274 Electrical Technician

UNIT 10
Earthing
Learning Objectives
• To understand purpose of Earthing.
• To learn system of earthing.
Introduction
The very purpose of earthing is to safe against dangers of shock and fire
etc. It is essential to have good and effective ‘earthing’ or grounding
The word ‘earthing’ and ‘grounding’ have the same meaning but the
equipment is different from neutral point earthing. This chapter deals with the
equipments earthing only.
A poor safety ground or one that is wired incorrectly is more dangerous
than no ground at all. The poor ground is dangerous because it does not offer
full protection while the user is lulled into a false sense of security. The incorrectly
wired ground is a hazard because one of the wires and the safety ground are
transposed; making the shell of the tool ‘hot’ the instant the plug is connected.
Thus the unwary user is trapped, unless by poor chance the safety ground is
connected to the grounded side of the line on a single-phase ground system, on
no ground are present on the ungrounded system, this instance the user again
goes blithely along using the tool until he encounters a receptacle which has bits
wires transposed or a ground appears on the system.
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Because there is absolutely Fullproof method of insuring that all tools are
safely grounded (and because of the tendency of the average technician to ignore
the use of the grounding wire) the old method of using a separate external wire
has been discontinued. Instead a 3-wire, standard, colorcoded cord with a
polarized plug and a ground pin is required. In this manner safety ground is
made a part of the connecting cord and plug. Since the polarized plug can be
connected only to a mating receptacle, the user has no choice but to use the
safety ground.
All new tools properly connected, Use the green wire as the safety ground.
This wire is attached to the metal case of the tool at one end and to the polarized
grounding pin in the connector at the other hand. It normally carries no current,
but is used only when tool insulation fails, in which case it short circuits the
electricity ground around the user to ground and protects him from shock. The
green lead must never be mixed with the black or white leads which are the true
current carrying conductors.
Check the resistance of the grounding system with a low reading ohmmeter
to conform that the grounding is adequate (less than 1 ohm is acceptable). If the
resistance indicate greater than 1 ohm, use a separate ground strap.
Some old installations are not equipped with receptacles that will accept
the grounding plug. In this events use one of the following methods:
1. Use an adapter fitting
2. Use the old type plug and bring the green ground wire out separately.
3. Connected an independent safety ground line.
When using the adapter, be sure to connect the ground lead extension to a
good ground. (Do not use the centre screw which holds the cover plate on the
respectable). Where the separate safety ground leads are externally connected
to a ground, be certain to first connect the ground and then plug in the tool, first
remove the line plug and then disconnect the safety ground. The safety ground is
always connected first and removed last.
10.1 Purpose of Earthing
Fig 10.1 illustrates an electric iron connected to supply through 3-core
cable. The line and neutral and connected to heating element where as the earth
wire (green shown dotted) is connected to the metal frame of the iron. The earth
terminal in turn connected to the neutral earthing at sub-station through mass of
earth. Due to insulation damage or otherwise, the live wire touches the metal
frame of iron, it effectively gets connected to the earth.
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If the person holds the iron current will not pass through his body because
the resistance of the earth will be less than the human body resistance. Hence
the person will be protected from the electric shock. Meanwhile the current will
pass through the low resistance path of the earth wire causing the fuse wire in
the live wire to blow and thus protect the circuit.

Fig. 10.1 Electric Iron Connected to Supply with 3-Core Cable

If the earth wire is not provided (i.e. 2-core cable is used) then the live wire
accidentally makes contacts with the iron frame, the latter will be at the same
potential as the live wire (i.e. 230-v). If the person holds the wire unknowingly
the current flows through the body of the person as shown in the fig 10.2 which
is very dangerous to life.

Metal Body of Electric Iron

Sub Station Consumer D.B

Neutral
Earthing

Fig. 10.2 Fault Current Path When no earth is provided

Hence from the above it is clear that the non-current carrying metallic parts
in the neighborhood of electrical circuits must be earthened, which ensures safety
to human life. The non-current carrying parts include the following:
(i) Motor body, switch gear metal enclosure, transformer tank, conduits of
wiring etc.
(ii) Support structures, tower poles etc.
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(iii) Sheaths of cables

(iv) Body of equipments such as iron, oven heater, kettle etc.
Electricity is dangerous. Death can occur even with 230-V shock.. The
equipment earthing is essential safety measure..
10.2 Types of Earthing
The various methods of earthing are as follows:
1. Rod earthing
2. Strip or wire earthing
3. Pipe earthing
4. Plate earthing
1. Rod earthing
This method of earthing is simple, cheap and does not need the excavation.
It is suitable for the areas which are having loose soil conditions or sandy.
In this system of earthing a 16mm dia. GI solid rod ( or 125m dia copper
rod 25mm GI pipe) of length not less than 2.5m driven vertically into the ground
either manually or by hammer. Sometimes it may be necessary to drive more
than one rod to reduce the earth resistance to desired value.
2. Strip or wire earthing
In this method of earthing a metal strip or wire is used as earthing electrode.
This type of earthing is preferred at places where soil is rocky with a earth bed
over it, because the excavation is difficult at such places.
In this system 24x4mm GI strip or 25x1.6m copper strip (or 6mm2GI wire
or 3mm square copper wire) is buried in horizontal trenches of minimum depth
0.5m. The length of the strength or wire depends upon the requirement of earth
resistance. It shall however be not less than15m. Sometimes it may be necessary
to use more than one-strip/ or wire laid in parallel or radial trenches.

Fig. 10.3 Strip Or Wire Earthing

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3. Pipe earthing
In this method of earthing,a 38mm internal diameter, perfornated galvanized
pipe of length 2.5mm is placed vertically (up right) in a permanently wet soil.
Where the rock is encountered at the length of less than 2.5m the electrode may
be buried inclined to the vertical.

Fig. 10.4 Pipe Earthing

The inclination should not be more than 30 degrees from the vertical. The
pipe is surrounded by a pieces of coke or charcoal and salt in alternate layers of
about 15cm around the pipe is used to decrease the resistance as shown in fig
10.4. Another pipe of 19mm dia and length 1.25m is connected through the
buried pipe through reducing socket.
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At the top of 19mm pipe a funnel is fited and is fastened in a cement

concrete work. For effective earthing water should be poured, 2 to 4 buckets
now and then through funnel particularly in summer.
The earthwire (either GI wire or pipe) is carried in a GI pipe of 12.7mm
diameter at a depth of 60cm from the ground level.
If it is necessary to reduce the depth of burial of a electrode under unavoidable
circumstances, this can be done without increasing the earth resistance. It is
achieved by using number of electrodes connecting them together. The distance
between two elecxtrodes in such case should not less than twice the length of
the electrode.
Acast iron cover is hinged in a small masonary work on the top of the
earthing to facilitate its identification and periodical checking etc.
4. Plate earthing

Fig. 10.5 Plate Earthing

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In this type of earthing a copper plate of dimension 60cm x 60cm x 3.15mm

or a GI plate of 60cm x 60cm x 6.3mm is used as an earth electrode. Plate
electrode should be buried with its face vertical such that the top edge is at a
depth of not less than 1.5m below the surface of the ground. The electrode is
surrounded by alternate layers of broken pieces of coke or salt. The earth wire
is securely bolted to the earth plate with the help of bolt, run and weather made
of copper for copper electrode and GI for GI electrode.
A cast iron cover is provided at the top of the earthing with a hing to facilitate
its identification and for its period checking.
When resistance of one plate earthing is higher than the required value
more than one plates should be earthed and connected together.
10.3 Selection of Earthing
Rod earthing is used very rarely but can be seen at agricultural pumps to
glow the lamps. Strip or wire earthing is used only at rocky soil areas.
To provide the earthing for refrigerators, air cooler, heater, geyzer, electric
iron (domestic appliances) etc., in house wiring installations and to provide the
earthing for pole mounted substations as well as distribution poles, pipe earthing
is sufficient.
Plate earthing is used for large installations such as sub-stations, transmission
towers etc.
The maximum permissible values of each resistance for satisfactory operation
are given below:
Large power stations=0.5 ohms
Major sub-stations=1.0 ohms
Small sub-station=2.0 ohms
In all other cases=8.0 ohms
Factors effecting the earth resistance
1. Soil condition (black soil, red soil, rocky soil, etc)
2. Moisture content in the soil.
3. Temperature of the soil.
4. Size of the earth electrode
5. Depth of the electrode embedded below the ground level.
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6. Material of the electrode

7. Quality of coal or charcoal pieces or powder.
8. Quantity of coal and salt.
10.3.1 Material Estimation
S.No. Specification of Material Qty. Remarks

1. G..I. Plate 60 cm x 60cm x 6.30 mm 1 No.

2. G.I. wire (8 SWG) 4m
3. 12.7 mm GI pipe 2m
4. 19mm GI Pipe 1.5 m For watering
5. G..I. nuts, bolts, check nut and washers 6 sets Four at point ‘A’

and two for funnel

6. G.I. bend 12.7 . 1 No. For connecting
earth wire
7. G.I. lugs 3 No.
8. Cast iron frame with hinges 30 x 30 cm 1 No.
9. Cast iron cover 30 x 30 cm 1 No.
10. Funnel with wire mesh 1 No. LS = Lump Sum
11. Charcoal or coke 20 kg
12. Salt 20 kg
13. Cement concrete L.S.
14 Caution plate painted 1 No.

Example 10.1: Draw a neat sketch of suitable earthing to be provided for

a 12kw industrial load and prepare the quantity estimate of material required.
Indicate the details giving dimensions.
Solution: Refer art for the sketch of pipe earthing with its dimensions.
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Schedule of Material

S.No. Specification of Material Qty. Remarks

1. 38 mm dia G.I. pipe perrforated 2.5 m

2. 19 mm G.I. pipe 1m
3. 12.7 mm GI pipe 2m
4. G.I. wire 8 SWG 6 m
5. G.I. (38x19mm) reducing socket 1 No.
6. G.I. lugs 2 No.
7. Nuts, bolts, locknut and washer for 19mm 2 sets
8. G.I. bends 12.7 mm 2 No.
9. 30x30 cm cast ironframe with hinges 1 No.
10. 30 x 30 cm cast iron cover 1 No.
11. Funnel with wire mesh 1 No.
12. Charcoal or Coal (pieces) 20 kg
13. Cement concrete L.S.
14 Caution plate painted 1 No. LS = Lump Sum

10.4 Measure of Earth Resistance

Earth resistance can be measured by Earth Tester or Megger. For satisfactory
operation, the approximate permissible values of earth resistance for various
applications are given below:
• Large power station .................................... = 0.5 ohms
• Major sub stations ................................... = 1.0 ohms
• Small sub stations ................................... = 2.0 ohms
• In all other cases .................................. = 5.0 to 8.0 ohms
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Short Answer Type Questions

1. What do you understand by the term earthing?
2. What is the necessity of earthing?
3. Explain the rod earthing?
4. Explain the strip or wire earthing?
5. What are the factors effecting earth resistance?
Or
State the factors on which the resistance of earth depends.
6. List the points to be earthened?
7. Draw the neat sketch of a dimensional pipe earthing and estimate the
quantity of material required for the same.
8. Draw the neat sketch of the dimensional plate earthing and estimate
the quantity of material required for the same.
Activities
1. Visist a pole mounted/plinth mounted transformer and watch earthing
system.
2. Visit a shopping Mall and watch the earthing method.
3. Visit a near by flour mill and watch earthing system.