GOOD

ENGINEERING
PRACTICES FOR
DESIGN OF
EARTHING

EARTHING - DEFINITION
IS:3043-1987 CL.2.7
EARTHING OR EARTH - THE CONDUCTIVE
MASS OF THE EARTH WHOSE ELECTRICAL
POTENTIAL AT ANY POINT IS CONVENIENTLY
TAKEN AS ZERO.
IEEE:142-1991
A CONDUCTING CONNECTION, WHETHER
INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL, BY WHICH
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT OR EQUIPMENT IS
CONNECTED TO THE EARTH OR SOME
CONDUCTING BODY OF RELATIVELY LARGE
EXTENT THAT SERVES IN PLACE OF THE
EARTH.

EARTHING - GROUNDING
GENERAL TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING
GROUNDING means connection of current carrying parts
to ground, like transformer or generator neutral
EARTHING means connection of non-current carrying
parts to ground, like metallic enclosures
parts to ground, like metallic enclosures
ACTUAL AS PER STANDARDS
To quote from IS:3043, CL.0.7 the terms Earthing and
Grounding are synonymous.
To quote from IEC:60050 The terms Earth as well as
Ground have both been in general use to describe the
common power/signal reference point interchangeably
around the world in the Electro-technical terminology.
To quote from Earthing Practice CDA Publication 119
1997 (vide BS 7430:1991 Code of Practice for Earthing)
It is worth noting that in Europe tend to use the term
earthing, whilst in North America, the term
grounding is more common.

TYPES OF EARTHING

ELECTRIC POWER EARTHING

system earthing, associated with current carrying
conductor normally essential to security of system ,
viz. earthing of transformer, generator and UPS
neutrals.
equipment or protective earthing, associated with
non-current carrying metallic parts, essential to
safety of human life, animals , plant equipment
and property, viz. enclosures of motors, switchgear
panels, etc.
ELECTRONIC EARTHING
signal reference and telecommunications earthing
signal return conductors
counterpoise
LIGHTNING PROTECTION EARTHING
lightning and switching surges earthing

PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVE OF EARTHING

SYSTEM
TO PROVIDE AS NEARLY AS POSSIBLE A
SURFACE UNDER AND AROUND A STATION AT
UNIFROM POTENTIAL AND AS NEARLY ZERO
OR
ABSOLUTE
EARTH
POTENTIAL
AS
POSSIBLE.
OR IN OTHER WORDS
TO PROVIDE ZERO POTENTIAL SURFACE IN
AND AROUND THE AREA AND UNDER THE
AREA FOR INSTALLATION OF THE EQUIPMENT.

OBJECTIVE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRIC AL

EARTHING
SYSTEM EARTHING
- neutral grounding to get potential (voltage)
between phase to neutral at usable level for
domestic lighting and small power distribution
purposes
- equipment or protective earthing for safety of
equipment and personnel by diverting leakage
current to earth , which is at zero potential, and
to provide signal to protective device in the
event of short circuit and/or earth fault

EQUIPMENT EARTHING
- signal reference and telecommunications
earthing
- signal return conductors
- counterpoise

IMPORTANCE OF EARTHING

preventing development of voltage to earth

and protection against the occurrence of
over-voltages (transients)
protecting human beings against accidental
electric shocks
protecting plant equipment and property
against flow of heavy fault current
protection against discharges of static
electricity
protection against lightning and switching
surges
protection against stray currents
facilitating supervision and measurement
improving reliability of electrical system

DESIGN OF EARTHING
-

OBJECTIVES OF DESIGN OF SYSTEM EARTHING

to preserve security of the system by ensuring
the potential on each conductor restricted to
such a value as consistent with the level of
insulation applied.
to ensure efficient and fast operation of
protective gear in the case of earth faults
from the point of view of safety.
to prevent flow of current through the earth
under normal conditions, and thus to avoid
accompanying
risks
of
electrolysis
and
interference with communication circuits due
limitation of each system earthing to one
point.
to limit overall system resistance to such a

DESIGN OF EARTHING
OBJECTIVES OF DESIGN OF EQUIPMENT
EARTHING
- to ensure safety of human beings from
dangerous electric shock
due to voltages
exposure in the area.
- to provide adequate current carrying capability
to earth conductor, both in magnitude and
duration, to accept earth fault current
permitted by the over-current protective
system without causing fire or creating
explosive hazard to the plant and properties.
- to supplement efforts to improve performance
of the electrical system by contributing to
better stability against earth faults by
providing return path in circuit without

FACTORS INFLUENCING DESIGN OF

EARTHING
TYPE OF SOIL
BLACK COTTON,
YELLOW SAND,
ROCKS, SALINE

MOISTURE
CONTENT IN SOIL,
AFFECTING UP TO
SOME EXTENT
SOIL RESISTIVITY

SOIL TEMPERATURE
AFFECTING IN
AREA HAVING
FREEZING
TEMPERATURES

FACTORSTO BE CONSIDERED
FOR DESIGN OF EARTHING

RESISTANCE OF EARTH
ELECTRODE
NEGLECTED DUE TO
VERY LOW RESISTANCE

MATERIAL OF
CONSTRUCTION OF EARTH
ELECTRODE AFFECTIN CASE
OF PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR

DESIGN OF EARTHING
FACTORS INLFLUENCING DESIGN OF EARTHING
RESISTANCE TO EARTH
Earthing
Resistance
offered
by
Electrode
depends on i .resistance of metal electrode
ii .
contact resistance between surface of
metallic earth electrode and soil
iii.
resistance of the soil (soil resitivity) from
the electrode surface outward in the geometry
set up for the flow of current outward from the
electrode to infinite earth
Factor i. and ii. neglected in design due to their
offering of fraction of ohm resistance
Factor iii. Important one due to dependence of
design on soil resistivity

DESIGN OF EARTHING
FACTORS INFLUENCING DESING OF EARTHING
Soil resitivity depends on i .type of soil , grain size and distribution , etc.
ii.soil conductivity electrolytic in nature affected
by moisture content, though up to some
extent only
iii.
chemical
properties
of
soil
and
concentration of salts dissolved in its water
content , i.e. soil resistivity in coastal areas
usually found low at 1 5 ohm-m due to saline
land
iii.
soil temperature, soil resistivity rising at
lower temp due to abnormal increase in
temperature co-efficient of soil at freezing and
sub-zero temp levels

DESIGN OF EARTHING
FACTORS INFLUENCING DESIGN OF EARTHING

MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION OF EARTH

ELECTRODE
No dependence of earth resistance of material of
construction of earth electrode as transpired
from calculations for resistance offered by
different types of electrodes in next slide.
Symbols used in next slide in calculations
R = resistance offered by earth electrode in ohm
A = area of plate for both sides in m2
= resistivity of the soil in Ohm-m
L = length of the Rod or Pipe in cm
d = diameter of the Rod or Pipe in cm
L = length of the Strip in cm
w= depth of burial of the electrode in cm
t = width (in the case of Strip) or twice the

SOIL RESITIVITY VS. MOISTURE

CONTENT

FACTORS INFLUENCING DESIGN OF EARTHING

MATERIAL OF EARTH ELECTRODE

R
Resistance offered by Plate Electrode
A

100
4l
R
loge
Resistance offered by Pipe Electrode
2 l
d
100
2 l2
R
loge
Resistance offered by Strip Electrode
2 l
wt

Parameters, soil resistivity and dimensions of

electrode, affecting resistance offered by
electrodes, no bearing of material, whether GI,
copper or MS

DESIGN OF EARTHING
FACTORS INFLUENCING DESIGN OF EARTHING
MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION OF PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR
Dependence of design of sizing of Protective Conductor
for equipment earthing on the material of construction
due to variation in capability of protective conductor to
withstand short time current ratings according to the
material of construction of the conductor.

I
1
k
S
t

S = cross-sectional area of protective conductor in mm2

I =
fault current (ac rms) for a fault of negligible
impedance flowing through protective device in amperes
t = operating time of the disconnecting device in seconds
K=
factor dependent on material of protective
conductor, insulation and other parts, and initial and final
temperatures.
Values of k for protective conductors in various use or

DESIGN OF EARTHING
FACTORS WITH NO CONTROL
NATURAL FACTORS, SUCH AS TYPE OF SOIL,
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL, AMBIENT
TEMPERATURE, MOISTURE CONTENT IN SOIL,
OBSERVED INFLUENCING DESIGN OF EARTHING
WIDE VARIATION IN TYPE OF SOIL AND CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES OF SOIL EVEN IN ONE PIECE OF LAND,
AMBIENT TEMEPRATURE CHANGING DAILY AND
FROM SEASON TO SEASON
SAME APPLICABLE TO MOISTURE CONTENT
FACTORS WITH CONTROL DESIGN OPTIMISATION
DEPTH OF ELECTYRODE
TYEP OF ELECTRODE
MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION FOR PROTECTIVE
CONDUCTORS
DISTANCE BETWEEN ADJACENT ELECTRODES

BONDING WITH EARTHING

Bonding means permanent joining of metallic parts to form
an electrically conductive path assure electrical continuity
and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be
imposed.
Essentiality of proper bonding for achieving effective
earthing in reference to grounding - to provide a continuous equipment earthing conductor and
an effective low-impedance path to electrical equipment,
metal raceways, and enclosures through bonding conductor
- to allow for the flow of short circuit currents to ground or
between phases on ungrounded systems through bonding
conductor
- to ensure tripping of protective devices in the affected
circuit for quickly isolating faulty section from source of
electric power
- to prevent arcing and sparking caused by short circuit
current flow along such a path through availability of
continuous equipment earthing conductor due to proper
bonding

GOOD EARTHING PRACTICES

EARTHING SYSTEM GENERALLY FOUND NEGLECTED IN

MANY
PLANTS,
COMMERCIAL
ESTABLISHMENTS,
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY UTILITY COMPANIES, DOMESTIC
ESTABLISHMENTS, AGRICULTURE
EARTHING BEING ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL PRE-REQUISITE
FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE OF POWER DISTRIBUTION
NETWORK, RELIABILITY, AND MOST VITAL SAFETY OF PLANT
EQUIPMENT AND HUMAN BEINGS WORKING THEIRIN
DESIGN OF SYSTEM WITH SCIENTIFIC APPROACH AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT OF FACTORS BASED ON EXPERIENCE FOR
BETTER PERFORMANCE OF EARTHING SYSTEM AND COST
ECONOMY BY AVOIDING OVERSIZING.
PERIODIC
PREVENTIVE
MAINTENANCE
BASED
ON
CONDITION MONITORING LEAST FOR EARTHING SYSTEM IN
COMPARISON TO MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS OF OTHER
EQUIPMENT.
NO MAJOR INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CONDITION
MONITORING

EARTH
RESISTANCE
TESTER
AND
RESISTANCE MEASURING INSTRUMENT REQUIRED.
DIFFERENT CONCEPTS FOR DESIGNING OF EARTHING FOR
OUTDOOR SWITCHYARD APPLICATIONS AND PLANT AREAS

SOIL RESITIVITY VS. MOISTURE

CONTENT

SOIL RESISTIVITY VS. MOISTURE

AS SEEN FROM GRAPH, VERY LITTLE EFFECT ON
SOIL RESISTIVITY CONTENT
ABOVE ABOUT 20 PERCENT
MOISTURE CONTENT
ABRUPT INCREASE IN SOIL RESITIVITY WITH
MOISTURE CONTENT GOING BELOW 20 PERCENT
WITH MAINTAINING OF MOISTURE CONTENT
AROUND 20 PERCENT, NO POINT IN ADDING
MORE WATER INTO THE EARTHING STATION PIT
WITH 10% NORMAL MOISTURE CONTENT OF
SOIL IN DRY SEASONS TO 35 PERCENT IN WET
SEASONS, AVERAGING BETWEEN 16 AND 18
PERCENT, DRY EARTH WEIGHING ABOUT 1440
KG PER CUBIC METER AND 10 PERCENT
MOISTURE CONTENT MEANS ABOUT 144 KG OF
WATER PER CUBIC METER OF DRY SOIL.

STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR EARTHING IN

INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES, 1956

ALL MEDIUM VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT TO BE EARTHED BY TWO

SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CONNECTIONS WITH EARTH.
NEUTRALS POINTS OF HIGH AND EXTRA HIGH VOLTAGE
SYSTEMS TO BE EARTHED BY NOT LESS THAN TWO SEPARATE
AND DISTINCT CONNECTIONS WITH EARTH AT GENERATING
STATIONS AND SUBSTATIONS, EACH HAVING ITS OWN EATH
ELECTRODE, TO BE EARTHED AT ANY OTHER POINT, IF
REQUIRED, ASSURING NO INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY SUCH
MULTIPLE EARTH CONNECTIONS.
IN CASE OF DIRECT EARTHING PROVING HARMFUL RATHER
THAN PROVIDING SAFETY, AS IN CASE OF HIGH FREQUENCY
CORELESS FURNACES, RELIEF TO BE OBTAINED.
EARTHING TO BE PROVIDED AT SUBSTATIONS, GENERATING
STATIONS AND CONSUMER PREMISES AS PER IS:3043.
TO PROVIDE FACILITY (TEST LINK) FOR TESTING OF
INDIVIDUAL EARTH ELECTRODE AND ALL EARTH CONNECTIONS
TO BE VISIBLE FOR INSPECTION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
TO CALCULATE PROSPECTIVE FAULT CURRENT FOR ANY
ADDITION OF PLANT LOAD, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, ETC. VIS-VIS COMPARING WITH CAPABILITY OF EXSTING EARTHING
SYSTEM AND TO STRENGTHEN, IF REQUIRED, ALONG WITH
SYSTEM MODIFICATION.

REFERENCES

IS:3043-1987 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR

EARTHING
IEEE:142 2007
GROUNDING OF
INDUSTRIAL
AND COMMERCIAL POWER
SYSTEMS [IEEE GREEN BOOK]
IEEE:80 2000 IEEE GUIDE FOR SAFETY IN
AC SUBSTATION GROUNDING
TECHNICAL ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN VARIOUS
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING JOURNALS

REMEMBER, NO GOOD REFERENCE BOOKS

AVAILABLE ON THE SUBJECT