Technical Note

Significance of Earthing:

There is no special emphasis required on the significance of earthing for safe and correct operation of
electrical systems. The significance of earthing is far higher for Electronics & Communicationsystems.
At the same time, it is indeed a terribly worrying point that the earthing is most neglected part in the
electrical installations.

Recommended Earth Resistance:

The recommendation for the earthing resistance suitable for specific system is done based on the
various aspects of the system such as voltage, current, fault current, operation methods location etc.
Usually, it is the owner of the system who recommends the required earthing system resistance. For
example,<5Ω or <2Ω or <1Ω

Challenges in achieving recommended Earth Resistance:

The most significant component in the earthing system resistance is the Soil Resistivity in the location
where earthing system needs to be installed. The Soil Resistivity is solely dependent on the structure
of the soil. The Soil Resistivity is highly varying component across locations, sometimes, even in short
span of distances. The Soil Resistivity of original soil is not in our control; we also do not have choice
to change the location of earthing system to a new location with low Soil Resistivity. Our demand is
always to install the earthing system at a given locations rather than our choice of location.

Achieving low earth system resistances such as <1.0 Ω is indeed challenging, specifically in high
resistivity soil.

Earth Pit Resistance:

The Resistance of Earth pit obtained by one simple earth rod of 3M length, dug into the Ground is
determined by the standard equation given in IEEE 80

R= ρ/2∏L[ln (8L/D)-1]
Where
L=length of Rod in M
D=Diameter of Rod in M
ρ=Soil Resistivity in Ω-M

Based on this equation, for soil Resistivity of 150 Ω-M, L-3.0M and D-0.014M (14mm)

R=45 Ω Approx( practically, we found value to be less than this)

This is the Resistance of one earth pit.

To achieve an earthing system resistance of 1.0 Ω, mathematically large no of 50 earth pits are
needed, however, it is not a practical approach.
An earth grid design is adopted in such cases, which will involve laying the specified length of earth
strip of specified size in a specified pattern. This grid needs to be backed up by specified number of
earth pits as well.

Earthing system design:

An Earthing system is the interconnection of various earthpits installed for independent equipments.
The standards recommended for the one equipotential earthing for a plant to avoid any differential
earth potentials as well as to ensure lowest possible earthing system resistance.
For a large Cement Plant such as the subject plant, the comprehensive earthing system can be
designed when we understand the total plant layout and soil resistivity values and system
requirements for earthing.

Maintenance Free Earthing Vs Conventional Earthing :

Erico Earthing products are maintenance free earthing. Here, the Conventional GI Pipe earth electrode
is replaced with Copper Bonded Steel Earth rod and Conventional charcoal + salt is replaced by the
Ground Enhancement Material(GEM). This replaces the need of continuous watering of earthpits thus
making them maintenance free.Thus,it is basically use of better materials and processes to ensure
long maintenance free life. However, earthing system design is governed by the same standards.
The earth pit resistance that can be achieved by the maintenance free earth pit is dependent on the
soil resistivity at the location and the quality of back fill material. In any case achieving 1Ω earth
resistance with one earth pit is the myth and is possible only in case of very low soil resistivity. Few
sellers of maintenance free earthing claim to achieve less than 1Ω with one earth pit which is totally
false. Any maintenance free earthing compound has the ability to bring a reduction of 20% to 40% in
earth pit resistance as compared to the direct driven rod. It is the stability of earth pit resistance over
a long period with least seasonal variation which is significant.

Measurement of Earth Resistance:

The measurement of earth resistance is also equally tricky and misleading due to large variation in
meter qualities. The user must be well aware of this aspect as well.
We believe in total transparency in our approach and strict adherence to the standards in our design
and execution.
Erico prices may appear higher when compared to cheap products available in the market, however
considering long term benefits and reliability our products are certainly cheaper.