EARTHING

To connect the metallic (conductive) Parts of an Electric appliance or installations to the earth
(ground) is called Earthing or Grounding. In other words, to connect the metallic parts of electric
machinery and devices to the earth plate or earth electrode (which is buried in the moisture earth)
through a thick conductor wire (which has very low resistance) for safety purpose is known as Earthing
or grounding.

To earth or earthing rather, means to connect the part of electrical apparatus such as metallic
covering of metals, earth terminal of socket cables, stay wires that do not carry current to the earth.
Earthing can be said as the connection of the neutral point of a power supply system to the earth so
as to avoid or minimize danger during discharge of electrical energy.

Why Earthing is Important?

The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of electrocution, fire due
to earth leakage of current through undesired path and to ensure that the potential of a current
carrying conductor does not rise with respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

When the metallic part of electrical appliances (parts that can conduct or allow passage of electric
current) comes in contact with a live wire, maybe due to failure of installations or failure in cable
insulation, the metal become charged and static charge accumulates on it. If a person touches such a
charged metal, the result is a severe shock.

To avoid such instances, the power supply systems and parts of appliances have to be earthed
so as to transfer the charge directly to the earth. This is why we need Electrical Earthing or Grounding
in electrical installation systems.

Why Earthing is Important?

Below are the basic needs of Earthing.
- To protect human lives as well as provide safety to electrical devices and appliances from
leakage current.
- To keep voltage as constant in the healthy phase (If fault occurs on any one phase).
- To Protect Electric system and buildings form lighting.
- To serve as a return conductor in electric traction system and communication.
- To avoid the risk of fire in electrical installation systems.

Different Terms used in Electrical Earthing

- Earth: The proper connection between electrical installation systems via conductor to the
buried plate in the earth is known as Earth.
- Earthed: When an electrical device, appliance or wiring systems connected to the earth
through earth electrode, it is known as earthed device or simple “Earthed”.
- Solidly Earthed: When an electric device, appliance or electrical installation is connected to
the earth electrode without a fuse, circuit breaker or resistance/Impedance, It is called “solidly
earthed”.
- Earth Electrode: When a conductor (or conductive plate) buried in the earth for electrical
earthing system. It is known to be Earth Electrode. Earth electrodes are in different shapes
like, conductive plate, conductive rod, metal water pipe or any other conductor with low
resistance.
- Earthing Lead: The conductor wire or conductive strip connected between Earth electrode
and Electrical installation system and devices in called Earthing lead.
 - Earth Continuity Conductor: The conductor wire, which is connected among different
electrical devices and appliances like, distribution board, different plugs and appliances etc.
in other words, the wire between earthing lead and electrical device or appliance is called
earth continuity conductor. It may be in the shape of metal pipe (fully or partial), or cable
metallic sheath or flexible wire.
- Sub Main Earthing Conductor: A wire connected between switch board and distribution board
i.e. that conductor is related to sub main circuits.
- Earth Resistance: This is the total resistance between earth electrode and earth in Ω (Ohms).
Earth resistance is the algebraic sum of the resistances of earth continuity conductor, earthing
lead, earth electrode and earth.

Components of Earthing System

A complete electrical earthing system consists on the following basic components.
Earth Continuity Conductor
Earthing Lead
Earth Electrode

Earth Continuity Conductor or Earth Wire

That part of the earthing system which interconnects the overall metallic parts of electrical
installation e.g. conduit, ducts, boxes, metallic shells of the switches, distribution boards, Switches,
fuses, Regulating and controlling devices, metallic parts of electrical machines such as, motors,
generators, transformers and the metallic framework where electrical devices and components are
installed is known as earth wire or earth continuity conductor as shown in the above fig.
The resistance of the earth continuity conductor is very low. According to IEEE rules,
resistance between consumer earth terminal and earth Continuity conductor (at the end) should
not be increased than 1Ω. In simple words, resistance of earth wire should be less than 1Ω.

Size of Earth Continuity Conductor

Size of the Earth Continuity Conductor or Earth Wire depends on the cable size used in the
wiring circuit. The cross sectional area of the Earth Continuity Conductor should not be less than the
half of the cross sectional area of the thickest wire used in the electrical wiring installation.
Generally, the size of the bare copper wire used as earth continuity conductor is 3SWG. But
keep in mind that, don’t use less than 14SWG as earth wire. Copper strip is also can be used as earth
continuity conductor instead of bare copper wire but don’t go for it until manufacture recommend it.

Earthing Lead or Earthing Joint

The conductor wire connected between earth continuity conductor and earth electrode or
earth plate is called earthing joint or “Earthing lead”. The point where earth continuity conductor and
earth electrode meet is known as “connecting point”.

Earthing lead is the final part of the earthing system which is connected to the earth electrode
(which is underground) through earth connecting point. There should be minimum joints in earthing
lead as well as lower in size and straight in the direction.
Generally, copper wire can be used as earthing lead but, copper / G.I. strip is also used for high
installation and it can handle the high fault current because of wider area than the copper wire. A hard
drawn bare copper wire is also used as an earthing lead. In this method, all earth conductors
connected to a common (one or more) connecting points and then, earthing lead is used to connect
earth electrode (earth plat) to the connecting point.

To increase the safety factor of installation, two connections are used as earthing lead to
connect the device metallic body to the earth electrode or earth grid.
Earthing System
Plate type Earthing
Generally for plate type earthing normal Practice is to use
• Cast iron plate of size 600 mm x600 mm x12 mm. OR
• Galvanized iron plate of size 600 mm x600 mm x6 mm. OR
• Copper plate of size 600 mm * 600 mm * 3.15 mm
• Plate burred at the depth of 8 feet in the vertical position and GI strip of size 50 mmx6 mm
bolted with the plate is brought up to the ground level.
• These types of earth pit shall filled with chemicals for improving soil resistivity.
Pipe type Earthing
For Pipe type earthing normal practice is to use GI pipe [C-class] of 75 mm diameter, 10 feet
long welded with 75 mm diameter GI flange having 6 numbers of holes for the connection of
earth wires and inserted in ground by auger method.
These types of earth pit shall filled with chemicals for improving soil resistivity.

Substation Earthing Grid

In high and medium voltage Air Insulated Substations (AIS) the electromagnetic field, which
causes are the static charges of bare cable and conductors and by the atmospheric conditions (surges),
induce voltages at no-live parts of the installation that create potential differences between metallic
parts and ground and between different points of the ground. Similar situations can occur when there
are faults between live parts of the installation and no-live parts, for example in phase-to-earth short
circuit.
These potential differences give origin to step potential and touch potential, or a combination
of both, that can lead to circulation of an electric current through the human body, that can cause
hazardous to people.
Touch voltage (Et) can be defined as the maximum potential difference that exists between
an earthed metallic structure capable to be touched by the hand and any point of the ground, when a
fault current flows. It is usual to consider a distance of 1 m between the metallic structure and the
point on the ground.
Step voltage (Es) is defined as the maximum potential difference that exists between the feet
when a fault current flows. It is usual to consider a distance of 1 m between the feet.
Other concepts are:
• Ground potential rise (GPR): The maximum electrical potential that a substation grounding
grid may attain relative to a distant grounding point assumed to be at the potential of remote
earth. This voltage, GPR, is equal to the maximum grid current times the grid resistance.
• Mesh voltage (Em): The maximum touch voltage within a mesh of a ground grid.
• Metal-to-metal touch voltage (Emm): The difference in potential between metallic objects or
structures within the substation site that may be bridged by direct hand-to-hand or hand-to-
feet contact.

Since earthing has an influence on the levels of power system overvoltages and fault current, and
the definition of protection systems, earthing system must be designed to ensure that there is proper
operation of the protective devices such as protective relaying and surge arresters.
Design and construction of earthing system must assure that system performs for the expected
life of the installation, and it must therefore consider future additions and the maximum fault current
for the ultimate configuration.
Earthing system is made of a mesh of buried bare copper / G.I. Strip and Rods, with additional earth
rods, and shall be calculated, being recommended to use IEEE Std. 80-2000.

Classification of Earthing System

A low voltage (LV) distribution system may be identified according to its earthing system. These
are defined using the five letters T (direct connection to earth), N (neutral), C (combined), S
(separate) and I (isolated from earth). The first letter denotes how the transformer neutral
(supply source) is earthed while the second letter denotes how the metal work of an installation
(frame) is earthed. The third and fourth letters indicate the functions of neutral and protective
conductors respectively. The electrical power network is shown in fig 4.

Figure 4: Power System Network

There are three possible configurations:

• TN: Transformer neutral earthed, frame connected to neutral. The TN system

includes three sub-systems: TN-C, TN-S and TN-C-S
• TT: Transformer neutral earthed and frame earthed.
• IT: Unearthed transformer neutral, earthed frame.
TN Earthing System
In a TN earthing system, the supply source (transformer neutral) is directly connected to earth
with one or more conductors and all exposed conductive parts of an installation are connected
to the neutral or protective earth conductor. The three sub-systems in TN earthing system are
described below with their key characteristics.
TN-C Earthing System
TN-C system has the following features:

• Neutral and protective functions are combined in a single conductor throughout the
system. (PEN—Protective Earthed Neutral).
• The supply source is directly connected to earth and all exposed conductive parts of
an installation are connected to the PEN conductor as shown in fig 5.

Figure 5: TN-C Earthing System

Advantages of TN-C Earthing System

• Earth fault loop impedance of TN-C earthing system is low.

• It does not require earth electrode at site.
• It is economical.
Disadvantages of the TN-C Earthing System

• TNC earthing system is least safe as compared to other earthing systems.

• TN-C system is less effective for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) problems.
• A fault in the LV network may cause touch voltages at other LV customers.
TN-S Earthing System
TN-S system has the following features:
 • A TN-S system has separate neutral and protective conductors throughout the
system.
• The supply source is directly connected to earth. All exposed conductive parts of an
installation are connected to a protective conductor (PE) via the main earthing
terminal of the installation as shown in fig 6.

Figure 6: TN-S Earthing System

Advantages of TN-S Earthing System

• Earth fault loop impedance is low.

• TN-S is the safest system.
• Electromagnetic interference is low.
• It does not require earth electrode at site.
• TN-S earthing system could work with simple over current protection.
Disadvantages of the TN-S Earthing System

• Low power factor (high inductance of long cable).

• Requires extra equal potential bonding.
• On occurrence of an insulation fault, the short-circuit current is high and may cause
damage to equipment or electromagnetic disturbance.
TN-C-S Earthing System
TN-C-S earthing system has the following features:

• Neutral and protective functions are combined in a single conductor in a part of the
TN-C-S system. The supply is TN-C and the arrangement in the installation is TN-S as
depicted in fig 7.
• Use of a TN-S downstream from a TN-C.
• All exposed conductive parts of an installation are connected to the PEN conductor
via the main earthing terminal and the neutral terminal, these terminals being linked
together.
 Figure
7: TN-C-S Earthing System
This type of distribution is known also as protective multiple earthing and the PEN conductor is
referred to as the combined neutral and earth (CNE) conductor.
The supply system PEN conductor is earthed at several points and an earth electrode may be
necessary at or near a consumer’s installation.
Advantages of TN-C-S Earthing System
• Safe system
• Less expensive.
Disadvantages of the TN-C-S Earthing System
In the TN-C-S system, the TN-C (4 wires) system must never be used downstream of the TN-S (5
wires) system, since any accidental interruption in the neutral on the upstream part would lead
to an interruption in the protective conductor in the downstream part and therefore a danger.
TT Earthing System
In this system, the supply source has a direct connection to earth. All exposed conductive parts
of an installation also are connected to an earth electrode that is electrically independent of the
source earth as shown in fig 8.
Figure 8: TT Earthing System
The fault loop impedance is higher, and unless the electrode impedance is very low indeed.
Advantages of TT System

• No risk of failure and suitable for premises where all AC power circuits are residual
current device (RCD) protected.
• Faults in the LV and MV grid do not migrate to other customers in the LV grid.
• Simple earthing of the installation and the easiest to implement.
Disadvantages of the TT Earthing System

• Each customer needs to install and maintain its own ground electrode. Safety and
protection depend on the customer, thus complete reliability is not assured.
• High over voltages may occur between all live parts and between live parts and PE
conductor.
• Possible overvoltage stress on equipment insulation of the installation.
IT System Earthing
In this system, the supply source is either connected to earth through deliberately introduced
high earthing impedance (Impedance earthed IT system) or is isolated from earth All exposed
conductive parts of an installation are connected to an earth electrode as shown in fig 9.
Figure 9: IT Earthing System
The conductive parts including metal body of the installations are connected to earthed through
one or more local earth electrodes. These local electrodes do not have any direct connection to
the source.
It is pertinent to mention here that single phase TT system shown in fig 9 is not used in India.
Advantages of IT system
The main advantages of IT system are:

• It improves the energy availability: this is interesting for applications where a loss of
electricity supply can cause a risk to people (in hospitals for example), or a financial
risk (for some process in industry).
• It can also eliminate the risks of fire or explosions in case of insulation fault, as the
faulty current is very low.
• It will increase electrical device life time, as faulty current is low, it causes less stress
on the equipment.
• Finally, it is possible to do preventive maintenance on the IT installation. Through the
permanent insulation monitor device, we can detect insulation drops before they
become insulation faults.
Disadvantages of IT system

• This system experience repeated arcing grounds.

• Insulation failure occurs during single phase to ground faults.
• Earth fault protection for unearthed system is difficult.
• Voltage due to lightning surges do not find path to earth.
Comparison of all Earthing Systems
Comparison of all earthing systems based on earth fault loop impedance, RCD preferred, need
earth electrode at site, PE conductor cost, etc. has been carried out as mentioned in Table 1.
Brief of earthing system adopted world-wide

• In India LT supply is generally through TN-S system. Neutral is double grounded at

distribution transformer, neutral and earth run separately on distribution overhead
line or cables. Additional earth electrode pits are installed at user ends for
strengthening earth.
• Most modern homes in Europe have TN-C-S earthing system. The combined neutral
and earth occurs between the nearest transformer substation and the service cut-out
(the fuse before the meter), separate earth and neutral cores are used in all the
internal wiring.
• In the areas of UK where underground power cabling is prevalent, the TN-S system is
common.
• In Australia, New Zealand and Israel, the TN-C-S system is in use. However, each
customer is must provide a separate connection to earth via a dedicated earth
electrode.
• TN-C-S earthing system is used in the USA and Canada whereas France, Italy, Japan
uses TT Earthing System.
• TT system in suitable for rural areas because of cost.
 The GI earthing conductor sizes for various equipment (Typical)

No Equipment Earth strip size

1 HT switchgear, structures, cable trays & 75 X 6 mm (GI)

fence, rails, gate and steel column

2 Lighting Arrestor 25 X 3 mm (Copper)

3 PLC Panel 25 X 3 mm (Copper)

4 DG & Transformer Neutral 50X6 mm (Copper)

5 Transformer Body 50×6 mm (GI)

6 Control & Relay Panel 25 X 6 mm (GI)

7 Lighting Panel & Local Panel 25 X 6 mm (GI)

8 Distribution Board 25 X 6 mm (GI)

9 Motor up to 5.5 kw 4 mm2 (GI)

10 Motor 5.5 kw to 55 kw 25 X 6 mm (GI)

11 Motor 22 kw to 55 kw 40 X 6 mm (GI)

12 Motor Above 55 kw 55 X 6 mm (GI)

Important:
All earthimg installation in a complex shall be interconnected to form a earthing grid. All
earth connection shall be taken it which may include
• Equipments
• Metallic Structures
• Tray, conduits, Electrical panels, DBs etc.
• Neutral of DG and Transformer
• Lightning Protection System
Only exception is Electronic earthing or any other specialized earthing, which shall be
carried out by means of insulated cables.