Earthing Practice

IS
: 3043 1987
(Reaffirmed 2001 ) zyxwvutsrqponmlk
Indian Standard zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EARTHING
(First Revision)
Second Repriat FEBRUARY1998
UDC 621316.99:006.76
©zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
CopyrightzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
1988
B U R E A U O F I N D I A N S T A N D A R D S
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002
Price Rs 225.00 September 1988

IS 130431987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjih
Indian Standard zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ

(First Revision)
Electrical Installations Sectional Committee, ETDG 20 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQ
Chmrmmn
S H B I M. L. DONQKE
M3 Satyam, 88 Sion Circle, Bombay 400022
Members Representing
S H B I P. AMANTHABAMAN EngineerinChief's Branch, Army Headquarters ( Ministry of
Defence ) , New Delhi
SHBI S. K. SHANOABI ( Alternate)
SHBI P. D . BAOADE Tata Consulting Engineers, Bombay
S H B I R. K. K A U L ( Alternate)
S H B I V. S. BHATIA Siemens India Ltd, Bombay
S H B I M. M. SHKTHMA ( Alternate)
S H B I K. V. C H A U B A L Federation of Electricity Undertaking of India, Bombay
SHBI K. S. JOSHI ( Altirnatt)
SHBI R. R. CHOCDHUBI Larsen & Toubro ( Construction Group ) , Madras
S H B I N . BALASUBRAMANIAN ( Alternate )
CHIEF ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Railway Board ( Ministry of Railways ) , New Delhi
DEPUTY DIBECTOB STANDARDS ( ELEO )DI,
RDSO ( Alternate )
CHIEF ELECTRICAL IMSFKOTOB TO G O V E B N « B N T Chief Electrical Inspector to Government of Tamil Nadu, Madras
OF TAMIL NADTJ
ELECTBICAL INSPECTOR ( TECHNICAL ) TO
GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL N A D U ( Alternate)
CHIEF ENGINEER ( ELEC )I Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
SUPERINTENDENT SUBVKYOB o r W O R K S
( ELEC )I ( Alternate )
S H B I DEVENDKB N A T H Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Bombay
S H B I T . P. R. SABMA ( Alternate )
SHBI K. W. DHABMADHIKABI Jyoti Ltd, Vadodara
D B V. N. M A L L B B ( Alternate )
SHBI G. L. D C A Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd, New Delhi
S H B I S. K. SETHI ( Alternate )
S H B I R. G K H A N N A Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking, New Delhi
S H B I P. S. SAWHKKY (Alternate )
MEMBEB ( HYDROELECTBIC ) Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi
DIBECTOB ( HED )I ( Alternate)
ER S. PANEERSELVAM Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Madras
SHBI V. J A N A B D E A N A H (Alternate )
SHRI K. P. R. PILLAI Fact Engineering and Design Organization, Udhyogamandal
S H B I C. R. R. M E N O N ( Alternate )
SHBI V. R A D B A K R I S H N A N Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Hyderabad
S H B I H. S. R A O Crompton Greaves Ltd, Bombay
PBOF G. RAVEENDRAN N A I B Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government of Kerala, Trivandrum.
S H B I S. R. SARDA Maharashtra State Electricity Board, Bombay
S H B I R. SATHIYABAL Tariff Advisory Committee ( General Insurance ) , Bombay
S H B I K. K. MONDAL ( Alternate )
S H B I H. K. SITABAM Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Ltd, Calcutta
S H B I S. K. PALIT ( Alternate )
S H B I P. SBINIVASA POTI Karnataka Electricity Board, Bangalore
S H B I JOSEPH PHILOMBNY ( Alternate )
S H B I D , S. T A W A B I Electrical Engineer to Government of Maharashtra, Bombay
S H B I S. J. H A B I D A S ( Alternate )
S H B I G. N . T H A D A N I Engineers India Ltd, New Delhi
S H B I S. K, GHOSH (Alternate )
S H B I G. S. T H A K U B Chief Electrical Inspector, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal
S H B I V. T. W A B A N G Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking, Bombay
S H B I R. P . PATKL ( Alternate )
S H B I S. P. SACHDEV, Director General, BIS ( Ex-qfficio Member )
Director ( Elec tech )
Secretary
S H B I K. G A N E S H
Deputy Director ( Elec tech ) , BIS
( Continued on page 2 )
© Copyright 1988
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( X I V 1957 ) and production in whole or in part by
any means except with written permission of the publisher shall be deemed to be an infringment of copyright
under thesaid Act.
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
> 3643 ■ 1987
(zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Continuedfrompage I )
Panel for the Revision of IS : 3043, ETDC 20 : P38
Convener Representing
S U B i N. BALASOBBAMANIAN Larsen & Toubro ( Construction Group ) , Madras
Members
PBOF G. RAVEENDBAN N A I R Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government of Kerala, Trivandrum
S H B I V. S A T H T A N A T H A N Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Madras
S H B I G. S. THAKTJB Chief Electrical Inspector, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopai
S H B I R. SATHIYABAL Tariff Advisory Committee, Madras
S H B I K. P. R. PILLAI Fact Engineering and Design Organization, Udyogamandal zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfe
2
I S J zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX
CONTENTS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
Page zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb
0 . FOREWORD . . . 5
1. SCOPE . . . 6
SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES

2. TERMINOLOGY . . . ?
3. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION . . . 8
4. STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR EARTHING . . . 9
5. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF E A R T H E D AND U N E A R T H E D
SYSTEMS . . . 10
6. SYSTEM EARTHING . . . 11
7. EQUIPMENT EARTHING . . . 15
SECTION 2 CONNECTIONS T O EARTH

8. RESISTANCE TO E A R T H . . . 16
9. EARTH ELECTRODE . . . 19
10. CURRENT D E N S I T Y AT THE SURFACE OF AN E A R T H ELECTRODE . . . 27
11. VOLTAGE GRADIENT A R O U N D E A R T H ELECTRODES . . . 27
12. CONNECTIONS TO EARTH ELECTRODES — EARTHING AND PROTECTIVE
CONDUCTORS . . . 27
13. EARTHING ARRANGEMENT FOR PROTECTIVE PURPOSES . . . 32
14. EARTHING ARRANGEMENT FOR FUNCTIONAL PURPOSES . . . 32
15. EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMBINED PROTECTIVE AND
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSES . . . 32
16. EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING CONDUCTORS . . 33
17. TYPICAL SCHEMATIC OF EARTHING AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS . . . 33
SECTION 3 EARTH FAULT PROTECTION ON CONSUMER'S

PREMISES
18. EARTH F A U L T PROTECTION IN INSTALLATIONS . . . 34
19. SELECTION OF DEVICES FOR AUTOMATIC DISCONNECTION OF S U P P L Y . . . 39
SECTION 4 POWER S T A T I O N S , S U B S T A T I O N S A N D
OVERHEAD LINES
20. EARTHING IN POWER STATIONS AND SUBSTATIONS . . . 43
21. EARTHING ASSOCIATED*WITH O V E R H E A D POWER LINES . . . 52
SECTION 5 INDUSTRIAL PREMISES

22. GUIDELINES FOR EARTHING IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES . . . 53
SECTION 6 S T A N D B Y A N D OTHER PRIVATE GENERATING

PLANTS
23. EARTHING IN STANDBY AND O T H E R PRIVATE GENERATING PLANTS
( INCLUDING PORTABLE AND M O B I L E GENERATORS ) . . . 56
3
t 3049 19f7 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Page
SLCTION 7 MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX
24. PROTECTIVE MEASURES THROUGH EARTHING IN MEDICAL ESTABLISH
MENT . . . 64
25. SUPPLY CHARACTERISTICS AND PARAMETERS . . . 65
SECTION 8 S T A T I C A N D LIGHTNING PROTECTION EARTHING
( Under consideration. Clauses 26 and 27 reserved for Section 8 ) zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ
SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS I N S T A L L A T I O N S A N D
C O N S I D E R A T I O N S
28. EARTHING IN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AREAS 69
29. TELECOMMUNICATION CIRCUITS AND APPARATUS 70
30. BUILDING SITES 71
31. MINES AND QUARRIES 71
32. STREET LIGHTING AND OTHER ELECTRICALLY SUPPLIES STREET
FURNITURE 73
33. EARTHING OF CONDUCTORS FOR SAFE WORKING 74
34. MAINTENANCE OF EARTH ELECTRODES 76
SECTION 10 MEASUREMENTS A N D CALCULATIONS

35. CALCULATION OF EARTH FAULT CURRENTS . . . 76
36. MEASUREMENT OF EARTH RESISTIVITY . . . 77
37. MEASUREMENT OF EARTH ELECTRODE RESISTANCE . . . 79
38. MEASUREMENT OF EARTH LOOP IMPEDANCE . . . 80
SECTION 11 D A T A PROCESSING I N S T A L L A T I O N S
39. EARTHING REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATIONS OF DATA PROCESSING

EQUIPMENT #> 80
40. EXAMPLE OF USE OF TRANSFORMERS . . . 83
4
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX
i 3043 • 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlk
Indian Standard
(First Revision)
0 . F O R E W O R D
0.1 This Indian Standard ( First Revision ) was 0.5 Earthing associated with currentcarrying
adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards on conductor is normally essential to the security of
€ August 1987, after the draft finalized by the the system and is generally known as system
Electrical Installations Sectional Committee, had earthing, while earthing of noncurrent carrying
been approved by the Electrotechnical Division metal work and conductor is essentialto the safety
Council. of human life, animals and property, and is gene
rally known as equipment earthing.
0.2 The Indian Electricity Rules, together with
the supplementary regulations of the State Elec 0.6 Since the publication of this standard in 1966,
tricity Departments and Electricity Undertakings, considerable experience has been gained through
govern the electrical installation work in generat the implementation of its various stipulations.
ing stations, substations, industrial locations, Moreover, several new concepts have been intro
buildings, etc, in the country. To ensure safety duced the world over, on the understanding of
of life and apparatus against earth faults, it was functional and protective earthing with a view to
felt necessary to prepare a code of practice for take into account a variety of complex problems
earthing. This code of practice is intended to encountered in actual practice. In the context of
serve as a consolidated guide to all those who increased use of electric power and the associated
are concerned with the design, installation, inspec need for safety in the design of installations, it
tion and maintenance of electrical systems and had become necessary to prepare an overall
apparatus. revision of the earlier version of the Code.
0.3 The subject of earthing covers the problems 0.7 In this Code, the terms 'earthing' and
relating to conduction of electricity through 'grounding' are used synonymously. However,
earth. The terms earth and earthing have been this Code introduces several new terms ( see 2.15,
used in this code irrespective of reliance being 2.17, 2.28, etc ) and distinguishes earthing 'con
placed on the earth itself as a low impedance ductor' from 'protective conductor'.
return path of the fault current. As a matter of 0.8 This Code includes comprehensive guidelines
fact, the earth now rarely serves as a part of the on choosing the proper size of the various com
return circuit but is being used mainly for ponents ot the earthing system, particularly
fixing the voltage of system neutrals. The earth earthing and protective conductors as well as
connection improves seivice continuity and earth electrodes. Guidance included on determi
avoids damage to equipment and danger to nation of relevant 'k' factor depending on ( see
human life. Sec 2 ) material properties and boundary condi
tions, and the associated minimum crosssectional
0.4 The object or an earthing system is to provide area would assist in a more scientific design of the
as nearly as possible a surface under and around earthing system under various circumstances.
a station which shall be at a uniform potential
and as nearly zero or absolute earth potential as 0.9 For the first time, the Code also includes
possible. The purpose of this is to ensure that, in comprehensive guidelines on earth fault protec
general, all parts of apparatus other than live tion in consumers' premises to commensurate
parts, shall be at earth potential, as well as to with the provisions of IE RuUs 1956. It includes
ensure that operators and attendants shall be at specific guidelines on earthing system design to
earth potential at all times. Also by providing achieve the desired degree of shock hazard pro
such an earth surface of uniform potential under tection from earth leakages. The rules given in
and surrounding the station, there can exist no Section 3 of the Code should be read in conjunc
difference of potential in a short distance big tion with corresponding regulations given in the
enough to shock or injure an attendant when wiring code ( see IS : 732 ).
shortcircuits or other abnormal occurrences take
place. The recommendations in this code are 0.9.1 Protection against shock, both in normal
made in order that these objects may be carried service ( direct contact ) and in case of fault
out. ( indirect contact) can be achieved by several zyxwvutsrqpon
5
i 30431987
measures. Details of such protective measures and 0*11 For convenience of identifying areas of inter

guidance on their choice is the subject matter of est by any specific users of the Code, the infor
debate in the process of revision of IS : 732*. mation contained in this standard is divided into
Earth fault/leakage protection sought to be achie different Sections as follows:
ved through equi potential bonding and automatic
disconnection of supply is envisaged to prevent a Section 1 General guidelines;
touch voltage from persisting for such a duration Section 2 Connections to earth;
that would be harmful to human beings. Guid Section 3 Earthfault protection in con
ance on achieving this protection is covered in sumer's premises;
Sec 3 of the Code.
Section 4 Power stations, substations and
0.9.2 While detailed guidelines are covered in overhead lines; v
specific portions of the Code, the following shall Section 5 Industrial premises;
be noted: Section 6 Standby and other private gene
a) For solidly grounded systems, it shall be rating plant;
sufficient to check whether the characteris Section 7 Medical establishments;
tics of protective device for automatic
Section 8 Static and lightning protection
disconnection, earthing arrangements and grounding;
relevant impedances of the circuits are
properly coordinated to ensure that voltages Section 9 Miscellaneous installations and
appearing between simultaneously accessi considerations;
ble, exposed and extraneous conductive Section 10 Measurements and calculations;
parts are within the magnitudes that would and
not cause danger;
Section 11 Data processing installations.
b) For systems where the earthing is deemed 0.12 In the preparation of the Code, assistance
to be adequate, it shall be checked whether has been taken from the following:
the main overcurrent protective device is
capable of meeting the requirements in the I EC Pub 364 ( and Parts ) Electrical installa
wiring code; and tions in buildings. International Electro
technical Commission.
c) Where the main overcurrent protective
device did not fulfil the requirements or BS Document 84/21243 Draft standard code
where the earthing is considered inade revision of CP 1013:
of practice on earthing (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUT
quate, then a separate residual current 1965 ). British Standards Institution.
device would be necessary to be installed, ANSI/IEEE Std 1421982 IEEE Recommen
the earth fault loop impedance and the ded practice for grounding of industrial and
tripping characteristics so chosen that they commercial power systems. American
comply with safe touch voltage limits. National Standards Institute ( USA ).
0.|0 The revision of the Code aims at consolidat 0.13 For the purpose of deciding whether a parti
ing in one volume all the essential guidelines cular requirement of this standard is complied
needed for preparing a good earthing design in with, the final value, observed or calculated,
an electrical installation. The revision also expressing the result of a test or analysis shall be
attempts to be more elaborate than the earlier rounded off in accordance witrTIS : 21960*. The
version, especially in areas of specific interest number of significant places retained in the round
keeping in view the need and wide experience ed off value should be the same as that of the
gained the world over. specified value in this standard.
• Code of practice for electrical wiring installation. 'Rules for rounding off numerical values ( rnised }.
1. SCOPE current carrying metal work association with,

equipment, apparatus and appliance connected
1.1 This code of practice gives guidance on the to the system ( that is, equipment earthing ).
methods that may be adopted to earth an electri
cal system for the purpose of limiting the potential
( with respect to the general mass of the earth ) 1.2 This Code applies only to landbased installa
of current carrying conductors forming part of tions and it does not apply to ships, aircrafis or
the system, that is, system earthing and non offshore installations.
6
IS t 3043 1987
SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPO
2. TER M1NOLOGY 2.12 Earthed Concentric Wiring — A wiring

system in which one or more insulated conductors
2.0zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
For the purpose of this standard, the follow are completely surrounded throughout their length
ing definitions shall apply. by a conductor, for example, a sheath whicn acts
2.1 ArcSuppression Coil ( Peterson Coil) — as a PEN conductor.
An earthing reactor so designed that its reac 2.13 Earthing Conductor — A protective con
tance is such that the reactive curient to earth ductor connecting the main earthing terminal
under fault conditions balances the capacitance ( see 2.2 ) ( or the equipotential bonding conduc
current to earth flowing from the lines so that the tor oi an installation when there is no earth bus )
earth current at the fault is limited to practically t o a n earth electrode or to other means of earth
zero. ing.
2.2 Bonding Conductor — A protective con 2.14 Electrically Independent Earth Electro
ductor providing equipotential bonding. des — Earth electrodes located at such a distance
2.3 Class I Equipment — Equipment in which from one another that the maximum current
protection against electric shock does not rely on likely to flow through one of them does not signi
basic insulation only, but which includes means ficantly affect the potential of the other(s).
for the connection of exposed conductive parts to 2.15 Equipotential Bonding — Elecirical con
a protective conductor in the fixed wiring of the nection putting various exposed conductive parts
installation. and extraneous conductive parts at a substantially
Nor* — For information on classification of equip equal potential.
ment with regard to means provided for protection
NOTE — In a building installation, equipotential
against electric shock (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
su IS : 94091980* ).
bonding conductors shall interconnect the following
2.4 Class II Equipment — Equipment in which conductive parts:
protection against electric shock does not rely on a) Protective conductor;
basic insulation only, but in which additional b) Earth continuity conductor; and
safety precautions such as. supplementary insula c) Risers of airconditioning systems and heating
tion are provided, there being no provision for systems ( if any ).
the connection of exposed metalwork of the equip
ment to a protective conductor, and no reliance 2.16 Exposed Conductive Part — A conductive
upon precautions to be taken in the fixed wiring part of equipment which can be touched and
of the installation. which is not a Jive part but which may become
live under fault conditions.
2.5 Dead — The term used to describe a device
or circuit to indicate that a voltage is not applied. 2.17 Extraneous Condctive Part — A conduc
tive part liable to transmit a potential including
2.6 Double Insulation —r Insulation comprising earth potential md not forming part of the elec
both basic and supplementary insulation. trical installation.
2.7 Earth — The conductive mass of the earth, 2.18 Final Circuit — A circuit connected direc
whose electric potential at any point is conven tly to currentusing equipment or to a socket
tionally taken as zero. outlet or socket outlets or other outlet points for
the connection of such equipment.
2.8 Earth Electrode — A conductor or group of
conductors in intimate contact with and providing 2.19 Functional Earthing — Connection to
an electrical connection to earth. earth necessary for proper functioning of electrical
equipment ( see 29.1 ).
2.9 Earth Electrode Resistance — The resis
tance of an earth electrode to earth. 2.20 Live Part — A conductor or conductive
part intended to be energized in normal use
2.10 Earth Fault Loop Impedance — The including a neutral conductor but, by convention,
impedance of the earth fault current loop ( phase not a PEN conductor.
toearth loop ) starting and ending at the point
of earth fault. 2.21 Main Earthing Terminal — The terminal
2.11 Earth Leakage Current — A current or bar ( which is the equipotential bonding con
which flows to earth or to extraneous conductive ductor ) provided for the connection of protective
parts in a circuit which is electrically sound. conductors and the conductors of functional ear
thing, if any, to the means of earthing.
NOTB — This current may have a capacitive com
ponent including that resulting from the deliberate use 2.22 Neutral Conductor — A conductor connec
of capacitors. ted to the neutral point of a system and capable
'Classification of electrical and electronic equipment of contributing to the transmission of electrical
with regard to protection against electric shock. energy.
7
t 3043 . 1987
2.23 PEN Conductor — A conductor combin NOTB 2 — This term applies for livestock in loca
ing the functions of both protective conductor and tions specifically intended for these animals.
neutral conductor. 2.33 Supplementary Insulation — Independ
2.24 Portable Equipment — Equipment which ent insulation applied in addition to basicv insula
is moved while in operation or which can easily tion, in order to provide protection against
be moved from one place to another while conne electric shock in the event of a failure of basic
cted to the supply. insulation.
2.25 Potential Gradient ( At a P o i n t ) — The 2.34 Switchgear — An assembly of main and
potential difference per unit length measured in auxiliary switching apparatus for operation, regu
the direction in which it is maximum. lation, protection or other control of electrical
installations.
N O T * 1 — When an electric force is due to poten
tial difference, it is equal to the potential gradient. NOTB — A more comprehensive definition of the
NOTB 2 — Potential gradient is expressed in volts term 'Switchgear' can be had from IS : 1885 ( Part
per unit length. 17 )1979».
2.26 Protective Conductor — A conductor used 2.35 Voltage, Nominal — Voltage by which an
as a measure of protection against electric shock installation ( or part of an installation ) is desig
and intended for connecting any of the following nated.
parts:
2.36 Touch Voltage — The potential difference
a) Exposed conductive parts, between a grounded metallic structure and a point
b) Extraneous conductive parts, on the earth's surface separated by a distance
equal to the normal maximum horizontal reach,
c) Main earthing terminal, and approximately one metre ( see Fig. 1 ).
d) Earthed point of the source or an artificial
neutral. 2.37 Step Voltage — The potential difference
between two points on the earth's surface, separa
2.27 Reinforced Insulation — Single insulation ted by distance of one pace, that will be assumed
applied to live parts, which provides a degree of to be one metre in the direction of maximum
protection against electric shock equivalent to potential gradient ( see Fig. 1 ).
double insulation under the conditions specified in
the relevant standard. 2.38 Equipotential Line or Contour — The
NOTB — The term 'single insulation' does not imply
locus of points having the same potential at a
that the insulation has to be one homogeneous piece. It given time.
may comprise several layers that cannot be tested singly
as supplementary or basic insulation. 2.39 Mutual Resistance of Grounding Elect
rodes — Equal to the voltage change in one of
2.28 Residual Current Device — A mechani them produced by a change of one ampere of
cal switching device or association of devices direct current in the other and is expressed in
intended to cause the opening of the contacts ohms.
when the residual current attains a given value
under specified conditions. 2.40 Earth Grid — A system of grounding elec
2.29 Residual Operating Current — Residual trodes consisting of interconnected connectors
current which causes the residual current device buried in the earth to provide a common ground
to operate under specified conditions. for electrical devices and metallic structures.
2.30 Resistance Area ( For an Earth Elec NOTE—The term 'earth grid' does not include
trode only ) — The surface area of ground 'earth mat'.
( around an earth electrode ) on which a signifi
cant voltage gradient may exist. 2.41 Earth Mat — A grounding system formed
by a grid of horizontally buried conductors and
2.31 Safety Extra Low Voltage —zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
See IS : which serves to dissipate the earth fault current to
94091980*. earth and also as an equipotential bonding con
2.32 Simultaneously Accessible Parts — Con ductor system.
ductors or conductive parts which can be touched
simultaneously by a person or, where applicable, 3. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
by livestock. 3.1 When the earthing of a consumer's installa
NOTE 1 — Simultaneously accessible parts may be: tion is being planned, prior consultation shall take
a) live parts, place between the consultant or contractor and
b) exposed conductive parts, the supply authority. Where necessary, con ;ulta
c) extraneous conductive parts, tions with the Posts & Telegraphs Department
d) protective conductors, and shall also be carried out in order to avoid any
e) earth electrodes. interference with the telecommunication system.
• Classification of electrical and electronic equipment ♦ Electrotechnical vocabulary: Part 17 Switchgear and
with regard to protection against electrical shock. (first revision). zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU
controlgearzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHG
8
i 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqpon
| R I Q R F RX zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV
£ STEP
I R0U R1
"*T7
POTENTIAL RISE ABOVE REMOTE

EARTH DURING SHORT CIRCUIT
STEP VOLTAGE AT A GROUNDED STRUCTURE j
E TOUCH Rl
]R 0 IK
POTENTIAL RISE ABOVE REMOTE

EARTH DURING SHORT CIRCUIT
TOUCH VOLTAGE AT A GROUNDED STRUCTURE

Fio. 1 S T E P A N D T O U C H VOLTAGES
4. STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR 4.3 Earth electrodes shall be provided at generat
EARTHING ing stations, substations and consumer premises
in accordance with the requirements of this
4.1 Earting shall generally be carried out in Code.
accordance with the requirements ofzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Indian Electri-
city Rides 1956, as amended from time to time and .4.4 As far as possible, all earth connections shall
the relevant regulations of the Electricity Supply be Visible for inspection.
Authority concerned.
4.2 All medium voltage equipment shall be 4.5 All connections shall be carefully made; if
earthed by two separate and distinct connections they are poorly made or inadequate for the pur
with earth. In the case of highland extra high pose for which they are intended, loss of life or
voltages, the neutral points shall be earthed by serious personal injury may result.
not less than two separate and distinct connec
tions with earth, each having its own electrode at 4.6 Each earth system shall be so devised that the
the generating station or substation and may be testing of individual earth electrode is possible. It
earthed at any other point provided no interfer is recommended that the value of any earth
ence is caused by such earthing. If necessary, the system resistance shall be such as to conform with
neutral may be earthed through a suitable the degree of shock protection desired.
impedance. 4.7 It is recommended that a drawing showing
the main earth connection and earth electrodes be
4.2.1 In cases where direct earthing may prove prepared for each installation.
harmful rather than provide safety ( for example,
high frequency and mains frequency coreless 4.8 No addition to the currentcarrying system,
induction furnaces ), relaxation may be obtained either temporary or permanent, shall be made
from the competent authority. which will increase the maximum available earth
9
IS : 3043 . 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
fault current or its duration until it has been switching and motor control equipment. It is
ascertained that the existing arrangement of earth generally recognized that protection under such
electrodes, earth busbar, etc, are capable of circumstances is possible by fast and sensitive
carrying the new value of earth fault current detection of the arcing fault current and interrup
which may be obtained by this addition. tion within 1020 cycles. In solidly earthed
neutral systems, this is possible as an arcing fault
4.9 No cutout, link or switch other than a linked would produce a current in the ground path,
switch arranged to operate simultaneously on the thereby providing an easy means of detection and
earthed or earthed neutral conductor and the live tripping against phasetoground arcing fault
conductors, shall be inserted on any supply breakdowns.
system. This, however, does not include the case
of a switch for use in controlling a generator or 5.4 Location of Faults
a transformer or a link for test purposes.
5.4.1 On an unearthed system, a ground fault
4.10 All materials, fittings, etc, used in earthing does not open the circuit. Some means of detect
shall conform to Indian Standard specifications, ing the presence of a ground fault requires to be
wherever these exist. installed In earthed system, an accidental ground
5. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE fault is both indicated at least partially located
OF EARTHED OR UNEARTHED by an automatic interruption of the accidentally
SYSTEM grounded circuit or piece of equipment.
5.1 Service Continuity 5.5 Safety
5.1.1 A number of industrial plant systems have 5.5.1 Whether or not a system is grounded,
been operated unearthed at one or more voltage protection of personnel and property from hazards
levels. This is basically guided by the thought of require thorough grounding of equipment and
gaining an additional degree of service continuity structures. Proper grounding results in less likeli
varying in its importance depending on the type hood of accidents to personnel. Other hazards of
of plant. Earthed systems are in most cases desi shock and fire may result from inadequate groun
gned so that circuit protective devices will remove ding of equipment in unearthed and earthed
the faulty circuit from the system regardless of systems. However, relatively high fault currents
the type of fault. However, experience has shown associated with solidly earthed system may pre
that in a number of systems, greater service conti sent a hazard to workers from exposure to hot
nuity may be obtained with earthedneutral than arc products and flying molten metal. This pro
with unearthed neutral systems. tection is, however, reduced because of use of
metalenclosed equipment.
5.2 Multiple Faults to Ground
5.2.1 While a ground fault on one phase of an 5.6 Abnormal Voltage Hazards
unearthed system generally does not cause a 5.6.1 The possible overvoltages on the unear
service interruption, the occurrence of a second thed system may cause more frequent failures of
ground fault on a different phase before the first equipment than is the system, if earthed. A fault
fault is cleared, does result in an outage; The on one phase of an unearthed or impedance
longer a ground fault is allowed to remain on an grounded system places a sustained increased
unearthed system, greater is the likelihood of a voltage on the insulation of ungrounded phases
second one occurring in another phase and repairs in a 3phase system. This voltage is about 1*73
are required to restore service. With an unear times the normal voltage on the insulation. This
thed system, an organized maintenance pro or other sustained overvoltages on the unearthed
gramme is therefore extremely important so that system may not immediately cause failure of
faults are located and removed soon after detec insulation but may tend to reduce the life of the
tion. insulation. Some of the more common sources of
Experience has shown that multiple ground overvoltages on a power system are the follow
faults are rarely, if ever, experienced on earthed ing:
neutral systems.
a) Lightning,
5.3 Arcing Fault Burndowns b) Switching surges,
5.3.1 In typical cases, an arcing fault becomes c) Static,
established between two or more phase conductors
in an unearthed systems or between phase and d) Contact with a high voltage system,
ground in a solidly earthedneutral system. This e) Linetoground fault,
would result in s c e r e damage or destruction to f) Resonant conditions, and
equipment. However, arcing fault current levels
may be so low that phase overcurrent protective g) Restriking ground faults.
• devices do not operate to remove the fault quickly. 5.6.2 Surge arresters are recommended for
Such faults are characteristic of open or covered lightning protection. Grounding under such cases
fuses, particularly in switchgcar or metalenclosed are separately discussed in Section 8. Neutral
10
t 3043 • 1987
grounding is not likely to reduce the total magni earthing is designed to give protection, the pro
tude of overvoltage produced by lightning or tective gear will operate to make the faulty main
switching surges. It can, however, distribute the or plant harmless. In most cases, such operation
voltage between phases and reduce the possibility involves isolation of the faulty main or plant, for
of excessive voltage stress on the phasetoground example, by circuitbreakers or fuses.
insulation of a particular phase. A system ground
connection even of relatively high resistance can 6.0.4 In the case of underground systems, there
is no difficulty whatever but, for example, in the
effectively prevent static voltage buildup (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see
Sec 8 ). Even under conditions of an HV line case of overheadline systems protected by fuses
breaking and falling on an LV system, an effecti or circuitbreakers fitted with overcurrent protec
vely grounded LV system will hold the system tion only, there may be difficulty in arranging
neutral close to the ground potential thus limiting that the value of the system earthresistance is
the overvoltage. An unearthed system will be such that a conductor falling and making good
subjected to resonant overvoltages. Field experi contact with the ground results in operation of
ence and theoretical studies have shown the world the protection. A low systemearth resistance
over that arcing, restriking or vibrating ground is required even in the cases where an arc
faults on unearthed systems can, under certain suppression coil is installed, as its operation may
conditions, produce surge voltages as high as 6 be frustrated by too high an earthelectrode
times the normal voltage. Neutral grounding is resistance.
effective in reducing transient build up by reduc 6.0.5 Earthing may not give protection against
ing the neutral displacement from ground poten faults that are not essentially earth faults. For
tial and the destructiveness of any high frequency example, if a phase conductor on an overhead spur
voltage oscillations following each arc initiation line breaks, and the part remote from the supply
or restrike. falls to the ground, it is unlikely that any protec
tive gear relying on earthing, other than current
5.7 Cost balance protection at the substation, will operate
5.7.1 The cost differential between earthed since the earthfault current circuit includes the
and unearthed neutral system will vary, depend impedance of the load that would be high relative
ing on the method of grounding the degree of to the rest of the circuit.
protection desired, and whether a new or an 6.0.6 For the purposes of this code of practice,
existing system is to be earthed. it is convenient to consider a system as comprising
a source of energy and an installation; the former
6. SYSTEM EARTHING including the supply cables to the latter.
6.0 Basic Objectives
6.1 Classification of Systems Based on
6.0.1 Earthing of system is designed primarily Types of System Earthing
to preserve the security of the system by ensuring
that the potential on each conductor is restricted 6.1.1 Internationally, it has been agreed to
to such a value as is consistent with the level of classify the earthing systems as TN System, TT
insulation applied. From the point of view of System and IT System. They are:
safety, it is equally important that earthing should a) TN system — has one or more points of the
ensure efficient and fast operation of protective source of energy directly earthed, and the
gear in the case of earth faults. Most high voltage exposed and extraneous conductive parts
public supply systems are earthed. Approval has of the installation are connected by means
been given in recent years to unearthed overhead of protective conductors to the earthed
line systems in certain countries, but these have point(s) of the source, that is, there is a
only been small 11 kV systems derived from metallic path for earth fault currents to
33 kV mains, where the capacity earth current is flow from the installation to the earthed
less than 4 A and circumstances are such that the point(s) of the source. TN systerns are
system will not be appreciably extended. further subdivided into TNG, TNS and
6.0.2 The limitation of earthing to one point TNCS systems.
on each system is designed to prevent the passage b) TT system — has one or more points of the
of current through the earth under normal condi source of energy directly earthed and the
tions, and thus to avoid the accompanying risks exposed and extraneous conductive parts
of electrolysis and interference with communica of the installation are connected to a local
tion circuits. With a suitable designed system, earth electrode or electrodes are electri
properly operated and maintained, earthing at cally independent of the source earth (s).
several points may be permitted. This method of
earthing becomes economically essential in sys c) IT system — has the source either unear
tems at 200 kV and upwards. thed or earthed through a high impedance
and the exposed conductive parts of the
6.0.3 The system earthresistance should be installation are connected to electrically
such that, when any fault occurs against which independent earth electrodes.
11
I S : 3 0 4 3 . 1987
6.1.2zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
It is also recognized that, in practice, a couductor throughout the system ( for
system may be an admixture of type for the pur example earthed concentric wiring (see
poses of this code, earthing systems are designated Fig. 4 ).
as follows:
d) TN-C-S Systtm — The neutral and protec
TN-S System {for 240 Vsingle phase domestic!
a) zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA tive functions are combined in a single
commercial supply ) — Systems where there conductor but only in part of the system
are separate neutral and protective con ( set Fig 5 ).
ductors throughout the system. A system
where the metallic path between the e) T-TN-S System {for 6-6\ll kV thtee-phase
installation and the source of energy is the bulk supply ) — The consumers installation,
sheath and armouring of the supply cable a TNS system receiving power at a captive
( see Fig. 2 ). substation through a delta connected
b) Indian TN-S System {for 415 V three-phase transformer primary ( see Fig. 6 ).
domestic commercial supply ) — An independ
ent earth electrode within the consumer's f) TT System {for 415V three-phase industrial
premises is necessary ( See Fig. 3 ). supply ) — Same as 6.1.1 (b) ( see Fig 7. ).
Indian TNC-System—The neutral and pro
c) zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA g) IT System Same as 6.1.1 (c) ( see
tective functons are combined in a single Fig. 8 ).
SOURCE OF ENERGY
L2
L3
N
• PE
SOURCE f zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
EARTH { EXPOSED
I CONOUCTIVE
PART
EQUIPMENT INzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
\
INSTALLATION 'CONSUMER
INSTALLATION
NOTE — The protective conductor ( FE ) is the metallic covering ( armour or load sheath of the cable supplying
the installation or a separate conductor ).
. AH exposed conductive parts of an installation are connected to this protective conductor via main earthing
terminal of the installation.
Fio. 2 TNS SYSTEM SEPARATE NEUTRAL AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM,
230V SIMPLE PHASE. DOMESTIC/COMMERCIAL SUPPLY FOR 3~TNS ( >SM FIO. 3 )
SOURCE OF ENERGY
_ 1 i LI
L2
N
PE
r — _ _
r i ' i i i
i <
! J~ — i ; A o r<> A A j
i
415 V Three phase Domestic/Commercial supply having 3 <~ and 1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ
r~ loads.
All exposed conductive parts of the installation are connected to protective conductor via the main earthing
terminal'of the installation. An independent earth electrode within the consumer's permises is necessary.
FIO. 3 INDIAN TNS SYSTEM
12
IS t 3843 • 1987 zyxwvutsrqponm
SOURCE OF ENERGY

— LI
— L2
— 1 3
—COMBINEO
CE IzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
SOURC 0 I ADDITIONAL
T
PE & N
CONDUCTOR
" i It v.^

EART I SOURCE EARTH
j (MAY BE PROVIDED)
I
3 ^CONSUMER / \EXPOSEO CONDUCTIVE \ \ ^ • > INSTALLATION

PARTS
All exposed conductive parts are connected to the PEN conductor. For 3 /— consumer, local earth electrode has

to be provided in addition.
Fio. 4 INDIAN TNC SYSTEM ( NEUTRAL AND PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS COMBINED IN

A SINGLE CONDUCTOR THROUGHOUT SYSTEM )
COMBINED
PE &. N
C0N0UCTDR
The usual form of a TNCS system it at shown, where the supply it TNC and the arrangement in the
installations in TNS.
This type of distribution is known also as Protective Multiple Earthing and the PEN conductor it 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.
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.
The protective neutral bonding ( PNB ) is a variant of TNCS with single point earthing.
FIQ. 5 TNCS SYSTEM, NEUTRAL AND PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS COMBINED IN A SINGLE
CONDUCTOR IN A PART OF THE SYSTEM
13
IS t 3043 • 1987
SOURCE OF ENERGY zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
rr
CONSUMER
INSTALLATION
" " T"
i ! |
6 6 6
' 3 ^ LOAD
1
CONSUMER
INSTALLATION
I , <>
ii i
iJ ^ *
1
<
1«
A 6 6 6 '
3~LOAD < zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONM
>LOAD
t_
66/11 kV Three phase bulk supply.
Fio. 6 TTNS SYSTEM
SOURCE OF ENERGY
■ LI
L2
■ L3
■ N
SOURCE
EARTH
J ( i 0 v
NSTALLATION
CONSUMER |
if 6 6 6
EARTH
ELECTRODE
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
INSTALLATION | T3L
415 V Three phase industrial supply having 3 r~ and 1 ~ loads.
All exposed conductive parts of the installation are connected to an earth electrode which is electrically inde
pendent of the source earth. Single phase T T system not present in India.
Fio. 7 TT SYSTEM
SOURCE OF
ENERGY
X^ !_.' L J 1 J L
All exposed conductive parts of an installation are connected to an earth eleetrode.
The source is either connected to earth through a deliberately introduced earthing impedance or is isolated
from earth.
Fio. 8 IT SYSTEM
14
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcba
: 3043 < 1987
6.2 Marking of Earthing/Protective Conduc shock voltages exposure to persons in the
tor area;
6.2.1 The earthing and protective conductor 2) to provide current carrying capability, both
see also
shall be marked as given in Table 1 (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
in magnitude and duration, adequate to
IS : 113531986*). accept the ground fault current permitted
TABLE 1 MARKING OF CONDUCTORS
by the overcurrent protective system with
out creating a fire or explosive hazard to
DESIGNA I D E N T I F I C A T I O N B Y CoLOTJB
TION o» * , building or contents; and
C O N D U C T O R Alphanu Graphical 3) to contribute to better performance of the
meric Symbol electrical system.
Notation
Earth No colour other 7.0.2 Voltage Exposure — When there is un
than colour of intentional contact between an energized electric
the bare con conductor and the metal frame or structure that
ductor
encloses it ( or is adjacent, the frame or structure
Protective PB Green and yellow
conductor tends to become energized to the same voltage
level as exists on the energized conductor. To
6.2.2 Use of Bi-Colour Combination — Green and avoid this appearance of this dangerous, exposed
Yellow — The bicolour combination, green and shock hazard voltage, the equipment grounding
yellow ( green/yellow ), shall be used for identify conductor must present a low impedance path
ing the protective conductor and for no other from the stricken frame to the zero potential
purpose. This is the only colour code recognized ground junction. The impedance should also be
for identifying the protective conductor. sufficiently low enough to accept the full magni
tude of the linetoground fault current without
Bare conductors or busbars, used as protective creating an impedance voltage drop large enough
conductors, shall be coloured by equally broad to be dangerous.
green and yellow stripes, each 15 mm up to 100
mm wide, close together, either throughout the 7.0.3 Avoidance of Thermal Distress — The
length of each conductor or in each compartment earthing conductor must also function to conduct
or unit or at each accessible position. If adhesive the full ground fault current ( both magnitude
tape is used, only bicoloured tape shall be and duration) without excessively raising the
applied. temperature of the earthing conductor or causing
the expulsion of arcs and sparks that could initiate
For insulated conductors, the combination of
a fire or explosion. The total impedance of the
the colours, green and yellow, shall be such that,
fault circuit including the grounding conductor
on any 15 mm length of insulated conductor, one
should also permit the required current amplitude
of these colours covers at least 30 percent and
to cause operation of the protective system.
not more than 70 percent of the surface of the
conductor, the other colour covering the remain 7.0.4 Preservation of System Performance?— The
der of that surface. earthing conductor must return the ground fault
N O T E — Where the protective conductor can be current on a circuit without introducing enough
easily identified from its shape, Construction or position, additional impedance to an extent that would
for example, a concentric conductor, then colour impair the operating performance of the overcurr
coding throughout its length is not necessary but the
ends or accessible positions should be clearly identified ent protective device, that is, a higher than
by a symbol or t h e bicolour combination, green and necessary groundcircuit impedance would be
yellow. acceptable if there is no impairment of the per
7. EQUIPMENT EARTHING formance characteristics of the protective system.
7.0 Basic Objectives 7.1 Classification of Equipment with Regard
7.0.1 The basic objectives of equipment to Protection Against Electric Shock
grounding are:
7.1.1 Table 2 gives the principal characteris
1) to ensure freedom from dangerous electric tics of equipment according to this classification
• Guide for uniform system of marking and identifica and indicates the precautions necessary for safety
tion of conductors and apparatus terminals. in the event of failure of the basic insulation.
TABLE 2 CLASSIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT
C L A S S 0 C L A S S I C L A S S I I C L A S S I I I
Principal No means of Protective Additional insula Designed for supply
characteristics protective earthing means tion and no means at safety extra
of equipment earthing provided for protective low voltage
earting
Precautions for Earth free Connection to None necessary Connection to safety
safety environment the protective extra low voltage
earthing
15
IS : 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
SECTION 2 CONNECTIONS T O EARTH
8. RESISTANCE TO EARTH concentration of salts dissolved in the contained
water. Grain size and distribution, and closeness
8.0 Nature of Earthing Resistance of packing are also contributory factors since they
The earthing resistance of an electrode is control the manner in which the moisture is held
made up of: in the soil. Many of these factors vary locally and
some seasonally so that the table should only be
a) resistance of the ( metal ) electrode, taken as a general guide.
b) contact resistance between the electrode
and the soil, and Local values should be verified by actual mea
c) resistance of the soil from the electrode sur surement, and this is especially important where
face outward in the geometry set up for the the soil is stratified as, owing to the dispersion of
flow of current outward from the electrode the earth current, the effective resistivity depends
to infinite earth; not only on the surface layers but also on the
underlying geological formation.
The first two factors are very small fractions of
an ohm and can be neglected for all practical pur It should also be noted that soil temperature
see 8.7 ), but is only important
poses. The factor of soil resistivity is discussed has some effect (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQP
in 8.1. near and below freezing point, necessitating the
installation of earth electrodes at depths to which
8.1 Soil Resistivity frost will not penetrate. It is, therefore, recom
8.1.1 The resistance to earth of a given elec mended that the first metre of any earth electrode
trode depends upon the electrical resistivity of should not be regarded as being effective under
the soil in which it is installed. This factor is, frost conditions.
therefore, important in deciding which of many
While the fundamental nature and properties
protective systems to adopt.
of a soil in a given area cannot be changed, use
The type of soil largely determines its resisti can be made of purely local conditions in choosing
vity and examples are given in Table 3. Earth suitable electrode sites and methods of preparing
conductivity is, however, essentially electrolytic the site selected to secure the optimum resistivity.
in nature and is affected, by the moisture content These measures may be summarized as in 8.2
of the soil and by the chemical composition and to 8.7.
TABLE 3 EXAMPLES OF SOIL RESISTIVITY
T Y P E o r S O I L C L I M A T I C C O K D I T I O N
r— ' ■■ ■ " '■ ■
Normal and High Low Rainfall and Underground
Rainfall ( For Desert Condition ( For Waters
Example, Greater Examples, Less than ( Saline )
than 500 mm a Year ) 250 m m a Year )
Probable Range of Range of Range of

value values values values
encountered encountered encountered
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Q.m i i . m Q . m Q.m
Alluvium and lighter clays 5 • • 1 to 5
Clays ( excluding alluvium ) 10 5 to 20 10 to 100
Marls ( for example, keuper marl ) 20 10 to 30 50 to 300
Porous lime&tone ( for example, chalk ) 50 30 to 100
Porous sandstone (for example, keuper 100 30 to 300
sandstone and clay shales )
Quartzites, compact and crystalline 300 100 to 1 000
limestone ( for example, carbonife
rous marble, etc )
Clay slates and slatey shales 1 000 300 to 3 000 1 000 upwards 30 to 100
Granite 1 000
Fossile slates, schists gneiss igneous 2 000 1 000 upwards
rocks
• Depends on water level of locality
16
IS < 3043 • 1987
W h e r e there is any option, a site should be for the insertion of vertical electrodes or where
chosen in one of t h e following types of soil in the strip electrodes are laid radially under shallow
order of preference given: areas of low resistivity overlaying rock strata, ben
tonite packing will increase the contact efficiency
a) W e t marshy ground (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
seezyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
8.3 );
with the general mass of ground.
b) Clay, loamy soil, arable land, clayey soil,
clayey soil or loam mixed with small q u a n 8.6 Effect o f M o i s t u r e C o n t e n t o n E a r t h
tities of sand; R e s i s t i v i t y — Moisture content is one of the
c) Clay a n d loam mixed with varying propor controlling factors in earth resistivity. Figure 9
tions of sand, gravel a n d stones; shows the variation of resistivity of red clay soil
with percentage of moisture. T h e moisture content
d) D a m p a n d wet sand, peat. is expressed in percent by weight of the dry soil.
Dry sand, gravel chalk, limestone, granite a n d Dry earth weighs about 1 440 kg per cubic metre
any very stony ground should be avoided, a n d also a n d thus 10 percent moisture content is equivalent
all locations where virgin rock i s very close to the to 144 kg of water per cubic metre of dry soil. I t
surface. will be seen from Fig. 9 that above about 20 per
cent moisture, t h e resistivity is very little affected,
8.3 A site should b e chosen t h a t is not naturally while below 20 percent the resistivity increases
welldrained. A waterlogged situation is not, very abruptly with the decrease in moisture con
however, essential, unless the soil is sand or gra tent. A difference of a few percent moisture will
vel, as in general no advantage results from a n therefore, make a very marked difference in t h e
increase in moisture content above about 15 to 20 effectiveness of e a r t h connection if the moisture
percent. Care should be taken to avoid a site kept content falls below 20 percent. T h e n o r m a l mois
moist by water flowing over it ( for example, the ture content of soils ranges from 10 percent in dry
bed of a stream ) as the beneficial salts m a y be seasons to 35 percent in wet seasons, a n d a n a p
entirely removed from the soil in such situations. proximate average may be perhaps 16 to 18 per
8.4 W h e r e building has taken place, the site con cent.
ditions m a y be altered by disturbance of the local I t should be recognized, however, that mois
stratification a n d natural geological formation ture alone is not the predominant factor in the low
when the electrodes h a v e to be installed in this resistivity of soils; for example, earth electrodes
disturbed area. driven directly in the beds of rivers or mountain
If a cut a n d fill exercise has been carried out streams m a y present very high resistance to e a r t h .
then the t o p layer may b e similar to the n a t u r a l If the water is relatively pure, it will be high resis
formation but increased in d e p t h , w h e t h e r it is tivity a n d unless the soil contains sufficient
good or b a d in terms of resistivity. n a t u r a l elements to form a conducting electrolyte,
the a b u n d a n c e of water will not provide the soil
If a n imported fill exercise has been carried with adequate conductivity. T h e value ' o f high
out, the conditions of the upper layers m a y be moisture content in soils is advantageous in increas
altered considerably. ing the solubility of existing n a t u r a l elements i n
the soil, a n d in providing for the solubility of in
I n these cases, deeper driving of the electrode gredients which m a y b e artificially introduced t o
m a y b e necessary to reach layers of reasonable improve the soil conductivity.
resistivity a n d also to reach stable ground, such
that the value of t h e electrode resistance remains 8.7 Effect o f T e m p e r a t u r e o n E a r t h R e s i s
stable if t h e t o p layers of the ground dry out. t a n c e — T h e t e m p e r a t u r e coefficient of resistivity
for soil is negative, but is negligible for tempera
8.5 Soil treatment to improve earth electrode con
tures above freezing point. At about 20°C, t h e
tact resistance m a y b e applied in special or diffi
resistivity change is about 9 percent per degree
cult locations, but migration a n d leaching of
Celsius. Below 0°C t h e water in the soil begins t o
applied chemicals over a period of time reduces
freeze a n d introduces a tremendous increase in the
the efficiency of t h e system progressively, requiring
temperature coefficient, so t h a t as the t e m p e r a t u r e
constant monitoring a n d replacement of the a d d i
becomes lower the resistivity rises enormously. I t
tives. Ecological considerations are inherent be
is, therefore, recommended t h a t in areas where
fore such t r e a t m e n t is commenced a n d any dele
the t e m p e r a t u r e is expected to be quite low, the
terious effect u p o n electrode material has to b e
earth electrodes should b e installed well below t h e
taken into account. H o w e v e r , for some temporary
frost line. W h e r e winter seasons are severe, this
electrical installations in areas of high ground resis
may be about 2 metres below the surface, whereas
tivity, this m a y be t h e most economic method for
in mild climates the frost m a y penetrate only a
obtaining satisfactory earth contact over a short
few centimetres or perhaps t h e ground may not
period of working. If a greater degree of p e r m a n
freeze at all. E a r t h electrodes which are not driven
ence is envisaged, e a r t h electrodes packaged in
below the first depth m a y have a very great vari
material such as bentonite are preferable.
ation in resistance throughout the seasons of the
Bentonite or similar material m a y b e used to year. Even when driven below the frost line, there
a d v a n t a g e in rocky terrain. W h e r e holes are bored is some variation, because t h e upper soil, w h e n zyxwvutsrqpon
17
IS : 3043 1987
frozen, presents a decided increase in soil resisti 8.8.1 With average or high moisture content,
vity and has the effect of shortening the active these agents form a conducting electrolyte through
length of electrode in contact with soil of normal out a wide region surrounding the earth elec
resistivity. trode. Approximately 90 percent of the resistance
8.8 Artificial T r e a t m e n t of Soil — Multiple between a driven rod and earth lies within a radi
rods, even in large number, may sometime fail to us of about two metres from the rod. This should
produce an adequately low resistance to earth. be kept in mind when applying the agents for
This condition arises in installations involving artificial treatment of soil. The simplest applica
soils of high resistivity. The alternative is to reduce tion is by excavating a shallow basin around the
the resistivity of the soil immediately surrounding top of the rod, one metre in diameter and about
the earth electrode. To reduce the soil resistivity, 30 cm deep, and applying the artificial agent in
it is necessary to dissolve in the moisture, norm this basin. The basin should subsequently be filled
ally contained in the soil, some substance which is several times with water, which should be allowed
highly conductive in its water solution. The most each time to soak into the ground, thus carrying
commonly used substances are sodium chloride the artificial treatment, in electrolyte form, to con
( NaCl ), also known as common salt, calcium siderable depths and allowing the artificial agent
chloride ( CaClj ), sodium carbonate ( Na s CO s ), to become diffused throughout the greater part
copper sulphate ( CuS0 4 ), salt, and soft coke, and of the effective cylinder of earth surrounding the
salt and charcoal in suitable proportions. driven rod. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSR
400
it
300
'"
.
200
4 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
■
o zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
*
>
>
f—
100
1_ _
E
1 T
A
==EEEEEEEE============
0 5 K) 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
MOISTURE IN SOIL,PERCENT
FIG. 9 VARIATION OF SOIL RESISTIVITY WITH MOISTURE CONTENT
18
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZY
: 3043 • 2987
8.8.2 The reduction in soil resistivity effected the other two, thus a pipe, rod or strip has a much
by salt is shown by the curve in Fig. 10. The salt lower resistance than a plate of equal surface area.
content is expressed in percent by weight of the The resistance is not, however, inversely propor
contained moisture. It will be noted that the tional to the surface area of the electrode.
curve flattens off at about 5 percent salt content and
a further increase in salt gives but little decrease 9.2 Resistance of Common Types of Earth
in the soil resistivity. T h e effect of salt will be Electrodes
different for different kinds of soil and for various
moisture contents but the curve will convey an 9.2.1 Plates — The approximate resistance to
idea of how the soil conductivity can be impro earth of a plate can be calculated from: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc
ved. Decreasing the soil resistivity causes a corres
R
ponding decrease in the resistance of a driven
earth electrode. ~ i:\/irohms
where
400
p «■ = resistivity of the soil ( assumed uni
Ul 350
form ) ( in Q.m); and
a
«
b l
A = area of both sides of the plate (in m* ).
5 300
5 Where the resistance of a single plate is higher
5 240 than the required value, two or more plates may
? be used in parallel and the total resistance is than
=? 200 inversely proportional to the number employed,
c
in provided that each plate is installed outside the
«fc 1*0 resistance area of any other. This normally requi
o res a separation of about 10 m but for sizes of plate
* ■
» too generally employed, a separation of 2 ni is suffi

> zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA cient to ensure that the total resistance will not
«VI sn zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA exceed the value obtained from the above formula
u by more than 20 percent. Even at the latter spac
<£
0 2 4 6 « 10 12 1 * IB ing, it is generally more economical to use two
PERCENT OF SALT IN MOISTURE
plates in parallel, each of a given size, than one of
twice that size. The size employed is, therefore,
Fio. 10 VARIATION OF SOIL RESISTIVITY WITH normally not greater than 12 x l ' 2 m .
SALT ( Nacl ) CONTENT, CLAY S O I L
HAVING 3 PERCENT MOISTURE Plate electrodes shall be of the size at least 60
cm x 60 cm. Plates are generally of cast iron not
less than 12 mm thick and preferably ribbed. The
8.8.3 In close texture soils, the artificial treat earth connection should be joined to the plate at
ment may be effective over a period of many years. not less than two separate points. Plate electrodes,
However, it is recommended that annual or bi when made of GI or steel, shall be not less than
annual measurements of earth resistivity should 6*3 mm in thickness. Plate electrodes of Cu shalL
be made to find out if additional treatment is be not less than 3*15 mm in thickness.
needed.
Suitable methods of jointing are a taper pin
8.8.4 In using artificial treatment, the possible driven into a reamed hole and riveted over or a
corrosive effect of the salt on the driven rods and copper stud screwed into a tapped hole and rive
connections should be considered. The possible ted. Such joints should be protected by a heavy
contamination of the domestic water supply should coat of bitumen. The connection between the
also be considered. earth plate and the disconnecting link should be set
vertically and the depth of setting should be such
9. EARTH ELECTRODES as to ensure that the surrounding soil is always
9.1 Effect of Shape on Electrode Resistance damp The minimum cover should be 600 mm ex
cept that where the underlying stratum is solid,
9.1.1 With all electrodes other than extended for example, chalk or sandstone and near the sur
systems, the greater part of the fall in potential face, the top of the plate should be level with the
occurs in the soil within a few feet of the electrode top of the solid stratum. Sufficient solid stratum
surface, since it is here that the current density is should be removed and replaced with fine soil or
highest. T o . obtain a low overall resistance the other suitable infill to ensure as low a resistance
current density should be as low as possible in the as possible.
medium adjacent to the electrode, which should
be so designed as to cause the current density to The use of coke breeze as an infill is not
decrease rapidly with distance from the electrode. recommended as it may result in rapid corrosion
This requirement is met by making the dimensi not only of the electrode itself but also of cable
ons in one direction large compared with those in sheaths, etc, to which it may be bonded.
19
i 3043 • 1987
The resistancezyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
R ( in O ) of a 12 m x 1*2 m Driven rods generally consist of round copper,
plate is given approximately by the formula: steelcored copper or galvanized steel ( see 9.2.8 )
13, 16 or 19 mm in diameter from 1 220 to 2 440
mm in length. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQ
R zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
275
For conventional sizes, the resistance is appro
ximately inversely proportional to the linear di 2S0 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONML
mensions, not the surface area, that is a 0*9 m x
0*9 m plate would have a resistance approximately
25 percent higher than a 1 2 x 1 2 m plate. The w 200 & 25 mm
current loading capacity of a 1*2 m x l ' 2 m plate o
z
is of the order of 1 600 A for 2 s and 1 300 A for < <t> 100 mm
3 s. v> 150
qk 13 m m
Plate electrodes shall be buried such that its top zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONM
UJ
/
edge is at a depth not less than 1 5 m from the a. / /
100
surface of the ground. However, the depth at
which plates are set should be such as to ensure
that the surrounding soil is always damp. Where ID 50 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONM
the underlying stratum is solid, for example chalk u
or sandstone and near the surface, the top of the <
plate should be approximately level with the top
of the solid stratum. 12 2-i. 36 48
LENGTH OF PIPE ( m )
9.2.2 Pipes or Rods — The resistance of a pipe
or rod electrode is given by:
100 p Fio. 11 EFFECT OF LENGTH OF P I P E ELECTRODE
R log 0 —T- ohms
2 T C / ON CALCULATED RESISTANCE FOR SOIL
RESISTIVITY OF 100 Q m ( ASSUMED UNIFORM )
where
/ = length of rod or pipe ( i n cm ), Cruciform and star shaped sections are also
d = diameter of rod or pipe in cm, and available and are more rigid while being driven,
but the apparent additional surface does not con
p «= resistivity of the soil ( in £}.m )
fer a noticeable advantage in currentcarrying
( assumed uniform ). capacity or reduction of resistance. In circumstan
ces where it is convenient to do so, the addition
The curves of Fig. 11 are calculated from this of radial strips will be advantageous.
equation for electrodes of 13, 25 and 100 mm dia
meter respectively in a soil of lOOQ.m respectively.
Change of diameter has a relatively minor effect Such rods may be coupled together to give
and size of pipe is generally governed by resis longer lengths. Except in special conditions, a
tance to bending or splitting.lt is apparent that number of rods in parallel are to be preferred to
the resistance diminishes rapidly with the first few a single long rod. Deeply driven rods are, how
feet of driving, but less so at depths greater than ver, effective where the soil resistivity decreases
2 to 3 m in soil of uniform resistivity. with depth or where substrata of low resistivity
occur at depths greater than those with rods, for
A number of rods or pipes may be connected economic reasons, are normally driven. In such
in parallel and the resistance is then practically cases the decrease of resistance with depth of dri
proportional to the reciprocal of the number em ving may be very considerable as is shown by the
ployed so long as each is situated outside the resis measurements plotted in Fig. 12 for a number of
tance area of any other. In practice, this is satis sites; for curves Ax and A t , it was known
fied by a mutual separation equal to the driven from previously sunk boreholes that the soil
depth. Little is to be gained by separation beyond down to a depth between 6 and 9 m consisted of
tvvice the driven depth. A substantial gain is ballast, sand and gravel below which occurred
effected even at 2 m separation. London clay. The rapid reduction in resistance,
when the electrodes penetrated the latter, was
Pipes may be of cast iron of not less than 100 very marked.. The mean resistivity up to a depth
mm diameter, 25 to 3 m long and 13 mm thick. of 8 m in one case was 150Qm; at 11 m the mean
Such pipes cannot be driven satisfactorily and value for the whole depth was 20 Cl m moving to
may, therefore, be more expensive to instal than the low resistivity of the clay stratum. Similarly
plates for the same effective area. Alternatively, for curve C, the transition from gravely soil to
mild steel waterpipes of 38 to 50 mm diameter are clayey at a depth of about 1 5 m was very effec
sometimes employed. These can be driven but are tive. In the case of curve B, however, no such mar
less durable than copper rods. ked effect occurred; although there was a gradual
20
t 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqpo
300
200
100
ao
40
P = 20 000flcrr.
a zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
20
PrIQOOOficm zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTS
u
z
<
w 10
(/> 8 • ~ \ . Ap = 5000n cm
ui zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
u. 6
LENGTH OF DRIVEN ELECTRODE m

*»
Fio. 12 CALCULATED AND EXPERIMENTAL CURVES OF RESISTANCE OF 13 mm DIA
DRIVEN ELECTRODES
reduction in average resistivity with increase in des shall be according to 12.1.1. If round conduc
depth, as can be seen by comparison with the dot tors are used as earth electrodes, their cross
ted curves, which are calculated on the assumption sectional area shall inot be less than the sizes
of uniform resistivity. recommended for strip electrodes. The resistance
R is given by:
Other factors that affect a decision whether to
drive deep electrodes or to employ several rods or lOOp
pipes in parallel are the steep rise in the energy loge _2/*_ ohms
2*/ w t
required to drive them with increase in depth and
the cost of couplings. The former can be offset by where
reducing die diameter of the rods, since a 13 mm
diameter rod can be driven to considerable depths
without deformation or bending if the technique p — resistivity of the soil ( i n Q.m ) ( assu
of using a large number of comparatively light med uniform);
blows is adopted rather than a smaller number of
blows with a sledge hammer. Powerdriven ham / = length of the strip in cm;
mers suitable for this purpose are available.
w «= depth of burial of the electrode in cm;
and
In cases where impenetrable strata or high
resistivity soil occur at relatively small depths, con t = width ( i n the case of strip ) or twice
siderable advantage may result from driving rods the diameter ( fir conductors ) in cm.
at an angle of about 30° to the horizontal, thus
increasing the length installed for a given depth. Care should be taken in positioning these elec
trodes, especially to avoid damage by agricultural
operations.
9.2.3 Strip or Conductor Electrodes — These
have special advantages where high resistivity soil
underlies shallow surface layers of low resistivity. Figure 13 shows the variation oi calculated
T h e minimum crosssectional area of strip electro earthresistance of strip or conductor electrodes
21
IS : 3043 * 1987
with length for a soil resistivity of 100 Q.m. The cessary in most circumstances subject to the pro
effect of conductor size and depth over the range vision of earthing facilities that are satisfactory
normally used is very small. before these bonding connections are made.
If several strip electrodes are required for con For existing installations in which a water pipe
nection in parallel in order to reduce the resis is used as a sole earth electrode; an independent
tance, they may be installed in parallel lines or they means of earthing should be provided at the first
may radiate from a point. In the former case, the practicable opportunity.
resistance of two strips at a separation of 2*4 m is
less than 65 percent of the individual resistance of
9.2.5 Cable Sheaths — Where an extensive
either of them. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
underground cable system is available, the lead
sheath and armour form a most effective earth
electrode. In the majority of cases, the resistance
to earth of such a system is less than 1 Q.A freshly
installed jute or hessian served cable is insulated
from earth, but the insulation resistance of the
jute deteriorates according to the moisture content
and nature of the soil. However, cable sheaths are
more commonly used to provide a metallic path
to the fault current returning to the neutral.
9.2.6 Structural Steelwork — The resistance to

earth of steel frames or reinforced concrete build
ings will vary considerably according to the type
of soil and its moisture content, and the design of
60 120 180 240 300
the stanchion bases. For this reason, it is essential
LENGTH(m) to measure the resistance to earth of any structu
ral steetwork that it is employing and at frequent
intervals thereafter.
FIG. 13 EFFECT OF LENGTH OF STRIP OR
CONDUCTOR ELECTRODES IN CALCULATED
RESISTANCE FOR SOIL RESISTIVITY OF 100 fim NOTE — Special care is necessary where the cons
( ASSUMED UNIFORM ) truction includes prestressed concrete.
9.2.7 Reinforcement of Piles — At power stations

Water Pipes — Water pipes shall not be and large substations, it is often possible to secure
an effective earthelectrode by making use of the
usedjas consumer earth electrodes. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
reinforcement in concrete piles. The earth strap
should be bonded to a minimum of four piles and
NOTE — In urban districts and other areas where all the piles between the bonds should be bonded
piped water supply is available the use of water pipes together. Each set of four piles should be connec
for consumers' earth electrodes has been common in the ted to the mai nngearthistrap of the substation.
past. Though this was generally very effective when
consumers' pipes and watermains to which they were
connected were all metaltometal joints, the use of
public waterpipes for this purpose has not been accep 9.2.8 Cathodically Protected Structures — Cathodic
table for many years because of the use of nonconduc protection is normally applied to ferrous struc
ting material for pipes on new installations and for tures in order to counteract electrolytic corrosion
replacement purposes. Jointing techniques now being
used do not ensure electrical continuity of metallic at a metal to electrolyte interface.
pipes.
The electrolyte is generally the ground in

For new installations, therefore, a public water which the structure is either wholly or partially
pipe may not be used as a means of earthing. buried and the protection system relies upon
Metallic pipe systems of services other than water maintaining the metalwork at a slightly more
service ( for example, for flammable liquids or negative potential than it would exhibit by half
gases, heating systems, etc ) shall not be used as cell measurements, if no corrective action had
earth electrodes for protective purposes. Bonding been taken.
of the water service with the exposed metalwork
of the electrical installation ( on the consumers'
side of any insulating insert ) and any other extra The application of cathodic protection varies
neous metalwork to the installation earthing according to circumstances between bare metal in
terminal is, however, permissible and indeed ne contact with ground and metal that has been
22
IS : 3043 1987 zyxwvutsr
deliberately coated or wrapped against corrosion. tinned or not, is entirely satisfactory ( subject to
In the latter case, cathodic protection is used to the precautions given in this subclause), the aver
supplement the coating and guard against localized age loss in weight of specimens 150 mm X 25
corrosion due to coating flaws or faults. Protective mm X 3 mm buried for 12 years in no case exceed
system current drain is proportional to the area of 0*2 percent per year. Corresponding average
bare metal in earth contact and if a normal losses for unprotected ferrous specimens ( for
earthing electrode is attached to a cathodically example, cast iron, wrought iron or mild steel) used
protected structure, the increased drain current in the tests were as high as 2"2 percent per year.
taken by the electrode could be completely unac Considerable and apparently permanent protection
ceptable. This is especially true where the system appears to be given to mild steel by galvanizing,
has been designed to protect a well wrapped or the test showing galvanized mild steel to be little
coated structure. inferior to copper with an average loss not greater
than 0'5 percent per year. Only in a few cases
Nevertheless, there may be a necessity to con was there any indication in all these tests that
nect earth electrodes to cathodically protected corrosion was accelerating and in these cases the
structures, especially where the coating or wrapp indications were not very significant.
ing tends to electrically insulate the structure from
ground, for example: The possibility on damage to cables and other
underground services and structural metalwork in
a) diversion of earth fault currents from elec the vicinity of earthelectrode due to electrolytic
trical apparatus mounted on the structure; action between dissimilar materials should not be
b) diversion of stray current to ground, a prob overlooked when the material for earthelectrodes
lem often met where well coated pipelines is selected. Materials compatible with other metal
ire substantially parallel to the route of a structures in the vicinity should be selected or
high voltage overhead line; other remedial action taken.
c) prevention of elevated voltages where struc It may be essential to use materials of types
tures encroach into hazardous ( flamma other than those mentioned earlier in special cir
ble ) areas; and cumstances, when cathodically protected structures
d) Prevention of power surges into the appara such as pipelines are encountered.
tus providing cathodic protection, or similar
invasion of delicate low current instrumen
tation circuits. A modern high pressure gas pipeline, wrapped
and cathodically protected may have a galvanic
In addition to the guidance given in 9.3, potential of — 0 5 V, the accepted material of cop
selection of metals for earth electrodes and deter per for an earth electrode with a galvanic potential
mination of their ground contact area is most of —0 2 V decreases the total galvanic voltage and
important where cathodically protected structures increases the need for current from the corrosion
are involved. protection impressed current system, when the
earth electrode is connected to the pipeline.
The material selected should exhibit a galvanic
potential with respect to ground as nearly equal An earth electrode with a galvanic potential
to that exhibited by the structure in its natural nearer to the protected structure has, to be used to
or unprotected condition. For ferrous structures, overcome the above and be certain the pipeline is
austenitic iron ( austenitic cast nickel chromium being protected. Such a material is termed an
alloy with spheroidal graphite present ) is often austenitic iron and is an austenitic cast nickel
used. Vertically driven rods of this material are chromium alloy, with spheroidal graphite present.
preferred in order to minimize contact area and
thus reduce cathodic protection drain, whilst It may be necessary to earth the pipeline for
obtaining optimum performance from the electro one or more of the following reasons:
de. Copper should be avoided, wherever possible,
not only for its increased drain but also for its a) It should not 'on its own be a carrier of any
ability to become cathodic to the protected struc low voltage fault current,
ture. Magnesium or zinc electrodes have been b) It may have low voltage equipment connec
used successfully, but are anodic to the protected ted to it, for example, for the purpose of
structure and thus sacrificial in action. valve operation;
9.3 Selection o f Metals for EarthElectrodes c) It may have instrumentation connected to
— Although electrode material does not affect ini it that require it to be earthed for this pur
tial earth resistance, care should be taken to select pose and to provide a signal reference earth
a material that is resistant to corrosion in the type as well as for earthing requirement relative
of soil in which it will be used. Tests in a wide to electrical equipment used in hazardous
variety of soils have shown that copper, whether areas; and zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUT
23
> 3043 • 1987
d) It may require connection to earth at buried bare metal connected to the pipeline, and
points to discharge unwanted induced cur thus drawing a corrosion protection current that
rents and voltages from other sources such may be required by the pipeline.
as overhead lines.
9.4 Typical installations of pipe earth electrode
These four points lead to a compromise and plate earth electrode are shown in Fig. 14
between the need to have a low earth value for in and 15.
strumentation reference purposes, which may
require a lot of buried metal, and a reasonable 9.5zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Typical M,ethod for Jointing of Conductors —
earth value for electrical purpose's against the corro Methods of jointing conductors are shown in
sion protection requirement to have a minimum of Fig. 16.
• J25. 400 C I COVER HINGED

JlXi zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONM
"TO C I FRAME
jjjjj/f-. ZEE^29jT/
'J-'Jfi.
MESHzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
v^V/i sv/As
* 65 PVC zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
I DETAIL ■ & #
CONDUIT
EMBEDDED 11 » ■ <J!T*»\__
o
AFTER FIXING
SURFACE SHOULD
COVERED WITH BITUMIN
OR GREASE zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
NOTE — After laying the earth from the earth bus to the electrode through the PVC conduits at the pit
entry conduits should be sealed with bitumin compound.
All dimensions in millimetres.

FIG. 14 TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF PIPE ELECTRODB
24
IS t 3043 - 1987
CAST IRON OR zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
<PzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
10 Gl BOLT LENGTH
SOmm a 100 m (AFTER
FIXING,THE OUTSIDE 25x10. Gl PLATE FOR CLAMP zyxwvutsrqponmlk
SURFACE SHOULD BE
COVERED WITH BITUMIN) DETAIL C zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONML
All dimensions in millimetres.
FIG. 15 TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT OF PLATE ELECTRODE
PUSH BUTTON
STATION/STARTER
16A Earthing Arrangement for Motors with Push Button Station/Starter Earth Connections to
Starter Looped from Earth Connections of Motor
FIG 16. TYPICAL EARTHING CONNECTION DETAILS —zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUT
Contd
25
I S i 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
^r G I BOLTS AND NUTS,FLAT

WASHER AND G I SPRING
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
WASHER ( A F T E R FIXINGjTHE
OUT SIDE SURFACE SHOULD
BE COVERED WITH BITUMIN
OR G R E A S E )
E Q U I P M E N T / S T R I P
TINNER
COPPER SOCKET
CABLE
16B Arrangement of Double Earth Connection to Equipments ( Strip to Conductor Connection )
BRAZING FOR COPPER AND WELDING

FOR ALUMINIUM
A L U M I N I U M ^ / v ^
O V E R L A P MIN. 50 mm * COPPER
16C Straight Joint ( Strips ) 16D 'T'Joint ( Strips )
FLAT WASHER AND SPRING W A S H E R ( G I )

TO BE CONNECTED USING G I BOLTS
AND NUTS
EO.UIPMENT/ STRIP JiO mm

( A l / C u )
2 mm TINNED COPPER

BINDING WIRE AND THE
JOINT TO BE SOLDERED
ALUMINIUM/COPPER
CONDUCTOR
ALUMINIUM
OR COPPER zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
16E Arrangement of Strip to Strip and Strip 16F Conductor to Conductor Joint
to Equipment Connection ( Round Conductors )
FIG. 1C TYPICAL EARTHINO CONNECTION DETAILS
26
i 3043 1987
10. CURRENT DENSITY AT THE SURFACE 11. VOLTAGE GRADIENT AROUND
OF AN EARTHELECTRODE EARTH ELECTRODES
10.1 An earth electrode should be designed to 11.1 Under fault coditions, the earth electrode is
have a loading capacity adequate for the system raised to a potential with respect to the general
mass of the earth that can be calculated from the
of which it forms a part, that is, it should be capa
ble of dissipating without failure the energy in the prospective fault current and the earth resistance
earth path at the point at which it is installed of the electrode. This results in the existence of
under any condition of operation on the system. voltages in the soil around the electrode .that may
Failure is fundamentally due to excessive temper be injurious to telephone and pilot cables, whose
ature rise at the surface of the electrode and is cores are substantially at earth potentional, owing
thus a function of current density and duration as to the voltage to which the sheaths of such cables
well as electrical and thermal properties of the are raised; the voltage gradient at the surface of
soil. the ground may also constitute a danger to life,
especially where cattle are concerned. The former
In general, soils have a negative temperature risk arises mainly inconnection with large elect
coefficient of resistance so that sustained current rode systems as at power stations and substations.
loading results in an initial decrease in electrode
resistance and a consequent rise in the earth fault 11.2 Danger to animals occurs principally with
current for a given applied voltage. As soil mois polemounted substations on lowvoltage systems.
ture is driven away from the soilelectrode inter In rural areas, it is by no means uncommon for
face, however, the resistance increases and will the earthpath resistance to be such that faults are
ultimately become infinite if the temperaturerise not cleared within a short period and in such
is sufficient. cases, animals, which frequently congregate near
a pole, are liable to receive a dangerous shock.
10.2 Three conditions of operation require The same trouble sometimes occurs at farms where
consideration, that is, longduration loading as earth electrodes are provided for individual app
with normal system operation; shorttime over liances. An effective remedy is to earth the neutrai
loading as under fault conditions in directly ear conductor at some point on the system inaccessi
thed systems, and longtime overloading as under ble to animals rather than earthing the neutral at
fault conditions in systems protected by arc the transformer itself. Alternatively, an effective
suppression coils. method is for pipe or rod electrodes to be buried
with their tops below the surface of the soil and
10.3 The little experimental work which has been connection made to them by means of insulated
done on this subject by experts at the inter leads. The maximum voltage gradient over a span
national level has been confined to model tests of 2 m adjacent to a 25 mm diameter pipe elec
with spherical electrodes in clay or loam of low trode is reduced from 85 percent of the total elec
resistivity and has led to the following conclusions: trode potential when the top of the electrode is at
ground level to 20 and 5 percent when it is buried
a) Longduration loading due to normal un 0"3 and 1*0 m respectively.
balance of the system will not cause failure
of earthelectrodes provided that the cur 11.3 Earth electrodes, other than those used for
rent density at the electrode surface does the earthing of the fence itself, should not be in
not exceed 40A/m*. Limitation to values stalled in proximity to a metal fence, 10 avoid the
below this would generally be imposed by possibility of the fence becoming live and thus.
the necessity to secure a lowresistance dangerous at points remote from the substation or
earth. alternatively giving rise to danger within the resis
b) Time to failure on shorttime overload is tance area of the electrode by introducing a good
inversely proportional to the specific loa connection with the general mass of the earth.
ding, which is given by »», where i is the 12. CONNECTIONS TO EARTH ELEC
current density at the electrode surface. TRODES — EARTHING AND PROTEC
For the soils investigated, the maximum TIVE CONDUCTORS
permissible current density,zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
i is given by
757 x 10" .. . 12.0 General
Am 12.0.1 The materials used for making con
• ~VJT ' nections have to be compatible with the earth rod
where and the copper earthing conductor so that galvanic
t — duration of the earth fault ( i n s ); corrosion is minimized. In all cases, the connec
tions have to be mechanically strong.
P = resistivity of the soil ( i n fl.m ).
12.0.2 For large earthing installations, such as
Experience indicates that this formula is at major substations, it is common to make provi
appropriate for plate electrodes. sion for the testing of earth electrodes. This is zyxwvutsrqpo
27
t 3043 . 1987
achieved by connecting a group of rod driven f) certain extraneous conductive parts.
electrodes to the main earth grid through a bolted NOTE 1— Where the metal sheaths of cables are
link adjacent to the electrodes in a sunken con used as earth continuity conductors, every joint in
crete box. Simpler disconnecting arrangements such sheaths shall be so made that its current
( or none at a l l ) may be acceptable for small carrying capacity is not less than that of the sheath
itself. Where necessary, they shall be protected
earthing installations. against corrosion. Where nonmetallic jointboxes
are used, means shall be provided to maintain the
12.1 Earthing Conductors continuity such as a metal strip having a resistance
12.1.1 Earthing conductors shall comply not greater than that of the sheath of the largest
with 12.2.2 and, where buried in the soil, their cable entering the box.
crosssectional area shall be in accordance with NOTE 2 — Metal conduit pipe should generally
not be used as an earthcontinuity conductor but
Table 4. where used, a very high standard of workmanship
in installation is essential. Joints shall be so made
TABLE 4 MINIMUM CROSSSECTIONAL AREA that their current carrying capacity is not loss
( OF EARTHING CONDUCTORS than that of the conduit itself. Slackness in joints
may result in deterioration and even complete loss
MECHANICALLY MECHANICALLY of continuity. Plain slip or pingrip sockets are
PBOTECTED UNPROTECTED insufficient to ensure satisfactory continuity of
Protected According to 12.2.2 16 mm* (Cu) joints. In the case of screwed conduit, lock nuts
against with a minimum of 16 mm* (Fe) should also be used.
corrosion 16 mm* (Cu) or (Fe)
12.2.1.2 The metallic covering including
Not protec 25 mm* (Cu) sheaths ( bare or insulated ) of certain wiring, in
ted against 50 mm* (Fe) particular the sheaths of mineralinsulated cables,
corrosion and certain metallic conduits and trunking for
electrical purposes (types under consideration )
12.1.2 The connection of an earthing conduc may be used as a protective conductor for the
tor to an earth electrode shall be soundly made corresponding circuits, if their electrical continuity
and electrically satisfactory. Where a clamp is can be achieved in such a manner ensuring pro
used, it shall not damage the electrode (for exam tection against deterioration and they permit
ple, a pipe ) or the earthing conductor. connection of other protective conductors at pre
Main Earthing Terminals or Bars — In determined tap off points. Other conduits for
every installation, a main earthing terminal or bar electrical purposes shall not be used as a protective
shall be provided and the following conductors conductor.
shall be connected to it: 12.2.1.3 Extraneous conductive parts may be
a) earthing conductors; used as a protective conductor if they satisfy the
b) protective conductors; and following four requirements:
c) functional earthing conductors, if required. a) their electrical continuity shall be assured
Means shall be provided in an accessible posi either by construction or by suitable con
tion for disconnecting the earthing conductor. nections in such a way as to be protective
Such means may conveniently be combined with against mechanical, chemical or electro
the earthing terminal or bar to permit measure chemical deterioration;
ment of the resistance of the earthing arrange b) their conductance shall be at least equal to
ments This joint shall be disconnectable only by that resulting from the application
means of a tool, mechanically strong and ensure of 12.2.2;
the maintenance of electrical continuity. c) unless compensatory measures are provided
precautions shall be taken against their
12.1 Protective Conductors removal; and
12.2.1 Types of Protective Conductors d) they have been considered for such a use
12.2.1.1 Protective conductors may com and, if necessary, suitably adapted.
prise: The use of metallic water pipes is permitted,
a) conductors in multicore cables; provided the consent of a person or body respon
b) insulated or bare conductors in a common sible for the water system is obtained. Gas pipes
enclosure with live conductors; shall not be used as protective conductors.
c) fixed bare of insulated conductors; 12.2.1.4 Extraneous conductive parts shall
d) metal coverings, for example, the sheaths, not be used as PEN conductors.
screens and armouring of certain cables 12.2.2 Minimum Cross-Sectional Area
(further requirements under consideration)
( see Note 1 ); 12.2.2.0 The crosssectional area of protec
tive conductors shall either be:
e) metal conduits or other metal enclosures
for conductors (further requirements under a) calculated in accordance with 12.2.2.1, or
consideration ) ( see Note 2 ); and b) selected in accordance with 12.2.2.2. zyxwvutsrqponmlk
28
IS t 3043 1987
In both cases, 12.2.2.3 shall be taken into The k factors for protective conductors of
copper, steel and aluminium are shown in Fig. 17
account. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
NOTE — The installation should be so prepared to 19.
that equipment terminals are capable of accepting these
protective conductors. If application of the formula produces non
12.2.2.1 The crosssectional area shall be so standard sizes, conductors of the nearest higher
calculated that the current density value deter standard crosssectional area shall be used.
mined by the following formula is not exceeded NOTE 1 — It is necessary that the crosssectional
( applicable only for disconnection times not area so calculated be compatible with the conditions
imposed by fault loop impedance.
exceeding 5 s ) . zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
1 NOTE 2 — Maximum permissible temperatures for
jtL joints should be taken into account.
NOTE 3 — Values for mineral'insulated cables are
where under consideration.
S = crosssectional area, in square milli Method of deriving the factor k
metres;
/ = value ( ac, rms ) of fault current for The factor k is determined from the formula:
a fault of negligibleimpedance, which
can flow through the protective
device, in amperes;
t = operating time of the disconnecting where
device, in seconds; and Q.0 = volumetric heat capacity of conduc
NOTE — Account should be taken of the tor material (j/°C mm 8 ),
currentlimiting effect of the circuit impe
dances and the limiting capability (joule B = reciprocal of temperature coefficient
integral) of the protective device. of resistivity at 0°C for the conduc
k = factor dependent on the material of tor ( ° C ) ,
the protective conductor, the insula Sj0 — electrical resistivity of couductor
tion and other parts, and the initial material at 20°C ( Qmm ),
and final temperatures. Values of k 6i = initial temperature of conductor
for protective conductors in various ( °C ), and
use or service for t =» 1 and 3 s res 6t = final temperature of conductor (°C).
pectively are given in Table 6A to
6D. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
These material constants are given in Table 5.
230
100 200 300 400 508

FINAL TEMPERATURE *C
Fro. 17 k FACTORS FOR COPPER PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS ( See 12.2.2.1 )
29
IS : 3043 • 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
100 200 500 zyxwvutsrqponmlkj

FINAL TEMPERATURE
Fro. 18zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
k FACTORS FOR STEEL PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc
100 «00 500 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb

FINAL TEMPERA zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLK
FlO. 19 k FACTORS FOR ALUMINIUM PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS
TABLE 5 MATERIAL CONSTANTS
M A T E R I A L B ( ° C ) (MjrCmmS) 5,0 ( U m m ) y/ fie ( £ +.26 )

820
Copper 2345 345 x 1 0 ' 17241 x 10~« 226
Aluminium 228 25 x 10* 28264 X 10« 148
Lead 230 145 x 103 214 x 10« 42
Steel 202 3a x 103 138 X 10« 78
30
IS < 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqpon
TABLE 6 C U R R E N T RATING OF VARIOUS PROTECTIVE EARTHING MATERIALS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ

{Clauses 12.2.2and 19.2 )
6A Bare Conductor w i t h N o Risk of Fire or Danger to Any Other Touching or Surrounding Material
Boundary Conditions : Initial T t m p e r a t v r e : 40°C Final temperature 395CC for copper; 325°C for aluminium; 500CC
for steel
M A T E R I A L COPPER A L U M I N I U M S T E E L
1 s current rating in A/mm* (k{) 205 126 80

2
3 s current rating in A / m m (As) 118 73 46
6B I n s u l a t e d Protective Conductors not Incorporated in Cables or Bare Conductors Touching Other
Insulated Cables
Boundary Conditions: Initial Temperature : 40°C. Fical Umperature: 160CC for PVC, 220°C for butyl rubber,
250°C for X L P E / E P R
M A T E R I A L C O P P E R A L U M I M U M S T E E L
INSULATION
P V C Butyl Rubber X L P E / P V C Butyl Rubber X L P E / P V C Butyl X L P E /
E P R E P R Rubber EPR
1 s current rating 136 160 170 90 106 112 49 58 62
in A/mm* (k,)
3 s current rating 79 92 98 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
52 61 65 28 33 36
in A/mm* (ts)
6C P r o t e c t i v e Conductor a s a Core in Multicore Cables
Boundary Conditions:
Initial Temperature Final Tempe rature
P V C 70°C 160°C
Butyl Rubber 85"C 220°C
X L P E / E P R 90°C 250°C
M A T E R I A L C O P P E R ALUMINIUM
I N S U L A T I O N
' " P V C Butyl Rubher XLPE/EPR"1 PVC Butyl Rubber X L P E / E P R
1 s current rating 115 134 143 76 89 94
in A/mm* (ki)
3 s current rating 66 77 83 44 51 54
in A/mm* (A3)
6D Protective Bare Conductors i n Hazardous Areas Where T h e r e is Risk o f Fire f r o m P e t r o l e u m
B o u n d Oil o r Other Surrounding Material
Boundary Conditions : Initial Temperature : 40°C; Final Temperature 150°C/200 o C.

M A T E R I A L C O P P E R ALUMINIUM S T E E L
1 J current rating in A/mm* (kj) 131/153 86/101 47/56

3 s current rating in A/mm* (*,) 76/88 50/58 27/32
12.2.2.2 The crosssectional area of the pro TABLE 7 CROSS SECTION OF PROTECTIVE
tective conductor shall be not less than the appro CONDUCTOR
priate value shown in Table 7. In this case, C R O S S S E C T I O N A L A R E A OF M I N I M U M CROSSSECTIONAL
checking of compliance with 12.2.2.1 is usually not P H A S E CONDUCTORS OP A R E A OP T H E C O R R E S
necessary. T H E INSTALLATION PONDING PROTECTIVE
S (mm 1 ) CONDUCTOR
Sp (mm*)
If the application of this table produces non S< 16 S
standard sizes, conductors having the nearest 16
16 < S < 35
higher standard crOsssectianal area are to be
5 > 3 5 Set 12.2.2.1
used.
31
i 3043 • 1987
T h e values in T a b l e 7 are valid only if the auxiliary earth electrode is installed at a specified
protective conductor is m a d e of the same metal as distance from all other earthed metal ( value of
the phase conductors. If this is not so, the cross distance u n d e r consideration ).
sectional area of the protective conductor is to be
determined in a manner which produces a con 13.2.2 T h e earthing conductor leading to t h e
ductance equivalent to that which results from the auxiliary earth electrode shall be i n s u l a t e d t o
avoid contact with the protective c o n d u c t o r or
application of Table 7 (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see also 18.3.3 ).
any of the parts connected thereto or e x t r a n e o u s
12.2.2.3 T h e crosssectional area of every conductive parts which are, or m a y be, in c o n t a c t
protective conductor which does not form part of with them.
the supply cable or cable enclosure shall be, in
any case, not less than: NOTE — This requirement is necessary to prevent
the voltagesensitive element being inadvertently
a) 2 5 m m ' , if mechanical protection is provi bridged.
ded; and
13.2.3 T h e protective conductor shalj be con
b) 4 mm*, if mechanical protection is not
nected only to the exposed conductive parts of
provided.
those items of electrical equipment whose supply
12.2.3 Preservation of Electrical Continuity of will be interrupted in the event of the protective
Protective Conductors device operating under fault conditions.
12.2.3.1 Protective conductors shall be suit 13.2.4 Excessive Earthed-leakage Current — U n d e r
ably protected against mechanical and chemical consideration.
deterioration and electrodynamic forces.
14. EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR
12.2.3.2 Joints of protective conductors FUNCTIONAL PURPOSES
shall be accessible for inspection and testing 14.1 G e n e r a l —Earthing arrangements for func
except in compoundfilled or encapsulated j o i n t s .
tional purposes shall b e provided to ensure correct
12.2.3.3 No switching device shall be inser operation of equipment or to permit reliable a n d
ted in the protective conductor, but joints which proper functioning of installations.
can be disconnected for test purposes by use of ( Further requirements under consideration ).
a tool may be provided.
14.2 L o w N o i s e — See 39.22.
12.2.3.4 Where electrical monitoring of
earthcontinuity is used, t h e operating coils shall 15. EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR
not be inserted in protective conductors. COMBINED PROTECTIVE AND
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSES
12.2.3.5 Exposed conductive parts of appa
ratus shall not be used to form part of the protec 15.1 G e n e r a l — W h e r e earthing for combined
tive conductor for other equipment except as protective a n d functional purposes is r e q u i r e d ,
the requirements for protective measures shall
allowed by the preconditions in 12.2.1.2. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
prevail.
13. EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR
PROTECTIVE PURPOSES 15.2 P E N C o n d u c t o r s
NOTE — For protective measures for various systems 15.2.1 I n T N systems, for cables in fixed insta
of earthing,zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see Section 3. llations having a crosssectional a r e a not less t h a n
10 mm* for copper and 16 mm* for aluminium, a
13.1 P r o t e c t i v e C o n d u c t o r s u s e d w i t h O v e r
single conductor may serve both as protective
current P r o t e c t i v e D e v i c e s
conductor a n d neutral conductor, provided t h a t
13.1.1 W h e n overcurrent protective devices the part of the installation concerned is not pro
are used for protection against electric shock, t h e tected by a residual currentoperated device.
incorporation of the protective conductor in t h e
same wiring system as the live conductors or in However, the m i n i m u m crosssectional area
their immediate proximitv is strongly recommen of a P E N conductor may be 4 m m 1 , provided t h a t
ded. the cable is of a concentric type conforming t o
I n d i a n Standards a n d t h a t duplicate continuity
13.2 E a r t h i n g a n d P r o t e c t i v e C o n d u c t o r s f o r connections exist at all joints a n d terminations in
F a u l t V o l t a g e O p e r a t e d P r o t e c t i v e D e v i c e s the run of t h e concentric conductors.
13.2.1 An auxiliary earth electrode shall be 15.2.2 T h e P E N conductor shall be insulated
provided electrically independent of all other for the highest voltage to which it may be subjec
earthed metal, for example, constructional metal ted to avoid stray currents.
work, pipers, or metalsheathed cables. This NOTE — The PEN conductor need not be insulated
requirement is considered to be fulfilled if the inside switchgear and controlgear assemblies. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihg
32
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfed
i 3043 • 1987
15.2.3 If from any point of the installation the 16.1.1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB

Equipotential Bonding Conductors —
neutral and protective functions are provided by See 12.2.2.1.
separate conductors, it is inadmissible to connect
these conductors to each other from that point. 16.1.2 Bonding of Water Meters — Bonding of
At the point of separation, separate terminals or water meters is not permitted ( see 9.2.4 ).
bars shall be provided for the protective and
neutral conductors. The PEN conductor shall be 16.2 NonEarthed Equipotential Bonding —
connected to the terminal or bare intended for Under consideration.
the protective conductor.
17. TYPICAL SCHEMATIC OF EARTHING
16. EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS
CONDUCTORS 17.1 A typical schematic of earthing and protec
16.1 M i n i m u m CrossSectional Areas tive conductors is given in Fig. 20. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX
EE
^ 3
W?7? V/////////////////Z7X
LED
INSTALLATION
EJ::
EARTHING
EE
/
[ 35
IIzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
v;;j;;;/s;;j////s;;;;j;;;y.
E E
E CQUfPMFNT E E
EQUIPMENT
EARTHING
Af «» Exposed conductive parts
P =• Incoming metallic service
C —■ Extraneous conductive parts
EE — Earth electrode
1 — Equipotential bonding conductor ( in case of small domestic installations 1 takes the form
of neutral link )
2 = Protective conductor ( in duplicate )
3 = Earthing conductor
Fio. 20 EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR
33
t 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
SECTION 3 EARTH FAULT PROTECTION IN CONSUMER'S PREMISES

18. EARTH FAULT PROTECTION function of its duration likely to produce a given
IN
INSTALLATIONS effect are two components which help in establi
shing a relationship between prospective touch
18.0 Basic Philosophy o f Earth Fault voltage and its duration which will not result in
Protection harmful physiological effects for any person.
18.0.1 The rules given in this Section are
applicable to installation below 1 000 V ac. Table 8 shows the values of disconnecting
times t for given touch voltages for two most
18.0.2 Amongst other things, protection against common conditions.
shock in case of a fault ( protection against
indirect contact ) is provided by automatic
disconnection of supply. This protective measure TABLE 8 DISCONNECTING TIMES FOR
DIFFERENT TOUCH VOLTAGES
necessitates coordination of the types of system
earthing and the characteristics of the protective PB08PBC CONDITION 1* zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
CONDITIO m 2f
devices. This Section discusses the basic criteria , * _
for achieving this protection. TOUCH Zx t Zx I t
VoLTAOB
18.0.3 Protection against electric shock both
in normal service (protection against direct (V) (O) H w (A) (mA) (•)
contact ) and in case of fault ( protection against 25 075 23 5
indirect contact) can be achieved by several 50 1725 29 5 925 54 047
measures. Details of achieving protection through
75 1625 46 060 825 91 0 3 0
the choice of an appropriate protective measure
is the subject of IS : 732*. One of such measures 90 1 600 56 045 780 115 025
is protection by automatic disconnection of no 1 535 72 036 730 151 0 18
supply. Automatic disconnection is intended to 150 1475 102 027 660 227 oio
prevent a touch voltage persisting for such time 220 1375 160 017 575 383 0035
that a danger could arise. This method necessi 280 1 370 204 0M2 570 491 0 020
tates coordination of (a) the type of system 350 1 365 256 008 565 620 —
earthing, and (b) characteristics of protective 500 1 360 368 0*04 560 893 —
devices. Description of the types of system earth
ing permitted and the requirements for earthing ♦ Dry or moist locations, dry skin and significant floo:
vis-avis resistance.
arrangements and protective conductorszyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
protection against shock is the subject of this fWet locations, wet skin and low floor resistance.
code.
18.0.4 Protective measure by automatic dis 18.0.6 It is necessary, therefore, to apply these
connection of supply following an insulation fault results emanating out of IS : 84371977* to the
relies on the association of two conditions given various earthing systems. The disconnecting times
below: specified for different circuits in this code follows
basically the summary in Table 8, in addition
a) The existence of a conducting path ( fait taking into account the likelihood of faults and
loop ) to provide for circulation of fault likelihood of contact.
current ( this depends on type of system
earthing ); and 18.0.7 TN SysUms — All exposed conductive
b) The disconnection of this current by an parts shall be connected to the earthed point of
appropriate device in a given time, the lower system by protective conductors. The
protective conductors shall be earthed near each
The determination of this • time depends on power transformer or generator of the installation.
various parameters, such as probability of fault, If other effective earth connections exist, it is
probability of a person touching the equipment recommended that the protective conductors also
during the fault and the touch voltage to which a be connected to such points, wherever possible.
person might thereby be subjected. Earthing at additional points as evenly as possible
Limits of touch voltage are based on studies is desirable. It is also recommended that protec
on the effects of current on human body (see tive conductors should be earthed where they
IS : 84371977t )• enter any buildings or premises.
18.0.5 The study of the electrical impedance The characteristics of the protective devices
of the human body as a function of touch voltage and the crosssectional area of conductors shall be
and magnitude of current flow in the body as a so chosen that if a fault of negligible impedance
occurs any where between a phase conductor and
• Code of practice for wiring installations.
tGuide on effects of currents passing through the human • Guide on effects of currents passing through the
body. human body.
34
IS t 3043 1987
a protective conductor or exposed conductive where

part, automatic disconnection of the supply will RA = resistance of the earthed system for
occur within the minimum possible safe time. exposed conductive parts,
The time of operation would depend on the
magnitude of the contact potential. As a general Ia = operating currents of the disconne
rule, 65 V may be cleared within 10 seconds cting series device, and
and voltages of the order of 240 V and above Ue = conventional voltage limit.
shall be cleared instantaneously.
18.0.10 Equipotential Bonding — If the condi
tions specified in 18.0.7 to 18.0.9 cannot be fulfi
This requirement is met if: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
lled for automatic disconnection ot supply, it is
Zn X 7a < U0 necessary to provide local equipotential bonding
where { see also 18.3.4 ). This applies to entire installa
tion or a part thereof, an item of apparatus or a
Zt ■ = fault loop impedance,
location. The protective conductors for local
/» = current ensuring the automatic bonding shall also conform to 12.2. Where doubt
operation of disconnecting device, exists regarding effectiveness of supplementary
and equipotential bonding, it shall be confirmed if:
U0 — conventional voltage limits.
NOTE \ — Zt may be calculated or measured. 'a
NOTE 2 — The duration of It, permitted depends where
on the prospective touch voltage. The touch voltage is
calculated from the voltage of the system and the ratio Z = impedance between simultaneously
of the impedance of the source and the fault loop. accessible exposed conductive parts
Higher touch voltages should be cleared in shorter and extraneous conductive parts,
times.
and earthing system;
If this condition cannot be fulfilled, supple J a = operating current of the disconnect
mentary bonding in accordance with 18.0.10 may ing series device; and
be necessary. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
U = conventional voltage limit.
18.0.8 TT Systems — All exposed conductive
parts collectively protected by the same protective 18.1 Basic P u r p o s e of E a r t h F a u l t P r o t e c
device shall be interconnected by protective con tion — The occurrence of an earth fault in an
ductors with an earth electrode common to all installation creates two possible hazards. Firstly,
those parts. Where several protective devices are voltages appear between exposed conductive parts
used in series, this requirement applies separately and extraneous conductive parts, and if these
to all the exposed conductive parts protected by parts are simultaneously accessible, these voltages
each device. For compliance with the require constitute a shock hazard, this condition being
ment of 18.0.7 ( para 2 ), the following shall be known as indirect contact.
fulfilled: Secondly, the fault current that flows in the
* A X / . < Ue
phase and protective conductors of the circuit
feeding the faulty equipment ( the earth fault
where may, of course, occur in the fixed wiring of the
R± = resistance of the earthed system for circuit itself ) may be of such a magnitude as to
exposed conductive parts, cause an excessive temperature rise in those con
/ a = operating currents of the disconne ductors, thereby creating a fire hazard.
cting series device or settings of
shunt relays, and The protective measure known as 'earthed
equipotential bonding and automatic disconnec
U0 = conventional voltage limit ( 32 V tion of the supply' is intended to give a high
in case of relays with time lag ) . degree of protection against both hazards. The
18.0.9 IT Systems — The impedance of the choice of protective device used to give disconnec
power system earth shall be such that on the tion is influenced by the type of system of which
occurrence of a single fault to exposed conductive the installation is part, because either:
parts or to earth, the fault current is of low value. a) the earth fault loop impedance has to be
Disconnection of the supply is not essential on low enough to allow adequate earth fault
the occurrence of the first fault. Protective current to low to cause an overcurrent
measures must, however, prevent danger on the protective device ( for example, a fuse or
occurrence of two simultaneous faults involving circuit breaker) in the faulty circuit to
different live conductors. operate in a sufficiently short time; or
The following condition shall be fulfilled: b) where it is not possible to achieve a low
enough earth fault loop impedance, disco
* A X It < U0 nnection may be initiated by fitting either
35
: 3043 1987
a residual current device or a voltage In order to meet (a), a zone is created by
operated earth leakage circuit breaker first connecting all extraneous conductive parts by
with the former being preferred. means of equipotential bonding conductors to the
main earthing terminal or earth electrode (s) of
18.2 Earthing of Installations the installation.
Protection Against Indirect Contact ( Against
18.2.1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA The zone is completed by the connection of
Electric Shock in Case of a Fault) — Protection all exposed conductive parts of the circuits in the
against indirect contact is achieved by the adop installation and of currentusing equipment fed
tion of one of the following protective measures: from those circuits to the main earthing terminal
a) Safety extra low voltage; ( or installation earth electrode ) using circuit
protective conductors.
b) The use of Glass II equipment or by equi
valent insulation; Whilst such a zone is called an equipotential
c) A nonconducting location; zone, this does not mean that voltages cannot
d) Earth free local equipotential bonding; exist between conductive parts in that zone when
an earth fault occurs. The voltages referred to
e) Electrical separation; and earlier ( see 18.1 ) will still exist between the
f) Earthed equipotential bonding and auto exposed conductive parts of perfecdy sound equip
matic disconnection of the supply. ment and between such parts and extraneous
conductive parts, but the application of bonding
NOTB 1 — The primary concern of this Code is (d) minimizes these voltages in each case.
and (f) while other methods of protection against indi
rect contact are covered in other relevant Indian
Standard Codes of Practice. An installation may consist of a number of
NOTE 2 — Item (a) requires that the nominal zones; for instance, when an installation supplies
voltage of the circuit concerned does not exceed extra a number of buildings, equipotential bonding is
low voltage thatzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
tire source has a high degree of isola necessary in each building so that each constitutes
tion from higher voltage circuits ( for example, a Class a zone having a reference point to which the
II safety isolation transformer ) and that live parts also
have a similar degree of isolation or separation from
exposed conductive parts of the circuits and
those circuits. The most important requirement, currentusing equipment in that building are
however, is that live parts and exposed conductive parts connected.
of a safety extra low voltage circuit should not be
connected to earth, protective conductors or exposed The second aim of this protective measure is
conductive parts of another circuit. Where these
general requirements are not met but the nominal met by limiting the upper value of the earth fault
voltage still does not exceed extra low voltage, the loop impedance of each circuit to a value deter
circuit is described as a functional extra low voltage mined by the type and current rating of the pro
circuit and one part of it may be connected to earth. tective device concerned such that, on the
N O T E 3 — Item (b) is generally applicable and occurrence of an earth fault ( assumed to be of
covers the selection and use of equipment complying negligible impedance ), disconnection will occur
W i t h either insulation encased Class II equipment
( 'allinsulated' ) or metal cased Class II equipment. before the prospective touch voltage reaches a
In some cases, such as factory built assemblies of harmful value.
switchgear and controlgear, the equivalent term used
is 'total insulation'. Item (b) can also be achieved by
the application of suitable supplementary or reinforced 18.2.3 Extraneous Conductive Parts — The extra
insulation to equipment on site. neous conductive parts that are required to be
Earthing of the equipment is not required; in fact, bonded to the main earthing terminal of the
by definition there will be no facility for earthing installation ( or to the earth electrode of the
provided in Class II equipment. installation ) include:
NOTB 4 — Items (c), (d) and (e) are of limited
interest as they can be applied only in special situations a^ gas pipes;
and used under effective supervision. They all include b) other service pipes and ducting;
a high degree of isolation from earth.
None 5 — In this Section, detailed consideration is c) risers and pipe? of fire protection equip
limited to earthed equipotential bonding and automatic ment;
disconnection of the supply. d) exposed metallic parts of the building
1 8 . 2 . 2 Earthed Equipotential Bonding and Auto- structure; and
matic Disconnection of the Supply — T h e t w o a i m s o f e) lightening conductors ( see Section 8 ).
this p r o t e c t i v e m e a s u r e are to:
a) e n s u r e t h a t w h e n a n e a r t h fault occurs, t h e NOTB — Connections to pipes, ducting and exposed
v o l t a g e s a p p e a r i n g b e t w e e n e x p o s e d c o n metallic parts of building structure should be considered
most carefully. In some types of earthing systems,
d u c t i v e parts a n d e x t r a n e o u s c o n d u c t i v e especially TNC or TNCS systems effectively connect
parts i n t h e l o c a t i o n s e r v e d b y t h e installa extraneous conducting metalwork to the supply system
t i o n c o n c e r n e d a r e m i n i m i z e d ; a n d neutral and could cause continuously circulating
currents and standing voltages that might result in
b) e n s u r e r a p i d d i s c o n n e c t i o n o f t h e circuit in electrochemical corrosion or random spark hazards in
w h i c h that e a r t h fault occurs. potentially flammable atmospheres.
36
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfed
i 3043 1987
Exposed Conductive Parts — Exposed con b) Equipotential bonding conductors; and
ductive parts that are required to be connected c) Earthing conductors.
by means of protective conductors to the main
earthing terminal ( or earth flectrode ) of the Under certain circumstances, there may also
installation are as follows: be local equipotential bonding conductors.
a) All metalwork associated with wiring sys The determination of crosssectional areas of
tem ( other than currentcarrying parts ) all these conductors is the subject of Section 2
including cable sheaths and armour, con ( also see 18.4 ) and here consideration is limited
duit, ducting, trunking, boxes and catenary to the types of conductor that can be used with
wires; some indication of the precautions that should be
b) The exposed metalwork of all Glass I fixed taken during erection, particularly those concern
and portable currentusing equipment. ed with mechanical and chemical deterioration
Even where at the time of the erection of and electrodynamic effects.
the installation this equipment is of Class II
construction or its equivalent, because 18.3.2 Earthing Conductors — Copper earthing
there is a possibility that in the life of the conductors, in general, need not be protected
installation the equipment may be replaced against corrosion when they are buried in the
by Class I equipment, all fixed wiring ground if their crosssectional area is equal to or
accessories should incorporate an earthing greater than 25 mm*. In case of buried steel con
terminal that is connected to the main ductors, appropriate corrosion factors based upon
earthing terminal by means of the protec the summed up corrosion indexes corresponding
tive conductors of the circuits concerned. to different parameters connected with the mate
rial for grounding, environmental conditions,
c) The exposed metalwork of transformers nature of soil, etc ( see Section 4 ) should be
used in the installation other than those applied in determining the size of the earthing
that are an integral part ol equipment. conductor, however, the minimum size should not
The secondary windings of transformers be less than 50 mm*. If the earthing conductor is
should also be earthed at one point of the of tape or strip, the thickness should be adequate
winding, unless the transformer is a safety to withstand mechanical damage and corrosion.
isolating transformer supplying a part of
the installation where the protective It should be remembered that plain uncoated
measure 'electrical separation' is being copper is positive to plain uncoated buried steel
used). and when interconnected by a current carrying
Exposed conductive parts that ( because of conductor, these metals will form an electroche
their small dimensions or disposition ) cannot be mical cell that can cause accelerated corrosion of
gripped or contacted by a major surface of the steel. As a rough guide, a dc current of 1 A leav
human body ( that is, a human body surface not ing a buried steel structure can remove nearly
exceeding 50 mm x 50 mm) need not be earthed 9 kg of metal in one year.
if the connection of those parts to a protective Where such conductors are protected against
conductor cannot readily be made and reliably corrossion but are not mechanically protected, the
maintained. Typical examples of such parts are minimum crosssectional area is 16 mm* if the
screws and nameplate, cable clips and lamp caps. conductor is of copper or coated steel ( Table 4 ) .
Fixing screws for nonmetallic accessories need The determination of the crosssectional area
not be earthed provided there is no appreciable where the earthing conductor is both mechani
risk of the screws coming into contact with live cally protected and protected against corrosion is
parts. considered in a later section.
Other exposed conductive parts not required Aluminium or copper clad aluminium conduc
to be earthed are: tors should not be used for final underground
1) Overhead line insulator brackets and metal connections to earth electrodes. Where a copper
parts connected to them if such parts are conductor is to be joined to aluminium, the
not within arm's reach; and copper should be tinned, unless an approved con
2) Short lengths of metal conduit or other ductor is used.
metal enclosures used to give mechanical
protection to equipment of Class II or The connection of the earthing conductor to
equivalent cunstruction. the earth electrode or other means of earthing
should be readily accessible and soundly made by
18. Protection against Excessive Tempera the use of soldered joints or substantial clamps of
ture Rise and Mechanical Damage nonferrous material. Where the earthing conduc
18.3.1 General — The protective circuit of an tor is to be connected to the metal armour and
installation includes the following ( see Fig. 20 ): sheath of a cable, the armour should be bonded
to the metal sheath and the principal connection
a) Circuit protective conductors; between the cable and the earthing conductor zyxwvut
37
t 3043 1987
should be to the metal sheath, and should prefe 18.3.4 Local Equipotential Bonding ( 18.0.10 ) —
rably be soldered. However, if a clamp is used for The equipotential zone partially created by the
this connection the clamp should be so designed bonding of extraneous conductive parts to the
and installed as to provide reliable connection main earthing terminal depends for its efficacy on
without damage to the cable. metaltometal contact of negligible impedance.
Circuit Protective Conductors — A circuit Within a particular part of the zone where extra
protective conductor may form part of the same neous conductive parts are simultaneously accessi
cable as the associated live conductors, either as a ble with either other extraneous conductive parts
core of that cable or the metallic sheath or arm or exposed conductive parts or both, tests may
ouring, or it may be separately run insulated show that it is necessary to carry out local equipo
conductor, the insulation being at least equivalent tential bonding between the parts concerned in
to that provided for a single core nonsheathed order to obtain satisfactory low impedance.
cable of appropriate size. A separately run circuit 18.3.5 Electrolytic Corrosion —■ Under damp con
protective conductor having a crosssectional area ditions, electrolytic corrosion is liable to occur at
greater than 6 mm' or of copper strip is not contacts between dissimilar metals. Copper and
required to be insulated. All protective conductors alloys having a high copper content are particu
should, however, be protected against physical larly liable to cause corrosion under these condi
damage and other forms of damage, for example, tions when in contact with aluminium based
welding current stray return paths. Where the alloys.
sheath of a cable incorporating an uninsulated
protective conductor having a crosssectional area When disimilar metals form part of an electri
of 6 mm* or less is removed at joints and the cal circuit, the joints should be clean and
termination, the conductor should be protected assembled free of moisture, and then immediately
by insulating sleeving. sealed with a suitable medium against the ingress
When the metallic sheath is used every joint in of moisture.
that sheath should be so made that its current Where damp conditions prevail, the fittings,
carrying capacity is not less than that of the fixing screws and saddles used to secure alumi
sheath and where nonmetallic joint boxes are nium based alloy conductors, should be made of
used, means such as a metal strip having a resis aluminium alloy or suitably protected steel ( zone
tance not greater than that of the corresponding coated ) and all the points of contact between
length of sheath of the largest cable entering the them painted.
box should be provided to maintain continuity.
Particular attention should be paid to pipe
When using the metallic sheath or armour as work because of the risk of replacement of part of
a protective conductor, attention should be paid the pipe system by nonmetallic pipes or joints.
to the ability of cable glands and connections to Metalwork that may require bonding includes
carry prospective earth fault currents. Particular, exposed metal pipes, sinks taps, tanks, radiators,
care should be taken to avoid problems with non and where practicable and accessible, structural
conducting finishes. components.
Metallic enclosures for cables, such as conduit,
ducting and trunking, may be used as circuit pro 18.4 CrossSectional Areas of the Conductors
tective conductors but where flexible or pliable o f an Installation Protective Circuit — T h e
conduit is used, separate protective conductors crosssectional areas of the conductors of the pro
should be used to maintain the integrity of the tective circuit are influenced by the limitatioa
earth path. Where conduit is used, a high standard placed on earth loop impedances to ensure discon
of workmanship in installation is essential. Joints nection of the circuit in which and earth fault
should be so made that their current carrying occurs in the prescribed time, that is, instantane
capacity is not less than the conduit itself. Slack ous disconnection for higher control potential and
ness in joints can result in deterioration in and disconnection with time lag for lower voltages.
even complete loss of continuity. Plain slip or pin Where a protective device concerned is a fuse,.
grip sockets are considered insufficient to ensure miniature circuit breaker or other types of series
satisfactory electrieal continuity of joints. In the overcurrent device, those disconnecting times
case of unscrewed conduit, the use of luggrip fitt imply that the earth fault loop impedances should
ing is recommended, but for outdoor installations be such that the earth fault current is considera
and where otherwise subjected to atmosphere bly greater than the rated current of the device
corrosion, screwed conduit should always be used, ( or of the same order as occurring under short
suitably protected against corrosion. In screwed circuit conditions) Residual Current Devices
conduit installations, the liberal use of locknuts is ( RCDs ) shall be provided'to disconnect the cir
recommended. Joints in all conduit systems cuit within the same time in case of impedance o r
should be painted overall after assembly. arcing fault conditions. The device setting should
Thrse precautions should be adequate, but be interlinked with earth fault loop impedance,
periodical tests should be made to verify that safe contact potential and permissible time for
electrical continuity is satisfactorily maintained. disconnection.
38
IS : 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqpo
All the constituent conductors of the protective therefore, more suited for isolated installations
circuit should therefore be of adequate cross that do not have interconnections to other insta
sectional area to ensure that the temperatures llations. It should also be remembered that every
attained by the conductors do not exceed their socket outlet circuit that do not have earthing
prescribed limiting values. facility in a household or similar installation
should be protected by a residual current device
18.5 Consumers'Earth ConnectionszyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
(see 6.1.1) having a rated residual operating current not
— The method of connection of the main exceeding 30 mA.
earthing terminal of an installation to earth
depends on the type of system of vvhich that On all other systems where equipment is
installation is part. The different systems are supplied by means of a socket outlet not having
described in Fig. 2 to 8. earthing facility or by means of a flexible cable or
cord used outside the protective zone created by
When the source of energy is privately owned, the main equipotential bonding of the installation
there should be no metallic connection with the such equipment should be protected by a residual
general public supply unless there has been con current operated device having an operating cur
sultation with the electricity authority concerned. rent of 30 mA or less.
It should be emphsized that an installation 19.2 Use of Overcurrent Protective Devices
together with its source of energy may not consist for Earth Fault Protection — Where over
entirely of one particular type of system. In such current protective devices are used to give auto
cases, each part of that installation may be matic disconnection of supply in case of earth fault
required to be treated separately without detri in order to give shock risk protection, the basic
ment to other parts of the same installation. By requirement is that any voltage occurring between
and large, the types of system encountered fall in simultaneously accessible conductive parts during
one or other categories shown in Fig. 2 to 8. a fault should be of such magnitude and duration
19. SELECTION OF DEVICES FOR as not to cause danger. The duration will depend
AUTOMATIC DISCONNECTION OF on the characteristic of the overcurrent device and
SUPPLY the earth fault current which, in turn, depends on
the total earth fault loop impedance. The magni
19.1 General — In general, every circuit is pro tude will depend on the impedance of that part of
vided with a means of overcurrent protection. If the earth fault loop path that lies between the
the earth fault loop impedance is low enough to simultaneously accessible parts.
cause these devices to operate within the specified
times ( that is, sufficient current can flow to earth The basic requirement can be met if:
under fault conditions ), such devices may be
Telied upon to give the requisite automatic discon a) a contact potential of 65 volts is within the
nection of supply. If the earth fault loop impe tolerable limits of human body for
dance does not permit the overcurrent protective 10 seconds. Hence protective relay or
devices to give automatic disconnection of the device characteristic should be such that
supply under earth fault conditions, the first option this 65 volts contact potential should be
is to reduce that impedance. It may be permi eliminated within 10 seconds and higher
ssible for this to be achieved by the use of protec voltages with shorter times.
tive multiple earthing or by additional earth b) a voltage of 250 volts can be withstood by
electrodes. There are practical limitations to both a human body for about 100 milli seconds,
approaches. which requires instantaneous disconnection
of such faults, giving rise to potential rise
In case of impedance/arcing faults, series pro of 250 volts or more above the ground
tective devices may be ineffective to clear the potential.
faults. An alternate approach is to be adopted for
the complete safety of the operating personnel The maximum earth fault loop impedance
and equipment from the hazards that may result corresponding to specific ratings of fuse or minia
from earth faults. This is to use residual current ture circuit breaker that will meet the criteria can
devices with appropriate settings to clear the faults be calculated on the basis of a nominal voltage to
within the permissible time, based on the probable earth ( U0 ) and tne time current characteristics
contact potential. This method is equally applica of the device assuming worst case conditions, that
ble where earth loop impedances cannot be is, the slowest operating time accepted by the
improved. relevant standards. Thus, if these values are not
exceeded, compliance with this code covering
In T T systems, there is an additional option automatic disconnection in case of an earth fault
of the use of fault voltage operated protective is assured.
devices; Whilst these devices will always give pro
tection against shock risk, provided they are Where it is required to .know the maximum
correctly installed, the presence of parallel earths earth fault loop impedance acceptable in a circuit
from the bonding will reduce the effectiveness of feeding, a fixed appliance or set of appliances and
the fire risk protection they offer. These are, protected by an over current device, the minimum
39
I S t 3043 1987
current that may be necessary to ensure operation can be read from the curve and the corresponding
of the overcurrent device within the permissible loop impedance can be calculated from: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjih
time of 10 seconds for a contact potential of
65 volts is found from the characteristic curve of u0
£s = zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSR
the device concerned. Application of the Ohm's
Law then enables the corresponding earth fault where
loop impedance to be calculated as provided in gB t= earth fault loop impedance,1
the formulae in 18.0.3 to 18.0.6.
U0 = nominal voltage to earth, and
For circuits supplying socket outlets, the Jt = earth fault current.
corresponding earth fault loop impedance can be
found by a similar calculation for earthed equip For a given application, the maximum permit
ment. When equipment are not earthed and con ted earth fault loop impedance would be the lower
nected to socket outlets without earthing facility, of the two values calculated for shock risk protec
disconnection should be ensured for 30 mA with tion or thermal restraint respectively.
in 10 seconds and with appropriate decrements in
time for higher currents. It will be noted that the adiabatic line crosses
This method requires a knowledge of the total the characteristic curve for a miniature circuit
earth loop impedance alone ( rather than indivi breaker at a second point B. This denotes the
dual components ) and is, therefore, quick and maximum fault current for which a breaker will
direct in application. Its simplicity does exclude give thermal protection but it will generally be
some circuit arrangements that could give the found in practice that this value is higher than the
required protection. prospective short circuit current that occurs in the
circuit involved and cannot, therefore, be
While calculations give the maximum earth realized.
fault loop or protective conductor impedance to
ensure shock risk protection under fault conditions
it is also necessary to ensure that the circuit pro
tective earth conductor is protected against the
thermal effects of the fault current. The earth FUSE CHARACTERISTICS
fault loop impedance should, therefore, be low
enough to cause the protective device to operate
quickly enough to give that protection as well.
This consideration places a second limit on the
maximum earth loop impedance permissible and
can be checked by superimposing on the time ADIABATIC LINE
current characteristic of the overload device, the
'adiabatic' line having the equation:
t = or A — zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
1*
NOTE — Values of A for typical protective conduc
tor conditions are given in 12.2.2.1 and Tables 6A to CURRENT IzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU
» A
6D.
Details of the maximum permissible earth loop 21A Fuses
impedance for the thermal protection of cables by
fuses can also be computed. However, the time
current characteristics of a miniature circuit MCB
breaker are such that if the loop impedance is low ^CHARACTERISTICS
enough to give automatic disconnection within
safe disconnecting time so providing shock risk
protection, it will also give the necessary thermal
protection to the earth conductor likely to be used \ \ ADIABATIC
with a breaker of that specific rating. Figure 21 \ \ LINE
shows the relationship between the adiabatic line
and the characteristic of fuses and miniature N|A /
circuit breaker.
In order that the devices will give thermal
protection to the protective conductor, operation \ \ B ^
has to be restricted to the area to the right of
point A where these curves cross. Thus, the maxi CURRENT I »
mum earth fault loop impedance for thermal
protection of the cable is that corresponding to 21B Miniature Current Breaker
the minimum earth fault current for which the Fio. 21 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADIABATIC
device gives protection. The value of this current zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHG
LINES AND CHARACTERISTICS
40
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkj
: 3043 . 1987
19.3 Earth Fault Protective Devices — There ing of the RCD by means of the test device
are two basic forms of such devices that can be establishes the following:
used for individual nonearthed/earthed ( with
1) the integrity ofc the electrical and
limited application ) equipment as follows:
mechanical elements of the tripping
Residual Current Operated Devices (RCD) — An
a)zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA device; and
RCD incorporates two component items. A 2) that the device is operating at appro
core balance transformer assembly with a ximately the correct order of operat
winding for each recognizing the out of ing current.
balance current that the fault produces in
the main conductors. This induces a current Itshould.be noted that the test device does
that is used to operate the tripping mecha not provide a means of checking the conti
nism of a contact system. For operating nuity of the earthing lead or the earth
currents of 0 5 A or more, the output from continuity conductor, nor does it impose
such a transformer assembly can operate a any test on the earth electrode or any other
conventional trip coil directly. For lower part of the earthing circuit.
values of operating current, it is necessary
to interpose a leay device, either magnetic Although an RCD will operate on currents
or solid state. equal to or exceeding its operating current,
it should be noted that it will only restrict
Devices for load currents greater than the time for which a fault current flows. It i^
100 A usually comprise a separate transfor can not restrict the magnitude of the fault ^
mer assembly with a circuit breaker or con current which depends solely on the circuit
tact relay, mounted together within a conditions.
common enclosure. Devices for load b) Fault Voltage Operated Earth Leakage Circuit
currents below 100 A usually include the Breakers ( ELCB ) — A voltage operated
transformer and contact system within the earth leakage circuit breaker comprises a
same single unit, which is then described as contact switching system together with a
a residual current operated circuit breaker voltage sensitive trip coil. On installations,
(RGB). Such an RCB should be considered this coil is connected between the metal
a particular type of RGB although it is the work to be protected and as good a con
most usual form. nection with earth as can be obtained. Any
voltage rise above earth on that metalwork
A wide choice of operating currents is exceeding the setting of the coil will cause
avilable (typical values are between 10 mA the breaker to trip so giving indirect shock
and 20 A ) RCB's are normally non risk protection.
adjustable whilst RGD's are often manufac
tured so that one of several operating Tripping coils are designed so that a fault
currents may be chosen. Single phase and voltage operated device will operate on a
multiphase devices with or without integral 40 V rise when the earth electrode resis
overcurrent facilities are available. tance is 500£2 or 24 V on a 200Q electrode.
Single and multiphase units, with or with
Where residual current breakers of 30 mA out overcurrent facilities, are available for
operating current or less axe being used, load currents up to 100 A.
there is a choice between devices that are
entirely electromechanical in operation and A test device is provided on a voltage
those that employ a solid state detector. operated unit to enable the operation of
The electromechanical types are generally the circuit breaker to be checked, operation
small and compact and will operate on the of the device applies a voltage to the trip
power being fed to the fault alone whereas coil so simulating a fault.
the solid state type which tend to be bulkier Tripping of the circuit breaker by means
to require a power supply to ensure opera of the test device shows the integrity of the
tion. Where this power supply is derived electrical mechanical elements that the unit
from the mains, it may be necessary to take is operating with the correct order of ope
added precaution against failures of part of rating voltage and, in addition, proves the
that mains supply. Devices suitable for time conductor from thecircuit breaker to the
grading are more likely to be of the solid earth electrode. It can not prove other
state form as are those having higher features of the installation.
through fault capacity.
Whilst the voltage operated ( ELCB ) will
A test device is incorporated to allow the operate when subjected to a fault voltage
operation of the RCD to be checked. of 20 V or more, it should be noted that it
Operation of this device creates an out of cannot restrict the voltage in magnitude
balance condition within the device. Tripp only in duration. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc
4t
: 3043 1987
c)zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Current Operated Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers— T h e m i n i m u m operating current will be above
For industrial applications, e a r t h leakage any standing leakage that may be unavoidable on
circuit breakers operating on m i l l i a m p e r e the system. A further consideration arises if it is
residual currents or working on fault volt intended to have several devices in series. It is not
age principle are of little use, since milli always possible to introduce time grading to give
amperes of earth leakage current for an discrimination whereas a limited amount of current
extensive industrial system is a normal discrimination can be obtained by grading the
operating situation. Tripping based on sensitivities along the distribution chain.
these c u r r e n t s will result in nuisance for the
normal operation. Milliamperes of current
in a system, where exposed conductive T h e m a x i m u m permitted operating current
parts of equipments are effectively earthed depends on the earth fault loop impedance. T h e
a n d fault loop impedance is within reason product of the net residual operating current loop
able values, will give rise only to a ground impedance should not exceed 65 volts.
potential/contact potential rise of a few
millivolts. This will in no way contribute to I t is often acceptable on commercial grounds
shock or fire h a z a r d . H e r e objectionable to have several final circuits protected by the same
fault currents will be a few or a few tenths residua] current devices. This, however, does
of amperes. I n such cases, residual current result in several circuits being affected if a fault
o p e r a t e d devices sensitive to these currents occurs on one of the circuits so protected and the
must b e m a d e use of for earth fault current financial advantages have to be weighed against
a n d stable operation of the plant without the effects of loosing more than one circuit.
nuisance tripping./ T h i s is achieved either
by separate relays or inbuilt releases initi I t should also be noted that different types of
ating trip signals to the circuitbreakers R C D in different circuits may react differently to
( For details, refer to Section 5 ). the presence of a neutral to eaith fault on the load
side. Such an earth connection together with the
19.4 S e l e c t i o n o f E a r t h F a u l t P r o t e c t i v e
earthing of the supply at the neutral point will
D e v i c e s — I n general, residual current operated constitute a shunt across the neutral winding on
devices are preferred a n d may be divided into two the R C D transformer. Consequently, a portion of
groups according to their final current operating the neutral load current will be shunted away
characteristics. from the transformer a n d it may result in the
device tripping. O n the other h a n d , such a shunt
a) RCD's Having Minimum Operating Currents
may reduce the sensitivity of the device and pre
Greater Than 30 mA — These devices are
vent its tripping even under line to earth fault
intended to give indirect shock risk protec
conditions. In general, therefore, care should be
tion to persons in contact with earthed
taken to avoid a neutral to earth fault where
metal.
R C D ' s are in use, although there are some designs
t>) RCD's Having Minimum Operating Current of being developed that will detect a n d operate
30 mA and Below — These devices are gene under such conditions. O n installations with seve
rally referred to as having 'high sensitivity' ral R C D ' s , care should be taken to ensure that
a n d can give direct shock risk protection to neutral currents are returned via the same device
persons who m a y come in contact with live that carries the corresponding phase current and
conductors a n d earth provided that the n o other. Failure to observe this point could result
R C D operating times are better than those in devices tripping even in the absence of a fault
given in I S : 84371977*. It should be on the circuit they are protecting.
noted that such R C D ' s can only be used to
supplement an earth conductor and not When using fault voltage operated ELCB's,
replace one. the metalwork to be protected should be isolated
from earth so that any fault current passes through
I n addition to giving protection against the tripping coil gives both shock and fire risk
i n d i r e c t contact or direct contact R C D ' s may also protection. However, this isolation is not always
give fire risk protection, the degree of protection practicable a n d the presence of a second parallel
being related to the sensitivity of the device. path to earth will reduce the amount of fire risk
protection offered. Because the coil is voltage
A n R C D should b e chosen having the lowest sensitive, the presence of such a parallel path wil!
suitable operating current. T h e lower the operat not reduce the shock risk protection offered provi
ing c u r r e n t the greater the degree of protection ded that this second path goes to earth well clear
given, it can also introduce possibilities of nuisance of the point at which the earth leakage circuit
tripping a n d m a y become unnecessarily expensive. breaker trip coil is earthed. It is required that the
earthing conductor is insulated to avoid contact
♦ Guide on effects of current passing through the human with other protective conductors or any exposed
body. conductive parts or extraneous conductive parts so
42
I Szyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb
: 3043 1987
as to prevent the voltage sensitivity element from

TABLE 9 M A X I M U M EARTH ELECTRODE
being shunted, also the metalwork being protected RESISTANCE FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF
should be isolated from t h a t associated with other CIRCUIT BREAKER
circuits in order to prevent imported faults.
T Y P E OF BKKAKBB O P E R A T I N G M A X I M U M E A B T H
Voltage operated ELGB's are suitable for pro CuBBENT ELECTRODE
tection of isolated installations on a T T system R E S I S T A N C E (£1)
such as occur in rural areas. Table 9 shows the R C D 300 mA 166
m a x i m u m earth electrode impedance with switch Voltage Operated f 30 mA 1 666
different types of breaker m a y be used. ELCB I 500 zyxwvutsrqponm
SECTION 4 POWER S T A T I O N S , S U B S T A T I O N S A N D OVERHEAD LINES
20. E A R T H I N G I N P O W E R S T A T I O N S A N D W h e r e the neutral points of two electrically

S U B S T A T I O N S separate electricity systems are connected to a
20.1 G e n e r a l — I n general, earthing installations common earth electrode system at a site, there is
will be required at power stations a n d substations a coupling of the systems in the event of a n earth
for: fault occurring on either system by virtue of t h e
rise of earth potential d u e to t h e passage of t h e
a) T h e neutral points of each separate electri fault current through the earth electrode system.
city system which has to be earthed at the Similarly, if noncurrent carrying metalwork is
power station or substation; bonded to the same earth electrode as the neutral
b) Apparatus fremework or cladding or other point of the supply the metalwork will experience
n o n c u r r e n t carrying metalwork associated the same rise of earth potential. If complete sepa
with each system, for example, transformer ration of electrical systems were required, it would
tanks, power cable sheaths; be essential that the neutral points of each system
a n d its associated metalwork be separately earthed.
c) Extraneous metalwork not associated with If such a method were adopted, each earthing
the powersystems, for example b o u n d a r y system would require insulation from other ear
fences, sheaths of control or communication thing systems to withstand the m a x i m u m rise of
cables.
earth potential occurring in any system by virtue
of lightning currents or p o w e r system fault cur
For safety, the objective of earth bonding is t o
rents. Insulation to this level is rarely practicable.
ensure that, in normal or abnormal conditions,
any voltage appearing on equipment to which T h e choice of using a common e a r t h or sepa
there is access should be below a dangerous level. r a t e earths for t h e system of different voltages at a
It is not practicable to ensure that metal parts are transforming point affect:
earthed a n d remain n e a r t r u e e a r t h potential
during the passage of earth fault currents, particu a) the probability of breakdown occurring in a
larly on high voltage systems with directly earthed transformer between the higher and lower
neutrals. T h e objective should, therefore, be to voltage sides d u e to lighting or other surges;
provide effective bonding of low impedance a n d a n d
adequate currentcarrying capacity between parts b) the safety of consumers or their p r o p e r t y
with which a n y o n e may be in simultaneous con supplied by any low voltage system distri
tact, a n d to arrange, as far as possible, t h a t large buted from t h e station against arise of
fault currents do not flow between such points. potential of the earthed neutral by a high
voltage system e a r t h fault at the station.
T o minimize risk of d a m a g e to certain auxili
ary plant, the rise of potential of a station e a r t h i n g T h e former risk is reduced by use of a c o m m o n
installation above the potential of true or r e m o t e earth system, a n d the latter d a n g e r only arises if
e a r t h should b e as low as practicable, since this the resistance of the e a r t h electrode system is n o t
potential will be applied across protective insulation sufficiently low to limit t h e rise of earth potential
of any plant with connections to earth external to to a safe value. T h e r e is advantage in using a
the substation, for example, plant with connections c o m m o n earth where the earth electrode resistance,
to pilot or telephone cables or cable sheaths. For including the parallel resistance of any bonded
similar reasons, the potential difference between metalwork, etc, t o e a r t h is 1 Q, or less, as is usual
earthed points in the station should also b e kept at power stations, large outdoor substations or sub
to a m i n i m u m . W h e r e surge protection is provided, stations supplying a network of cables whose
the connection of the protective devices to e a r t h sheaths have a low impedance to e a r t h .
should be as direct as possible. T h e discharge of
high currents with highfrequency components T h e substation earth system rise of potential
requires earth connections of low resistance a n d will not be excessive if the resistance of the earth
reactance, that is, short connections with as few electrode system is small compared to the total
changes of direction as possible. earth fault circuit impedance. Systems of higher
43
IS : 3043 • 1987
yoltage ( 66 kV and abcve ) generally have the c) power stations.
neutral directly earthed, since the increase in costs The use of neutral earthing switchgear in public
of insulation that would be required for the trans supply systems is avoided, where possible, since a
former winding would be considerable. direct earth is simple, reliable and cheaper than a
In rural situations, where overhead lines are switched earth. The circumstances in which neu
used, it may, in certain circumstances, be inad tral earthing switchgear may be necessary are so
broad that it is not practicable to form general
visable to use a common earth (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
set 20.2 ).
rules on type and application.
The requirements are, therefore, best consi
dered separately for substations: 20.2 General E a r t h i n g A r r a n g e m e n t — A
typical earthing arrangement for an outdoor
a) where low voltage is confined to auxiliary switchyard is shown in Fig. 22. A typical earthing
supplies within the substation; arrangement for connecting the reinforcement of
b) substations that provide an external low foundations of substation building and switchyard
voltage supply; and RCG masts is shown in Fig. 23. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ
re EFF:f i—i n w\

|pAd'lNG ff AS"PER' C A L C U L A T T O N ' zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONML
LIGHTNING
u
144 8 SS htlty ARRESTER
***.
tODE " *
! 1
u.
u.
a
0
< H ^ &zM>
o
ISOLATOR U; I
nnn nnn O
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
O i
POTENTIAL
TRANSFORMER til
ac
CURRENT
^i^T.»as«"» nnn CIRCUIT
^
BREAKER >
a «
JO
"I 4^#" ISOLATOR ^ ^
u
a <> o a.
u
o
<M^ ISOLATOR
* = £ *
o
: i —
o:
a
n n n
C9 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
TRANSFORMER n n n — Q
o
EARTH
ELECTRODE
( T Y P )
NOTB — The number of electrodes and the size of the grid conductor is to be worked out as per 22.6.2.
F I G . 22 A T Y P I C A L E A R T H I N G G R I D FOR AN O U T D O O R SUBSTATION ( 66 k V AND A B O V E )
44
IS t 3043 . 1987 zyxwvutsrqpo
.ONLY TOP RINS TO BE zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV

SECTION AA WELDED TO MAIN REIN
FORCEMENT RODS
EARTHING PAD 100x100

/(TO BE CONNECTED TO
F F L MAIN EARTH GRID)
WELD zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIH
GL „ zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
I J
SUBSTATION BUILDING
' COLUMN
NOTE 1 — Top ring should be half the size of main vertical reinforcement rod.
N O T E 2 — Two extreme columns should be earthed like this in each substation.
N O T E 3 — This is applicable to RCG masts and equipment supports in O D switchyard.
N O T E 4 — Inserts other than earthing pads may or may not be welded to reinforcement.
Fio. 23 EARTHING OF FOUNDATION REINFORCEMENT ( CONCRETE ENCASED

EARTHING ELECTRODE )
The perimeter fence may need to be earthed the minimum economically possible. In addition,
separately from the main station earth electrode an earth mat should be provided, near the ground
system (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see 20.6.1 ). surface, in the position taken up by a person opera
ting the switch handle; this mat should be con
The tertiary winding of a power transformer nected to the switch handle. The mat should be
should be connected to the transformer tank by a electrically separated from the main electrode; this
connection of sufficient crosssectional area to carry is considered to be achieved by spacing the J
the primary shortcircuit current. nearest element of that electrode at least 1 m from
the periphery of the mat and by placing the two
In the case of pole mounted transformers on earthingwires on opposite sides of the pole. The
overhead line systems, difficulties may arise in tops of the main electrodes should be at least 225
areas of high soil resistivity. Here, if the pole car mm and preferably 750 mm below the ground,
ries also isolating switchgear with low level operat and the earthing wire to the main electrode of
ing handle, up to three separately earthed elec outdoor type rubber or plasticsinsulated cable up
trode systems may be required. That for the neutral to a point 2 m above ground level. This cable,
of the low voltage system is usually provided not between the bottom of the pole and the electrode
nearer than one pole span away on the low voltage should be laid in a 50mm diameter earthenware
line. That for the high voltage metalwork ( trans duct filled solid with bitumen.
former tank, switch framework, support metal 20.3 General E a r t h i n g A r r a n g e m e n t s a t
work ), consists of one earth electrode at or near P o w e r Stations of Public Electricity Sup
the pole. Resistances of 5 to 50 ii are sometimes plies
45
i J043 1987
20.3.1 Neutral Earthing of Generator CircuitszyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

— At earthing resistors have been a b a n d o n e d in favour
m o d e r n large power stations for public electricity of individual unswitched earthing resistors .
supply the generation circuits generally comprise
a starconnected stator circuit with a n operating 20.3.2 Earthing of Power Station Auxiliary Systems —
voltage u p to about 26 kV, directly connected T h e r e are, in c o m m o n use, three methods of
to a stepup delta/star transformer, the higher earthing t h e neutral point in power station auxili
voltage w i n d i n g generally operating at 132 Vk, ary systems:
275 k V or 400 kV, with the transmission system a) Solid earthing;
neutral point directly earthed.
b) earthing through a voltage transformer ( or
T h e following three methods have been used voltage relay ) with a surge diverter ( but
for earthing the neutral of the generator windings: not a fuse ) shunting the primary winding
a) Earthing through the primary winding of a ( or the relay);
matching transformer, with resistor connec c) Resistance earthing.
ted across the secondary winding;
Methods (a) a n d (c) involve the automatic dis
b) earthing through a resistor; a n d connection of the individual fault circuit.
c) earthing t h r o u g h the primary winding of With m e t h o d (b), an alarm can be a r r a n g e d
a voltage transformer. to be operated from the secondary of the'voltage
Method (a) — is current practice, the design be transformer a n d the scheme enables all auxiliaries
ing such that the m a x i m u m substained earth fault to b e kept in service until it is convenient to make
current in the generator circuit is restricted to 10 the auxiliary switchboard dead.
to 15 A, thus limiting the d a m a g e at the point of
fault. T h e neutral a n d earthing connections, how M e t h o d (a) is normally used in power stations
ever, are of a d e q u a t e capacity to withstand for with smaller generating sets a n d method (c) used
3 s the earth fault current that would flow in the in the larger power stations. M e t h o d (b) has cer
event of t h e matching transformer terminals flash tain disadvantages, such as the complication in
ing over during an earth fault. T h e resistor used arranging for speedy identification of the indivi
for the a r r a n g e m e n t is of the metallic grid non dual faulty circuit a n d the possible difficulties
inductive type. arising from functioning of the surge diverter.
Method (b) — can be used to achieve the same 20.4 E q u i p m e n t E a r t h i n g a t P o w e r S t a t i o n s —
degree of faultcurrent limitation, by design of a Practice in equipment earthing at power stations
suitable highcurrent resistor, but is not preferred is identical to that for large substations not giving
on the grounds of cost a n d its less robust construc external low voltage supplies ( see 20.2 ). A
tion t h a n that of the equipment used in m e t h o d common earth is used for the neutral earthing of
(a). It was earlier practice, however, to individu generators a n d power station auxiliaries, and for
ally earth each generator at rJower stations by all equipment framework, cladding, power cables
liquid earthing resistors designed to limit the earth sheaths a n d extraneous metalwork not associated
fault current to about 300 A. with the power systems, other t h a n the perimeter
fence ( see 20.6.1. ).
Method (c) — i s now historic, but h a d the advan
tage t h a t minimal d a m a g e resulted at a n e a r t h 20.5 P o w e r S t a t i o n a n d S u b s t a t i o n E a r t h
fault. If desired, the generator could remain in E l e c t r o d e s
circuit while operational arrangements were m a d e
to permit its withdrawal. However, this imposed a 20.5.1 General — T h e required characteristics
higher voltage stress on the stator windings a n d of e a r t h electrode system a r e :
plant on the unfaulted phases, a n d the m a c h i n e
design usually imposed limitations on this. T h e a) a suitably low resistance, u n d e r all variations
output from the secondary winding of the voltage d u e to climatic conditions, for the fault
transformer could be arranged to activate an currents envisaged;
alarm or trip the generator circuit as desired. I n b) current carrying capability for all currents
designing the neutral a n d earthing connections to a n d durations t h a t m a y arise in normal
the voltage transformer, t h e earthfault current operating conditions or during fault or surge
used was that resulting by flashover of the voltage discharge conditions, without u n d u e in
transformer during an earth fault. crease in resistance;
Some old power stations have generators con c) suitable location in the vicinity of any light
nected directly to distribution system busbars; in ing discharge devices such t h a t earth con
general, the neutral terminals of such generators nection conductors from such devices are as
have been earthed via liquid neutral earthing resis short a n d straight as possible to minimize
tors of such a value t h a t the m a x i m u m sustained surge impedance; a n d
earth fault current is of the order of full load cur d) earth electrode installations should be d u r a
rent of the generator. Installations of neutral point ble a n d of such material a n d design to
switchboards with switching of neutral points a n d avoid corrosions. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV
46
IS : 3043 ■ 1987 zyxwvutsrqpo
For high voltage system earthing, the value of At large substation compounds, it is usual to lay
the resistance of the earth electrode system, with a mesh of underground earth strips to which system
any adventitious earths due to the bonding of neutral terminals and the earth bonding conduc
metalwork, etc, in contact with earth, should be tors from aboveground structures are connected.
such that the rise in potential of the electrode In addition to providing an approximately equi
system above the potential of remote earth is as potential surface over the substation, the earth
low as economically possible. In the absence of strip mesh frequently suffices to provide an elec
any specific restriction, attempt should be made trode of suitable resistance and current carrying
to restrict the rise of potential within safe value. capacity without augmentation.
At some sites; the rise in earth potential will in
evitably exceed these values, and special pre 20.6 Earthing Conductors for Power Stations
cautions are necessary. and Substations
20.6.1 Disposition — It is necessary to provide
Where the soil of a site is hostile by virtue of permanent and substantial connections between all
alkalinity or acidity it may be necessary to embed equipment and the earth electrodes so as to afford
■ earth electrodes in rammed neutral soil to avoid a low resistance path for fault currents both to
■ corrosion. earth and between items of equipment. In addi
Earth electrode systems can also represent tion, all other metal plant in or about the station
some hazard to adjacent underground services or should be connected to the main station earthing
structural steelwork through electrolytic action system. The most efficient disposition of earthing
conductors
between dissimilar metals (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see 23 ). Where this required will depend on the layout of
danger cannot be avoided by selection of compati equipment and the following may be taken as a
ble metals, the adoption of cathodic protection or guide:
other remedical action may be necessary. a) Indoor Equipment — A main earth bar should
be provided and connected to the frame
At power stations and substations the steel work of each item and to the earthelec
inforcement in foundations and piles can be used trodes. Except for the smallest installations,
to provide an effective electrode system, without there should be a connection to the earth
necessity to provide further buried electrodes. electrodes at each end of the earth bar or,
Where piles are used they should be bonded by if this is in the form of a ring, at several
welding and connected to earth bonding bars at points on the ring. These Connections may,
least four points. depending on the layout be buried cables
of a size adequate for the shortcircuit
Where no substantial adventitious earths exist current. Where the structure of a switch
or where they are in adequate, it is necessary board is extensive or occupies more than
to install electrodes ( see 9.1, 92 and 12.1.1 ). one floor, a further parallel main earth bar
may be required which should be cross
All cladding or steel work at a station should connected to its companion bar at one point
be bonded to the earthing system as should all at least in each section of the switchboard.
structural steel work, but attention is drawn to The main earthbar should be so placed
precautions against undue reliance on the latter as that cable sheaths can be readily connected
an electrode. to it. When cables are so connected, the
bonds should be made to the cable gland
20.5.2 Choice and Design — Where electrodes on which the lead sheath should be plumb
• of large surface area are necessary to provide the ed and the armouring clamped. The main
requisite current carrying capacity, earth plates are earth bar should be accessible for the
recommended. These are generally of castiron, connection of any detachable earthing
not less than 12*5 mm thick, and are usually 1'22 m devices provided with the switchgear.
by T22 m. As an alternative to plates, cast iron
pipes may be installed. These are, for example, Branch connections from the main earth
about 100 mm in diameter and 3 m long, but are bar should be provided to all accessory
not generally as costeffective as plates for equi equipment, such as control and relay
valent surface area. panels, constructional steelwork and fire
For lower current rating requirements, driven extinguishing equipment.
rods are preferred, usually, of die copperclad steel Where busbar protection is effected at
type. They are generally driven in groups, prefer switchboards by frame leakage, two main
ably with a spacing of not less than their length, earth bars are required. The frame bar
although this is not always achievable. Closer interconnecting the framework of the switch
spacing reduces their effectiveness. The use of dri units will be connected to the true earth
ven rods is advantageous where the deeper stratas bar through a current transformer and
of a site have a lower resistivity than the upper bolted links for test purposes. The true earth
stratas but they may not be suitable if the site is bar should be run separately from the frame
stony or has a rock substrata. earth bar in convenient position for the zyxwvutsrqp
47
IS t 3043 . 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
connection of cable sheaths and earthing ture made up of bolted sections should not
devices. Where it is mounted on the switch be relied upon to form an efficient earth
units, it should be insulated therefrom by bond between equipment and the main
insulation capable of withstanding a test earth grid, and loops bonding across
voltage of 4 kV rms alternating current structural joints are required.
for 1 minutes.
Connections to metal cladding, steel
Where insulated cable glands are used, structure and metal door frames and win
it is recommended that 'island' insulation dows or any other metallic panels should be
should be provided to facilitate testing. made inside buildings.
b)zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Outdoor Equipment ( Excluding Pole Mounted Where the earth wire of an incoming
Transformers ) — A main earth bar should line ends at the terminal supports and is
be provided, so disposed as to allow of the not connected to a point on the substation
shortest subsidiary connections to all major structures, a subsidiary earth connection
equipment, such as transformers or circuit should be provided between the substation
breakers. Wherever possible, this should be earth system and the base of the support.
arranged to form a ring round the station. If the latter lies outside the substation
The main earth bar ( or ring) should be fence, the earth connection should be buried
connected where required to earth elec where it passes under the fence and should
trodes. For larger stations, the ring should be kept well clear of the latter.
be reinforced by one or more crossconnec
tions. Earth connections to surge diverters
From the main earth bar, branch con should be of sample crosssection and as
nections should be taken to each item of direct as possible; they should not pass
apparatus and where several such items lie through iron pipes which would increase
together, a, subsidiary ring with short the impedance to surges of the connection.
branches is preferable to a number of The earth connections of the diverters
longer individual branches from the main should be interconnected with the main
bar. The aim should be to provide a mesh earthing system since, for the effective
system wherever this can be contrived with protection of the substation equipment, a
reasonable economy. definite connection of low impedance
bptween the equipment and the diverters is
The operating mechanisms for outdoor essential.
airbreak switch disconnectors and earth
switches and circuit breaker control kiosks, 20.6.2 Design
etc, not integral with the circuit breaker
should be connected to the main earth 20.6.2.0 General — The term earthing grid
grid by a branch earth connection entirely applies only to that part of the grid which is buried
separate from that employed for earthing in soil. For design calculations of the grid resistance
the airbreak switchdisconnector or earth to the soil, only the buried part of the grid is to
switch base, or the circuitbreaker struc be taken into account. That part of the grid which
ture. The further contribution to safety lies embedded in concrete and also reinforcement
given by an insulated insert in the mech connected to the grounding pads do lower the
anism drive is small compared with that combined grid resistance but this contribution
obtained from such a branch earth connec may not be taken into account while designing the
tion and, therefore, insulated inserts are not earthing grid.
recommended in operating mechanisms of
apparatus installed in substations. While sites 20.6.2.1 Conductors installed above ground —
covered with hard core and stone chippings Earthing conductors for power stations and sub
will constitute a surface layer with a relati stations will normally be selected from copper or
vely high specific resistance, in .the interests aluminium or steel sections adequately rated in size
of safety, a metal grid can be provided at to carry the designed earth fault or three phase fault
the operating points to give a level standing current for the appropriate designed maximum
area and an earth connection made from duration without exceeding a temperature given in
this grid to the operating handle. Table 6A. Compliance with this requirement will
additionally ensure satisfactory bonding without
Where it can be proved that the cur excessive voltage difference along any conductor.
rent carrying capacity of a main aluminium
or steel member or welded sections forming The required crosssectional area of the earthing
a structure are at least equal to that of the conductor is determined by the choice of condu
required aluminium or copper earth con ctor material and the maximum duration of the
ductor, the structure may form part of the fault current. The generally accepted duration for
connection and thece is no need to fix an design purposes are one second for voltages above
«arth conductor along this section. A struc 33 kV and 3 seconds for lower voltages.
48
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ
: 3043 ■ 1987
Conductors buried as strip electrodes —

20.6.2.2zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBAber of parallel conductors given by the em
The earthing grid consists of the vertical pipe elec phirical relationship.
trodes or plate electrodes interconnected by hori 1 1
zontal conductors which serve as a strip electrode *• ' . 1 i-L-4
+
( 9.2.3 ) in addition to forming a earthing grid. It
D+h ^ 2D +
is recommended that the duration of earth fault 1
up to n terms
current should be taken as one second for 230 and 3D
400 kV substations, and 3 seconds while designing ( All lengths in metres )
earth grids for all other voltage levels.
d) K\ is an irregularity factor to allow for non
The other factors which shall be taken as the uniformity of ground, dependent on the
consideration while designing the earth grid are number of parallel conductors in the ground
given below: used in the mesh.
a) Factor of safety for the ability of the earth K{ = 065 + 0172 x n
conductor to carry the fault current during where n = number of parallel conductors.
the period the fault persists, without any
thermal and mechanical damage to the e) Mesh potential : Mesh potential is the po
conductor; tential difference in volts
from grid conductor to
b) The relative importance of the installation ground surface at centre of
for which the earthing system is being mesh grid.
designed;
c) The likely increase in the near future in the Mesh E = Kt K1 P -L-
fault level in the area where the earth con
ductor has been installed; where
d) Operating time of the protective devices; / = fault current in amperes, and
e) Corrosion of the earth conductor; L =s Length of buried conductor.
f) Factor of safety for workmanship in join f) The duration of fault for calculation of
ting, etc; and step, touch and mesh potential shall be
the actual breaker fault clearing time.
g) Maximum permissible temperature raise for
the buried part of the grid, which may be
taken as 450°G for copper and steel condu 20.6.3 Construction
ctors.
20.6.3.1 General — It is essential for the
safety of personnel and plant that an earth system
20.6.2.3 Sizing should remain effective throughout the life of the
plant. It is difficult in many cases to make a check
a) The crosssection of the area of the grid of continuity after installation. The system, there
conductor shall not be less than the varue fore, has to be robust and protected from mech
stipulated in 12.2.2.1 where the value of k is anical damage and corrosion, where necessary.
to be taken as 80 for steel. This is based on Any joints should be capable of retaining low resis
a reasonable assumption that 3 seconds tance after many passages of fault current.
duration could not be adequate to bake
out the ground moisture around the elect
rode especially as only a part of the current 20.6.3.2 Laving conductors — Buried bare
would be flowing across electrodesoil in copper or steel conductors forming part of the ear
terface, thing system should be at about 600 mm deep
which, in addition to giving protection to the con
b) Kt is a coefficient which takes into account ductor and connections, should ensure that it will
the effect of number n spacing D, diameter normally be below frost line. Aluminimum should
d and depth of burial h of the grid condu only be used for above ground connections.
ctors. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
N O T E — If the indigeneous soil is hostile to copper,
1 Ds 1 that is, acidic with a pH value of less than 6 or alkaline
Kt = L In with a^H value of more than 10, suitable surrounding
+
2-K zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
16hd zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
soil should be imported.
(4) (v) (4) Where an adequate earthing installation is pro

vided, the subsidiary connections from the main
up to n2 terms earth grid to equipment may be laid at a depth
and by routes most appropriate to site connections.
c) Ke is a coefficient which is similar to A\ For convenience in connecting to equipment, they
dependent on the mesh width and the num may be laid at a depth of about 250 mm, and
49
18:30431987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
as they are, therefore, in ground more subject to ctrodes made above ground with bimetallic joints.
seasonal or progressive changes of resistivity, it Aluminium can be used below ground only if effi
may be assumed that they make negligible con ciently protected or sheathed against contact with
tribution towards reducing station earth resistance. soil and moisture.
On the other hand, they do serve to reduce surface
gradient within the station site. Conversely where 20.6.3.4 Jointing conductors
these connection are also required to improve the a) General — All crossings of conductors in the
earth value of the station, tbe 600 mm depth is main earth grid should be jointed. Com
required. The above recommendations deal mainly pression type joints may be used for stran
with stations on normal sites. Where ground con ded conductors. Nonconductor strip should
ditions restrict the installation depth or where the be drilled for a bolt having a diameter
soil resistivity is excessive, additional measures greater than onethird of the width of the
may be required beyond the station boundary to strip. If this diameter will be exceeded, than
improve the overall earth value. a wider flag should be jointed to the strip.
The earthing installation within the station b) Aluminium to aluminium — When possible,
will, however, bond the station plant and restrict joints on strip conductor should be arc wel
touch potentials to acceptable limits. ded using either the tungsten inertgas arc
( T I C ) or metal inert gas arc ( M I G )
Where bare metal conductor is buried under
techniques. Oxyacetylene gas welding or
metal fencing, and the fencing is independently
brazing may also be used.
earthed, the conductor should be insulated by
threading through non metallic pipe extending for Ranges of compression fittings and tools
at least 2 m each side of the fence or alternatively are available for round conductors. Round
insulated conductor may be used. conductors can also be flattened and
When laying stranded conductor for earthing punched with suitable tools to form a ter
purposes, care should be taken to avoid birdcaging minal.
of the strands. Round and rectangular conductors can
be joined with bolted clamps.
Fixing conductors — In fixing alu
20.6.3.3zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
minium or copper conductors to structures, etc, Rectangular conductors can be joined
insulated elips should be used to avoid drilling and or terminated by drilling and bolting.
prevent electrolytic action. Galvanized clips should When making a bolted type joint, the
not be used. Fixing should be spaced not more surface of the aluminium should be cleaned
than 1 m apart. thoroughly by wire brushing and greased
or an approved jointing compound applied
Earth conductors in trenches containing power immediately to both mating surfaces.
and/or multicore cables should be fixed to the Bolts should then be tightened and all
walls near the top ( for example, 100 mm from excess grease or compound wiped off and
the top ). discarded.
Copper earth strip supported from or in con To ensure adequate contact pressure
tact with galvanized steel should be tinned to pre and avoid overstressing, torque spanners
vent electrolytic action. should be used. The conductor manufac
Sharp bends required in aluminium strip should turers literature should be consulted for
be formed by the use of a bending machine. further details for the joints and proced
ures.
Aluminium earthing conductors will give satis Cold pressure welding and explosive
factory performance in contact with concrete, bonding can be used for jointing rectang
cement, plaster and brickwork, and may be buried
in concrete or plaster, provided it remains dry ular conductors. The appropriate manu
after setting. In outdoor installations, the conduc facturer should be consulted for details of
tor will weather to a grey appearance and in these procedures.
marine or industrial atmospheres slight surface pit c) Aluminium to copper — Joints between alu
ting may occur. This will not affect performance minium and copper should be of the bolted
since the sections are relatively large. The inter type and be installed in the vertical plane
faces of all 'mechanical' joints should be protected at a minimum distance of 150 mm above
with a suitable electrical joint compound, parti ground level.
cularly any bimetallic joints. All bimetallic joints
should then be encapsulated in a grease impre The rating surface of the aluminium
gnated tape, mastic compound or bitumastic paint, should be cleaned thoroughly by wire brush
etc, to exclude moisture. ing and greased or an approved jointing
compound applied and the copper tinned.
In general, aluminium should only be used Grease or an approved jointing compound
above ground and the connections to earth ele should be applied to the melting surface of zyxwvutsrqponm
so
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
t 3043 1987
the aluminium. After bolt tightening by termination boxes of transformers, switchgear, etc
torque spanner, excess grease or com and at cable sealing ends or joints.
pound should be wiped off and discarded, 20.7.2 Single-Core Cable Tails — The sheaths of
and the joint protected from the ingrease singlecore cables have a longitudinal induced
of moisture by the application of suitable voltage, the magnitude of which is directly pro
plastics compound or irradiated polyethy portional to the current flowing in the core. When
lene sleeve with mastic lining. Alternatively, both ends of a singlecore cable are bonded to
the joint may be protected by a bitumastic earth, a current flows in the sheath and the ther
paint. mal effects of this sheath current derates the
Aluminium conductor connections to capacity of the cable core. Where this derating is
equipment should, where possible, be in the unacceptable and the value of the standing
vertical plane. Surface preparation of the induced voltage is acceptable, it is usual to
aluminium and the making of the joint earth the sheaths of the singlecore cables at the
should be as previously described. The trifurcating box or in the case of singlecore mains,
finished joint should be protected by a the end of the trefoil formation, the cable glands at
bitumastic paint. sealing ends or plant cable boxes being of the in
Copper to copper — The following methods sulated type. The acceptable level of the maximum
d)zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
may be used: sheath voltage is generally taken as 65V with full
rated current flowing in the cable, but where the
1) Brazing using zincfree brazing material ratio of fault current to full rated current is
with a melting point of at least 600°G; so high that the voltage developed across an insu
2) Bolting; lated gland is unacceptable, it is necessary to der
3) Riveting and sweating; and ate the permissible voltage to some level lower
than 65 V.
4) Explosive welding.
20.7.3 Single-Core Cable Mains — The choice of
Earthing conductor connections to equip
termination and earthing arrangements for single
ment should, as far as practicable, be
core cable mains is a matter of economics. The
made onto vertical surfaces only. In the
possible methods of earthing are as follows:
case of painted metal, the paint should be
carefully removed. Earthing conductors a) Solid Bonding — In this system, the sheath
should be tinned where connected to bonding and earthing arrangements are
galvanized steelwork. No connection point such that the sheaths are maintained near
should be less than 150 mm above ground earth potential throughout their length.
level. In any position, subject to corrosion, b) Single Point Bonding — This method is as
the finished joint should be protected by described in 20.7.2 for single core tails, and
bitumastic paint. is subjected to practical limitations of cable
lengths permissible.
e) Loops for portable earths — Loops of plain
aluminium or copper should be provided c) Cross-Bonding — In this method, the cable
on the earth conductor at each location length is divided into three equal sections
where portable earthing leads may be app ( or into a multiple of three such sections )
lied. The loops should not be less than 180 and at each section junction, an insulating
mm long and 75 mm clear of the earth con joint is provided. At these joints, the sheath
ductor; they should be at a convenient of each cable section is bonded to the she
height and should be formed separately, ath of a different phase cable of the next
not by bending the earth strip itself. Loops section through lockable link boxes. By suit
should be jointed to the earth conductor able connection, the phaser sum of the
using a method given in 20.6.8.4 (d). longitudinal sheath voltage is zero, and at
f) Steel — For steel, it is recommended to use the cable terminations, the sheaths of all
only welded joints. three cables are bonded to earth. It is usual
to provide a threephase starconnected set
20.7 Earthing of High Voltage Cable Sheaths of cable protections at each intermediate in
sulating joint; these protectors are nonlinear
20.7.1 Three-Core Cables — Modern high voltage resistors presenting low impedance to surge
power cables are generally provided with a poly currents. The crossbonding method permits
meric insulating oversheaths. The sheath of solid the full rating of the cable to be maintained,
tpye cables are generally directly earthed at their but incurs considerable cost in the provision
terminations and joints, the cable sheaths being of insulating joints, link boxes, protectors,
bonded at joints. The sheath earth connections etc.
of pressure type cables are generally made via a
removable link in 'a lockable box to permit 20.8 Miscellaneous Matters in Power
periodic testing of the oversheath insulation, the Stations and Substations — If two or more
joints being insulated, but the sheaths bonded stations are adjacent on what may be considered
through. The test requirement also means that to be one site, the earthing systems and the stations
insulating glands should be provided at the cable should be interconnected to form a single earthing
51
I S zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
: 3043 1 9 8 7
system. W h e r e the stations actually adjoin, the 21.2 I n s u l a t i o n F a i l u r e — Following an insula
extremities of their earthing systems should be tion failure, a voltage may exist between any sup
connected together so that the whole area is en porting metalwork and earth. T h e public are
closed by the earthing system. W h e r e the separ generally protected if no metalwork within 3 m of
ation is too large to treat as adjoining stations, an the ground is liable to become live on failure of
interconnecting earth conductor of substantial insulation. If the supports are close to buildings,
crosssection should be run to ensure that, as far etc, the particular circumstances have to be
as practicable, fault currents are diverted from considered.
cable sheaths and armour. T h i s is of particular
i m p o r a t n c e where fault current flowing in one 21.3 L a t t i c e Steel S t r u c t u r e s — There will
station is provided from the adjoining station, for often be satisfactory earthing of lattice steel struc
example, where a switching station adjoins power tures, poles of metallic construction a n d reinforced
or transforming station sites so t h a t an earth fault concrete poles through their contact with the
in the switchgear causes current flow between the ground. I n areas of high earth resistivity, special
two sites in order to reach the system neutral at earthing arrangements may be necessary; an over
head protective conductor attached at each support
the generators or transformers. Such interconne
and connected to the neutral of the supply and of
ctions between sites can include links suitably dis
the line m a y be the most economical solution.
posed to assist in testing.
T h i s conductor if positioned above the live con
Except where special insulation is called for, ductors, will also provide a measure of lightning
sheaths of all main cables should be connected to protection.
the station earth system. With multicore cables
the connection is generally m a d e at the termina 21.4 P o l e s o f N o n c o n d u c t i n g M a t e r i a l
tion. 21.4.1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJI
General — Where a pole is of noncon
W h e r e high earthfault currents a r e to be ex ducting material, for example wood or glassrein
pected, a n d a n appreciable rise of potential of the forced plastics, the pole will act against the flow
station system with respect to the general body of of leakage current a n d can be expected to prevent
the earth may ensure, special care is necessary danger near ground level due to leakage across or
with connections other t h a n main cables or lines failure of any insulator supporting a line conductor,
entering the station, such as water pipes a n d tele except where there is intervening equipment or
p h o n e or pilot cables, water pipes should include metalwork that is or may become live.
a n insulated section; polymeric piping is often For the reasons given in 21.4.2 to 21.4.5, there
suitable. I n several cases, isolating transformers are advantages in not earthing the poletop metal
m a y be necessary for telephone connections. Bri work of such poles and in not making bonding
tish Telecom provides isolation equipment at their connections to it.
circuit terminations w h e n the potential rise exceeds
430 V ( 650 V for high reliability lines ). Pilot 21.4.2 Omission of Bonding — Where insulators
cables should b e provided with insulated glands are attached to a pole or to nonconducting cross
a n d so disposed as to minimize the possibility of arms, etc, attached to the pole, ommission of
fauttt currents being carried by the sheaths. bonding of poletop metalwork gives a greater
impulse withstand voltage, so there is less risk of
W h e r e carriercurrent equipment is employed, faults d u e to phasetophase flashover. T o reduce
a further earthelectrode, normally a driven rod, risk of fire, where wooden crossarms are used,
should be provided at or immediately adjacent to care should be taken to make close, fire contact
e a c h structure supporting the coupling capacitors. between the crossarm and the insulator pipe.
This e a r t h electrode is a n additional one for the
21.4.3 Omission of Earthing — If pole top metal
high frequency equipment a n d should be bonded
work is not earthed, transient faults due to birds,
i n t o the m a i n earthing system. T h e structures
flying branches, etc, bridging the clearance
supporting the coupling capacitors should be ear
between line conductors a n d the metalwork are
t h e d in the normal way.
greatly reduced.
2 1 . E A R T H I N G A S S O C I A T E D W I T H 21.4.4 Transformers, Rod-operated Switchgear and
O V E R H E A D P O W E R LINES Cable Terminations — I n cases where equipment,
such as transformers, rodoperated switchgear or
21.1 T y p e o f S u p p o r t — A n y consideration of cable terminations are mounted on a wooden or
"whether metalwork associated with overhead reinforced plastics pole, the impulse flashover
power lines should be earthed and/or bonded has value of the additional insulation provided by the
t o take account of the type of support. Some over pole is impaired, and all the metal work on the
head lines are supported by lattica towers of meta pole needs to be bonded and earthed.
llic construction, others by poles, which m a y be
of steel, wood, concrete or of fabricated cons 21.5 S t a y s — T o prevent stay corrosion that would
t r u c t i o n , for example, glassreinforced plastics; otherwise occur due to passage of small leakage
brackets attached to buildings are also used to currents occurring even in normal operation, stay
support conductors. insulators should be fitted in stay wires on poles.
52
IS : 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqpon
TVo part of the stay insulator should be less than i magnetic interference is reduced if the resistance
3 m above ground; it should be fitted as high u p of the earth return path is small compared with its
1
the stay as possible, but the stay insulator should reactance. At 50 H z , inductive interference may zyxwvutsrqpon
!
be so positioned that there can be no contact below be caused by the use of a highresistivity wire ( for
the stay insulator between the stay wire a n d any / example, steel wire ) even if it is perfectly earthed.
phase conductor ( including a jumper connection ), , A. single lowresistivity earth wire m a d e of copper,
should either of them break or become loose aluminium etc, should be used and it should avoid
passing close to conductors or cables belonging to
21.6 M e t a l B r a c k e t s A t t a c h e dzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
to B u i l d i n g s — other circuits. It should be protected against
A metal bracket attached to or adjacent to any ' mechancial d a m a g e for a distance of 3 m above
metalwork on or joining part of any building or r ground level. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHG
structure and supporting a phase conductor needs 3
to be earthed unless the conductor is both insula 21.8 L i g h t n i n g P r o t e c t i o n — A lightning con
ted and supported by an insulator, each form of f ductor attached to a stiucture a n d earthed at its
insulation being suitable for the conditions under r lower end acts to reduce the likelihood of a lightn
which it will be required to operate in the event t ing strike. An overrunning aerial earthwire on
of failure of the other. overhead power line, .besides forming part, of the
earth return path, also gives a degree of lightning
21.7 E a r t h W i r e s a n d E a r t h C o n n e c t i o n — protection. T h e lower the impedance between
Any connection between metalwork and earth has s aerial earthwire a n d earth, the better is the
to be of low resistivity, both to provide for prompt t protection since this reduces the possibility of a
operation of protective equipment and to minimize ; back flashover from the earthed metalwork to line
inductive inteiference with communications circuits s conductors on the occasion of a direct strike to the
in the event of a flow of fault current. Electro earth wire.
SECTION 5 INDUSTRIAL PREMISES
22. G U I D E L I N E S O N E A R T H I N G O F been incorporated so as to instantaneously isolate

I N D U S T R I A L P R E M I S E S the system in the event of a ground fault, a lesser
duration can be considered for design purposes.
22.1 G e n e r a l — T h e design of earthing system
for any scheme is developed on the basis of basic 22.1.3 As far as the value of t h e earth resis
requirements. tance is concerned, the objective from the point
22.1.1 So far as the consumers taking supply of safety consideration is not to attain m i n i m u m
at 240 V are concerned according to the provi value of the earth resistance as is sometimes
sions of the basic statutes, it is the responsibility understood. But the consideration should be
■ of the supplier to provide earthed terminal at the whether there is a d e q u a t e coordination between
premises of the consumer. I n the cases of consu the practically obtainable value of the earth
mers taking supply at higher voltages, earthing resistance and setting of the protective relays.
scheme should be so designed as to satisfy the This aspect is very much relevant in the case of
basic statutory requirements a n d also to provide installations where the value of the earth resisti
adequate protection against ground faults. vity which is to be taken for the calculations is
abnormally high. T h e disposition of the earth
22.1.2 T h e earthing system in the premises of electrodes, a n d t h e extent a n d size of earth grid
■ consumers at voltages above 240 V should be will always d e p e n d upon the disposition of plant
■ designed as a PMP system with separate protec electrics; the layout should be done in such a
tive conductor. The neutral of the transformer m a n n e r as to keep the earth continuity resistance
should b e connected to be earth electrodes by to within the stipulated figure. T h e thermal
duplicate connections a n d adequate n u m b e r of rating of the earth electrode is specified by this
• earth electrodes should be provided with inter code which gives the formula for the m a x i m u m
linking earth bus for getting a n optimum value of allowable current density in a n earth electrode.
the earth resistance depending upon the setting of However, in the case of a protective multiple
the earth fault/earth leakage relays a n d also to earthing system where the neutral of the supply
limit the extent of rise of potential in the case of transformer and the noncurrent carrying metal
solidly earthed systeiu, the ground fault current parts in the system are interconnected by the
can be of the order of symmetrical shortcircuit common earth grid, which is designed for the
current and hence the thermal design of the prospective fault current, there is no reason to
earth bus a n d the earthing system should depend design the earth electrodes assuming that total
upon the maximum 'symmetrical short circuit e a r t h fault current is dissipated through the earth
current available. The duration of the earth fault electrodes. I n the case of an interconnected
current according to the existing design practice system, earth fault current is returned to the
is 3 seconds. Howevei, in case of installations neutral mostly through the interconnected system,
where adequate protective arrangements have earth fault grid. However, depending upon t h e
53
t 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
value of the earth resistivity, a percentage of the 22.2.3 The continuity resistance of the earth.
current may flow through the mass of the earth return path through the earth grid should be
as well. The current, which takes the earth return maintained as low as possible and in no case
path, enters the earth through different earth greater than one ohm.
electrodes. Hence, while designing the earth
electrodes, the thermal capability of the earth 22.2.4 In the case of EHT substations, where
electrodes need be verified only with reference to there is possibility of the ground potential attain
the portion of the current which may take the ing very high values ( of the order of 5 kV and
earth return path, which depends upon the earth above ) in the event of an earth fault, the earth
resistivity. In the normal range of earth resistivi grid design should be based on the tolerable limits
ties between 10 and 1 000 m, this division of of the potential gradient in the substation area,
current is found to be in between 80 percent and and the step and touch potential due to fault
20 percent for design purposes. Hence, depending conditions.
upon the disposition of the plant electrics, an 22.2.5 In die case of EHT substations, the
optimum number of earth electrodes are provided earth conductors should be bare and they should
as anchorages for the earth grid. The value of be buried direct in ground.
the earth resistance of the grid so formed is then
calculated assuming the bare interconnected grid 22.3 T h e E a r t h Electrodes
as a strip electrode. The value of the earth 22.3.1 The earth electrodes are provided to
resistance so obtained should be within reason dissipate the fault current in case of earth faults
able limits, otherwise brought down by adding and to maintain the earth resistance to a reasona
more etectrodes. The ground fault protective ble value so as to avoid rise of potential of the
device or the phase fault protective device ( in earthing grid. Practice, which has been followed
case there is no ground fault protective device ) uptil now, is to design the earth electrodes for
is set to operate at the minimum current which is the appropriate thermal withstand capacity,
obtainable under a ground fault condition. The assuming the total fault current to be passing
thermal rating of the earth electrodes are then through the earth electrodes. This is true in the
cross verified, based upon the percentage of case ol an earthing system which is not inter
current which takes the earth return path. Based connected with neutral earthing ( T T / I T system).
upon the above philosophy, the following guide But with the adoption ol PME system in industrial
lines for the design of an earthing system in the distribution where the neutral is solidly connected
H T consumers premises are issued. to the earthing grid, the above practice requires.
22.2 Consideration for Earthing revision as has already been pointed out in 22.1.3
22.2.1 The main earthing conductor will be in order to avoid redundancy and thereby to
run in between standard earth electrodes avoid unnecessary expenditure. The amount of
conforming to specifications and distributed current that may actually be dissipated through.
uniformally around the working area. All the the earth electrodes depends to a large extent, on
noncurrent carrying metal parts of the equip the earth resistivity of the soil. Depending upon the
ments, switchboards, etc, will be solidly connected value ol the earth resistivity, the total fault current
tonhis earth grid or equipotential bonding con from the supply system will return to neutral
ductor by duplicate earth connections of adequate partially through the earth grid and paitially
size. For interconnecting switchboards protected through the earth return path. The percentage of
by H R C fuses to this earth grid, the size of current which flows directly through the earth
interconnection need not be more than 75 mm* grid depends on the resistance of the earth return
copper or its equivalent. In laying out the earth path in relation to the earth resistivity. The
electrodes and the earth conductors, all efforts standard earth resistivity values typically vary in
should be made to maintain a uniform potential the range between 10 and 1 000 ohms. In this
gradient in and around the work area. The range ot variation, it can be reasonably assumed.
transformer neutral should be solidly connected to that {he fault current division at the point of
this grid by duplicate earth connections, one going entry to the earth grid is 20 to 80 percent. For
directly to earth electrodes and other going to the verification of the fault dissipating capacity of
common earth bus. The size of the neutral earth earth electrodes, only the portion of the fault
ing conductor should in no case be less than that current which is diverted to the earth electrode
of the size of the main earthing conductor. need be taken and under these conditions the.
maximum allowable current density as stipulated
22.2.2 The earth grid should be run at a mini in this code should not be exceeded.
mum depth of 50 cm below ground. When bare
conductors are used as earth grid, this can also be 22.3.2 The number of earth electrodes required
assumed to dissipate the fault current to the mass for a particular installation will be basically deci
of the earth and for calculating the effective value ded by the optimum value of the earth resistance
of the earth resistance of this grid, this grid can which is required to make the protective system
be treated as a strip electrode and the standard operation. Hence, the optimum value of the earth
formula can be applied for calculating the earth resistance depends upon the reasonable potential
resistance o( the grid. rise and setting of the earth fault isolating devices
54
t 3043 • 1987
or the series protective devices in case where there index up to —10 is recommeded for steel/GI
is no ground fault detecting devices. The main earthing conductors while designing an earthing
criterion is that the value of the earth return scheme, situations of corrosion index of below
resistance should not be so high as not to produce 10 should not be allowed.
the required ground fault current for actuating
the protective devices within the stipulated time. 22.5.3 In the case of systems where standard
Or in other words, the optimum value of the protective arrangments have been provided for
earth resistance is closely related to setting of the isolating the ground faults instantaneously, due
earth fault protective devices used in the system. consideration can be given to this aspect in decid
For a small installation, as a general rule, in the ing upon the size of the earthing conductor by
event of a direct earth fault the earth fault cur giving due allowance to lower duration of the
rent produced should not be less than five times ground fault currents.
the highest rating of the maximum protective
fuses or the setting of the earth fault relay if 22.6 Correlation Between Grounding and
such a device is provided. Earth Fault Protection
22.4 Determination of Earth Resistivity — 22.6.1 The phase fault protective device
As has already been pointed out, the value of the normally used in systems operating at 415 V
earth resistivity plays an important role in the afford reasonable protection against arcing ground
design of the earth electrodes. In the conven faults. The ground fault current depends upon
tional method, the earth resistivity which is to be the impedance to zero sequence current flows
applied in the design calculations is taken as the and depends to a large extent on the grounding
arithmetic mean of a number of measured values network and the earth resistivity. The pick up
in the area under consideration. The figure so value of the ground fault relays or the value of
obtained seldom projects a realistic value. A more the phase fault protective device should be co
scientific approach is to measure the earth resis ordinated for the required protection for the
tivity in different radial directions from a central system. In case the impedance of the earth return
point which may be taken as the proposed load path for ground fault current cannot be regulated
centre. With the values so obtained, a polar so as to produce adequte fault current for operat
curve is drawn. The polar curve is converted to ing the phase fault protective devices like fuses,
(see 36.6). The radius of such circuits should be protected by separate
an equivalent circlezyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
the circle is taken to be the average value of the ground fault protective devices. Hence, the nece
earth resistivity figure which is to be applied in ssity of separate ground fault protection depends
design calculations. Necessary allowance should, on the grounding network and its effective impe
of course, be given for factors such as variations dance and earth grid design is closely related to
in climatic conditions, treatment of soil, etc the effectiveness of the phase fault protective
device in clearing a ground fault in place where
22.5 Design of Earth Bus separate ground fault protective devices are not
provided.
22.5.1 Design of earth bus is based upon the
general guidelines given in Seetion 2. The size of 22.7 Grounding and Ground Fault Pro
the main earth grid will be decided on the basts tection
of line to ground fault current assumed to be
symmetrical shortcircuit current in the system. 22.7.1 In recent, years, there has been an
This assumption is fairly reasonable in the case of increasing interest in the use of ground fault
a solidly earthed system where the ratio between protection in industrial distribution circuits. This
XO/XI is limited to less than 3 and the ohmic interest has been brought about by a disturbing
value of the earth return path to the supply neutral number of electric failures. Hence it is worthwhile
is reasonably low. The minimum fault level to explore the need for better ground fault pro
existing at the supply point will be assumed to be tection and to examine the grounding practices in
131 kA or the actual fault current,whichever is the light of the required protection.
greater for premises at voltages above 1 kV.
22*7.2 Distribution circuits which are solidly
grounded or grounded through low impedances
22.5.2 Bare copper, PVC covered aluminium require fast clearing of ground faults. This in
or Gl subject to relevant restrictions based on volves high sensitivity in detecting low groud fault
the location and nature of installation may be currents as wall as the coordination between
used as earthing to conductors. The size of the main and feeder circuit protective devices. Fault
earthing conductors will be calculated according clearing must be extremely fast where arcing is
to guidelines given in the code. The time dura present.
tion of the fault current as recommended is 3
seconds. According to standards developed in this 22.7.3 The appeal of effective ground fault
regard, the size of the earthing conductors will protection is based on the following:
be based upon current densities as given in
Section 2 of this code. A corrosion factor of 5 1) The majority of electric faults involve
percent of unit drop in the value of corrosion ground. Ungrounded systems are also sub
55
I SzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
t 3043 1987
ject to ground faults a n d require careful example, a 1 600 A circuit breaker with conven
attention to g r o u n d fault detection a n d tional phase protection will clear a 3 200 A fault
ground fault protections. in about 100 seconds. Although it can be adjusted
in the range ot 30 to 200 seconds, at this fault
2) T h e ground fault protective sensitivity can
value. A 1 600 A fuse may require 10 minutes or
be relatively independent of continuous
more to clear the same 3 200 A fault. These low
load current values a n d thereby have
values of fault currents are associated predomi
lower pick u p settings than phase protec
nantly with fault to ground a n d have generally
tive devices.
received little attention in the design of earthing
3) Ground fault currents are not transferred systems, until the occurrence oi many serious
through system, in the case of power trans electric failures in recent years. In contrast, on
formers which are connected deltastar, grounded systems of 33 k V and above, it has
deltadelta. T h e ground fault protection been a standard practice to apply some form of
for each system voltage level should be ground fault protection.
independent of the protection at other
voltage levels. This permits m u c h faster 22.9 T h e action initiated by g r o u n d fault sensing
relaying t h a n can be afforded by phase devices will vary depending u p o n the installa
protective device which require coordinate tion. I n some cases, such as services to dwelling,
using pick u p values a n d time delays which it m a y be necessary to i m m e d i a t e l y disconnect
extend from the load t o the service genera the faulted circuit to prevent loss of life and pro
tors, often resulting in considerable time perty. However, the opening of some circuits in
delay a t some parts in the system. critical applications m a y in itself, endanger life
4) Arcing ground faults which are not prom or property. Therefore, each particular applica
ptly detected a n d cleared can be extremely tion should be studied carefully before selecting
destructive. A relatively small investment t h e action to be initiated by the ground fault
can provide very valuable protections. protective devices.
22.10 P r o t e c t i o n A g a i n s t A r c i n g G r o u n d
22.8 M u c h of the present emphasis on ground F a u l t s a n d E a r t h L e a k a g e
fault protection centres a r o u n d or circuits below
550 V. Protective devices have usually fuse 22.10.1 Necessity of arcing ground fault protec
switches of circuit breakers with integrally moun tion especially for 415 V installations is not very
ted phase tripping devices. T h e s e protective well understood a n d protective schemes suggested
elements are termed as overload or fault overcurr for n o r m a l industrial installations never give
ent devices because they carry the current in each m u c h importance to this aspect. It is also seen
phase a n d clear the circuit only w h e n the current that the fact that a series protective device like
reaches a magnitude greater t h a n full load breaker or a fuse does not offer protection against
current. T o a c c o m m o d a t e inrush currents such as a n earth fault or arcing ground fault in a 415 V
motor starting or transformer magnetising inrush', system, is very often forgotten. In the case of
phase over current devices are designed with such installations, the avoidance of arcing ground
inverse characteristics, which are rather slow a t faults is important from the point of view of per
overcurrent values upto about 5 times r a t i n g . For sonal safety a n d equipment d a m a g e .
SECTION 6 S T A N D B Y A N D OTHER PRIVATE GENERATING P L A N T S
23. E A R T H I N G I N S T A N D B Y A N D O T H E R Except in some special applications, there is,

P R I V A T E G E N E R A T I N G P L A N T S ( I N in every case, need for an i n d e p e n d e n t earth
C L U D I N G P O R T A B L E A N D M O B I L E electrode for energy source earthing at the pre
G E N E R A T O R S ) mises where t h e generator is located. ( Any
suppliers' protective e a r t h terminal at the premi
23.1 G e n e r a l — T h e earthing of standby a n d ses should also be connected to the independent
other private generating plant is necessary t o earth electrode ).
protect against indirect contact t h a t m a y result in
electric shock. T h e objective is to create a z o n e T h e r e are m a n y variations in system design a n d
in which voltage between exposed conductive for any particular application, t h e precise method
parts a n d extraneous conductive parts are m i n i m i of energy source earthing is subject to the recom
zed in the event of a n earth fault. mendations of the m a c h i n e manufacturers, the
system parameters a n d , where m a i n s supplies are
In this section the r e q u i r e m e n t is m e t by con also involved, the agreement of the concerned
necting the generating set frame(s), metallic cable supply authority.
sheaths a n d armouring, a n d all exposed conduc
tive parts to an earthing conductor, a n d by It m a y , however, be noted t h a t the guidance
connecting the system to e a r t h ( normally at one included in this section, applies to stock protec
point only ). tion as well as protection of equipment. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihg
56
: 3043 1987
23.2 Low Voltage Up to 1 000 V Generators In general fourpole changeover switching
between the mains and standby, supplies should
Earth Electrodes — The overall resistance
be used to provide isolation of the generator and
to earth of the electrodes forming the connection
electricity board neutral earths. However, in the
to the general mass of earth from the low voltage
case of a protective multiple earthing ( PME )
energy source has to be consistent with the earth
supply, three or fourpole switching may be used.
fault protection provided and shall be as lovv as
possible. 23.2.2.3 Standby generator ( capable of parallel
operation with incoming mains supply ) — Electricity
23.2.2 Single Low Voltage Generator Earthing boards will not generally permit continuous parallel
( Synchronous Machines ) operation of a synchronous machine with the low
voltage mains supply, unless there are no other
23.2.2.1 Generator operating in isolation {from consumers on the network. However, shortterm
the mains or other supplies ) — In this basic arrange parallel operation for nobreak load transfer or
ment, the generator neutral point should be testing may be permitted. Also, if a synchronus
connected to the neutral of the low voltage machine output is rectified and connected through
switchgear which is itself connected through a a mains modulated static inverter continuous
bolted link ( for test purposes ) to an earthing parallel operation will usually be permitted. In
conductor and the independent earth electrode. the latter case, the generator neutral terminal
should be connected to the independent earth
23.2.2.2 Standby generator ( without paralleling electrode and to any electricity board earth.
facility ) — In addition to the earthing require
ments stated for a set operating in isolation from For shortterm parallel operation, giving no
other supplies, special attention needs to be given break load transfer, the alternative energy source
to the changeover, arrangement for standby set, earthing arrangements, which may be used, are
which has to ensure that there can be no inadver as described in 23.2.3.1, except that only one
tent parallel connection ( see Fig. 24 ). generating set is involved. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
CHANGEOVER FACILITY
PRIME (AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL)
MOVER INCOMING
ELEC BOARD
Y zyxwvutsrqponm
EX:TRANEOUS| I
CO NOUCTIVE r
PA RTS
i.-h-X-h EARTHING BAR
INDEPENDENT EARTH ELECTRO0E
N O T E 1 — Cable sheath earth of provided/shown
NOTE 2 — PNE link of provided/shown
NOTE 3 — Changeover switch could be 3pole with linked neutral.
FIG. 24 SINGLE LOW VOLTAGE STANDBY GENERATOR ( WITHOUT PARELLELING FACILITY )
57
IS i 3043zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
- 1987
23.2.3 Multiple Low Voltage Generator Earthing c) Generator star point switching — When this
( Synchronous Machines ) arrangement is adopted, it is necessary
before the first generator is started for its
23.2.3.1 Generator. operating in isolation from starpoint/neutral earthing switch to be
other supplies — When low voltage generating sets closed. When subsequent sets are started,
are operated in parallel, the energy source earth their starpoint earthing switches remain
ing method is influenced by the magnitude of the open. This avoids the circulating* current
circulating currents, particularly third harmonic, problem, but it is essential that electrical
which can arise when generators are connected and mechanical interlocks on the star
as fourwire machines. If the magnitude of the point/earth switches ensure the integrity of
circulating current due to the nature of the load the energy source neutral earth connection
or the design of the generators is excessive when at all times and under all possible operating
the neutrals are connected, then a neutral earth conditions.
ing trnsformer or starpoint earthing switches are
required. 23.2.3.2 Standby generators (without mains
paralleling facility ) — The alternative neutral
Hence, Lhree alternative neutral earthing earthing arrangements for standby generators are
arrangements are possible for parallel operation as set out in 23.2.3.1 for generators operated in
as follows: isolation from an electricity board supply. The
earthing arrangements are shown in the following
a) All generator neutrals connected — With this drawings:
arrangement, the neutral busbar in the
main low voltage switchgear is connected a) All generator neutrals connected (see
through a bolted link to an earthing con Fig. 25 );
ductor and independent earth electrode. b) Neutral earthing transformer (seeFig. 26 );
and
b) Neutral earthing transformer — By providing c) Alternator starpoint switching ( Fig. 27).
a neutral earthing transformer solidly con
nected to the busbars, the system neutral For standby generators with no mains para
can remain earthed at all times whilst any lleling facility, the changeover arrangement has
number of generators can be connected to to prevent inadvertent connection of the genera
the busbars as threewire machines. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
tor outputs and electricity board supply.
R Y B N
PRIME
MOVER GENERATOR
CHANGEOVER FACILITY INCOMING

AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL ELEC BOARD
o &£> o>ozyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
LV SUPPLY
PRIME
MOVER zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
EXTRANEOUS J.
CONDUCTIVE *--
PARTS
INDEPENDENT
EARTH ELECTRODE
NOTE 1 — Cable sheath of provided/shown •
IN!
Nora 2 — PNE link of provided/shown
LfEJ
NOTB 3 — Changeover switch could be 3pole with linked neutral.
FIG. 25 Low VOLTAGE STANDBY GENERATORS WITH NEUTRALS GONNECIED
58
IS < 3043 . 1987 zyxwvutsrqpo
NEUTRAL EARTHING
TRANSFORMER
PRIME
MOVER zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
INCOMING ELEC
BOARD
LV SUPPLY
EXTRANEOUS
CONDUCTIVE
PARTS
INDEPENDENT
FARTH ELECTRODE
NOTE 1 — Cable sheath earth of provided/shown ■
r r j
Nora 2 — PNE link of provided/shown i ONi
i >
Nora 3 — If a bus section switch is installed a neutral earthing transformer will be required on each section of

busbar.
FIG. 26 L o w VOLTAGE STANDBV GENERATORS WITH N E U T R A L EARTHING TRANSFORMERS
In general, fourpole changeover switching 23.2.5 Small Portable Low Voltage Generators upto
between the electricity board supply and the 5 kVA in Rating — Where portable generators are
standby supply should be used to provide isolation used to provide a supply and earthing is consi
of the neutral earths. However, in the case of a dered as a means of protection against electric
protective multiple earthing ( P M E ) electricity shock, they are required to be connected as
board supply, three or fourpole switching may follows:
be used. a) Singlephase machines should have either
Standby generators ( capable of parallel
23.2.3.3zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBAa centre tap on the winding connected to
operation with the incoming mains supply ) — The con earth or, if not compatible with the system,
ditions for which parallel operation of multiple one end connected to earth and designated
generating set installations with the mains supply the neutral. The Centre tap method
may be permitted by the electricity board are the reduces the effective lineearth voltage and
same as apply for single generators (see 23.2.2.3 ). is particularly used where the generator is
to feed 110 V portable tools; and
The possible alternative energy source earth b) Threephase machines should have their
ing arrangements are as listed in 23.2.3.2. windings connected in star, with the star
23.2.4 Single and Multiple Generator Earthing connection made available and connected
( Synchronous Machines ) — The parallel operation to earth.
of synchronous machines is generally permitted; In all cases, the exposed metalwork of the
such machines are normally provided where the generator should be adequately connected to the
prime mover is driven by wind, water or bio earth terminal, preferably with a bolted connec
chemical plant, but may be provided with any tion.
prime mover. Any neutral point of such machine
windings should be earthed, but the machine The earth electrode should have a minimum
framework and any other extraneous metalwork crosssection area if it is not protected against
should be connected to the electricity board earth corrosion of 25 mm* for copper and 50 mm* for
terminal, if provided. steel. Whilst there is no minimum value of earth
59
I S t 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
electrode resistance, it should be as low as possi generator vehicle should be connected
ble. The upper limit should not exceed the value separately to the alternator neutral where
required for the protective devices to operate and the latter is bonded to the vehicle chassis;
disconnect the load in a time not exceeding the and
safe value. c) Where an electricity board protective earth
NOTB — The selection of devices for the automatic terminal or exposed structural metalwork
disconnection of supply is covered in Section 3. is present, it should be connected to the
earthing conductor on the mobile genera
For portable generators, residual current tor.
devices having an operating time of 40 ms or less
at a residual current of 250 mA are recommended 23.3zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
High Voltage Generators
to a means of providing additional protection 23.3.1 Earth Electrodes and Earthing Resistors —
against the effect of electric shock. However, it Where an earth electrode resistance is 1 Q or
is important to test such devices regularly, partiless, a common earth may be used for the high
cularly when the greater is used in a hostile voltage generator and for the low voltage system
environment. The method of connecting a rod derived through high voltage/low voltage trans
used on the output of a portable generator is formation.
shown in Fig. 28.
Nora— For further information u$ 20.1 (c).
Mobile Generators — Where a supply is
taken from a mobile generator, the following Where a resistor is used for earthing the star
recommendations, additional to those given point of a high voltage generator, it is normally
in 23.2.5 shall apply: designed to limit the earth fault current to the
same order of magnitude as the machine's full
a) The generator neutral should be connected load current. In general, however earthing via
to the vehicle chassis; resistors is not necessary for single generators of
b) The earth terminal at each outlet on the 1 M W or less in rating.
R Y 8 N
PRIME
MOVER GENERATOR
INCOMING
EC B0AR0
ELEC BOA _
LV SUPPLY
su— zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfe
PRIfc
©■
M O V E R , GENERATOR
EXTRANEOUS
CONDUCTIVE
PARTS
^>f
INDEPENDENT
EARTH ELECT
RODE
NOTB 1 — Cable sheath earth of provided/shown
NOTB 2 — PNE link of provided/shown i * N ;
L?.fcJ
NOTB 3 — ( i t ) Mechanical interlock to ensure that energy source neutral is always earthed but at one
point only
FIG. 27 Low VOLTAGE STANDBY GENERATORS WITH STAR POINT SWITCHING
60
IS t 3043 1987 zyxw
PRIME
MOVER GENERATOR RC 0
o T ^ .
LOAD
oo
L.V. PLANT PORTABLE

OR MOBILE UNIT
INDEPENDENT
EARTH ELECTRODE
Fio. 28 METHOD OP CONNECTING A RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVIOB ( r. c. d . )
ON THE OUTPUT OP A PORTABLE OR MOBILE GENERATOR
Single High Voltage Generator Earthing pendent earth electrode.
( Synchronous Machines with Star Connected Alterna-
Urs ) . 23.3.2.2 Standby generator ( without paralleling
facility ) — In addition to the earthing require
23.3.2.1 Generator operating in isolation {from ments described for a set operating in isolation
mains or other suppliers — The starpoint of the from other supplies, the presence of an incoming
generator should be connected ( via a resistor, if electricity board supply makes necessary the inter
necessary ) and through a bolted link for test locking of the standby supply circuit breakers to
purposes to an earthing conductor and the inde prevent inadvertent connection ( see Fig. 29 ).
• X X ALOCK'^SI i X I I I
L*L*L4J ikJti.h AAA
X XX
zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihg
PIG. 29 SINGLE HIGH VOLTAGE STANDBY GENERATING SET NOT SUITABLE FOR PARALLEL OPERATION
61
I S t 3043 • 1987
Standby generator ( capable of parallel of energy source earthing is direct or resistance
operation with an incoming supply ) — The operation earthing, then earthing contactors should be
of a private generator ( or generators) in parallel installed between each generator starpoint and
with an electricity board high voltage system is the earthing conductor each electrode ( as descri
subject to the parallel and technical agreement of bed in 23*2.3.1 ). The contactors need to be
the electricity board. interlocked so that only one can be closed to
In most cases where parallel operation with maintain a single energy source earth.
an incoming electricity board is required, an
earthing contactor is necessary between the If a neutral earthing transformer is to be used
generator star point and the bolted test link ( see for energy source earthings, it should be connec
Fig. 30 ). The contactor should be interlocked ted as shown in Fig. 31 except that in the case
with the incoming supply circuit breaker so that of an isolated generating system, the earthing
it is open during periods of parallel operation but contactors is not required.
closes at all times. In the event of the electricity
supply being lost during a period of parallel 23.3.3.2 Standby generators (witkout mains
operation, the earthing contactor should be parallel facility ) — When the generating sets are
arranged to close automatically. The form of not to be operated in parallel with the mains
generator earthing ( direct or resistance) is supply, and have direct or resistance earthing,
dependent upon the system parameters and the the standby generator circuitbreakers and mains
machine manufacturer's recommendations. circuitbreaker need to be interlocked.
23.3.3 Multiple High Voltage Generator Earthing If a neutral earthing transformer is used the
23.3.3.1 Generators operating in isolation fromrequirements are the same as described for a
other supplies — When it is required to operate single standby generator in 23.3.2.2; as shown in
two or more generators in parallel and the method Fig. 31, but without the earthing contactor. zyxwvutsrqponm
HV STANDBY
GENERATOR
LOAD
EARTHING CONTACTOR INTERLOCKED WITH

INCOMING MAINS SUPPLY CIRCUIT BREAKER
EARTHING SO THAT ONLY ONE CAN BE CLOSED AT
CONTACTOR 'ANY TIME
EARTHING RESISTOR
IF REQUIRED
Fio. 30 SINGLE HIGH VOLIAOE STANDBY GENERATING SET SUITABLE FOR
PARALLEL OPERATION WITH INCOMING MAINS SUPPLY
62
18 s 30431987
Standby generators ( capable of parallel requirement. These should be interlocked with
operation with an incoming mains supply) — When the the incoming mains supply circuitbreaker so that
generating sets have direct or resistance earthing they are open during parallel operation of the set
and are used as standby to the mains, earthing with the mains, but one is closed at all other
contactors are ^ded if parallel running is a times ( see Fig. 32 ). zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWV
NON AUTOMATIC
CIRCUIT BREAKER
OR SWITCH
I S
ffl$ Hi ft zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB
zyxwvutsrqponmlk
NEUTRAL EARTHING
TRANSFORMER
Uli tUi nJi i uli ly
I INCOMING zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc
LOAD
± MAINS SUPPLY
EARTHING CONTACTOR
INTERLOCKED SO THAT THE
! CONTACTOR CANNOT BE CLOSED
' DURING PARALLEL OPERATION
WITH THE INCOMING MAINS
SUPPLY
Flo. 31 MULTIPLE HIGH VOLTAGE STANDBY GENERATING SETS WITH NEUTRAL EARTHING
TRANSFORMER SUITABLE FOR PARALLEL OPERATION WITH EACH OTHER
AND WITH THE INCOMING MAINS SUPPLY
LOAD
'EARTHING CONTACTORS INTERLOCKED SO THAT

ONLY ONE CAN BE CLOSED AT ANY TIME AND
EARTHING 0i .iNONE CAN BE CLOSED DURING PARALLEL
CONTACTORS o|" ■ ©a OPERATION WITH THE INCOMING MAINS
SUPPLY
EARTHING
RESISTORS
[IF REQUIRED^
Fia. 32
LC
MULTIPLE HIGH VOLTAGE STANDBY GENERATING SETS SUITABLE FOR PARALLEL
OPBRATIOIOVITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE INCOMING MAINS SUPPLY
63
i 3043 • 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
I SzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
SECTION 7 MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS

24. P R O T E C T I V E M E A S U R E S T H R O U G H d) If more t h a n one patient is present in an
E A R T H I N G I N M E D I C A L E S T A B L I S H area, connection of the various potential
M E N T S equalization centres to a central potential
equalization busher, which should prefer
24.0 G e n e r a l — I n t h e context of this Section ably be connected to the protective earth
"installation", means any combination of inter system of the power supply for the given
connected electrical equipment within a given area. In its completed form, the equipoten
space or location intended to supply power to tial bonding network may consist partly of
electrical equipment used in medical practice. fixed a n d permanently installed bonding
a n d partly of a n u m b e r of separate bond
24.0.1 For the purposes of this Section,
ings which are m a d e when the equipment
reference may also be m a d e to SP : 30 ( Part 3/
is set up near the patient. T h e necessary
Sec 4 )l985*.
terminals for these bonding connection
24.0.2 As such, some parts of the installation should be present on equipment and in t h e
may be present in the patient's environment, installation.
where potential differences, that could lead to e) Restriction of the duration of transient
excessive currents through the patient, must be voltage difference by the application of
avoided. For this purpose a combination or earth residual current operated protective devices
ing of equipment a n d potential equalization in the ( earth leakage circuitbreakers ).
installation seems to provide the best solution. A
f) Continuity of power supply to certain
disadvantage of such a system is that in the case
equipment in the case of a first insulation
of a n insulation fault in circuits directly connected
fault to earth a n d restriction of transient
to supply mains, the fault current may cause a
voltage differences by application of isolat
considerable voltage drop over the protective
ing transformers.
earth conductor of the relevant circuit. Since a
reduction of such a voltage drop by the applica g) Monitoring of first insulation fault to earth
tion of increased crosssectional areas of protective in an I T Systems ( see 6.1.1 ) ( the secon
conductors is usually impractical, available solu dary side of an isolating transformer ) with
tions are the reduction of the duration of fault sufficiently high impedance to e a r t h .
currentszyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
to earth by special devices or t h e applica NOTE—Additional safety measures are required
tion of a power supply which is isolated from besides earthing described in this Section. These
earth. cover fire safety, safety supply systems and inter
ference suppression. Reference may be made to
NEC ( P a r t 3, Section 4 ) * .
24.0.3 Generally a power supply system includ
ing a separated protective conductor is required. 24.1 Safety P r o v i s i o n s
( T N S System ) in medical establishment
24.1.1 Safety measures from the point of view
( see 6.1.1 ).
of earthing are divided into a n u m b e r of p r o v i
In addition the following provisions m a y be sions as given in T a b l e 10.
required, depending upon the nature of the
24.1.2 Provision Po shall b e applicable to all
examinations or treatments performed:
buildings containing medically used rooms. Provi
a) Additional requirements concerning pro sion PI shall be applicable for all medically used
tective conductors a n d protective devices rooms.
to restrict continuous voltage differences. O t h e r requirements of this Section, need n o t
b) Restriction of voltage differences by supple be complied with, if:
mentary equipotential bonding. During
a) a room is not intended for the use of m e d i
the application of equipment with direct
cal electrical equipment, or
contact to the patient, at least a potential
equalized zone around the patient shall be b) patients do not come intentionally in con
provided with a patient centre bonding b a r tact with medical electrical e q u i p m e n t
to which the protective and functional earth during diagnosis or treatment, or
conductors of t h e equipment are connec c) only medical electrical equipment is used
ted. All accessible extraneous conductive which is internally powered or of protection
parts in the zone shall be connected to this Class I I .
potential equalization bar.
T h e rooms mentioned u n d e r (a), (b) and (c)
c) Restriction of the potential equalization may be, for example, massage rooms, general
zone around one patient, meaning practi wards, doctor's examining room (office, consulting
cally around one operation table or around r o o m ) , where medical electrical equipment is n o t
one bed in an intensive care room. used.
♦ National Electrical Code. • National Electrical Code.
64
1 8 : 3 0 4 3 1 9 * 7
TABLE 10 SAFETY PROVISIONS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONM

(zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Clause 24.1.1 )
PROVISIONS P R I N C I P A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S I N S T A L L A T I O N M E A S U R E S
(1) (2) (3)
PO Duration of touch voltage restricted to a safe TNS, T T or I T system ( see 6.1.1 )
limit
P i As PO but additionally : Touch voltages in Additional to PO Supply system with addi
patient environment restricted to a safe tional requirements for protective earth
limit ing, etc
P2 As PI but additionally : Resistance between Additional to PI : Supplementary equipo
extraneous conductive parts and the protec tential bonding
tive conductor busbar of the room not
exceeding O ' l f l
P3 As PI or P2 but additionally: Potential diffe As PI or P2: Measurement necessary,
rence between exposed conductive parts corrective action possibly necessary
and the protective conductor busbar not
exceeding 10 mV in normal condition ( see
Note )
P4 As P I or P2. Additional protection against Additional to PI or P2 : Residual current
electric shock by limitation of disconnect operated protective device
ing time
P5 Continuity of the mains supply maintained Additional to P I , P2 or P3 : Isolated
in case of a first insulation fault to earth supply system with isolation monitoring
and currents to earth restricted
N O T E — Normal condition means 'without any fault' in the installation.
24.1.3 Guidance on the application of the 25.1.2.1 The conventional touch voltage
provisions are given in Table 11. limit ( LL ) is fixed at 25 V ac.
24.1.4 A typical example of an installation in 25.1.2.2 Protective conductors inside a
a hospital is given in Appendix C of NEC (Part 3, medically used room shall be insulated; their
Section 4 )*. insulation shall be coloured greenyellow.
25. SUPPLY CHARACTERISTICS AND 25.1.2.3 Exposed conductive parts of equip
PARAMETERS ment being part of the electrical installation used
in the same room shall be connected to a common
25.0 Exchange of Information protective conductor.
25.0.1 Proper coordination shall be ensured be 25.1.2.4 A main equipotential bonding with
tween the architect, building contractor and the a main earthing bar shall be provided near the
electrical engineer or the various aspects of insta main service entrance. Connections shall be made
llation design. The necessary special features of to the following parts by bonding conductors:
installations shall be ascertained before hand with a) lightening conductor;
reference to Table 11. b) earthing systems of the electric power
distribution system;
25.1 Circuit Installation Measures for Safety
Provisions — ( See Table 10, col 3 ). c) the central heating system;
d) tne conductive water supply line;
25.1.1 Provision P0 General e) the conductive parts of the waste water line;
25.1.1.1 All buildings in the hospital area f) the conductive parts of the gas supply; and
which contain medically used rooms shall have a g) the structural metal framework of the
TNS, T T power system. The conventional touch building, if applicable.
voltage limit ( LL ) is fixed at 50 V ac.
Main equipotential bonding conductors shall
N O T E — T h e use of TNCS system ( in which the have crosssectional areas of not less than half the
PENconductor may carry current in normal condition) crosssectional area of the largest protective con
can cause safety hazards for the patients and interfere
with the function of medical electrical equipment, ductor of the installation, subject to a minimum
data processing equipment, signal transmission lines, of 6 mm*. The crosssectional area, need not,
etc. however, exceed 25 mm* if the bonding conduc
25.1.2 Provision PI : Medical TN-S System tor is of copper or a crosssectional area affording
equivalent currentcarrying capacity in other
' N a t i o n a l Electrical Code. metals. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ
65
is ,3043wet
25.1.2.5 Each medically used room or room
group shall have its own protective conductor bus
TABLE 11 EXAMPLES OF APPLICATION OF
SAFETY PROVISIONS bar, which should have adequate mechanical and
electrical properties and resistance against corro
( C/<uo«24.1.3) sion.
MEDICALLY U S E D ROOM POTEOTITB M E A SURES This busbar may be located in the relevant
power distribution box. The leads connected to
r
PO/Pl P2 P3 P4 P5 terminals of such a protective conductor bar shall
1. Massage room At 0 be identified and shall be similarly designated on
2. Operating wash room M X drawings of the installation system.
3. Ward, General At 0 25.1.2.6 T h e impedance ( Z ) between the
4. Delivery room M X X protective conductor bar and each connected
5. ECG, EEG, EMG room M X X protective conductor contact in wall sockets or
6. Endoscopic room M X X terminals should not exceed 0 2 £1, if the rated
0 X
current of the overcurrentprotective device is
7. Examination or treat M
ment room 16 A or less. In case of a rated current exceeding
8. Labour room M X X 16 A, the impedance should be calculated using
the formula:
9. Operating sterilization At 0 X
room
10. Orology room ( n o t M X X * 6 / r
being an operating in all cases % shall not exceed 0 2 ft.
theatre )
11. Radiological diagnostic M X X ( IT = rated current of overcurrent protective
and therapy room, device in amperes ).
other than mentioned
under 20 and 24 NOTB — The measurement of the protective con
ductor impedance should be performed with an ac
12. Hydrotherapy room M X X
current not less than 10 A and not exceeding 25 A from
13. Physiotherapy room M X X 0 a source of current with a noload voltage not exceeding
14. Anaesthetic room At X X XI x 6 V, for a period of at least 5 a.
15. Operating theatre M X X * 1 x zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
25.1.2.7 T h e crosssectional area of the pro
16. Operating preparation M X X XI X tective conductor shall be not less than the
room appropriate value shown in Table 7.
17. Operating plaster room M X XI X
M X T h e crosssectionai area of every protective

18. Operating recovery X Xl X
room
conductor which does not form part of the supply
19. Outpatient operating At x xx X
cable or cable enclosure shall be, in any case, not
room less than:
20. Heart catheterization At x x x\ X a) 2 5 mm*, if mechanical protection is provi
room ded; and
21. Intensive care room At x 0 xj X b) 4 mm*, if mechanical protection is not
X
22. Intensive examination At x 0 Xi provided.
room
23. Intensive monitoring At x 0 xt 25.1.2.8 It may be necessary to run the
room protective conductor separate from the phase
24. Angiographic examina At x 0 xt conductors, in order to avoid measuring problems
when recording bioelectric potentials.
tion room
25. Hemodialysis room At x 0 xi 25.1.3 Provision P3 : Supplementary Equipotential
26. Central monitoring At x 0 xt Bonding
room ( jet Note )
25.1.3.1 In order to minimize the touch
NOTE — Only if such a room is part of a medical voltage, all extraneous conductive parts shall be
room group and, therefore, installed in the same way as
an intensive monitoring room. Central monitoring room connected to the system of protective conductors.
having no conductive connection to the mexially used
room ( for example, by use of isolating coupling devices An equipotential conductor bar shall be provi
for signal transmission ) may be installed as nonmedi ded. It should be located near the protective
cal ly used from ( Provision PO only ). conductor bar ( see also 25.1.2.5 ). A combined
rotective conductor and equipotential bonding
At = mandatory measure;
x = recommended measure;
Ear may be used, if all conductors are clearly
marked according to 25.1.2.5 and 25.1.3.3(c).
X! = as x, but only for insulation monitoring
device; and 25.1.3.2 Connections shall be provided from
0 = additional measure may be considered the equipotential bonding bar to extraneous con
desirable. ductive parts such as pipes for fresh water, heat
ing* gases, vacuum and other parts with a
66
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
', 3043 19S7
conductive surface area larger than C*02 m* or a g) An adequate number (under consideration)
linear dimension exceeding 20 cm or smaller part of equipotential bonding terminals other
that may be grasped by hand. than those for protective conductor contact
Additionally, the following requirements apply: or pins of socket outlets should be provided
in each room for the connection of an
a) Such connections need not be made to: additional protective conductor of equip
1) Extraneous conductive parts inside of ment or for reasons of functional earthing
walls (for example, structural metal of equipment.
work of buildings ) having no direct 25.1.4 Provision P3 : Restriction of Touch Voltage
connection to any accessible conductive in Rooms Equipped for Direct Cardiac Application
part inside the room, and
25.1.4.1 The continuous current through a
2) Conductive parts in a nonconductive resistance of 1 000 connected between the equi
enclosure; potential bonding bar and any exposed conductive
b) In locations where the position of the part as well as any extraneous conductive part in
patient can be predetermined this provision the patient environment shall not exceed 10 MA
may be restricted to extraneous conductive in normal condition for frequencies from dc to
parts within the patient environment (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see 1 kHz.
Apppendix B of NEC (Part 3, Section 4 );
and For a description of patient environment, see
Appendix B of NEC ( Part 3, Section 4 ). Where
c) In operating theatres, intensive care rooms, the measuring device has an impedance and a
heart catheterization rooms and rooms frequency characteristics, the current may also be
intended for the recording of bioelectrical indicated as a continuous voltage with a limit of
action potentials all parts should be connec 10 mV between the parts mentioned above.
ted to the equipotential bonding bar via
direct and separate conductors. a) During the test, it is assumed that fixed and
permanently installed medical electrical
25.1.3.3 The following requirements shall be equipment is operating.
fulfilled:
b) 'Normal conditions' means without any
a) The impedance between extraneous conduc fault in the installation and in the medical
tive parts and the equipotential bonding electrical equipment.
bar shall not exceed 0 1 Q . NOTE — To comply with this requirement, it
may be necessary to apply one or more of the
NOTE — The measurement of this impedance following methods:
should be perfoimed with a current not less than Extraneous conductive parts may be:
10 A and not exceeding 25 A during not less than
5 s from a current source with a noload potential a) connected to the equipotential bonding bar by
not exceeding 6 V ac. a conductor of a large crosssectional area in
order to reduce the voltage drop across such a
b) All equipotential bonding conductors shall conductor,
be insulated, the insulation being coloured b) insulated so that it is not possible to touch them
greenyellow. unintentionally, and
NOTE — Insulation of the equipotential bond c) provided with isolating joints at those places
ing conductors is necessary, to avoid loops by where they enter and leave the room.
contact and to avoid picking up of stray currents.
Exposed conductive parts of permanently
c) Equipotential conductors between perma installed equipment may be isolated from the
nently installed extraneous conductive parts conductive building construction.
and the equipotential bonding bar shall
have a crosssectional area of not less than 25.1.5 Provision P4: Application of Residual-Current
4 mm* copper or copper equivalent. Protective Devices
d) The equipotential bonding bar, if any, 25.1.5.1 The use of a residualcurrent pro
should have adequate mechanical and tective device is not recognized as a sole means of
electrical properties, and resistance against protection and does not obviate the need to apply
corrossion. the provisions PI and P2.
e) The conductors connected to the equipo 25.1.5.2 Each room or each room group
tential bonding bar shall be marked and shall be provided with at least one residualcurrent
shall be similarly designated on drawings protective device.
of the installation system.
f) A separate protective conductor bar and an 25.1.5.3 A residualcurrent protective device
equipotential bonding bar in a medically shall have a standard rated operating residual
used room or in a room group shall be current / A N < 30 mA.
interconnected with a conductor having a 25.1.5.4 A medical isolating transformer and
crosssectional area of not less than 16 mm 1 the circuits supplied from it shall not be protected
copper or copper equivalent (see 25.1.3.1). by a residual current protective device. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc
67
I S zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
: 3043 1987
25.1.5.5 Electrical equipment, for example, In case of a shortcircuit or a double earth
general lighting luminaries, installed more than fault in parts of opposite polarity of the medical
2 5 m above floor level, need not be protected by ITSystem, the defective system shall be discon
a residualcurrent protective device. nected by the relevant overcurrent protective
device.
25.1.5.6 Fixed and permanently installed
electromedical equipment with a power consump If more than one item of equipment can be
tion requiring an overcurrent protective device of connected to the same secondary winding of the
more than 63 A rated value may be connected to transformer, at least two separately protected
the supply mains by use of a residualcurrent circuits should be provided for reasons of conti
£\ JV ^ 300 mA.
protective device with /zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
nuity of supply.
25.1.6 Provision P5: Medical IT System 25.1.6.3 Overcurrent protective devices shall
25.1.6.0 The use of a medical ITSystem for be easily accessible and shall be marked to indicate
the supply of medically used room for example, the protective circuit.
operating theatres, may be desirable for different 25.1.6.4 An insulation monitoring device
reasons: shall be provided to indicate a fault of the insula
a) A medical ITSystem increases the reliabi tion to earth of a live part of the medical
lity of power supply in areas where an ITSystem.
v interruption of power supply may cause a 25.1.6.5 Fixed and permanently installed
hazard to patient or user; equipment with a rated power input of more than
b) A medical ITSystem reduces an earth fault 5 kVA and all Xray equipment ( even with a
current to a low value and thus also rated power input of less than 6 kVA) shall be
reduces the touch voltage across a protec protected by Provision P4. Electrical equipment,
tive conductor through which this earth for example, general lighting, more than 2 5 m
fault current.may flow; above floor level, may be connected directly to
c) A medical ITSystem reduces leakage the supply mains.
currents of equipment to a low value,
25.1.6.6 General requirements for insulation
where the medical ITSystem is approxi
monitoring devices — A separate insulation resistance
mately symmetrical to earth. or impedance monitoring device shall be provided
It is necessary to keep the impedance for each secondary system. It shall comply with
to earth of the medical ITSystem as high the requirements of (a) to (d) below:
as possible. This may be achieved by: a) It shall not be possible to render such a
a) restriction of the physical dimensions device inoperative by a switch. It shall
of the medical isolating transformer, indicate visibly and audibly if the resistance
or impedance of the insulation falls below
b) restriction of the system supplied by the value given in 25.1.6.7 and 23.1.6.8.
this transformer,
b) A test button shall be provided to enable
c) restriction of the number of medical checking the response of the monitor to a
electrical equipment connected to such fault condition as described in 25.1.6.4.
a system, and
c) The visible indication mentioned in (a) of
d) high internal impedance to earth of the insulation monitoring device shall be
the insulation monitoring device con visible in the monitored room or room
nected to such a circuit. group.
If the primary reason for the use of a medical d) The insulation monitoring device should be
ITSystem is the reliability of the power supply, ■ * connected symmetrically to the secondary
it is not possible to define, for such system, a circuit of the transformer.
hazard current and an insulation resistance moni
toring device should be used. 25.1.6.7 Insulation resistance monitoring device —
The acresistance of an insulation resistance
If, on the other hand, the restriction of leakage monitoring device shall be at least 100 kQ. The
current of equipment is the main reason for the measuring voltage of the monitoring device shall
use of the medical ITSystem, an insulation not exceed 25 V, and the measuring current
impedance monitoring device should be used. ( in case of a shortcircuit of an external
25.1.6.1 For'each room or each room group conductor to earth ) shall not exceed 1 mA. The
at least one fixed and permanently installed alarm shall operate if the resistance between the
medical isolating transformer shall be provided. monitored isolated circuit and earth is 50 kQ or
less, setting to a higher value is recommended.
25.1.6.2 A medical isolating transformer
shall be protected against shortcircuit and over 25.1.6.8 Insulation impedance monitoring device —
load. An insulationimpedance monitoring device shall
68
I S : 30431987
give reading calibrated in total hazard current NOTE — The value of 2 mA or 07 mA are based
with the value of 2 mA near the centre of the on practical experience with 110 to 120 V power supp
lies. For a 220240 V power supply, it may be .necessary
metre scale. to increase these values to 4 and 1"4 mA because of the
higher leakage current of equipment.
The device shall not fail to alarm for total During the checking of the response of the
hazard currents in excess of 2 mA. In no case, monitor to a fault condition the impedance
however, shall the alarm be activated until the between the medical ITSystem and earth shall
not decrease. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPO
fault hazard current exceeds 0*7 mA. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
SECTION 8 S T A T I C A N D LIGHTNING PROTECTION EARTHING
NOTE — For the time being, the general principles A simultaneous review/revision of these standards
of static and lightning protection earthing, together is in progress.
with the relevant rulei for such purposes as contained in
IS: 76891974 'Guide for control of undesirable static For completeness of the earthing code, it is propos
electricity' and IS : 23091969'Code of practice for the edto include relevant earthing and bonding details for
protection of buildings and allied structures against ligh control of static electricity and lightning protection in
tningzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
(first revision )' are considered as valid in this section. Section 8 in due course.
SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS INSTALLATIONS A N D CONSIDERATIONS
28. EARTHING I N POTENTIALLY HAZAR elsewhere, all utility and process pipelines should
DOUS AREAS be bonded to a common conductor by means of
earth bars or pipe clamps and connected to the
28.1 E a r t h i n g and Bonding earthing system at a point where the pipelines
28.1.1 Earthing should be in accordance with enter or leave the hazardous area except where
the relevant sections of this code. The connection conflicting with the requirements of cathodic pro
between metal part to be grounded and the groun tection. In addition, it is recommended that steel
ding conductor shall be made secure mechanically pipe racks in the process units and offsite areas
and electrically by using adequate metallic fitting. should be grounded at every 25 m.
The grounding conductors shall be sufficiently
strong and thick, and the portions of conductor 28.2 P e r m i s s i b l e Type of E a r t h i n g System
which are likely to be corroded or damaged shall
be well protected. Grounding conductors which 28.2.1 Guidance on permissible power systems
is given below:
shall not reach a hazardous high temperature due
to the anticipated maximum earth fault current a) if a power system with an earthed neutral
flowing shall be used is used, the type TNS system with separate
28.1.2 Protection against lightning shall be neutral {M) and protective conductor (PE)
provided in accordance with Section 8. Specific throughout the system is preferred.
guidelines for installations in hazardous locations The neutral and the protective conductor
arc given in IS : 23091969*. Interconnection shall not be connected together or com
system with other buried metal services and/or bined in a single conductor in a hazardous
earth terminations for equipment grounding for area.
the purpose of equalizing the potential distribution
in the ground should preferably be made below A power system of type Indian TNC ( ha
ground. ving combined neutral and protective
functions in a single conductor throughout
28.1.3 Portable and transportable apparatus the system ) is not allowed in hazardous
shall be grounded with one ofthe cores of flexible area.
cable for power supply. The earth continuity con
ductor and the metallic screen^ wherever provided b) If a type I T power system ( separate
for the flexible cable, should be bonded to the earths for power system and exposed con
appropriate metalwork of the apparatus and to ductive parts ) is used in Zone 1, it shall be
earthing pin of the plug, protected with a residual current device
even if it is a safety extralow voltag ee cir
28.1.4 Efficient bonding should be installed cuit (below 50 V ) .
where protection against stray currents or electro
static charges is necessary. The type T T power system is not permitted
Earthing and Bonding of Pipelines and Pipe
28.1.5zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA in Zone 0.
Racks — Unless adequately connected to earth c) For an I T power system ( neutral isolated
• Code of practice for the protection of buidings and from earth or earthed through impedance ),
allied structures against lighting (first rtvision ) . an insulation monitoring device should be
69
: 3043 1987
used to indicate the first earth fault. How If equipment requires both a protective earth
ever, equipment in Zone 0 shall be discon and a functional earth connection, it is preferred
nected instantaneously in case of the first that the two earths should be separated within the
earth fault, either by the monitoring device equipment so that power system fault currents
or by a residual current operated device. cannot flow in the functional earthing conductors.
d) For power systems at all voltage levels in The functional earthing system and conductors
stalled in Zone 0, due attention should be can then be designed solely in accordance with
paid to the limitation of earth fault currents the requirements of the telecommunication system.
in magnitude and duration. Instantaneous Alternatively, the protective and functional earth
earth fault protection shall be installed. may be connected together within the equipment
but in this case the functional earth system and
It may also be necessary to provide instantane conductors should be suitable for the current they
ous earth fault protection devices for certain may carry under power system fault conditions.
applications in Zone 1.
The general recommendations for lightning
Potential Equalization — To avoid dan protection apply to earth systems for telecommuni
gerous sparking between metallic parts of struc cation lightning protection.
tures, potential equalization is always required for
installations in Zone 0 and Zone 1 areas and may The telecommunication functional earth should
be necessary for installations in Zone 2 areas. be obtained from a point which even under power
Therefore, all exposed and extraneous conductive system fault conditions is unlikely to have a
parts shall be connected to the main or supple dangerous potential to remote earth.
mentary equipotential bonding system. The consumer's earth terminal of a TN system
The bonding system may include normal pro is suitable, otherwise a suitable earth electrode
tective conductors, conduits, metal cable sheaths, system, separate from the protective earth, should
steel wire armouring and metallic parts of struc be provided.
tures but shall not include neutral conductors. 29.2 Telecommunication Circuits Association with High
The conductance between ^metallic parts of struc Voltage Supply Systems — Telecommunication cir
tures shall correspond to a crosssection of at least cuits used in any way in connection with or in
10 mm* of copper. close proximity to high voltage equipment require
special attention and due consideration should
Enclosures are not to be separately connected be given to the safeguarding of such circuits
to the equipotential bonding system if they are against rise in potential of the supply system earth
secured to and are in metallic contact with struc electrodes.
tural parts or piping which are connected to the
equipotential bonding system. When a telecommunication circuit is provided
in a building, where a high voltage system termi
For additional information, see relevant section nates and the telecommunication circuit is part of
of this code. or is electrically connected to a system outside
However, there are certain pieces of equipment, the 'earthelectrode area', precautions should be
for kxample, some intrinsically safe apparatus, taken to safeguard personnel and telecommunica
which are not intended to be connected to the tion plant against rise of potential of the earth
equipotential bonding system. electrode system.
The term 'earthelectrode system' includes all
29. TELECOMMUNICATION CIRCUITS metalwork, such as power cable sheaths, pipes,
AND EQUIPMENT frameworks of buildings and metal fences, bonded
to the power system earth electrodes and situated
29.1 General — In addition to protective ear within a distance of 100 m outside the fencing
thing which may be required in accordance with that surrounds the high voltage compound or
this code, telecommunication systems may require compounds; it also includes the first three supports
functional earths for any or all of the following of any overhead line leaving the station. The
purposes: 'earthelectrode area' is any area within 5 m of
a) to complete the circuits of telegraph or any part of the earthelectrode system.
telephone systems employing onearth path The following practice is recommended:
for signalling purposes;
b) to earth . the power supply circuit and sta a) In all cases as great a separation as is
practicable should be provided between
bilize the potential of the equipment with the telecommunication cables and the sta
respect to earth; tion earthelectrode system. Nevertheless*
c) for lightningprotective apparatus; and within a station, to prevent the appearance
d) to earth screening conductors to reduce of potential differences between normally
electrical interference to the telecommuni accessible metal parts, all such parts of the
cation circuits. telecommunication installation should be zyxwvuts
70
ISzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb
t 3043 1987
connected to the station earthelectrode it is unlikely that the supply authority will offer
system. an earth terminal where the supply system has a
b) At stations where the neutral of the high multiple earthed neutral. If the supply is at a
voltage system is earthed, it is generally voltage higher than 415 V, the developer will
practicable from a knowledge of the im have to provide the neutral earthing on the low
pedance of the earthelectrode system and voltage system.
of the maximum earthfault current to 30.2 The main protection against electrical
estimate the rise of earth potential that will hazards on a construction site is the use of a
occur upon the incidence of a fault. Where reduced low voltage system for power tools (110
the estimate does not exceed safe values no V between phases and 55 V to midpoint earth
precaution additional to that described in or 65 V to starpoint earth ) and safety extra low
(a) is necessary. This limit may be extended voltage for supplies to headlamps, etc.
to higher values if all the power lines con
tributing to the earth fault current are in The earth fault loop impedances on a reduced
the 'highreliability' category. voltage system or on a 240/415 V system serving
fixed equipment should allow disconnection with
If the estimate is above safe limits {zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
see in the safe duration.
20.5.1), the following additional precau
tions should be observed. 30.3 Early discussions with the electricity board
c) Where the telecommunication circuit lies are essential so that agreement on the type of
within the 'earthelectrode area', it should supply, including earthing facilities, can be
be run in insulated cable capable of with obtained. Where the supply is provided from the
standing the application of a test voltage of low voltage distribution system, the increasing
2 200 V dc (or ac 50 Hz peak) c* (1 500+2U) use of protective multiple earthing ( PME ) will
V dc ( o r ac 50 Hz p e a k ) , where U usually prevent an earthing terminal being provi
is the estimated rise of earth potential, ded by the electricity board because of the develo
whichever is the greater, between conduc pers inability to comply with the requirements of
tors and earth for 1 min. It is preferred the PME approval during construction work.
that the cables have no metallic sheath,
armouring or screen but, if any exists, it 31. MINES AND QUARRIES
should be isolated either from the rise of 31.1 General — Earthing requirements for
earth potential or from the rest of the mines and quarries are based on the broad prin
telecommunication network by insulation ciple that exposed conductive parts of apparatus
capable of withstanding the above test should be efficiently connected to earth or other
voltage. The station terminal equipment wise protected by other equally effective means
and wiring should be isolated from the line to prevent danger resulting from a rise in poten
by a barrier designed to withstand th,e test tial ( above earth ) on these conductive parts.
voltage as above. All wiring and apparatus
connected to the line side of this barrier In some mines and certain quarries ( quarries
should be insulated from the station earth include open cast coal sites), in addition to shock
to withstand the same test voltage. risk, there are also dangers associated with the
possible presence of flammable gas and explosive
d) Any earth connection for the telecommuni materials. In these cases, separate local earthing
cation circuit required on the line side of may be necessary to avoid incendive sparks caused
isolating barrier should be obtained from a by static electrical discharge.
point outside the earth electrode area via
either a pair in the telecommunication 31.2 Power System Earthing — At most mines
cable or a cable insulated in accordance and quarries, the incoming supply is provided by
with (c). the Supply authority who will instal switchgear
In practice, (c) and (d) are normally confined and metering for their own purpose. It is impor
to stations where the neutral of a 33 kV or higher tant to clearly establish in all cases, the point at
voltage system is earthed since, at other stations, which the supply authorities' responsibilities ter
line faults do not usually produce dangerous minate and where the consumer's responsibility
conditions. commence.
30. BUILDING SITES If the supply is from a transformer ( or
30.1 In the often damp and rough environment generator ), that is, the property of the supply
of building sites, precautions to prevent electrical authority, and is on site, a request should be
hazards have to be robust and regularly inspected made for them to facilitate connection of the
and this particularly applies to the earthing system. consumer's earthing system to the neutral or mid
Because of the great difficulty of ensuring that voltage point. In some cases, the supply authority
all incoming metallic services and extraneous will allow the use of their earth electrode for
metalwork are bonded to the neutral of the supply joint use, in this event the consumer may not
system, where the supply is at 415 V/240 V, to have to provide and maintain his own earth
thus satisfy the requirements of the PME approval, electrode. If the supply is from a transformer
71
IS : 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
that is not the property of the supply authority, should have a crosssectional area of not less than
or if the consumer generates electricity privately, 14 mm*, in the case of flexible cable working a t
then the consumer should provide and maintain less than 125 V, the crosssection area need rot
the earth electrodes that have the neutral or mid be greater than 6 mm*; also a flexible cable on
voltage points bonded to them. the surface of the mine supplying a load less than
3 kW need not have an earth conductor larger
If the supply transformer ( or generator ) is than the power conductors.
distant from the consumer's premises, provision
of an earth terminal at the premises should be Cables incorporating steel tape armour (unless
requested. Where this is possible, the earth termi supplementing steel wire ), aluminium armour or
nal should be made available by means of an copper sheathed ( mineral insulated ) cables are
additional earth conductor in the supply cable or unsuitable' for use below ground. Generally single
o v e r h e a d l i n e . or double, steel wire armoured cables are used.
NOTE — The supply cable sheath and armouring The use of paperinsulated lead covered cable is
may serve the purpose of this earth conductor provi also discouraged from use below ground owing to
ded that they are bonded to the supply source earth, the poor mechanical strength of the paper insulat
neutral or midvoltage point and meet the 50 percent ing material.
conductivity requirement.
If the provision of such an earth terminal is The following are released from the require
impracticable, then it is imperative that the earth ments to be earthed, when used solely at the
electrodes at the supply source and consumers' surface of the mine:
premises are maintained such that their resistance a) any lamp holder, that is, efficiently protec
to the general mass of earth is as low as possible, ted by a covering which is insulated or
for example, less than 2 Q, and appropriate earth earthed and made of fire resisting material;
fault protection is provided. b) any hand held tool that is double insula
In all cases, the aim should be to maintain ted;
earth electrode resistance, as low as is practicable, c) any portable apparatus working at less
taking account of the site conditions, for example, than 50 V dc or 30 V ac; and
soil/rock resistivity. Except, however, for the d) any other nonportable apparatus working
instance quoted above, the achievement of a low at less than 250 V dc or 125 V ac.
resistance is not so important as adequate bond
ing of all exposed metallic parts back to the In the case of electrical circuits used for con
supply source neutral or midvoltage point earth trol, interlocking and indicating instruments, the
electrode. regulations allow one pole of the auxiliary trans
former secondary winding serving these circuits to
The mains supply system neutral or mid be connected to earth as an alternative to mid
voltage points should be earthed at one point point earthing.
only and in the case of mines, this should be on
the surface. The connection to earth may either Where mobile apparatus containing its own
be a solid connection or via an impedance to source of electricity, for example, mobile genera
limit the prospective earth fault current and in tor sets and dieselelectric vehicles/cranes, is used
the case of impedance earthed systems, suitable on the surface, then an exception is required from
earth fault provided, that is, capable of detecting the present regulations if the requirement to earth
the restricted flow of fault current. these to the main earth electrode is impracticable.
However, the bonding together of all exposed
No switch or circuitbreaker or fuse should be metallic parts is required.
placed in any earthing conductor, although an
interlocked changeover linking device is allowed New regulations are proposed which, it is
in certain cases where two or more earth electro hoped, will eliminate this anomally by calling for
des are provided. Such a device would be used all parts of such apparatus to be securely bonded
to allow periodic testing of an electrode resistance together to prevent danger and relex the require
to the general mass of earth. ment to connect the structure to the main earth
system.
31.3 Apparatus Earthing at Goal and Other
Mines — Every metallic covering of any cable Below ground, where selfcontained mobile
should be earthed. This may be considered as apparatus is used, for example, battery locomo
forming part of the earthing conductor except in tives, these should be operated as totally insulated
the case of flexible trailing cables where specific systems ( to avoid sparks between metal parts of
earthing conductors may also be required. the apparatus ). Warning systems should be
provided to give an indication of leakage to
Earthing conductors installed for that purpose frame.
should have a conductivity throughout ( includ
ing j oints ) of not less than half that of the conduc At places below ground, where flammable gas
tor having the greatest current carrying capacity, may occur in quantity to indicate danger
to which that earth conductor is related and ( usually deemed to be places where 0 25 percent zyxwvuts
72
IS 1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb
3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponm
flammable gas could be present in the general metals other than fro* or steel, therefore
body of a i r ) , then limitation of the maximum cables with armourings or metallic cover
prospective earth fault current is called for on made of soft metals such as aluminium and
power systems working at voltages between 250 copper ( MIGG cable ) cannot be used on
and 1 200 V ( t h e range of voltage normally used these premises where the voltages exceed
for coal winding machinery served by flexible 250 V dc or 125 V ac.
trailing cables ). In these cases, the maximum
prospective earth fault current should be limited Where a cable is provided with a lead sheath,
( normally by impedance earthing ) to 16 A at in addition to the required 'metallic' covering,
voltages between 250 and 650 V and to 2 A at the conductance of the lead sheath may be taken
voltages between 650 and 1 200 V. In either case, as contributing to that of the metallic covering.
the switchgear contorlling the circuit should be For such,installations, plumbed joints have to be
able to detect and cutoff the supply of electricity used where the lead sheath is jointed or termi
with less than onethird of the maximum prospec nated.
tive earth fault current flowing. Where flexible cable is used to supply portable
NOTB — The ratio between maximum prospective apparatus at voltages exceeding 250 V dc or 125
earth fault current and protection settings is known as V ac, such cable should be protected by one of
the'tripping ratio'. In practice it has been found that the following:
in order to take account of voltage depressions occurr
ing when a. short circuit coincides with an earth fault a) A metallic covering ( flexible wire armour
the tripping ratio should beset to at least 5 : 1 . Multi ing ) that encloses all the conductors and
point earthing of a power circuit ( sometimes referred having a conductance of not less than half
to as an 'insulated' or 'free neutral system' ) is allowed
at any place in a mine, including places where flam that of the largest current carrying conduc
mable gas may occur, provided that a transformer is tor, or where this is impracticable, having
used which has a means to cut off the supply and a conductance not less than that of a 14
prevent danger should a breakdown occur between the mm* crosssectional area copper conductor.
primary and secondary windings. In these systems the
maximum prospective earth fault current does not b) A screen of wires to enclose all the conduc
usually exceed 2 A and switchgear is set to trip at less tors ( collectively screened type cable )
than onefifth of this value. having a conductance not less than that of
Signalling and telephone circuits may be con a 14 mm* crosssectional area copper con*
nected to earth where safety is enhanced and the ductor.
method of connection is approved by the concer c) A screen of wires arranged to individually
ned authority for that type of apparatus. enclose each conductor ( individually
screened type cable ), other than the earth
31.4 Apparatus Earthing at Miscellaneous conductor. Cables of this construction for
Mines and Quarries — Every earthing conduc use in quarries have to be approved by
tor should have an equivalent crosssectional area HSE. For miscellaneous mines, the screens
of not less than 14 mm* except this requirement should each have a conductance of not
does not appTy to an earthing conductor, that less than that of 6 mm* crosssectional area
is: copper conductor.
a) the metallic covering of a cable, which Where flexible cables are used with
should have conductance not less than half portable apparatus at quarries and the size
that of the largest current carrying capacity of the conductor is such as to make the use
conductor in that cable; of one multicore cable impracticable,
b) one of the conductors in a multiCore flexi single core cables of such construction aud
ble cable used to supply portable appa bonded in such a manner as HSE may
ratus, in which case the earth conductor approve, may be used.
has to be equal in crosssectional area to
that of the largest current carrying conduc 32. STREET LIGHTING AND OTHER
tor; and ELECTRICALLY SUPPLIED STREET
c) a part of an overhead line on the surface FURNITURE
which should have a crosssectional area of N o r a — Street furniture includes fixed lighting
not less than 12 mm*. columns, illuminated traffic signs, bollards and other
electrically supplied equipment permanently placed i a
Every cable at a miscellaneous mine the street.
or quarry operating at voltages exceeding 32.1 In all cases the local supply authority should
250 V dc or 125 V ac, other than flexible be consulted before design work on new street
cables and those not required co be covered furniture is commenced to ascertain the type of
by insulating material, should be protected system that will supply the new installation.
throughout by a suitable metallic covering
that has to be earthed. Metallic covering 32.2 Street furniture may be frd from the circuit
is defined in the regulations and it should protected by a TNS system and in such arrange
be noted that this does not include any ments a supply cable with separate phase, neutral zyxwvutsrqpon
73
i 3043 • 1987
and protective conductor is required, that is, an its resistance to earth is not under the control of
SNE cable. The wiring on the load side of the the lighting authority. In such circumstances,
protective device in the unit should consist of se consideration should be given to the use of resi
parate phase, neutial and circuit protective con dual current devices to ensure disconnection of
ductors. Exposed extraneous conductive parts of faulty equipment.
the item of street furniture being supplied should The use of metallic street light columns or the
be bonded to the earthing terminal within the metal carcasses of control units, etc, as protective
equipment. The earthing tetminal is itself connec earth electrodes is not recommended.
ted to the supply protective conductor.
33. EARTHING OF CONDCTORS FOR SAFE
32.3 An alternative method of supplying and WORKING
protecting street furniture is by means of a TGS
system. In such cases, a combined neutral and 33.1 General — This clause deals only with the
earth conductor cable is normally used, that is, a broad principles of the earthing of conductors for
CNE cable. safety purposes. It is intended to cover the safety
earthing of both light and heavy current equip
32.4 Wiring on the load side of the protective
ment and is generally applicable to high voltage
device in the units being supplied should use,
equipment; however, in some circumstances it
unless a special approval has been obtained,
may, where required, be applied as an additional
separate phase, neutral and circuit protective con
safety feature to low voltage equipment. Where
ductors. Exposed extraneous conductive parts
applicable, the use of safety earths should be part
should be bonded to the neutral terminal by a
of overall safe system of work, which will include
conductor with a copper equivalent crosssection
isolation, locking off, permits to work or similar
of 6 mm or the same as that of the supply neutral
documents and liaison between parties in control
conductor if this is less. This requirement does not
of the supplies and in control of the work. To
apply to small isolated metal parts not likely to
ensure that a safe system of work is clearly set out,
come into contact with exposed metallic or extra
a set of detailed rules and procedures will be
neous metal parts or with earth, for example,
necessary in each particular case.
small metallic doors and door frames in concrete
or plastics units should not be so connected. 33.2 Safety Earthing — When maintenance or
32.5 In the case of circuits feeding more than one repair work, etc, is to be undertaken on or near
item of street furniture, for example, by looping, to high voltage apparatus or conductors, precau
an earth electrode should be installed at the last tions in connection with safety earthing should be
or penultimate unit and this electrode should be taken generally as indicated below. All phases or
such as to make the resistance to earth of the conductors of any apparatus or main to be worked
neutral at any point less than 20 £} before the on should be made dead, isolated and earthed and
connection of any circuit protective or bonding should remain earthed until work is completed.
conductors to the neutral terminal. Should the Due regard should be taken of changing conditions
provision of one electrode result in not meeting during the progress of work which may necessitate
the 20 ft requirement other earth electrodes equ revision of earthing arrangements to ensure the
ally spaced along the circuit have to be installed. continuous of safety measures, for example, if a
Alternatively, the earth electrode may be omitted connection is made to another source of supply,
if it is possible to connect the neutral at the ulti whilst work is in progress, then additional earths
mate unit to a neutral connected to a different would be necessary as work proceeds.
supply system.
Safety earthing equipment may be available as
There are two further possibilities that may permanent equipment, such as earthing switches,
arise: as part of permanent equipment such as provision
a) where the supply system is TNC but where for integral earthing of a circuit breaker, or as
the lighting authority wishes to use SNE portable earthing equipment such as portable
cable in the installation and does not wish earthing leads. All such equipment needs to recei
to use the supply authority's CNE con ve regular maintenance and should be inspected
ductor as a fault path, and before use.
b) where the supply authority does not pro Wherever possible, initial earthing should be
vide an earth terminal. carried out via a circuitbreaker of other suitable
32.6 In both of these cases, the lighting authority faultrated device.
should provide its own protective earthing elec Earthing leads should, in every case, be of
trode and the system will be the TTsystem. Care adequate crosssectional area to carry with safety,
is necessary to ensure that both the initial and during the time of operation of the protective
continuing impedance of the fault path is suffici devices, the maximum shortcircuit current that
ently low to ensure the operation of the protective may flow under fault conditions. If possible, they
device on the occurrence of a fault in the fixtures. should either be flexible, braided or stranded bare
The neutral earth electrode at the supply trans copper conductors or aluminium conductors suita
former is an important part of the fault loop but bly protected against corrosion and mechanical zyxwvutsrqp
74
IS : 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponml
damage. In no case, even for the earthing of point of any transformer that is to be worked on
light current equipment ( for example, high vol should be disconnected and directly earthed as
tage testing equipment), should the crosssectional well as the phase terminals.
area of the earthing lead be less than 6 mm. When liquid earthing resistors are to be worked
It has been found in some cases that a 70 mm' on, particularly when they are drained for work
copper equivalent earthing lead is the largest that inside, the central electrode should be shorted to
can be conveniently handled. In such cases, where the tank and not earthed remotely. This is especi
a larger size of lead is necessary to carry with ally important where two liquid resistors are
safety, the maximum shortcircuit current that can located sidebyside and one remains in commis
occur, it may be necessary to Use a number of sion while the other is opened for maintenance.
leads of 70 mm 2 or other suitable size in parallel.
When work is to be carried out on equipment
Before earthing leads are applied, it should be that is capable of capacitively storing electrical
verified that the circuit is dead and, where appli energy, for example, cables and capacitors, such
cable, a test by means of a suitable type of voltage equipment has to be discharged to earth prior to
indicator should be applied ( the indicator itself work commencing. As, in some circumstances,
being tested immediately before and after verifi charge can reappear on such apparatus without re
cation ) before applying earth connections. connecting it to a source of supply, it is important
work that the equipment should remain earthed
Earthing leads should first be efficiently bolted whilst is in progress. The cutting of a cable during
or clamped to the permanent earthing system or the course of work may disconnect conductors from
to a substantial electrode of low resistance. Should safety earths and precautions should be taken to
no convenient permanent earth electrode be readily prevent this happening.
available, a substantial copper earthspike driven
well into the ground can be utilized to provide a 33.4 Precautions Relating t o Overhead
quick and convenient temporary earth electrode. Lines — After a line has been made dead, isolated,
discharged and earthed at all points of supply, a
Whilst such a spike is not generally adequate working earth should be securely attached to each
as a primary safety earth, it will give a degree of phase of the line at the point or points where work
protection against energizing by induction. is to be carried out.
Earthing leads should then be securely bolted The provision of a working earth entails a
or clamped to apparatus of conductors to be wor connection to a continuous earth wire or to a
ked on and these connections should be removed temporary earth electrode, the resistance of which
in all cases before the earthing leads are disconnec need not be low. The application of earths to all
ted from the earth electrode or earthing system. phase conductors will, in addition to earthing the
A suitable insulated earthing pole or device conductors, apply a shortcircuit to all phases.
should be used to apply earthing leads to appara The connection of the earthing lead to each
tus or conductors on which work is to be under conductor of the overhead line should be made
taken. using a suitable mechanical clamp placed round
Earthing leads should be kept as short as the conductor by means of an insulated earthing
possible and be placed in such a position that pole which can also be utilized to secure the clamp
they cannot be accidently disconnected or distur tight round the line conductor. When it is requi
bed whilst work is in progress. red to remove the working earth from the line,
the mechanical clamp can be unscrewed and re
33.3 Precautions Relating to Apparatus leased from the conductor by means of this rod.
and Gables — In the case of switchgear, phases Even when an overhead line is earthed at each
of the section in which the work is to be done point of supply, it is necessary to place a working
Should be shortcircuited and earthed to the same earth at each and every position where work is
earthing system. Selfcontained or portable appara being carried out on the line on account of the
tus is generally available for this purpose. Wher danger of the line becoming energized by induc
ever possible, automatic tripping featnres of circuit tion from other power lines and to safeguard
breakers should be rendered inoperative by being against the charging of the line by atmospheric
disconnected from the tripping battery before the disturbances. Where the work entails breaking a
circuitbreaker is closed and the breaker operating conductor, for example, on the jumper at a sec
mechanism should be locked in the closed position. tioning point, it is necessary to provide a working
earth on both sides of the working point.
With transformers, if there is any possibility of
any winding becoming inadvertently live, the 33.5 Saftey Earthing of Low Voltage Con
terminals of all windings should be earthed so that ductors — In some circumstances, it may be
no danger from shock can occur. When the neu necessary to apply safety earthing to low voltage
tral points of several transformers are connected conductors in order to prevent danger. Such cir
to a common bar, which is then earthed through cumstances may include, for example, work on
a resistance of an arc suppression coil, the neutral capacitors or work on bare overhead crane trolley
75
I S * 3043190 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
wires. Where the earthing of low voltage con justify increase or decrease in this interval but it
ductors is adopted, then the general principles set should not be less than once in two years.
out in 33.2, 33.3 and 33.4 should be applied and
due consideration should be taken of fault current 34.4.3 Periodical visual inspection of all earth
levels ( which can be as nigh or higher than on electrode connection, wherever available, shall be
high voltage systems ), when the size of earth carried out to ensure their rigidity and other signs
conductor is chosen. of deterioration.
34. MAINTENANCE OF EARTH ELEC 34.4.4 In rural substations, particularly those
TRODES connected to overhead highvoltage and lowvol
34.1 It is recommended that periodical check tage lines, greater reliance should be placed on the
tests of all earth electrodes should be carried out. electrode system, and therefore facilities for testing
Records should be maintained of such checks. the resistance of the electrode to general mass of
earth, annually or as required by experience,
34.2 Where earthleakage circuitbreakers are em should be provided.
ployed, a check shall be kept on the associated
earthelectrode by periodically operating the tes 34.4.5 Where installations are earthed to a
ting device which is embodied in the earthed metal sheath of the supply cable, it shall be verified
leakage circuitbreaker. periodically that the earthfault loop is in a satis
factory state.
34.3 The neighbouring soil to the earth electrode
shall be kept moist, where necessary, by periodic
34.4.6 Where an installation is earthed to a
ally pouring water through a pipe where fitted
cable sheath which is not continuous to the sub
alongwith it or by pouring water in the immediate
station neutral ( that is, there is an intervening
vicinity of the earth electrode.
section of overhead line without earth wire ), a
34.4 Substations and Generating Station* supplementary eleetrode system may be necessary.
The adequacy of the electrode system shall be
34.4.1 Records'shall be kept of the initial checked initially by an earthfault loop test.
resistance of substation and generating station
earth electrodes and of subsequent tests carried 34.4.7 The neighbouring soil to the earth elec
out. trode shall be kept moist, where necessary by
34.4.2 Normally annual measurement of earth periodically pouring water through a pipe where
resistance of substation shall be carried out but fitted along with it or by pouring water in the
local circumstances in the light of experience may immediate vicinity of the earth electrode.
SECTION 10 MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS
35) CALCULATION OF EARTH FAULT suitable when the earth fault current is small
CURRENTS compared to 3phase fault current.
35.0 General — The magnitude of the current 35.2 In a resistanceearthed system with a single
that will flow in the event of a linetoearth fault linetoearth fault, the earth fault current may be
on an earthed system is determined by the impe computed from:
dance from the source to the fault plus the impe
dance of the earth return path, including the
'' Xi X X% + X, + 3 (Xn + Xm)
impedances of earthing transformers, resistors and
reactorszyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
(see IS : 57281970*). For interconnected where
systems, the calculation of the current may be / , — earth fault current in A,
complicated. Xi ■ = system + ve sequence reactance in
35.1 Resistance Earthing O/phase including the subtransient
reactance of the rotating machines,
35.1.1 When a single linetoearth fault occurs X% — — v e sequence reactance as for Xx,
on a resistance grounded system, a voltage appears
across the resistor nearly equal to the normal Xo ™ zero sequence reactance as for Zj,
linetoneutral voltage of the system. X n ■ ■ reactance of neutral grounding
reactor,
35.1.2 In lowresistance grounded systems, the
resistor current is approximately equal to die Xar ■ » reactance of ground return circuits,
current in the fault, Thus the current is practically and
equal to the linetoneutral voltage divided by the E =» linetoearth voltage in V.
resistance in ohms. This simple method is only In most industrial and commercial systems
♦ Guide for ihortcircuitealculatioM. without inplant generator Xt — X\.
T6
IS : 3043 1987
outer electrodes and the earth as shown in Fig. 33

35.3 SolidzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
Earthing
and the voltage difference V, observed betjveen
35.3.1 In this case, the fault current can be the two inner electrodes. The current I flowing
computed from: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
into the earth produces an electric field propor
tional to its density and to the resistivity of the
J soil. The voltage V measured between the inner
* Xt + Xt + X0 + 3 Xar electrodes is, therefore, proportional to the field.
Consequently, the resistivity will be proportional
36. MEASUREMENT OF EARTH to the ratio of the voltage to current. The follow
RESISTIVITY ing equation holds for:
36.1 Resistivity of the Soil 4sn V
36.1.1 The resistivity of the earth varies within I
extremely wide limits, between 1 and 10 000 ohm
metres. The resistivity of the soil at many station >/** + *«* V* J*zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXW
+ 4 «*
sites has been found to be nonuniform. Variation
of the resistivity of the soil with depth is more ...(1)
redominant as compared to the variation with where
S orizontal distances. Wide variation of resistivity
with depth is due to stratification of earth layers. p — resistivity of soil in ohmmetre,
In some sites, the resistivity variation may be s = distance between two successive
gradual, where stratification is not abrupt. Highly electrodes in metres,
refined techniques for the determination of resis V wm voltage difference between the two
tivity of homogeneous soil is available. To design' inner electrodes in volts,
the most economical and technically sound I = current flowing through the two
grounding system for large stations, it is necessary outer electrodes in amperes, and
to obtain accurate data on the soil resistivity and
on its variation at the station site. Resistivity e «=• depth of burial of electrode in
measurements at the site will reveal whether the metres.
soil is homogeneous or nonuniform. In case the
soil is found uniform, conventional methods are 36.3.1.1 If the depth of burial of the elec
applicable for the computation of earth resistivity trodes in the ground d is negligible compared t o
When the soil is found nonuniform, either a the spacing between the electrodes, then
gradual variation or a twolayer model may be
adopted for the computation of earth resistivity.
36.1.2 T h e resistivity of earth varies over a
wide range depending on its moisture content. It 36.3.1.2 Earth testers normally used for
is, therefore, advisable to conduct earth resistivity these tests comprise the current source and meter
tests during the dry season in order to get conser in a single instrument and directly read the resis
vative results. tance. The most frequently used earth tester is the
fourterminal megger shown in Fig. 33. When
36.2 Test Locations using such a megger, the resistivity may be evalu
ated from the modified equation as given below:
36.2.1 In the evaluation of earth resistivity for
substations and generating stations, at Jeast eight P-2n X SR ...(3)
test directions shall be chosen from the centre of
the station to cover the whole site. This number where
shall be increased for very large station sites of
it, the test results obtained at various locations p B resistivity of soil in ohmmetres,
show a significant difference, indicating variations s = distance between successive electrodes
in soil formation. in metres, and
36.2.2 In case of transmission lines, the R = megger reading in ohms.
measurements shall be taken along the direction 36.4 Test Procedure
of the line throughout the length approximately
once in every 4 kilometres. 36,4.1 At the selected test site, in the chosen
direction, four electrodes are driven into the earth
36.3 Principle o f Tests along a straight line at equal intervals, s. The
depth of the electrodes in the ground shall be of
36.3.1 Wenner's four electrode method is the order of 10 to 15 cm. The megger is placed
recommended for these types of field investiga on a steady and approximately level base, the link
tions. In this method, four electrodes are driven between terminals PI and Gl opened and the four
into the earth along a straight line at equal inter electrodes connected to the instrument terminals
vals. A current / is passed through the two as shown in Fig. 33. An appropriate range on the zyxwvutsrqponm
77
: 3043 1987
instrument is thus selected to obtain clear readings 36.5 Testing o f Soil Uniformity
avoiding the two ends of the scale as far as possi
ble. The readings are taken while turning the 36.5.1 During the course of above tests, it
crank at about 135 rev/min. Resistivity is calcula would be desirable to get information about the
R thus obtained in horizontal and vertical variations in earth resisti
ted by substituting the value ofzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
the equation (3). In case where depth of burial is vity over the site under consideration for the
more than l/20th of spacing, equation (1) should correct computation of the resistivity to be used in
be used instead of (3). the design calculations. The vertical variations
may be detected by repeating the tests at a given
36.4.2 Correction for Potential Electrode Resistance— location in a chosen direction with a number of
In cases where the resistance of the potential different electrode spacings, increasing from 2 to
electrodes (the two inner electrodes) is comparati 250 metres or more, preferably in the steps 2, 5,
vely high, a correction of the test results would be 10, 15, 25 and 50 metres or more. If the resistivity
necessary depending on its value. For this purpose, variations are within 20 to 30 percent, the soil in
the instrument is connected to the electrodes a s the vicinity of the test location may be considered
shown in Fig. 34. The readings are taken a s uniform. Otherwise a curve of resistivity versus
before. The correction is then effected as follows. electrode spacing shall be plotted and this curve
further analyzed to deduce stratification of soil
into two or more layers of appropriate thickness
36.4.2.1 Let the readings of the megger be or a soil of gradual resistivity variation. The hori
Rp with the connections as shown in Fig. 34 and zontal variations are studied by taking measure
the electrode spacing in metres. If the uncorrected ments in various directions from the centre of the
value of soil resistivity is p' and the resistance of station.
the voltage circuit of the instrument used to
obtain R ( as indicated inside the scale cover of 36.6 Compatation o f Earth Resistivity o f
the meter ) is Rv, the corrected value of the earth Uniform Soil
resistivity would be: 36.6.1 When the earth resistivity readings for
different electrode spacings in a direction is within
p = p ' x (Rv + Rp)IRv 20 to 30 percent, the soil is considered to b e zyxwvutsr
MEGGER
CURRENT
ELECTRODE zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGF
W////////7&7.
Fio. 33 CONNECTIONS FOR A FOURTERMINAL MEGGER
F H J . 34 TEST CONNECTION TO MEASURE THE SUM OP THB POTENTIAL ELECTRODE RESISTANCES
78
IS : 3043 1987
■ uniform. When the spacing is increased gradually 37.1.1 If the test is made at power frequency,
from low values, at a stage, it may be found that that is, 50 c/s, the resistance of the voltmeter
the resistivity readings is more or less constant should be high compared to that of the auxiliary
irrespective of the increase in the electrode spac potential electrode B and in no case should be
ing. The resistivity for this spacing is noted and less than 20 000 ohms.
taken as the resistivity for that direction. In a
similar manner, resistivities for at least eight N O T E — I n most cases, there will be stray currents
equally spaced directions from the centre of the flowing in the soil and unless some steps are taken to
site are measured. These resistivities are plotted on eliminate their effect, they may produce serious errors
in the measured value. If the testing current is of the
a graph sheet in the appropriate directions choos same frequency as the stray current, this elimination
ing a scale. A closed curve is plotted on the graph becomes very difficult and it is better to use an earth
sheets jointing all the resistivity points plotted to tester incorporating a handdriven generator. These
get the polar resistivity cixrve. The area inside the earth tetters usually generate direct current, and have
rotary currentreverser and synchronous rectifier
polar resistivity curve is measured and equivalent mounted on the generator shaft so that alternating
circle of the same area is found out. The radius current is supplied to the test circuit and the resulting
of this equivalent circle is the average resistivity potentials are rectified for measurement by a direct
of the site under consideration. The average resis reading movingcoil ohmmeter. T h e presence of stray
currents in the soil is indicated by a wandering of the
tivity thus obtained may be used for the design of instrument pointer, but a n increase or decrease of
the earthmg grid and other computations and the generator handle speed will cause this to disappear.
results will be reasonably accurate when the soil is
see Fig. 35 ).
homogeneous (zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA 37.1.2 The source of current shall be isolated
from the supply by a double wound transformer.
37.1.3 At the time of test, where possible, the
test electrode shall be separated from the earthing
system.
37.1.4 The auxiliary electrodes usually consist
of 12 '5 mm diameter mild steel rod driven up to
1 m into the ground.
37.1.5 All the test electrodes and the current
electrodes shall be so placed that they are inde
pendent of the resistance area of each other. If
the test electrode is in the form of rod, pipe or
plate, the auxiliary current electrode C shall be
placed at least 30 m away from it and 'the auxi
liary potential electrode B midway between them.
37.2 Alternative M e t h o d
F i o . 3 5 POLAR CURVE 37.2.1 The method described in 37.1 may not
give satisfactory results if the test electrode is of
37. MEASUREMENT O F E A R T H very low impedance ( one ohm or less ). This
ELECTRODE RESISTANCE applies particularly, while measuring the com
bined resistance of large installations. In these
Fall of Potential Method—In this method cases, the following method may be adopted.
two auxiliary earth electrodes, besides the test
■ electrode, are placed at suitable distances from the 37.2.2 Two suitable directions, at least 90 deg
test electrode ( see Fig. 36 ). A measured current rees apart, are first selected. The potential lead is
is passed between the electrode A to be tested and laid in one direction and an electrode is placed
■ an auxiliary current electrode C and the potential 250 to 300 metres, from the fence. The current
difference between the electrode A and the auxi lead is taken in the other direction and the
liary potential electrode £ is measured. The resis current electrode located at the same distance as
tance of the test electrode A is then given by: zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
the potential electrode. A reading is taken under
this condition. The current electrode is then
'--£ moved out in 30m steps until the same reading is
obtained for three consecutive locations. The
where current electrode is then left in the last foregoing
R -= resistance of the test electrode in position and the potential electrode is moved out
ohms, in 30m steps until three consecutive readings are
V = reading of the voltmeter in volts, obtained without a change in value. The last
and reading then corresponds to the true value of
/ = reading of the ammeter in amperes. earth resistance.
79
IS t 3043 1987
AMMETER
CURRENT
SOURCE
TEST POTENTIAL CURRENT

ELECTRODE ELECTROOE ELECTRODE zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQ
FIG. 36 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT OF EARTH ELECTRODE RESISTANCE zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ
38. MEASUREMENT OF EARTH LOOP as well as the transformer winding. To test the
IMPEDANCE overall earthing for any installation, depending:
for protection on the operation of overcurrent
38.1 The current, which will flow under earth devices, for example, fuses, it is necessary to
fault conditions and will thus be available to measure the impedance of this loop under practi
operate the overload protection, depends upon cal fault conditions. After the supply has been
the impedance of the earth return loop. This connected, this shall be done by the use of an
includes the line conductor, fault, earthcontinuity earth loop impedance tester. The neutral is used
conductor and earthing lead, earth electrodes at in place of the phase conductor for the purpose of
consumer's premises, and substations and any the test. The opencircuit voltage of the loop
parallel metallic return to the transformer neutral tester should not exceed 32 volts.
SECTION 11 DATA PROCESSING INSTALLATIONS
39. EARTHING REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTE — Radiofrequency interference suppression

INSTALLATIONS OF DATA filters fitted to data processing equipment may produce
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT high earth leakage current. In such cases, failure of
continuity in the protective earth connection may cause
a dangerous touch voltage. The main purpose of this
39.1 General Code is to prevent this hazard.
39.1.1 Section l i covers the special require
ments for the connection of data processing equip 39.2 Definitions
ment to the electrical power installation of build
ings, where the data processing equipment has 39.2.1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFE
Data Processing Equipment — Electrically
earth leakage current exceeding the limit specified operated machine units that separately or assem
in IS : 10422 1982* for equipment connected via bled in systems, accumulate, process and store
a plug and socket. data. Acceptance and divulgence of data may o r
may not be electronic means.
These requirements are intended to ensure the
safety of personal in the presence of such leakage 39.2.2 Low Noise Earth — An earth connection.
current. in which the level of conducted interference from
These rules apply to the installation up to the external sources does not produce an unacceptable
point of connection of the equipment as shown in incidence of malfunction in the data processing or
similar equipment to which it is connected.
Fig. 37.
These rules do not consider installations for N O T E — T h e susceptibility in terms of amplitude/'
which the influence of lightning phenomena may frequency characteristics varies depending on the type
of equipment.
exist.
These rules do not consider the interconnection 39.2.3 High Leakage Current — Earth leakage
of equipment on different supply and earthing current exceeding the limit specified in IS : 10422
systems by data transmission lines. 1982* for equipment connected via a plug and
socket.
39.1.2 The requirements of this section may
also be applied where installations, other than data 39.2.4 General Installation Requirements — The
processing such as those for industrial control and requirements of this clause apply where equipmen t
telecommunications equipment, carry high leakage having high leakage current is connected to any
current due to radiofrequency interference supp type of power system. The requirements apply to
ression filtering requirements. the installation as shown in Fig. 37.
• Requirements and tests for safety of data processing • Requirements and tests for safety of data processing
equipment. equipment.
80
I S i 3 0 4 3 1 3 8 7 zyxwvutsr
I EQUIPMENT
LOOPED
I N S T A L L A T I O N ' EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT
INDUSTRIAL!
Cp)—
PLUG+SOCKETI
I
I
I
INSTALLATION | EQUIPMENT
LOOPED
EQUIPMENT
LOOPED
INSTALLATION i E Q U I P M | N T EQUIPMENT
WIRING ,
TERMINALS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDC
FlG. 37 EftUIPMEJWlNSTALLATION BOUNDARIES
Additional requirements a r e given for I T a n d Additionally, where leakage current measured
T T systems inzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
39.2.4.4 a n d 39.3. in accordance with I S : 104221982* exceeds 10 m A ,
equipment shall b e connected in accordance
Nora 1 — On TNC systems, where the neutral and
protective conductors are contained in a single conductor with o n e of t h e t h r e e alternative requirements
(PEN conductor ) up to the equipment terminals, detailed in 3 9 . 2 . 4 . 1 t o 39.2.4.3.
leakage current may be treated as load current.
NOTE — Leakage current measurements prescribed
NOTE 2 — Equipment normally having high earth by IS : 104221982* include likely undetected fault
leakage current may not be compatible with installations conditions within the equipment.
incorporating residual current protective devices, as
well as the standing residual current due to leakage
current. The possibility of nuisance tripping due to capa 39.2.4.1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLK
High integrity earth connections
citor charging currents at switchon shall be considered.
NOTE — The aim of the requirements detailed
Equipment shall b e : below is to provide high integrity earth connections by
using robust or duplicate conductors in association with
a) stationary, a n d permanent connections or robust connectors.
b) either permanently connected to t h e
building wiring installation or connected Protective conductors shall comply with t h e
via industrial plugs a n d sockets. following:
NOTF. 1 — Industrial plugs and sockets are examples a) W h e r e independent protective conductors
of suitable plugs and sockets. Plugs and sockets .for are, there shall b e o n e conductor with a
general use are not suitable.
crosssectional a r e a of not less t h a n 1 <f>
NOTE 2 — It is particularly important for equip mm* or t w o conductors with independent
ment with high leakage currpnt that earth continuity
should be checked at the time it is installed andafter terminations, e a c h having a crosssectional
any modification to the installation. area of n o t less t h a n 4 m m ' ;
It is also recommended t h a t earth continuity • Requirements and tests for safety of data processing
be checked thereafter a t regular intervals. equipment.
81
IS < 3043 1987
b) When incorporated in a multicore cable b) If the requirements of (a) cannot be met,
together with the supply conductors, the the requirements of 39.2.4.3 shall apply.
sum total crosssectional area of all the
<f> mm* 39.3 A d d i t i o n a l R e q u i r e m e n t s fo r
conductors shall be not less than 1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA I T
and the protective conductors shall comply S y s t e m s
with Section 2;
39.3.1 It is preferred that equipment with
c) Where the protective conductor is installed high leakage current is not connected directly to
in, and connected in parallel with a metal II' systems because ol the difficulty of satisfying
conduit having electrical continuity touch voltage requirements on a first fault.
according to relevant Indian Standard
specification on conduits for electrical Where possible, the equipment is supplied by
purposes, a conductor of not less than a T N system derived from the mains supply by
25 mm* shall be used; and means of a double wound transformer.
d) Rigid and flexible metallic conduits, Where it is possible, the equipment may be
metallic ducting and metallic screens, and connected directly to the equipment may be
armouring which meet the requirements connected directly to the I T system. This may be
of Section 2. facilitated ^by connecting all protective earth
Each conductor specified in (a), (b), (c) and connections for equipment using the I T system
(d) shall meet the requirements of Section 2. directly to the power system earth electrode.
39.2.4.2 Earth integrity monitoring — A pro 39.3.2 Before making direct connection to an
tective device shall be provided which will disco I T system, installers shall ensure that equipment
nnect the equipment, in the event of a disconti is suitable for connection to I T systems according
nuity occurring in the earth conductor, within to the declaration of the manufacutrer.
the voltage/time limits prescribed by relevant
standards. 39.4 S a f e t y R e q u i r e m e n t f o r L o w N o i s e
E a r t h i n g C o n n e c t i o n s
T h e protective conductors shall comply with
NOTE — It may be found that the electrical noise
Section 2. levels on the protective earthing system of building
installations cause an unacceptable incidence of mal
NOTE — The aim of the requirements detailed function on a data processing equipment connected to
above is to monitor the continuity of the protective it.
earth connection and provided means of automatic
supply disconnection in case of failure.
39.4.1 Whatever measures are taken to
3^.2.4.3 Use of double wound transformer — provide a lownoise earthing connection, it is
Equipment shall be connected to the supply via a required that exposed conductive parts of data
double wound transformer of other units in which processing shall be connected to the main earth
the input and output circuits are separated, such ing terminal.
as motoralternator sets ( see 40 ).
NOTE — The use of separate earth electrodes for
The secondary circuit should preferably be simultaneously accessible exposed conductive parts is
not permitted.
connected as a T N system but an I T system may
be used where required for the specific applica This requirement shall also apply to metallic
tion. enclosures of Class I I and Class I I I equipment,
and to F E L V circuits when these are earthed for
NOTE — The aim of the requirements above is to
localize the path of the leakage current, and minimize functional reasons.
the possibility of a break in continuity in this path.
Earth conductors, which serve functional pur
39.2.4.4 Additional requirements for TT poses only, need not comply with Section 2.
system — T h e requirements below ensure that the
leakage in normal operation of^all equipment 39.4.2 Other Special Methods — In extreme
protected by one and the same protective device cases, if the safety requirements of 39.4.1 are
is less than half of that required to operate earth fulfilled but electrical noise on the main earthing
fault protective devices for the installation circuit. terminal of the installation cannot be reduced to
an acceptable level, the installation has to be
a) T h e total leakage current 1^ (in amperes ), treated as a special case.
the resistance of the earth electrode RA
( in o h m s ) and the nominal operating The earthing arrangement has to provide the
residual current of the protective device same level of protection as is generally provided
7An ( i n amperes) shall be related as by these requirements and particular attention
follows: should be given to ensure that the arrangement:
T /A
» «r Uj
- a) provides adequate protection against over
1
2 ^ 2 RA current; zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTS
82
i 3043 1987
b) prevents excessive touch voltages on the confine the earth leakage current in conductors
equipment and ensures equipotential be within the unit.
tween the equipment and adjacent metal
work or other electrical equipment, unaer N O T E — No further special installation measures
are necessary,
normal and fault conditions; and
c) meets the requirements relating to exces 40.2 Method of Connecting Transformers
sive earth leakage current, if appropriate, Physically Separate from Units — The
and does not invalidate them. neutral point for the secondary circuit shall be
40. EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF connected to earth at the transformer and the
TRANSFORMERS earth connections between the equipment and
the transformer shall comply with the require
40.1 Transformer incorporated in or Atta ments of 39.2.4.1 or 39.2.4.2.
chedzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
to Unit — The transformer shall be
connected in accordance with Fig. 38 in order to Connections shall be as shown in Fig. 39.
EXPOSED CONDUCTIVE
PARTS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
PC zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
EXPOSED CONDUCTIVE
PE PARTS
Single phase system depicted for ease. System may be 3phase.
Protection and control arrangements are not shown. zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
C is the filter capacitance.
L\ and Ul or N are connections to the incoming supply and PE is the connection from accessible parts of the
equipment to the main earthing terminal of installation for both protective conductors of class I equipment and
functional earthing conductors for class II equipment.
FIG. 38 METHODS OF GONNEGTINQ DOUBLEWOUND TRANSFORMERS SITUATED

WITHIN OR ATTACHED TO SINGLE UNITS
S3
IS i 3043 1987 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
11
T C
l
| L 0zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYX
A D J
12
OR
N
7K PART
EXPOSED CONDUCTIVE
PEzyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
T
Z J Z C | LOAD |
EXPOSED CONDUCTIVE
PART
Singlephase system depicted for ease. System may be 3phase.

Primary and secondary circuits must have means of control and protection. These are not shown.
C is the filter capacitance.
L\ and VI or .Yare connections to the incoming supply and PE is the connection frqm accessible parts of the
equipment to the main earthing terminal of the installation for both protective conductors of Class I equipment
and functional earthing conductors of Class II equipment.
Fio. 39 METHOD OF CONNECTING PHYSICALLY SEPARATED TRANSFORMERS
84
Bureau of Indian Standards zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
BIS is a statutory institution established under thezyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote
harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and
attending to connected matters in the country.
Copyright
BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form
without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of
implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations.
Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publication), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewed
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are
needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue
of *BIS Handbook' and 'Standards Monthly Additions'.
Amendments Issued Since Publication
Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Headquarters:
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 Telegrams: Manaksanstha
Telephones: 323 01 31,323 33 75,323 94 02 (Common to all offices)
Regional Offices: Telephone
Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg 323 76 17,323 38 41
NEW DELHI 110002
Eastern : 1/14 C.I.T. Scheme VIIM, V.I.P. Road, Maniktola f337 84 99,337 85 61
CALCUTTA 700054 1337 86 26,337 9120
Northern : SCO 335336, Sector 34A, CHANDIGARH 160022 f 60 38 43
160 20 25
Southern : C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, CHENNAI 600113 f235 0216,235 04 42
123515 19,235 23 15
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MUMBAI400093 183278 91,832 78 92
Branches : AHMADABAD. BANGALORE. BHCPAL. BHUBANESHWAR.
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Earthing Practice

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Earthing Practice

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Indian Standard zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ

Price Rs 225.00 September 1988

Indian Standard zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ

SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES

SECTION 2 CONNECTIONS T O EARTH

SECTION 3 EARTH FAULT PROTECTION ON CONSUMER'S

SECTION 5 INDUSTRIAL PREMISES

SECTION 6 S T A N D B Y A N D OTHER PRIVATE GENERATING

SECTION 8 S T A T I C A N D LIGHTNING PROTECTION EARTHING

( Under consideration. Clauses 26 and 27 reserved for Section 8 ) zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ

SECTION 10 MEASUREMENTS A N D CALCULATIONS

SECTION 11 D A T A PROCESSING I N S T A L L A T I O N S

39. EARTHING REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATIONS OF DATA PROCESSING

measures. Details of such protective measures and 0*11 For convenience of identifying areas of inter­

1. SCOPE current carrying metal work association with,

SECTION 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPO

2. TER M1NOLOGY 2.12 Earthed Concentric Wiring — A wiring

POTENTIAL RISE ABOVE REMOTE

STEP VOLTAGE AT A GROUNDED STRUCTURE j

POTENTIAL RISE ABOVE REMOTE

TOUCH VOLTAGE AT A GROUNDED STRUCTURE

SOURCE OF ENERGY

" i It v.^

3 ^CONSUMER / \EXPOSEO CONDUCTIVE \ \ ^ • >­ INSTALLATION

All exposed conductive parts are connected to the PEN conductor. For 3 /— consumer, local earth electrode has

Fio. 4 INDIAN TN­C SYSTEM ( NEUTRAL AND PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS COMBINED IN

TABLE 2 CLASSIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

SECTION 2 CONNECTIONS T O EARTH

TABLE 3 EXAMPLES OF SOIL RESISTIVITY

Probable Range of Range of Range of

FIG. 9 VARIATION OF SOIL RESISTIVITY WITH MOISTURE CONTENT

»­ too generally employed, a separation of 2 ni is suffi­

LENGTH OF DRIVEN ELECTRODE m

9.2.6 Structural Steelwork — The resistance to

9.2.7 Reinforcement of Piles — At power stations

The electrolyte is generally the ground in

• J25. 400 C I COVER HINGED

All dimensions in millimetres.

CAST IRON OR zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

^r G I BOLTS AND NUTS,FLAT

BRAZING FOR COPPER AND WELDING

16C Straight Joint ( Strips ) 16D 'T'Joint ( Strips )

FLAT WASHER AND SPRING W A S H E R ( G I )

EO.UIPMENT/ STRIP JiO mm

­2 mm TINNED COPPER

100 200 300 400 508

100 200 500 zyxwvutsrqponmlkj

100 «00 500 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcb

TABLE 5 MATERIAL CONSTANTS

M A T E R I A L B ( ° C ) (MjrCmmS) 5,0 ( U m m ) y/ fie ( £ +.26 )

TABLE 6 C U R R E N T RATING OF VARIOUS PROTECTIVE EARTHING MATERIALS zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZ

1 s current rating in A/mm* (k{) 205 126 80

6C P r o t e c t i v e Conductor a s a Core in Multicore Cables

Boundary Conditions : Initial Temperature : 40°C; Final Temperature 150°C/200 o C.

1 J current rating in A/mm* (kj) 131/153 86/101 47/56

15.2.3 If from any point of the installation the 16.1.1zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCB

SECTION 3 EARTH FAULT PROTECTION IN CONSUMER'S PREMISES

a protective conductor or exposed conductive where

as to prevent the voltage sensitivity element from

SECTION 4 POWER S T A T I O N S , S U B S T A T I O N S A N D OVERHEAD LINES

20. E A R T H I N G I N P O W E R S T A T I O N S A N D W h e r e the neutral points of two electrically

re EFF:f i—i n w\

measures. Details of such protective measures and 0*11 For convenience of identifying areas of inter

3 ^CONSUMER / \EXPOSEO CONDUCTIVE \ \ ^ • > INSTALLATION

Fio. 4 INDIAN TNC SYSTEM ( NEUTRAL AND PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS COMBINED IN

» too generally employed, a separation of 2 ni is suffi

2 mm TINNED COPPER

(4) (v) (4) Where an adequate earthing installation is pro

NOTE 3 — Changeover switch could be 3pole with linked neutral.

L.V. PLANT PORTABLE

M X T h e crosssectionai area of every protective

Fio. 33 CONNECTIONS FOR A FOURTERMINAL MEGGER

39. EARTHING REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTE — Radiofrequency interference suppression

FlG. 37 EftUIPMEJWlNSTALLATION BOUNDARIES

FIG. 38 METHODS OF GONNEGTINQ DOUBLEWOUND TRANSFORMERS SITUATED

Singlephase system depicted for ease. System may be 3phase.