INTRODUCTION

The earthing system, sometimes simply called ‘earthing’, is the total set of measures used
to connect an electrically conductive part to earth. The earthing system is an essential part of
power networks at both high- and low-voltage levels. A good earthing system is required for

 Protection of buildings and installations against lightning.

 Safety of human and animal life by limiting touch and step voltages to safe values.
 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) i.e. limitation of electromagnetic disturbances.
 Correct operation of the electricity supply network and to ensure good power quality.

All these functions are provided by a single earthing system that has to be designed to
fulfill all the requirements. Some elements of an earthing system may be provided to fulfill a
specific purpose, but are nevertheless part of one single earthing system. Standards require all
earthing measures within an installation to be bonded together, forming one system.An
earthing system defines the electrical potential of the conductors relative to that of the Earth's
conductive surface. The choice of earthing system has implications for the safety and
electromagnetic compatibility of the power supply. Note that regulations for earthing
(grounding) systems vary considerably among different countries.The primary function of the
earth is to provide protection when a fault causes the live conductor to come in contact with
the exposed metal parts of electrical equipment. The earth must be of sufficiently low
impedance to blow the appropriate fuse (or activate the overload trip) in a very short time.
Achieving sufficiently low impedance has always been a problem, and traditionally it was
solved by using the armouring of the supply cable as an earth conductor back to the sub-
station earth point the (TN-S system).Based on IEE Regulation bellow.
 Five types of earthing systems classified by a combination of two or four letters
namely TT, TN-S, TN-C, TN-C-S, and IT. Therefore, the first letters indicate the supply
earthing arrangement such as the letters describe as T: earth, i.e one or more points of the
supply are directly connected to earth and I: Impedance, i.e supply system is not earthed or
one point is earthed through fault-limiting impedance. The second letter indicates the
installation earthing arrangement such as the letters describe for T: earth, i.e exposed
conductive parts connected directly earth and N: Neutral, i.e exposed conductive part
connected directly to the neutral point of the source of supply. The optional third or fourth
letter indicates the earthing conductor arrangement such as describe for S: Separate, i.e
separate neutral and protective conductors and C: Combined, i.e neutral and protective
conductor combined in a single conductor.

OBJECTIVE TESTING OF EART ELECTRODE RESISTANCE.

To measure the existing earth resistance and to improve the earth resistance measurement:
1. To install and fix the wiring as per circuit given.
2. To set the reading to zero.
3. To read the measurement and get the average reading.
4. To improved the measurement repeat the process to another earth rod.

Equipment

1. Digital Earth Tester KYORITSU-4105A (for measuring earth resistance).

2. Tape measure.
3. Hand tools & Hammers.
4. Wire terminals.
5. Wire jumpers.
6. Hand calculator.
7. Earth electrodes ( copper & aluminum).
Procedure

Earth Electrode Resistance Test

i. To test the earth electrode resistance.

ii. To ascertain the suitability of the location of the electrode.
iii. To ensure that the electrode is not buried within the resistance area of another
electrode.
iv. Test equipment used is Earth Resistance Tester.
v. Test method:

 Terminal “E” is connected to the electrode to be tested (green conductor).

 Terminal “P” is connected to the potential spike (yellow conductor) at a
distance of 10 meters from the earth electrode.
 Terminal “C”is connected to the current spike (red conductor) at a distance of
20 meters from the earth electrode.

Earth Electrode Resistance Measurement Method

i. Record the first reading (Z1)

ii. Move the voltage spike to a distance of 6 meters from the original position. Record the
second reading (Z2).

iii. Move the voltage spike to a distance of 6 meters from the original position. Record the
third reading (Z3).

iv. From the three resistance values, obtain the average value of the tested earth electrode
resistance.

Earth Electrode Resistance Measurement

THE IMPORTANT OF EARTH SYSTEM IN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION

Proper earthing system important for electrical circuit, single phase or three phase.
System Earthing is required to ensure efficient and fast operation of protective gear in the case
of earth faults.Equipment Earthing is made to ensure freedom from dangerous electric shock
voltages exposures to person in the area and to carry the fault current without creating
fire. Earthing is used to control radio frequency emission and electromagnetic interference, as
it is necessary to eliminate electrostatic discharege, which can destroy sensitive equipment
and disrupt power supply. Earthing is necessary to provide stable reference potential for
instrument accuracy and to provide a safe discharge path for short circuits and lighting
currents. This type of earthing should arrange to meet the following objectives:

1. To maintain as close as practicable, the exposed-conductive parts at earth potential

2. To ensure that any earth fault current will be returned safely to its source via a
properly designed low impedance path.
3. To provide as nearly as possible a system of conductors at a uniform potential and as
nearly zero or absolute earth potential as possible.
4. To ensure that in general all parts of the system other than live parts shall be at earth
potential as well as to ensure that persons coming in contact with it shall also be at
earth potential at all times.
5. To satisfactory earthing is the most important part of an electrical installation
because operations of all the protective devices depend upon it.
6. The main important reason of earth system in electrical installation firstly is to
provide protection for persons or life stocks against the danger of electric shock.
7. It also used to maintain the proper function of the electrical system.
 Installation with refer the soil resistivity condition.

The inspection for earthing technical specification and design of the form of the earthing

system is bound and dependent on various factors such as:

1. Soil conductivity
2. Soil moisture (dry soil, or wet soil)
3. Soil condition (natural soil, or concrete)
4. The grid shall be directly buried in the ground (soil) or it shall run in open
5. trenches (open channels)
THE EARTHING ARRANGEMENT AND PROTECTIVE CONDUCTORS STATED
IEE REGULATIONS

Earthing Arrangement

The main earthing terminal shall be connected with Earth by one of the methods:

1. For a TN-S system, the main earthing terminal of the installation must be connected to
the earth point of the source of energy. A TN-S system has the supply source directly
connected to earth, the installation metalwork connected to the neutral of the supply
source via the lead sheath of the supply cable, and the neutral and protective
conductors throughout the whole system performing separate functions.

2. For a TN-C-S system, the Protective Multiple earthy was provided, where the main -
earthing terminal of the installation to be the connected to the neutral of the source of
the energy.A TN-C-S system is as the TN-S but the supply cable sheath is also the
neutral, i.e. it forms a combined earth/neutral conductor known as a PEN (protective
earthed neutral) conductor. The installation earth and neutral are separate
conductors.This system is also known as PME (protective multiple earthing).
 3. For the TT or IT system, the main earthing terminals must be connected via an
earthing conductor to an earthing conductor to an earth electrode.A TT system has a
direct connection to the supply source to earth and a direct connection of the
installation metalwork to earth. An example is an overhead line supply with earth
electrodes, and the mass of earth as a return path as shown below.

4. For a TN-C system, PEN conductors must be connected to main earthing terminals.

The earthing arrangements shall be such that:

1. The value of impedance from the consumer’s main earthing terminal to the earthed
point of the supply for TN systems, or to Earth for TT and IT systems, is in
accordance with the protective and functional requirements of the installation, and
considered to be continuously effective.
2. Earth fault currents and earth leakage currents which may occur are carried without
danger particularly from thermal, thermo mechanical and electromechanical stresses.
3. They are adequately robust or have additional mechanical protection appropriate to the
assessed conditions of external influence.
Consider in BS 7671 regulations

 Earth electrodes

BS 7671 lists a wide range of earth electrodes recognized by wiring regulations,

including earth rods, earth plates and underground structural metalwork. The single
most importance deciding factor in which type of electrode to use is resistance
capacity of the soil in the ground. Ideally it should virgin, undisturbed ground, and the
effects of soil drying, freezing, and the potential for corrosion, should also be
considered, with tests carried out in the worst weather conditions.

 Sizing of Circuit Protective Conductors

Several factors must be considered when working out the required size of circuit
protective conductor. A minimum cross–sectional area of 2.5mm2 copper is necessary
for any separate circuit protective conductor, meaning one which is not part of a cable
or created by/contained inside a wiring enclosure.

 Earthing Conductors

Earthing conductors defined by BS 7671 as a protective conductor connecting the

main earthing terminal of an installation to an earth electrode must be sized
appropriately, especially if partially buried. They must be made from suitable material
and protected against corrosion and mechanical damage. The appropriate size is
determined in the same way as for a circuit protective conductor, except for with
buried earthing conductors, in which case check BS 7671 for further guidelines. In
addition, earthing conductors for a TN–C–S supply should not be smaller than the
main bonding conductors.

 Special Locations

These are locations where extra precautions need to be taken. For example PMEs
cannot be used for caravans or boats as the combined neutral and protective conductor
is not allowed to be connected electrically to any metalwork in them, whilst a TT
system is recommended for hazardous areas such as petrol stations, and should be
accompanied by the supply of a separate electrode and circuit breaker such as an RCD,
 in order to ensure that the earthing in the petrol filling area and the PMP earth of the
distribution network are separated.

Protective Conductors

As Regulation 542.3.1 points out, earthing conductors are one form or protective
conductor and must meet all the relevant requirements for those conductors. As required by
regulation 542.3.1, the minimum cross-sectional area of the earthing conductor is to be not
less than that required by section 543 of BS 7671 and where PME conditions apply, not less
that required by Regulation 544.1.1 for a main protective bonding conductor. Additionally,
for buried earthing conductors, the minimum cross-sectional area must meet the requirements
of table 54.1 For tape and strip conductor, this regulation refer out to BS 7430, the CP for
earthing. It also call for the thickness of the conductor to be such as the withstand mechanical
damage and corrosion. The size given for such conductor depend on the conductor metal and
whether or not additional protection is provided against mechanical damage (mainly impact
and vibration) and corrosion (water and chemical).

Where no mechanical or corrosions protection is provided. The minimum cross-

sectional area is 25mm2 for copper and 50mm2 for steel. In case of earthing conductor with a
protective covering and with mechanical protection, the minimum cross sectional area is
calculated from the adiabatic equation given in Regulation 543.1.3 or taken in table 54.7 of
Regulation 543.1.4: but if no further mechanical protection is afforded, then the minimum is
16mm2 copper or 16mm2 coated steel. The values given are minimum cross-sectional area, and
it should be noted that there may be instances where these will be insufficient to meet the
requirement relating to protective conductor. As called in Regulation 542.3.2, all connection
to the means of earthing, including electrodes, must be protected against corrosion and be
mechanically and electrically sound in order to provide a satisfactory and reliable connection.
As with all connection of protective conductors, a label reading ‘Safety Electrical Connection
Do not remove’ must be provided in a visible position on or near the connection.
RESULTS OF THE MEASUREMENT AND TESTING EXPERIMENT

RESULTS FOR EARTH ELECTRODE RESISTANCE IN NUMBER OF ROD

Earth electrode Z1 Z2 Z3 Resistance average

(E) (Zavg)
1 312 309 300 307
2 73.1 70.9 70.4 71.47
3 56.4 56.2 55.7 56.1
4 40.7 50.3 49.8 46.93
5 30.5 39.9 39.4 36.6
6 25.3 33.3 33.0 30.53
7 20.1 26.8 26.1 24.33
8 17.9 23.6 23.1 21.53
9 17.2 22.5 22.2 20.63
10 16.9 21.9 21.3 20.03
11 16.4 21.1 20.9 19.47
12 15.5 20.3 20.0 18.6
13 15.3 19.6 19.5 18.13
14 14.9 19.3 19.2 17.8
15 14.8 19.0 18.8 17.5
16 14.4 18.5 18.4 17.1
17 14.1 18.0 18.0 16.7
18 13.5 17.2 17.1 16.33
19 12.6 16.0 16.2 14.93
20 11.7 15.3 15.8 14.27
21 10.2 14.2 14.0 12.8
22 9.6 13.4 13.2 12.07
23 9.4 12.2 12.4 11.33
24 8.0 11.0 11.1 10.03

Table 1: Earth electrode resistance in number of rods

CALCULATION FOR AVERAGE OF RESISTANCE

Earth electrode (E) Average of resistance (Ravg)

(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 +Z3)/3

1 = (312 + 309 + 300)/3
= 307Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
2 = (73.1 + 70.9 + 70.4)/3
= 71.47Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
3 = (56.4 + 56.2 + 55.7)/3
= 56.1Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
4 = (40.7 +50.3 + 49.8)/3
= 46.93Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
5 = (30.5 + 39.9 + 39.4)/3
= 36.6Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
6 = (25.3 + 33.3 + 33.0)/3
= 30.53Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
7 = (20.1 + 26.8 + 26.1)/3
= 24.33Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
8 = (17.9+ 23.6+ 23.1)/3
= 21.53Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
9 = (17.2+ 22.5+ 22.2)/3
= 20.63Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
10 = (16.9+ 21.9+ 21.3)/3
= 20.03Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 +Z3)/3
11 = (16.4 + 21.1 + 20.9)/3
= 19.47Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
12 = (15.5+ 20.3+ 20.0)/3
= 18.6Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
13 = (15.3+ 19.6+ 19.5)/3
= 18.13Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
14 = (14.9+19.3+ 19.2)/3
= 17.8Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
15 = (14.8+ 19.0+ 18.8)/3
= 17.5Ω
 (Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
16 = (14.4+ 18.5+ 18.5)/3
= 17.1Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
17 = (14.1+ 18.0+ 18.0)/3
= 16.7Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
18 = (13.5+ 17.2+ 17.1)/3
= 16.33Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
19 = (12.6+ 16.0+ 16.2)/3
= 14.93Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
20 = (11.7+ 15.3+ 15.8)/3
= 14.27Ω
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3
= (10.2+ 14.2+ 14.0)/3
21 = 12.8Ω

(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3

= (9.6+ 13.4+ 13.2)/3
22 = 12.07Ω

(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3

= (9.4+ 12.2+ 12.4)/3
23 = 11.33Ω

(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 + Z3)/3

= (8.0+ 11.0+ 11.1)/3
24 = 10.03Ω

Table 2: Average of resistance (Ravg)

 Parameters:

 P = red (20m)
 C = yellow (10m)
 E = green (existing earth electrode)
 Calculations:
(Zavg) = (Z1 + Z2 +Z3)/3

Graph No of Electrode Vs Resistance

Result for earth electrode resistance

350

300

250
Resistance

200
Series2
150

100

50

0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
No of Earth electrode

.
CONCLUSION
Earth resistance experiment are the earth electrode (E) to be earthed in the ground,
plant the auxiliary earth electrode P and C according to the distance which is red (C) 20
meters and yellow (P) 10 meters. All the three electrodes to be planted in parallel with the
earth tester, press testing switch,adjust the ohm meter to zero, record the data of resistance
reading showing in the ohm meter, to confirm the reading is correct make sure the resistance
of E, P, and C is not overlapping and each rod to be test three times at different location and
get the average reading .The earthing system depend on both soil properties and earth
electrode geometry. The soil properties are characterized by earth resistivity depending on the
type of ground and its structure and its humidity.

From this assesment implementing the inspection and testing of earth resistance
experiment such know that an electrical fault occurs between a live conductor and earth, the
protective conductor (earthing) must ideally allow a very large current to flow. This enables
the protective devices, MCB and/or RCBO to operate virtually instantly.Ground or earth may
be the reference point in an electrical circuit from which other voltages are measured, or a
common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth.
Protective multiple earth is a system of electrical wiring in which the neutral part of the circuit
takes earth-leakage current to earth. The earth wire gives a safe route for the current if the live
wire touches the outer casing, as it's connected to the metal casing and will blow the fuse.
Earthing provides low resistive path for the leakege current of a Eelectrical equipment. In
power a circuit, a connection to ground is done for safety purposes to protect people from the
effects of faulty insulation on electrically powered equipment.Connection to ground helps
limit the voltage built up between power circuits and the earth, protecting circuit insulation
from damage due to excessive voltage.

The experiment to get the result below 10Ω of resistance which are 24 of copper earth
rods is required. The copper is the best material for current flow. Selection of land surface
important to make sure the best result such as loose soil land. During the experiment our
group mistaken place for erthing location selection of land surface site .We have to use 24 of
copper earth rods for getting the resistance to meet the parameter required which is 10Ω
because of structure and condition of soil is not good. Earthing is very important because
when over current is happened, it will go directly to the earth. Sometimes, this is the causes
that will affect the RCCB always to trip when over current happened because an earthing
system is not perfect due to the numbers of earth rods where the calculation is not exactly
meet the parameters suggested . The RCCB always trip when resistance of earth rods is higher
than the resistance of RCCB which is may causes the current will flow at the low resistance.
To get an electrical earthing resistance a below 10Ω it must be determine.

Recommendation based of the experiment for the best solution to get better electrical
earthing resistance results

1. Selected how many rod that using referring of earth electrode tests.The distance
where 6 meter is preferred to split earth rods.
2. Split with same distance will get a good electrical earthing resistance
3. Use a copper rod. It is better than aluminum rod
4. Choose a suitable land such as loose soil land.
5. Split an earth rods with suitable inside where how many foot need to be split.
.

REFERENCE
 Books
o IEE Wiring Regulation ( 16 editon 1991) Chapter 54

o The Electricity at Work and Related Regulations by Trevor E. Marks

 Internet
o en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthing_system
o engineering.electrical-equipment.org/.../earthing-system.html

o www.wordiq.com/definition/TT_earthing_system

o www.earthing-measurements.co.uk/paper3.pdf

o www.sunriseelectricalind.com/earthing-systems.html

o www.adcbuae.com/directory/earthing_system.htm

o www.mehtatubes.com/copperearthingsystem.html

o www.askmehelpdesk.com/.../electrical-earthing-system-329921.html

o www.adcbuae.com/directory/earthing_system.html
APPENDICES

Terminal P Digital Earth

(Yellow Cable) Tester

Terminal C Terminal E Copper Electrode

(Red Conductor) (Green Conductor)
Group of member tap the electrode using manual method