onda ara Is 3043 : 2018 (Reaffirmed 0) Indian Standard aes & fare tft Wika (yar yer ) Code of Practice for Earthing (Second Revision ) S LY & CG csoruaso s iS o > © 2 s © BIS 2018 anda are =i BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS Tw WAR, 9 ARGUTE TH ATI, wE feeet-110002 MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG ‘NEW DELHI 10002 wuwbis.ora.in yww.standardsbis.in November 2018 Price Group 181s 3048 : 2018 CONTENTS FoReworD. SCOPE son REFERENCES. ‘Terwmoxocy StaTuToRy Paovisions FoR EARTIONG Sarery iN EaRriane Ranas oF rosnaati: CURRENT |. TOLERABLE Bopy Curent Laat 9, Acetpexrat, GROUND CURRENT 10, CarteRia oF TOLERABLE VoLTAGE o T1.. SYSTEMEARMING soon nnn GS . . . 12. Equiewer Eartiasc © 19 13, Resistance To Earit, 14, Reem Bascrenes S 2 15, Cammsur Dery as Sun ro Ean Eng) anv 32 1 1 2 1 3 1 4, 5 5. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE Choice oF EaRTHeD on UNzARTHED SYSTEM. 6 6. 7 1. 1 8. 8 9 16, Vouzact: Gkapust AnouND Eaxrt ELEcrtonis 36 17, Conazcrioxs ro Ear ELecreopes — Eanrung (3) PROrsc1ivE CONDUCTORS ixncnsnnnnnmnnsnsnennen 37 18, EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROTECTIVE PURARSS nnnnnenennnnnnsnsnnnennnnenen 19, EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNCTIONAL RQPSES or acennsnmnmnnennnnnnsnsnnnnnsnsnnn 20, EARN ARRANGEMENTS FOR CoNEIN a vo 42 21, Eau Bowes Comers 8 22, ‘Tynteat Scammaartc Earn ero scrons a 23, Ear Fauts Prorsctios ty Is 3 DU, Suternor Denson Avwabec Dugg oen Sumy. so . on 50 25, Eaxmusc in Powes Srantoys(@p Sus . 33 26, Eaxmuine AssociareD sex Lines 68 27, Gueunes ox Eaxr =f Coven INSTALLATION 64 28, Unearruizp Gen rs (BR ne Betow 10KW) so 68 28, Eaamincrn Sras@eCrera() Spphosdsc.uone Pomanusax0 Monts GSAT) on 69 30, Promcrive Msi Tangy) Edens Meicat, Estantasisents 4 31, Surety Cats ISTICS PARAMETERS, 7 32, Earriano ING renTiAL EEA ZaRDOUS AREAS 81 33, THLACOMMUNICATION CIRCUITS AND APPARATUS ssn . . . oo 82 34, Buupise Stes . . . . 3 35, MINES AND QUARRIES. 1 84 36, Sraser Lisi ano Orten EtscratcaySuovutD STR FURNITURE 86 37, Eaxniino of CoxpucroRs FoR Sate WORKING. 87 38, MAINTENANCE OF EARTH ELECTRODES. 88 39, Caceuarion oF Eaxnit Fair Conners 89 40, Meastene oF Eagrit Resisti¥iry ¥9 A, Measures of Ean EutcrRops RESISTANCE 2 42, Measutsnn oF Eat: Loor Iueupance . 95 43, Eannuisc REQUIREMENTS FoR INSTALLATIONS of Data Processine EqueMit 95 Ad, EXAMPLE OF TE US@ 0° TRANSFORMERS pcnonannimnnsnsnnnninnnsinnnnnnnnnanns 98 o18 3043 : 018 Electrical Installations Sectional Committee, ETD 20 FOREWORD This Indian Standard (Second Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the Electrical Installations Sectional Committee, had been approved by the Electrotechnical Division Council, ‘The Indian Electricity Act, 2003, together with the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 and amendments, govern the electrical installation work in generating stations, substations, industrial locations, buildings, etc, in the country. To ensure safety of life and apparatus against earth faults, it was felt necessary to prepare a code of practice for earthing. The code of practice for earthing was formulated with the intention to serve as a consolidated guide to all those who are concerned with the design, installation, inspection and maintenance of electrical systems and apgaatus This standard was first published in 1966 and revised in 1987. quently, several comments were received and the National Electrical Code was revised in 2011. Also, the Cede of practice of Electrical Wiring Installation (IS 732) has been revised in 2018. Therefore, the revision of tiisatandard was undertaken to align with the latest practices vy The subject of earthing covers the problems relating ig@Spduction of electricity through earth, The terms cath and earthing have been used inthis Code irrespective of refine being placed onthe earth tse as alow impedance return path ofthe fault current, As a mater of fact, th€ uth now rarely serves as a pat of the return circuit but is being used manly fr fixing the voltage of system Kebtras. The earth connection improves service continuity and avoids damage to equipment and danger to hur ie The object of an earthing system is to proyi is nearly sea surface under and around a station which Sol be ata uniform potent nds meade or aby crh potential a posible The purpose o isis ensure that, in general, all parts eam parts shall beat earth potential, as well as to ensure that operators and attendants shall bg part potpuga at all times. Also by providing such an earth surface of uniform potential under and surrot the stajie/Ahere can exist no difference of potential in a short distance big enough to shock or injure an aidhdant whetbshort-circuits or other abnormal occurrences take place. The recommendations inthis Code ag@pade in ger that these objets may be cared ou. Earthing associated with eurent-cary generly own as system. to the safety of human lige @himals Since the revision of 4@Standar ‘considerable experience has been gained through the implementation of its various stipulfiions. Marepvér, several new concepts have been introduced the world over, on the understanding of Mdtional apFotective earthing with a view to take into account a variety of complex problems encountered ifaeypil practie&i the context of increased use of electric power and the associated need for safety in the design of installations, it had become necessary to prepare an overall revision ofthe earlier version of the Code. \ductor is normally essential (o the security of the system and is rthing of non-current carrying metal work and conductor is essential erty, and is generally known as equipment earthing, In this Code, the terms ‘earthing’ and ‘grounding’ are used synonymously. This Code includes comprehensive guidelines on choosing the proper size of the various components of the earthing system, particularly earthing and protective conductors as well as earth electrodes, Guidance included on determination of relevant ‘k’ factor depending on material properties and boundary conditions, and the associated ‘minimum cross-sectional area would assist in a more scientific design of the earthing system under various circumstances, Tae Code also includes comprehensive guidelines on earth fault protection in consumers’ premises to commensurate with the provisions of Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 and amendments. It includes specific guidelines on earthing system design to achieve the desired degree of shock hazard protection from earth leakages. The rules given in the Code should be read in conjunction with corresponding regulations given in the wiring code (see IS 732), Git)1s 3043 : 2018, Protection against shock, both in normal service (direct contact) and in case of fault (indirect contact) can be achieved by several measures, Details of such protective measures and guidance on their choice are provided in IS 732. Barth faulUleakage protection sought to be achieved through equipotential bonding and automatic disconnection of supply is envisaged to prevent a touch voltage from persisting for such a duration that would be harmful to human beings. Guidance on achieving this protection is covered in this Code. While detailed guidelines are covered in specific portions of the Code, the following shall be noted: a) For solidly grounded systems, it shall be sufficient to check whether the characteristies of protective device for automatic disconnection, earthing arrangements and relevant impedances of the cireuits are properly coordinated to ensure that voltages appearing between simultaneously accessible, exposed and. extraneous conductive parts are within the magnitudes that would not cause danger; bb) Forsystems where the earthing is deemed to be adequate, it shall be checked whether the main overcurrent protective device is capable of meeting the requirements in the wiring code; and ©) Where the main overcurrent protective device did not fulfil the requirements or where the earthing is considered inadequate, then a separate residual current device would be necessary to be installed the earth fal loop impedance andthe tipping characteristics go chosen that they comply with safe touch voltage limits the revision ofthe Coe aims at consolidating in one volume aD essential guidelines needed for preparing a good earthing design in an electrical installation. The revision isd attempts to be more elaborate than the earlier version, especially in areas of specific interest keeping in‘f@w the need and wide experience gained the world For convenene of identifying ares of interest yan eit uses fhe Code, he information contin Stine bettie 2) General, 2 aan OS ¢)Earth-fault protection in consume’ @emises, 3 Power stations, subvaton ane i §) Standby and other rive pig 9 =) Medical establishments hy Miscellaneous oa od al rations, i) Measurements and gaicbations, @) 1k) Data processing jpStallaions << The major changes in Garon previous standard areas follows: 2). Reference tite ang Kebhing Protection Earthing under Section 8, has been removed as separate BIS StandGigs ISTE@42405 (Pare to 4) based on IEC 62305 series on Protection against lighting; 1) Amends of there IS 3043: 1987 have been incorporated: ©) Updating of cross-referred standards; d) Soil treatment and earthing resistivity enhancing materials updated (13.5); 6) Resistance ofan electrode encased in low resistivity material, for example, conducting concrete has been included (14.2.5); {Matter updated for strctual steelwork earthing (14.2.7) g) Mesh (grid) resistance added (14.2.10); h) Matter for miscellaneous electrodes has been added (142.11); 4) Calculation of ground surface potentials included (16.4; io) Farthing for unearthed generating sets (ratings below 10kW) has been included (28); ‘m) Supply system forstret lights updated (36): 1) Soil resistance test methods has been updated (40); and ) Measurement of earth electrode resistance (Fall of potential method) updated (41) ww)1s 3048 : 2018 In the preparation of the Code, assistance has been taken from the following TEC Pub 60364 (all Parts) Electrical installations in buildings. International Electrotechnical Commission. For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value, ‘observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis shall be rounded off in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised)’. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard, oIs 3043 : 2018, Indian Standard CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EARTHING (Second Revision ) 1 SCOPE 1.1 This Code of practice provides recommendations and guidance on meeting the requirements for the ‘earthing of electrical installation for the purpose of 2) protective earthing that is equipment earthing, of low voltage installation to IS 732 to limit ‘the potential (with respect tothe general mass ‘of earth) of non-current carrying metal work associated with equipment, apparatus and appliance connected to the system. bb) system earthing of low voltage installation to 1S 732 to limit the potential (with respect to serra fea) af eae ME Cpu); 2017 conductor forming part of the electrical system, ISNo. Title to protection against electric shock Guide for uniform system of ‘marking and identification of conductors and apparatus terminals Short-circuit currents in three- phase a.c. systems: Calculation of currents Factors for the calculation of short-circuit currents according to IS 13234 (Part 0) Data of electrical equipment for short-circuit current calculations 11353; 1985 Mg &< (Partgs2017 (Pa: 2017 Ss oe hingand ca (Part3):2017 Current during two separate ©) protective earthing and changeover swite simultaneous line-to-earth short arrangement for generator supplyin cireuits and partial short-circuit voltage installation, S Te ang of a eal system or pein Gan) :2017 S 1.2 This Code applies only to land-bg Ki 1edoes nt apply ‘S »)_ equipments sensiyp sate ©) the mera can ofthe 2 REFERENCES x 21 The sania beg Qian provisions Which, through’ aeférence 4 Yhis text, constitute provisions ofthis landard’ "AbYhe time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are suiject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibilty of applying the most recent editions ofthe standards listed below. Incase the standards are to be referred inthis clause they are to be listed as follows: installations> < ISNo. Title 732: 2018 Code of practice for electrical wiring installations (fourth revision) 4736 : 1986 Hot dip zine coatings on mild steel tubes (fist revision) 19409 : 1980 Classification of electrical and electronic equipment with regard currents flowing through earth Examples for the calculation of short-circuit currents 13252 (Part 1) : 2010 Information technology equip- ‘ment — Safety : Part 1 General requirements ISMIEC 60479 Effects of current on human beings and livestock (Part 1) :2005 General aspects (Part 2): 2007 Special aspects (Pat 3): 1998 Effects of currents passing through the body of livestock (Part 4): 2004 Effects of lightning strokes on ‘human beings and livestocks (Part 5): 2007 Touch voltage threshold values for physiological effects IS/IEC 60898-1: Electrical accessories — Circuit 2015, breakers for overcurrent protection for household and similar installations : Part 1 Circuit-breakers for ac operation SP 30:2011 National Electrical Code 2011 3 TERMINOLOGY For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply. 3.1 Are-Suppression Coil (Peterson Coil) — An earthing reactor so designed that its reactance is suchIs 3043 : 2018, that the reactive current to earth under fault conditions balances the capacitance current to earth flowing from the lines so that the earth current atthe fault is limited to practically zero. 3.2 Bonding Conductor — A protective conductor providing equipotential bonding, 3.3 Class I Equipment — Equipment in which protection against electric shock does not rely on basic insulation only, but which includes means for the connection of exposed conductive parts toa protective ‘conductor in the fixed wiring of the installation, NOTE — For information on classification of equipment with regard to means provided for protection against electric shock luce 15 9109), 3.4 Dead — The term used to describe a device or circuit to indicate that a voltage is not applied. 3. Double Insulation — Insulation comprising both basic and supplementary insulation 3.6 Reference Earth — The conductive mass of the earth, whose electric potential at any point ofthis mass © of earth is taken as zero with reference to an earthing —n¢ system of electrical power system or electrical) installations ina building. 3.6.1 Earthing System — Arrangement of conngetjons and devices necessary to earth equipment or @aystem separately or jointly. — 32 clot rng Sten — Egy ating System eeated by the inerconnestiog toca ear” system that ensures, by the rosin F the caging, system, that there is no dangerous tot! os o .) NoTES 1 Such system permit the devi way that esults ina teductig thee cath Fea ering stm. Sb eA sid fom 8 aba apo s . 2 The entence of elpipviting Aba fay be detemined by simple mea redclgi ‘ech stem [pica cramps of loans sete inci cee, urban indascial area} istibutayPand hgh voltage earthing vy SS 3.7 Earth Electrode — A conductor or group of ‘conductors in intimate contact with and providing an clectrical connection to earth. 3.8 Earth Grid — Earth electrode in the form of two ‘over lapping groups of buried, parallel, horizontal clectrodes usually laid approximately at right angle to ‘each other with the electrodes bonded at each inter= Earth grid provides common ground for electrical devices and metallic structures. 3.9 Earth Electrode Resistance — The resistance to ‘earth of an earth electrode or earth grid, 3.10 Earth Fault Loop Impedance —The impedance of the earth fault current loop (phase-to-earth loop) starting and ending at the point of earth fault 3.11 Earth Leakage Current —A current which flows to earth or to extraneous conductive parts in a circuit which is electrically sound, NOTE — This current may have a capacitive component including that resulting from the deliberate use of eapaciors. 3.12 Earthed Concentrie Wiring —A wiring system in which one or more insulated conductors are completely surrounded throughout their length by a conductor, for example, a sheath which acts as a PEN conductor. 3.13 Rarthing Conductor —A protective conductor connecting the main earthing terminal (see 3.2) rhe equipotef@gbonding conductor of annsallation when there is Rq'earth bus) to an earth electrode or to other ‘megngeP earthing. dS Flectrically Independent Earth Electrodes — electrodes located at such a distance from one er that the maximum current likely to flow through f them does not significantly affect the potential of the other(s). 3.15 Equipotential Bonding — Electrical connection putting various exposed conductive parts and ue conductive parts at a substantially equal tential NOTE —In a building installation, equipotetil bonding ‘conductors shall interconnect the following conductive pats 2) Protective conductor by Earth continuity conductor, and ©) Risers of sr-conditoning systems and heating systems, if 3.16 Exposed Conductive Part — A conductive part of equipment which can be touched and which is nota live part but which may become live under fault conditions. 3.17 Extraneous Conductive Part — A conductive part liable to transmit a potential including earth potential and not forming part of the electrical installation. 3.18 Final —A circuit connected directly to current-using equipment or toa socket outlet or socket outlets or other outlet points for the connection of such equipment, 3.19 Functional Earthing — Connection to earth necessaty for proper functioning of electrical equipment (see 30.1) 3.20 Live Part — A conductor or conductive part intended to be energized in normal use including a neutral conductor but, by convention, not a PEN conductor,3.21 Main Earthing Terminal— The terminal or bar (which is the equipotential bonding conductor) provided for the connection of protective conductors and the conductors of functional earthing, if any, to the ‘means of earthing, NOTE —The conductors ofthe functional earthing may be connected to main earthing texminal (which isthe egupotenil bonding conductor only ifthe same i recommended by orginal slecrical equipment manufscure 3.22 Neutral Conductor —A conductor connected to the neutral point of system and capable of contributing to the transmission of electrical energy. inSain pag 3.28.1 Earth Potential —Electric potential wif@sespect to general mass of earth which occurs fi surface ofthe ground around an a whe an clectric current ows rom the slg to ar) 3.25.2 Earth Potential Rise — vohbge bey in earthing system and reference eg 7 it Ne ipsGe 3.253 Hot Site Substation were the @Dof earth potential under maximunm_tafth fault €epdition can ‘exceed the value either 436Wbr 650 W.Képending upon the fault clearance tim, Notes i 3:25: Transferred Rojontal erential se of an ‘earthing system eallsed by a cyRtehit to earth transferred ‘by means of &cgmhected: \ctor (for example a metallic cable sheath, PEN conductor, pipeline, rail) into areas with low or no potential rise related to reference earth resulting in a potential difference ‘occurring between the conductor and its surroundings, Notes 1 The definition also applies where a conductor which is connected to efrence cath, lads ito the area the potential 2 Transferred potential can result in electrocution path throwzh the human body other than the touch voltage’ path hai hand to hand 3.26 Protective Conductor — A conductor used as a ‘measure of protection against electric shock and intended for connecting any of the following parts; on the © Is 3043: 018, a) Exposed conductive parts, b)_Extrancous conductive parts, ©) Main earthing terminal, and 4) Earthed point of the source or an artificial neutral 3.27 Reinforced Insulation — Single insulation applied to live parts, which provides a degree of protection against electric shock equivalent to double insulation under the conditions specified inthe relevant standard. [NOTE — The term ‘single insulation” doesnot imply thatthe insulation has to be one homogeneous piece. It may comprise several ayer that ceanot be tested singly a supplementary of base insulation, 3.28 Residual Current Device — A mechanical switching @hice or association of devices intended to cause gligsopening of the contacts when the residual ccurgétattains a given value under specified conditions. {esidual Operating Current — Residual current Which causes the residual current device to operate inder specified conditions. 3.30 Resistance Area (for an Earth Electrode only) — The surface area of ground (around an earth electrode) on which a significant voltage gradient may 3.32 Simultaneously Accessible Parts — Conductors oF conductive parts which can be touched simultaneously by a person or, where applicable, by livestock. Notes 1 Simultaneously accessible pars may be 2) live pats, by exposed conducive pats, ©) extraneous conductive pas 4) prtestive conductors, and ©) Bart lecrodes, 2 This term applies for livestock in locations specifically mended fr these animals 3.33 Supplementary Insulation — Independent insulation applied in addition to basic insulation, in order to provide protection against electric shock in the event of a failure of basic insulation. 3.34 Switchgear —An assembly of main and auxiliary switching apparatus for operation, regulation, protection or other control of electrical installations. NOTE — A more comprehensive definition of the term Switchgear” canbe a from IS 1885 (Part 17). 3.35 Voltage, Nominal — Voltage by which an installation (or part of an installation) is designated. 3.36 Touch Voltage — Voltage between conductive1S 3043 : 2018 parts when touched simultaneously that is the potential difference between an earthed conductor part of ‘equipment, (that is exposed conductive part) which ean be touched and which isnot a live part but which may ‘become live under fault condition and a point on a conductive part (that is extrancous conductive part) liable to transmit a potential including earth potential and not forming part of the electrical instalation or a point on cart’s surface separated by a distance equal tothe maximum normal reach (hand to hand or hand to foot) approximately one metre (see Fig. 1) NOTE—Thevalucofthe efetve touch vottagemay be gest influenced bythe impedance ofthe person in electrical contact ‘with there conducive pars ZA xX )1S 3043 : 2018 SOURCE OF ENERGY ‘SOURCE EARTH EQUIPMENT IN INSTALLATION Le Notes a L2 La N PE = pexposeo | / CONDUCTIVE i / PART _} consumer ———— INSTALLATION 1 The protetive conductor (PE) isthe metallic covering (armour or load sheath ofthe cable supplying the installation ora separate conductor). {Alagus pinta cmt Gl mincing min fina Fic, 12 TN-S System Separare NeurRaL AND Protects SinoLe Puase. Dowestic/Commenctat Si ‘SOURCE OF ENERGY € g jcroxs Tanovenour nix Sysrin,230V ron 3-TN-S (see Fig. 13) ~S ® 4 L2 Ls PE ~ and I~ loads stallion ace connected to protective conductor vate main earthing terminal ofthe installation. consumer's premise is necessary Fig, 13 Inpian-TN-S Syste ©) TN-C System — The neutral and protective functions are combined in a single conductor throughout the system (for example earthed concentric wiring) (see Fig. 14) TIN-C-S System— The neutral and protective functions are combined in a single conductor but only in part ofthe system (see Fig. 15), PIN-S System (for 66/11 kV three-phase bulk supply) — The consumers installation, a TN S system receiving power at a captive substation through a delta connected ’ 2 transformer primary (see Fig. 16). 1) TT System or 415V three-phase industrial supply) —Same as 1.1.4 (b) (see Fig, 17). £8) ITSystem—Sameas WA (6) (see Fig. 18) 11.1.3 Installation Earthing — 250 V but not Exceeding 650 V Installation Earthing ‘The purpose of earthing the non-current carrying metal ‘work of plant and equipment of 250 V butnot exceeding 650 V isto: 161S 3043 : 2018 SOURCE OF ENERGY “4 — 2 Ls COMBINED tT T Feanon = = CONDUCTOR SOURCE | ADDITIONAL ‘SOURCE EARTH EARTH JL ee ———\--] may Be PRovideD) — EXPOSED 3~CONSUMER CONDUCTIVE oo PART! eS ination Fis, 14 nian TN-C System (Nevrea Gp Protective FUNCTIONS CowiNeD IN a sina Coxovcygy Tanovonavt Sess) ss L4 2 L3 COMBINED PE AND N CONDUCTOR Notes 1 The usual form of a'TN-C- system is as shown, where the supply is TN-C and the arrangement in the installations in TN-S, 2 This typeof sistribution is known aso as Protective Malipe Eathing andthe PEN conductor i efrred to asthe combined neta and cath (CNE) conductor ‘3 The supply system PEN conductor is earthed a several points and an earth electrode may be necessary aor near a consumer's 5 The protective neutral bonding (PNB) i variant of TN-C-S with single point eating. Fig. 15 TN-C-S Sysren, Naureal. aND Protective FUNCTIONS ComBINED IN A Sines ConDUCTOR IN A PART OF TH SYSTEM ”