ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS

7 EARTH CONNECTIONS -
7.1 The following provisions shall apply to the connection with earth of
systems at low voltage in cases where the voltage normally
exceeds 125 volts and of systems at medium voltage -
7.1.1 Neutral conductor of a 3 phase !-wire system and the middle
conductor of a 2 phase 3-wire system shall "e earthed "y not less
than two separate and distinct connections with a minimum of
two di#erent earth electrodes of such large num"er as may "e
necessary to "ring the earth resistance to a satisfactory value "oth
at the generating station and at the su"-station. The earth
electrodes so provided may "e interconnected to reduce earth
resistance. $t may also "e earthed at one or more points along the
distri"ution system or service line in addition to any connection
with earth which may "e at the consumer%s premises.
7.1.2 $n the case of a system comprising electric supply lines having
concentric ca"les the external conductor of such ca"les shall "e
earthed "y two separate and distinct connections with earth.
7.1.3 The connection with earth may include a lin& "y means of which
the connection may "e temporarily interrupted for the purpose of
testing or for locating a fault.
7.1.! i'$n a direct current three wire system the middle conductor shall "e
earthed at the generating station only and the current from the
middle conductor to earth shall "e continuously recorded "y means
of a recording ammeter and if any time the current exceeds one-
thousandth part of the maximum supply-current immediate steps
shall "e ta&en to improve the insulation of the system.
ii'(here the middle conductor is earthed "y means of a circuit
"rea&er with a resistance connected in parallel the resistance shall
not exceed 1) ohms and on the opening of the circuit "rea&er
immediate steps shall "e ta&en to improve the insulation of the
system and the circuit "rea&er shall "e reclosed as soon as
possi"le.
iii'The resistance shall "e used only as a protection for the ammeter
in case of earths on the system and until such earths are removed.
$mmediate steps shall "e ta&en to locate and remove the earth.
7.1.5$n the case of an alternating current system there shall not "e
inserted in the connection with earth any impedance *other than
that re+uired solely for the operation of switch-gear or
instruments' cut-out or circuit "rea&er and the result of any test
made to ascertain whether the current *if any' passing through the
connection with earth is normal shall "e duly recorded "y the
supplier.
7.1., $n the event of an apprecia"le harmonic current -owing in the
neutral connection so as to cause interference with communication
circuits the generator or transformer neutral shall "e earthed
through suita"le impedance.
7.1.7 (here the earthing lead and the earth connection are used only in
connection with earthing guards erected under high or extra-high
voltage over head lines where they cross a telecommunication line
or a railway line and where such lines are e+uipped with earth
lea&age relays of a type and setting approved "y the Tari# .dvisory
/ommittee the resistance shall not exceed 25 ohms.
7.1.0The frames of all generators stationary motors and so far
practica"le porta"le motors metallic parts *not intended as
conductors' of all transformers metal casings or metallic coverings
of switches fuses and control gear and all other apparatus used for
regulating or controlling energy at low medium or high voltage
shall "e earthed "y two separate and distinct connections with
earth and the capacity of the earthing leads shall "e in
accordance with $12 3)!3-1307.
7.1.3.ll metal casings or metallic coverings containing or protecting
any electric supply line of apparatus shall "e connected with earth
and shall "e so 4oined and connected across all 4unction "oxes and
other openings as to ma&e good mechanical and electrical
connections throughout their length. This rule shall however
not apply to isolated wall tu"es or "rac&ets electrolisers switch
or fans regulator covers or other 5ttings *other than porta"le
hand lamps and porta"le and transporta"le apparatus'
where the supply is at low voltage.
Note (Applicable to Rule 7.1.8 an 7.1.!"# 6owever 7ule 7.1.0
and 7.1.3 will not "e applica"le to alternating current
systems of 5) 8 to 1))) 8 in the following cases -
E$ception No.1# 9lectric systems used exclusively to
supply industrial electric furnaces for melting re5ning
tempering and the li&e.
E$ception No. %# 1eparately derived systems used
exclusively for recti5ers supplying only ad4usta"le speed
industrial drives.
7.1.1).ll earthing systems shall -
a' consist of e+uipotential "onding conductors capa"le of carrying
the prospective earth fault current and a group of
pipe:rod:plate electrodes for dissipating the current to the
general mass of earth without exceeding the allowa"le
temperature limits as per $123)!3-1307 in order to
maintain all non-current carrying metal wor&s reasona"ly
at earth potential and to avoid dangerous contact
potentials "eing developed on such metal wor&s.
"' limit earth resistance su;ciently low to permit ade+uate
fault current for the operation of protective devices in time
and to reduce neutral shifting.
c' "e mechanically strong withstand corrosion and retain
electrical continuity during the life of the installation.
7.1.11.ll earthing leads and earth connections shall "e tested for
electrical resistance to ensure e;cient earthing "efore electric
supply line or apparatus are energised and in addition "e tested for
resistance on a dry day during the dry season not less than once
every twelve months. . record of every earth test made and the
result thereof shall "e &ept for a period of not less than two years
after the day of testing which shall "e availa"le for inspection when
re+uired. *1ee also $12 3)!3-1307'.
7.1.12<or small installations where an earth plate is not a practical
proposition earthing may "e done "y connecting the earthing
conductors to water pipe with prior consent of the Tari# .dvisory
/ommittee the connection "eing made at the point where the
water main enters the "uilding from the ground care "eing ta&en
to see that all the 4oints in the water main "etween the ground
and the point where the earth connection is made are screwed
and not -anged. To ensure good contact "etween the
earthing clamp and e+uipment protective paints enamel etc. shall
"e completely removed.
7.1.13$n no case shall gas steam sprin&ler or humidi5er pipes "e
used for an earth connection.
7.1.1!.ll earthing conductors shall "e run in sight as far as possi"le. The
same care shall "e exercised in the erection of earthing
conductors as for those which carry current for consuming and
other devices.
7.1.15.ll "onding and earthing shall "e of "rass copper or non-
rusting material. $n damp situations the "olts shall "e of non-
rusting material.
7.1.1,9arthing conductors shall ordinarily "e 5xed to the walls and ceilings
"y means of wall plugs *gutties of e+uivalent approved type'.
7.1.17=ightning arrestor earthing medium shall not "e used for earthing
any electrical gears.
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