectrodeandSpikes.
ItismeasuredbyusingFourTerminalEarthTesterInstrument.Theterminalsareconnectedbywiresasinillustration.
P=PotentialSpikeandC=CurrentSpike.Thedistancebetweenthespikesmaybe1M,2M,5M,10M,35M,and50M.
Allspikesareequidistantandinstraightlinetomaintainelectricalcontinuity.Takemeasurementindifferentdirections.
Soilresistivity=2LR.
R=ValueofEarthresistanceinohm.
Distancebetweenthespikesincm.
=3.14
P=Earthresistivityohmcm.
EarthresistancevalueisdirectlyproportionaltoSoilresistivityvalue

MeasurementofEarthResistance(Threepointmethod):

InthismethodearthtesterterminalC1&P1areshortedtoeachotherandconnectedtotheearthelectrode(pipe)under
test.
TerminalsP2&C2areconnectedtothetwoseparatespikesdriveninearth.Thesetwospikesarekeptinsamelineatthe
distanceof25metersand50metersduetowhichtherewillnotbemutualinterferenceinthefieldofindividualspikes.
Ifwerotategeneratorhandlewithspecificspeedwegetdirectlyearthresistanceonscale.
Spikelengthintheearthshouldnotbemorethan1/20thdistancebetweentwospikes.
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Resistancemustbeverifiedbyincreasingordecreasingthedistancebetweenthetesterelectrodeandthespikesby5
meter.Normally,thelengthofwiresshouldbe10and15Meterorinproportionof62%ofD.
Suppose,thedistanceofCurrentSpikefromEarthElectrodeD=60ft,Then,distanceofPotentialSpikewouldbe62%of
D=0.62Di.e.0.62x60ft=37ft.

FourPointMethod:
Inthismethod4spikesaredriveninearthinsamelineattheequaldistance.OutertwospikesareconnectedtoC1&C2
terminalsofearthtester.SimilarlyinnertwospikesareconnectedtoP1&P2terminals.Nowifwerotategenerator
handlewithspecificspeed,wegetearthresistancevalueofthatplace.
InthismethoderrorduetopolarizationeffectiseliminatedandearthtestercanbeoperateddirectlyonA.C.

GIEarthingVsCopperEarthing:
AsperIS3043,theresistanceofPlateelectrodetoearth(R)=(r/A)Xunderroot(P/A).
Wherer=ResistivityofSoilOhmmeter.
A=AreaofEarthingPlatem3.
TheresistanceofPipeelectrodetoearth(R)=(100r/2L)Xloge(4L/d).
WhereL=LengthofPipe/Rodincm
d=DiameterofPipe/Rodincm.
TheresistivityofthesoilandthephysicaldimensionsoftheelectrodeplayimportantroleofresistanceofRodwithearth.
Thematerialresistivityisnotconsideredimportantroleinearthresistivity.
Anymaterialofgivendimensionswouldofferthesameresistancetoearth.Exceptthesizingandnumberoftheearthing
conductorortheprotectiveconductor.

PipeEarthingVsPlateEarthing:
SupposeCopperPlatehavingofsize1.2mx1.2mx3.15mmthick.soilresistivityof100ohmm,
TheresistanceofPlateelectrodetoearth(R)=(r/A)Xunderroot(/A)=(100/2.88)X(3.14/2.88)=36.27ohm
Now,consideraGIPipeElectrodeof50mmDiameterand3mLong.soilresistivityof100Ohmm,
TheresistanceofPipeelectrodetoearth(R)=(100r/2L)Xloge(4L/d)=(100X100/2X3.14X300)Xloge(4X300/5)
=29.09Ohm.
FromtheabovecalculationtheGIPipeelectrodeoffersamuchlesserresistancethanevenacopperplateelectrode.
AsperIS3043Pipe,rodorstriphasamuchlowerresistancethanaplateofequalsurfacearea.

LengthofPipeElectrodeandEarthingPit:
Theresistancetoearthofapipeorplateelectrodereducesrapidlywithinthefirstfewfeetfromground(mostly2to3
meter)butafterthatsoilresistivityismostlyuniform.
Afterabout4meterdepth,thereisnoappreciablechangeinresistancetoearthoftheelectrode.Exceptanumberofrods
inparallelaretobepreferredtoasinglelongrod.

AmountofSaltandCharcoal(morethan8Kg):
Toreducesoilresistivity,itisnecessarytodissolveinthemoistureparticleintheSoil.
SomesubstancelikeSalt/Charcoalishighlyconductiveinwatersolutionbuttheadditivesubstancewouldreducethe
resistivityofthesoil,onlywhenitisdissolvedinthemoistureinthesoilafterthatadditionalquantitydoesnotservethe
Purpose.
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5%moistureinSaltreducesearthresistivityrapidlyandfurtherincreaseinsaltcontentwillgiveaverylittledecreasein
soilresistivity.
Thesaltcontentisexpressedinpercentbyweightofthemoisturecontentinthesoil.Considering1M3ofSoil,the
moisturecontentat10percentwillbeabout144kg.(10percentof1440kg).Thesaltcontentshallbe5%ofthis(i.e.)5%
of144kg,thatis,about7.2kg.

AmountofWaterPurring:
Moisturecontentisoneofthecontrollingfactorsofearthresistivity.
Above20%ofmoisturecontent,theresistivityisverylittleaffected.Butbelow20%theresistivityincreasesrapidlywiththe
decreaseinmoisturecontent.
Ifthemoisturecontentisalreadyabove20%thereisnopointinaddingquantityofwaterintotheearthpit,exceptperhaps
wastinganimportantandscarcenationalresourcelikewater.

LengthVsDiameterofEarthElectrode:
Apartfromconsiderationsofmechanicalstrength,thereislittleadvantagetobegainedfromincreasingtheearthelectrode
diameterwiththeobjectinmindofincreasingsurfaceareaincontactwiththesoil.
Theusualpracticeistoselectadiameterofearthelectrode,whichwillhaveenoughstrengthtoenableittobedriveninto
theparticularsoilconditionswithoutbendingorsplitting.Largediameterelectrodemaybemoredifficulttodrivethan
smallerdiameterelectrode.
Thedepthtowhichanearthelectrodeisdrivenhasmuchmoreinfluenceonitselectricalresistancecharacteristicsthan
hasitsdiameter.

MaximumallowableEarthresistance:
Majorpowerstation=0.5Ohm.
MajorSubstations=1.0Ohm
MinorSubstation=2Ohm
NeutralBushing.=2Ohm
Serviceconnection=4Ohm
MediumVoltageNetwork=2Ohm
L.T.LighteningArrestor=4Ohm
L.T.Pole=5Ohm
H.T.Pole=10Ohm
Tower=2030Ohm

TreatmentstoforminimizingEarthresistance:
RemoveOxidationonjointsandjointsshouldbetightened.
Pouredsufficientwaterinearthelectrode.
UsedbiggersizeofEarthElectrode.
Electrodesshouldbeconnectedinparallel.
Earthpitofmoredepth&widthbreadthshouldbemade.

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