CHAPTER 54

EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS

541 GENERAL
541 .1 Every ]lteans ofeathing and every protective conductor shall be selected and erected so as to satisty
the lequircDents of the Regulations.

541 .2 Thc earthirg systern ofan installation may be subdivided, in which case each parl thus divided shall
conply with the reqLLitements ol tltis chapter
541 .3 Where there is also a lightning protection system, reference shall be made to BS EN 62305'

542 EARTHING ARRANGEMENTS

542.',| General requirements

542.1.1 The eafihing arrangements ntay be usedjointly or separately fol protective and functional put-poses,
according to the rcquirenents of the installation

S4Z-1.201 The maill eafthjng teminal sha]l be connected with Eatlh by one of the methods described in
Regulations 542. .2. I to 542.1 .2.3 , as appropriate to the type of system ol which the installation is to
1
fom a pafi
and in corrpliarce with Regulations 542. I .3. I and 542. I .3.2.
NOTE: Reter to Pafi 2 and Appcrdix 9 lbr dellnitions ofsysten]s
542.1.2 Supplyarrangements
542.1.2-,1 For a TN-S system, rneans shall be provided for the main eatlhing terninal ofthe installation to be
colnectecl to the eafihed poillt ol the source of energy. Pafi of the connectiol rnay be fotmed by the distributor's
lires alld equipmerl.

542.1.2-2 TN,C-S systerr, wherc prcrective multipie earthilrg is ptovided, means shall be providcd lbr the
For a
main eafthing terminal oltlre installation to be connected by the distributol to the neutral ofthe source ofenergy'

For.a TT or IT systenl, the main eafthing temiual shall be connected via an eafthing conductor to
an
542.1-2.3
earth electrode corrplying with Regulation 542.2

542.1.2.4 Whcr.e the supply to an ilstallation is at high voltage, protection against faults between the high
voltage supply and earth shall be provided in accordalce with Section 442
542.1-3 lnstallationearthingarrangements
542/1.3.1 The earthing arangements slla1L be such that:
(i) the value of impeclance from the consrnner''s main earthing terminal to the earthed poil1t ofthe suppty tbr TN
systens" or Earlh tbr TT and tT systens, is in accordance with the protective and functional requirements
1()

ofthe ilstallation. and cottsidered to be continuously effective, and

(ii) earth l'ault cul.lents a[d protective conductor cuffents which may occul are carried without dangel,
particularly fiom thertnal, thelnomechanical and electromechanical stresses, and
(iii) they are adequately robust or have additional mechanical protection appropriate to the assessed conditions
of cxternal inlluel ce.

S4Z-,1.3.2 plecautions shall be taken against the risk ofdamage to other rrctallic pafts through electlolysis.

542.1.3,3 Where a lumber of installations have separate eafthing arrangernents. any protective conducto$
to flow
conunou to aury of these installatiols shall eithel be capable of carrying the rnaxillnm fault cu[ent )ikely
through rhem or be ear.thecl withiD one installatiofl olly and insulated t'rom the eatlhilg an'angements of a1ly other
instaliation. I11 thc latter circumstances, if the plotective conductor fonls part ofa cable, the protective conductot
shall bc earthecl only in the installation containing the associated protectivc device

542.2 Earth electrodes

542.2.1 1'he design userl fbr, and the colstruction of, an eafth electrode shall be such as to rvithstand dautage
and to take account of possible increase in resistalce due to corrosiol't'
 542.2.2 Suitablc carth electrodes shall be used. The lbllou rni :..:r - : i:fih electr.odc are recosnized for the
purposcs of the Regulations:

(i) Earth rods or pipes

(ii) Earth tapes ol wires
(iii) Earth plates
(iv) Underground shxctural metalwork elrbedded in fourdations or other metal$ ork installed in the foundations
(v) Welded metal reinlorcernent ofconcrete (except pre-stressed concrete) embedded in the ground
(vi) Lead sheaths ard other netal coverings ofcables. where not precluded bl.Regulation 542.2.5
(vii) othcr suitable underground metalwork.
NOTE: Ftulher inlb ration on earlh electrodes can be found in BS 7.1i0.

542.2.3 Where foundation earth electrodcs are installed. the materials and dinrensions ofthe earlh electrodes
shall be selected to withstand corrosion and to have adequate mechanical strength.
NOTE: lfa lighhiDg protection system (LPS) is present. BS EN 62305-l applies.

542.2.4 The type and embedded depth ofan earrh electrode shall be such that soil drying and freezing will
not increase its resistance above the required value.

rl 542.2.5 The usc. as al eatl}t electrode, ofthe lead sheath or other metal covering ofa cable shall be subject
to all ofthe following conditions:
(i) Adequate precar.rtions shall be taken to prcvent excessive deterioration by corrosion
(ii) The sheath or covering shall be in cft'ective contact with Earth
(iii) The consent ofthe ouner ofthe cable shall be obtained
(iv) Auangements shall exist fot the owner ofthe electrical installation to be wamed ofany proposed change to
the cable which rnight aft'ect its suitability as an eartlr electrode.

542.2.6 A metallic pipe for gases or flan.rmable liquids shall not be used as an earth electrode. The metallic
pipe ofa water utility supply shall not be used as an earth electrode. Other rnetallic water supply pipework shall not
be used as an earth electrode unless precautions are taken against its removal and it has been considered for such a use.

542.2.7 Ar carth electrode shall not consist ofa metal object immersed in water
542.2.8 Wherc an eanh electrode consists ofparts that mustbe connected together, connections shall be made
by rveldiug, pressule connectoN, c]amps or other stlitable mechanical connectors.

542.3 Earthing conductors

542.3.1 Every earthing conductor shall comply with Section 543 and, where PME conditions apply, shall
meet the requirements of Regulation 544.1.1 for the cross-sectional area of a main protective bonding conductor.
:TN In additiou, where buried in the ground, the eafthing conductor shall have a cross-sectional axea not less than that
1:11ts stated in Table 54. l. For a tape or stdp conductor, the thickness shall be such as to withstand mechanical damage
and conosion.
:-:ieI. NOTE: For futther infunnation sce BS 7430.

::tol1s TABLE 54.1 -

Minimum cross-sectional area of a buried earthing conductor

Not protected against mechanical

damage
. .,tors
Protected against colrosion by a 2.5 mmr copper 16 mnrr copper
io* sheadr
- -,rheL l0 mmr steel 16 rnmr coated steel
:.atol' Not protected against coffosion 25 nrml copper'

50 mnl: steel

542.3.2 The connectiol'l of an earthing conductor to an earth electrode or otlret means of earthing shall
--:nlge be soundly rlade and be electrically and mechanically satisfactory. and labelled in accordance with Regulation
s14.13.1(i). It shrll be suitahlr protccted aeainsl corro\ior. li
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