Earthing and Protection

Dr. Francis M Fernandez

Professor
Dept. of Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering Trivandrum
 Basics
National Crime Records Bureau Reports
Types of  2000+ death every year in fire due to electrical fault
Earthing

Performance
 10000+ death due to electrocution

Protection
 Plus many more unreported cases
Devices
 Loss of crores of rupees due to damage to property
Definitions

Lightning
Protection Can we stop this ?
Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Caused of Electrical Accidents
Types of Reason Result
Earthing
 Faulty and fried wiring  Insulation failure
Performance
 Too many equipment in  Over current
Protection Extension cords  Heat and fire
Devices
 Faulty electrical appliances  Electrocution
Definitions  Outdated circuit breakers
 Light fixtures and decorations
Lightning
Protection  Electrical switches and outlets
Earth Terminal  Unattended charging points
Design

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 Basics
Protection
Types of Basic Protection Fire prevention
Earthing
 Insulation of Live Parts  Smoke / Fire detection
Performance
 Barriers or Enclosure  Fire Suppression
Protection  Smoke / Fire sealing
Devices
Fault Protection  Evacuation
Definitions  Rules and regulations
 Automatic Disconnection of
Lightning
supply
Protection  Double insulation More than 95% of the accidents
Earth Terminal  Separation can be avoided if the supply is
Design  ELV System for Buildings disconnected within the
(Extra Low Voltage) stipulated time
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 Basics
Standards
Types of  IS 732 – Code for practice for Electrical Wiring Installations
Earthing

Performance
 IS 3043 – Code for Practice of Earthing

Protection
 NBC – National Building Code 2016
Devices
 IEEE 142
Definitions
 IEC 364
Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing Fundamentals
Types of
Earthing Line 1

Performance

Line 2
Protection
Devices
Fuse

Definitions

Load 1 Load 2
Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing Fundamentals
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing Fundamentals
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing Fundamentals
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Need for Earthing
Types of  Earthing for safety
Earthing
(Automatic disconnection of power supply)
Performance
 Voltage Reference of System (Neutral)
Protection
Devices  Dissipation of Lightning current
Definitions
 Base for Equipotentialisation
Lightning
Protection  Shielding against Electromagnetic interference
Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Types of Earthing
Types of  TN
Earthing
 TN-S
Performance
 TN-C T – Terre (soil)
N - Neutral
Protection  TN-C-S S – Separate
Devices
 TT C – Combined
Definitions  IT I - Isolated

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
TN-S System
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design There is a separate Protective Earthing line

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 Basics
TN-C System
Types of
Earthing L1
L2
Performance L3

PEN
Protection
Devices
EQPT
Definitions
Earthed at Earthed at
Lightning Source Distribution
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design Protective Earth and Neutral are Combined

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 Basics
TN-C-S System
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design Separate PE and N for one section and combined PE and N for the other
section

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 Basics
TT System
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design Earth current flows through ground only

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 Basics
IT System
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design No direct grounding at source side; insulation monitoring is essential

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 Basics
Compare Earthing Systems
Types of TT TN-S TN-C
Earthing L1
L2
L1
L2
L1
L2
L3 L3 L3
N N
PE PE PEN
Performance
EQPT EQPT EQPT

Protection Earthed at
Source
Protective Earthing
at Distribution
Earthed at
Source
Earthed at
Distribution
Earthed at
Source
Earthed at
Distribution
Devices

Definitions TN-C-S IT

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
TN-S System Loop Impedance
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection
Where
Earth Terminal U0 U0 = conventional voltage limits
Design Loop impedance, Z s 
Ia Ia = current ensuring the automatic operation
of disconnecting device

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 Basics
Importance of Loop Impedance
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions
Voltage = 240V OCPD – 250A MCCB
Lightning
Protection ZS ISC Action Remark
Earth Terminal 1.0 Ω 240 A Device will not trip Unsafe
Design 0.5 Ω 480 A Device will trip delayed Unsafe
0.1 Ω 2400 A Device will trip quickly Safe

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 Basics
Disconnection time as per IS 3043
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
220 volts fault
Design 0.17 sec for dry condition
0.035 sec for wet condition

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 Basics
Loop Impedance in TT System
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design Loop impedance is high; So RCD protection is essential

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 Basics
IT System
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions  As input to unearthed IT systems, either a transformer or an independent power

source, such as a battery or a generator are used.
Lightning  No high fault current flows in the event of a short circuit to exposed conductive part or
Protection an earth fault.
As required by the standards, an insulation monitoring device is mandatory in an IT
Earth Terminal system.
Design
 In an unearthed system, a first fault does not interrupt the system power supply and
therefore increases the availability of the system.

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 Basics
Comparison of Earthing Systems
Types of
Earthing TT IT TN-S TN-C TN-C-S
Earth fault loop
High Highest Low Low Low
Performance impedance
RCD preferred? Yes N/A Optional No Optional
Protection
Devices PE conductor cost Low Low Highest Least High

Definitions Risk of broken neutral No No High Highest High

Safety Safe Less Safe Safest Least Safe Safe

Lightning
Protection High loop Double fault, Broken Broken Broken
Safety risks
impedance overvoltage neutral neutral neutral
Earth Terminal
Design Safe and Continuity of Safety and
Advantages Safest Cost
reliable operation, cost cost

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 Basics
Applications
Types of
Earthing Type Applications
Performance Over head power distribution for residential / commercial from a common
TT Transformer. Every installation shall have an RCD and an earth electrode at Origin of
Protection installation
Devices
Industrial / commercial / IT Buildings with electronic systems and Transformer with in
TN-S
facility (transformer operated by the owner)
Definitions
TN-C Over Head Power Distribution up to Origin of an Installation.
Lightning
Over head power distribution for residential / commercial from a common Transformer.
Protection TN-C-S
RCD and earth electrode at origin of installation are optional.
Earth Terminal Hospitals / IT installation for a building or part of a building. Not suitable for different
Design IT
buildings with same supply

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 Basics
Overcurrent Protective Devices (OCPD)
Types of FUSE MCB MCCB ACB
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions
Tripping occurs due to overload, short circuit or earth fault.
Lightning For quick disconnection approx. 10 times rated current shall flow
Protection

Earth Terminal 220 volt fault Disconnection time in final circuit:

Design
Dry condition – 0.170 sec
Wet condition – 0.035 sec
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 Basics
Residual Current Protective Devices
Types of
Earthing ELCB RCCB RCBO

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection Voltage sensing Earth Residual Current Circuit Breaker Residual Current Breakover
Leakage Circuit Breaker
Earth Terminal Now obsolete RCCB + MCB
Design

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 Basics
RCCB Principle
Types of 2 Pole - RCCB 4 Pole - RCCB
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Electric Shock Levels
Types of  Electrical Sensation
Earthing
 0.3 mA to 0.4 mA
Performance  Perception Let-Go
 0.7 mA to 1.1 mA
Protection
Devices
 Maximum Let -Go Level
 10 mA (Female)
Definitions  16 mA (Male)
 Fibrillation Level
Lightning  50 mA for 0.2 Secs (female)
Protection
 75 mA for 0.5 Secs (Male)
Earth Terminal
Design
Automatic disconnection of supply should happen before the prescribed time

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 Basics
Definitions
Types of  Reference Earth — the conductive mass of the earth, whose electric potential
Earthing at any point of this mass of earth is taken as zero with reference to an earthing
system of electrical power system or electrical installations in a building.
Performance
 Earthing system - arrangement of connections and devices necessary to earth
Protection equipment or a system separately or jointly.
Devices  Earth Electrode — A conductor or group of conductors in intimate contact with
and providing an electrical connection to earth.
Definitions
 Earth grid – earth electrode in the form of two over lapping groups of buried,
Lightning parallel, horizontal electrodes usually laid approximately at right angle to each
Protection other with the electrodes bonded at each intersection. Earth grid provides
common ground for electrical devices and metallic structures.
Earth Terminal
Design  Earth Electrode Resistance — The resistance to earth of an earth electrode or
earth grid.

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 Basics
Definitions
Types of  Earth Fault Loop Impedance — The impedance of the earth fault current loop
Earthing
(phase-to-earth loop) starting and ending at the point of earth fault.
Performance  Earth Leakage Current — A current which flows to earth or to extraneous
conductive parts in a circuit which is electrically sound.
Protection
Devices  Earthing Conductor — A protective conductor connecting the main earthing
terminal to an earth electrode or to other means of earthing.
Definitions
 Electrically Independent Earth Electrodes — Earth electrodes located at such a
Lightning distance from one another that the maximum current likely to flow through
Protection one of them does not significantly affect the potential of the other(s).
Earth Terminal  Equipotential Bonding — Electrical connection putting various exposed
Design conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts at a substantially equal
potential.

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 Basics
Definitions
Types of  Functional Earthing — Connection to earth necessary for proper functioning of
Earthing electrical equipment
Performance  Neutral Conductor — A conductor connected to the neutral point of a system
and capable of contributing to the transmission of electrical energy.
Protection  PEN Conductor — A conductor combining the functions of both protective
Devices conductor and neutral conductor.
Definitions
 Earth Potential – Electric potential with respect to general mass of earth which
occurs in, or on the surface of the ground around an earth electrode when an
Lightning
electric current flows from the electrode to earth.
Protection  Earth Potential rise – Voltage between an earthing system and reference earth
Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Definitions
Types of  Equipotential Line or Contour — The locus of points having the same potential
Earthing at a given time.
Performance  Mutual Resistance of Grounding Electrodes — Equal to the voltage change in
one of them produced by a change of one ampere of direct current in the
Protection other and is expressed in ohms.
Devices  Earth Grid — A system of grounding electrodes consisting of inter-connected
connectors buried in the earth to provide a common ground for electrical
Definitions devices and metallic structures.
Lightning NOTE — The term 'earth grid' does not include 'earth mat'.
Protection
 Earth Mat — A grounding system formed by a grid of horizontally buried
Earth Terminal conductors and which serves to dissipate the earth fault current to earth and
Design also as an equipotential bonding conductor system.

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 Basics
Definitions
Types of  PME - Protective multiple earthing
Earthing

Performance  CNE - Combined neutral and earth

Protection  PEN - A conductor combining the functions of both
Devices protective conductor and neutral conductor
Definitions
 MET – Main Earthing Terminal
Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Statutory Provisions
Types of  All equipment of voltages of 250 volts to 650 volts shall be
Earthing
earthed by two separate and distinct connections with earth.
Performance  Each earth system shall be so devised that the testing of
individual earth electrode is possible.
Protection
Devices  As far as possible, all earth connections shall be visible for
inspection.
Definitions
 No cut-out, link or switch other than a linked switch arranged
Lightning
to operate simultaneously on the earthed or earthed neutral
Protection conductor and the live conductors, shall be inserted on any
supply system.
Earth Terminal
Design
 This, however, does not include the case of a switch for use in
controlling a generator or a transformer or a link for test purposes.

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 Basics
Reason for Accidents
Types of  Houses/shops/buildings etc - L.V public electricity distribution
Earthing
 Safety regulations and standards are not understood by Utilities. As a
Performance
result TT network is used without RCD
Protection  Conditions of ADS (automatic disconnection of supply) are not
Devices
followed by utilities. As a result protective device wont trip during
Definitions
fault.
 ADS will not work when powered from Generators / UPS / Inverters
Lightning
Protection
due to insufficient fault current.

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Reason for Accidents
Types of  Industrial / commercial / multistoried buildings (HT supply)
Earthing
 Safety regulations and standards are not understood. As a result TT
Performance network is used instead of TN-S with PME
Protection  Sources such as Transformer and DG – Neutral are earthed in soil
Devices separately creating high impedance path for fault current as a result
primary protective device will never operate during fault.
Definitions
 MET and equipotentialisation is unknown and not followed.
Lightning  Loop impedance test and ADS (Auto disconnection of supply) is not
Protection carried out.
Earth Terminal
 ADS will not work when powered from Generators / UPS / Inverters
Design
due to insufficient fault current.

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 Basics
Earthing for Lightning Protection
Types of
Earthing Type A Type B

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions
Type B Arrangement
(Ring Conductor)
Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing for Lightning Protection
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing for Lightning Protection
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earthing for Lightning Protection
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Significance of Earth Resistance
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Earth Electrodes
Types of Pipe Earthing Plate Earthing
Earthing
Ground level Cast Iron cover
Funnel with wire
mesh

Performance 60 cm
Cement concrete

1.25 m
(MIN)
Protection 12.7mm dia GI
19mm dia GI
pipe
Earth Wire
Devices pipe

Alternate layers
of charcoal and

Definitions salt

12 mm dia hole

2.5 m
Lightning (MIN) 38 mm dia GI pipe

Protection

Earth Terminal
Design New developments are coming up

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 Basics
Planning for Earth Terminal
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal Aesthetics, Effectiveness and maintenance requirements

Design
are to be considered

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 Basics
Structural Earthing
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Basics
Structural Earthing
Types of 1. air-termination conductor
Earthing 2. metal covering of the roof parapet
3. steel reinforcing rods
Performance
4. mesh conductors superimposed on the
Protection
reinforcement
Devices 5. joint of the mesh conductor
6. joint for an internal bonding bar
Definitions
7. connection made by welding or clamping
Lightning 8. arbitrary connection
Protection 9. steel reinforcement in concrete (with
superimposed mesh conductors)
Earth Terminal
Design 10.ring earthing electrode (if any)
11.foundation earthing electrode

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 Basics
Equipotential bonding
Types of
Earthing

Performance

Protection
Devices

Definitions

Lightning
Protection

Earth Terminal
Design

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 Thank You

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