Peninsula Hotel Jakarta, 19 June 2014

By Diyah Handayani K
HIOKI SINGAPORE PTE. LTD

What is Grounding ?
A grounding is a conducting connection by which an
electrical circuit or equipment is connected to the
earth or some conducting body.
Source: IEEE Standard 81

What is Grounding ?
A conducting connection, between an electrical
circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some
conducting body that serves in place of the earth.
Source: NFPA 70-1981; National Electrical Code

PURPOSE OF GROUNDING

The purpose of a ground besides the protection

of people, plants and equipment is to provide a
safe path for the dissipation of fault currents,
lightning strikes, static discharges, EMI and RFI
signals and interference.

2 TYPE GROUNDING SYSTEM

Earth grounding
is an intentional connection from a circuit conductor,
usually the neutral, to a ground electrode placed in the
earth.
Equipment grounding
ensures that operating equipment within a structure is
properly grounded

EXAMPLE OF GROUNDING

Why we must test Ground ?

Poor grounding not only contributes to unnecessary downtime,
but a lack of good grounding is also dangerous and increases
the risk of equipment failure.
Without an effective grounding system,we could be exposed to
the risk of electric shock, not to mention instrumentation
errors,harmonic distortion issues, power factor problems and a
host of possible intermittent dilemmas.
If fault currents have no path to the ground through a properly
designed and maintained grounding system, they will find
unintended paths that could include people.

GROUND STANDARDS
NFPA and IEEE have recommended a ground resistance
value of 5.0 ohms or less.
The NEC has stated to "Make sure that system
impedance to ground is less than 25 ohms specified in
NEC 250.56.
The Telecommunications industry has often used 5.0
ohms or less as their value for grounding and bonding.
Communication requires lower signal level with higher
frequency characteristics than 60 Hz Utility requirements

GROUND RESISTANCE TARGET

Typical values for a power company:
- Generating station: 1 maximum

- Large sub-station: 1 maximum

- Small sub-station: 5 maximum
Water pipe ground should be less than 3 and

frequently less than 1 .

The Telecomunication industry has often used 5 or

less as their value for grounding and bonding.

COMPONENT OF GROUND ELECTRODE

WHAT AFFECTS THE

GROUNDING RESISTANCE?
First, the NEC code (1987, 250-83-3) requires a minimum ground
electrode length of 2.5 meters (8.0 feet) to be in contact with soil.
But, there are variables that affect the ground resistance of a
ground system:
1. Length/depth of the ground electrode
2. Diameter of the ground electrode
3. Number of ground electrodes
4 . Ground system design
5. Soil

Length/depth of the ground electrode

The dept of the electrode can lower the resistance value
effectively, Normally doubling the length of the earth
electrode can reduce the resistance by an additionally
40%.

Diameter of the ground electrode

Increasing the diameter of the ground electrode has
very little effect in lowering the resistance. For
example, you could double the diameter of a ground
electrode and your resistance would only decrease by
10 %.

Number of ground electrodes

Another way to lower ground resistance is to use multiple
ground electrodes. In this design, more than one
electrode is driven into the ground and connected in
parallel to lower the resistance. For additional electrodes
to be effective, the spacing of additional rods need to be
at least equal to the depth of the driven rod.

GROUND SYSTEM DESIGN

Single ground electrode

Multiple ground electrode

Mesh Network

Ground Plate

SOIL
Soil resistance values depend on soil composition,
moisture & temperature

TESTING METHODS
Normally

single electrode earthing is used for domestic

applications, but for power generating substations and industries
we use a grid network with multiple electrodes.

The "3-pole fall of potential" testing method can be used for a

complex earth system. In this technique, the earth grid is

disconnected from the earth electrode. Two auxiliary electrodes
(one current electrode and a second potential electrode) are
placed beside the electrode to be tested at an equal distance in a
straight line. The current passed through the auxiliary current
electrode is to be noted and recorded. In this way, the potential
difference generated between the auxiliary potential electrode and
the current electrode can be measured.
Measurement of earth resistance and leakage current without

disconnecting the circuit can be done using portable

instruments. The clamp-on type of earth resistance tester can
measure earth resistance and leakage current.

WHATS A CLAMP ON EARTH TESTER?

Closed Loop

Measure Closed Loop Resistance

Ground Resistance Measurement

Clamp Earth Tester

FT6380 / FT6381
Allows you to hold the display
value.
No wait time after powering on.
Start measuring instantly without
zero-calibration.

Switch between resistance

measurement mode or current
measurement mode.

32mm

With the bright back light, you can easily

read the measurement value even in dark
locations.

Resistance mode filter: Digital filter gives you

steadier readings.
Current mode filter: Low-pass filter
eliminates harmonics current over 180Hz.

Set the alarm to audible and visually

notify you that the resistance or
current value exceeds the threshold.

You can store up to 2,000 measurement

values in the field and recall them in your
office later.

For multiple grounding systems

V
1
Rx
1
1
1
1
1
I

.....
R1 R 2 R3 R 4
Rn

n=

V
Rx
I

How Compact?

26mm

38mm

53mm

45% Smaller

HIOKI

20mm

Comparison of cross-sectional area of the Jaw

Why Compact?

Access to tight spots

At your field, what happens?

Feel the difference

Pole

HIOKI: Easy access to tight spots

Large Jaw Ground

Clamps: Struggle
with dirt
Grounding Electrode

ACCURACY OF FLAT CORE

View of Core Sensor of Flat Jaw

ACCURACY OF INTERLOCKING CORE

View of Core Sensor of Interlocking Jaw

INTERLOCKING CORE
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
-30%
-40%
-50%

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

HIOKI
+3
-3
Spec
Spec

RELIABILITY

Voltage
Injection

Designed to last!
Prevents leakage current
Interlocking Shield Design

Current
Detection

I = V/R

CT Magnetic Core

R =V/I

Accurate Reading!!

Magnetic Shield
Leakage Flux

VT Magnetic Core

Leakage Flux

R
I = V/R

With micro-meter gap

Cross-section view of jaw

R =V/ (I+Iflux)

EFFECT OF AIR GAP

Magnetic Cores

Air Gap

AC CURRENT MEASUREMENT (LEAKAGE

CURRENT)

Wide range:
Function
Safe:

From 1mA to 60A

with Filter ON/OFF
EN61010 CAT IV 600V

ENERGY EFFICIENT
Uses only 2 x LR6 Alkaline Batteries

Continuous Usage of up to 35 hours (Backlight &

Bluetooth OFF)
Reduced
By more
than 50%

SAFETY
CAT IV 600V
Withstand Voltage: AC 7400 Vrms for one minute

Between clamp sensor and casing

Max. Input current: AC 100A continuous, AC 200A for 2
minute (50 / 60Hz)

DOWNLOAD APPS FROM GOOGLE PLAY STORE

Auto Report
Generation

Via email

REPORT FUNCTION
Get
Time Stamp
Measuring Data with screen
image
Location information with map
image
Reports are
Sent via e-mail
Synchronized using Cloud servers

APPLICATIONS
All overhead transmission conductor lines that may be exposed to

lightning should be protected by a means for diverting any electric

surge to earth.
The grounding cables of transmission towers should be tested

frequently.
Transformer earthing terminal measurements should be

conducted to ensure proper contact between the soil and the

earth point.
Low earthing wire resistance is most important for motors, power

distribution panels, and control panels.

The earthing of a telecommunication control cabin or signal relay

board is important to reduce stray electrodynamic stress and

noise.
Separate earthing should be provided for PLC and SCADA

instruments in a control panel.

Good earthing is required for petrochemicals pipelines and oil

storage tanks.