Earthing system

2nd May, 2008

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 1
 Overview

EARTHING SYSTEM
 At a Retail Outlet there are mainly 2 Grounds
 Primary Ground that is related to Protective earth
 SecondaryGround that is related to Electronics’ system
performance
 Function of Primary Earth
 To limit over voltage due to fault current 6
 To ensure personnel’ safety against shock hazards
A

 Function of Secondary Earth

 Toprovide low impedance path to the noise current induced
by RFI / EMI / Leakage currents in electronic system
 Toensure satisfactory performance of electronic
subsystems
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 2
 EARTHING PROTECTION

Earthing System at RO

EARTHING SYSTEM
• System earthing: To make neutral (main supply) voltage low.

• Protective earthing: To protect user from electrical shock under

conditions of fault.

• Lightning earthing: To provide conducting path to lightning discharge.

6
• Electrostatic earthing: To prevent building up static charges.
A
• Functional earthing: To provide zero potential ( common reference
point) for electronic equipment. These equipments work at very low
voltages and with very little tolerances at micro level. Functional
earthing in practice is referred as grounding in order to have a distinct
identity.

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 3

 EARTHING PROTECTION
Protective earthing for
Non UPS loads

EARTHING SYSTEM
Lightning
LOGO Arrestor

LIGHT POLES

DG

6
HOARDINGS
A

AIR CANOPY PANELS

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 7

 EARTHING PROTECTION
U/G tank earthing

EARTHING SYSTEM
U/G TANK
6

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 8

 EARTHING PROTECTION
Earthing arrangement for
electronic section

EARTHING SYSTEM
UPS AUTO VSAT MPD
6

Earthing indicated in green colour is body earthing and is mandatory

Earthing indicated in black colour is functional grounding of electronic circuit and is need based

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 9

Typical connection

EARTHING SYSTEM
FCC

ATGs
P
230V OPTs
N Tag Readers
E 3
Displays

UPS Printers

30m 6

A
Primary Secondary
Earthing Earthing

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 12
Typical connection of devices to Ground

EARTHING SYSTEM
 All devices connected to any ground should be
connected in Star configuration to avoid ground loops
 Any ground loop introduces circulating current under a changing
magnetic field
 This circulating current brings in changing ground levels degrading
performance of electronic subsystems
 Connection of devices with different grounds should
always be with Isolation (Optical / Magnetic / etc) 6
 As different grounds may have different voltages, connection of
devices with different grounds can cause very high current to flow in A
the ground path with zero impedance causing Serial port / other
hardware failures
 Connection of devices with same ground can be without
isolation
 However, care needs to be taken to avoid ground loops due to
reasons mentioned above
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 13
 Ground interconnection

EARTHING SYSTEM
 Ideally
the Primary & Secondary Grounds need
to be connected with a copper strip
 This
equalises the potential between two earths thereby
causing no flow of current between the two earths
 However, if one is not sure of the health of Primary Earth
from time to time, it may cause power voltages to enter
the secondary earth again causing electronic subsystem
failure & exposure to shock hazard 6

 Incases above, the two earths should be separated by a A

distance of minimum of 30 metres.
 Earthing resistance should not be more than 2 ohm
 Earthing voltage should not be more than 2-3 Volts

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 14
Ground Interconnection Schematic

EARTHING SYSTEM
Device 2 Device 2

Device 1 Device n Device 1 Device n

6
Primary Secondary
Ground Ground A

Isolation

Min 30 m distance

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 15
 EARTHING PROTECTION

GROUND LOOP

EARTHING SYSTEM
When two or more devices interactive with each other are
connected to a common ground through different paths, a
ground loop occurs.

Currents flow through these multiple paths and develop

voltages which can cause damage, noise .
6
To prevent ground loops, all signal grounds need to go to one
common point A

When two grounding points cannot be avoided, one side must

isolate the signal and grounds from the other.

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 16

 EARTHING PROTECTION

GROUND LOOP

EARTHING SYSTEM
Virtually all data and broadcast construction projects run into
problems of grounding.

These problems occur primarily because there is a conflict

between issues of safety (ground- ing to prevent electrical shock)
and electronic noise reduction (using "ground" as an electronic
"dump" for noise and inter- ference.)
6
These two uses are often not compatible and can sometimes be
in direct conflict with one another. A

The ultimate purpose of good grounding scheme is the

preservation and adherence to the safety aspects while obtaining
the maximum noise reduction possible.

That is not usually an easy task to do.

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 17
 LIGHTNING ROTECTION
Lightning protection systems do not attract lightning to structures, nor
do they repel it. Rather, these systems intercept the lightning and
channel the energy onto a low-resistance path. This safely discharges,

EARTHING SYSTEM
or “grounds,” the electrical current to the earth.

Lightning protection system:

– Lightning rods or “air terminals.” These metal devices are installed
on the roof to intercept and divert lightning to earth before it can
affect the buildings electrical circuits.

– Grounding conductors. Typically of heavy-gage copper wire,

conductors connect the lightning rods to a ground point and form a 6
path to carry high-intensity electrical surges away from the building
B
– Ground terminations (electrodes) such as solid copper-clad rods or
rings buried outside the building. Electricity diverted to ground
through these electrodes dissipates harmlessly into the earth.

– Surge suppressors. These point-of-use appliances are installed in

the buildings electrical system or wherever electronic equipment is
used and form a last line of defense against transient electrical
overloads. (Remember: surge suppressors must be well-grounded
ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 19
to work properly.)
 LIGHTNING ROTECTION

Lightning also causes a variety of indirect effects.

EARTHING SYSTEM
– These result from earth-voltage rises caused when the
flash dumps thousands of amperes into the earth and
from the electromagnetic fields generated by the lightning
stroke currents.

– These induce voltage and current surges in electric power

and signal circuits, which may, in turn, burn out electrical
equipment connected by these circuits.
6
– Solid-state electronics are especially vulnerable to these B
surges unless properly protected.

– Lightning can cause damaging transient voltages and

current surges in equipment through a direct strike to a
wire, through earth voltage rise and through magnetic field
and capacitive coupling.
ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 22
 LIGHTNING ROTECTION

There are four engineering concepts that, when properly applied, can
comprise a total lightning protection plan, whether for a single piece of

EARTHING SYSTEM
equipment or a complex of buildings.
– These concepts are:
• Grounding,
• Bonding,
• Shielding
• Surge suppression.
.
– Grounding and bonding improvements are made to provide additional
paths for lightning currents to flow to earth, thereby minimizing
surges. These improvements usually involve interconecting adjacent 6
conductors, such as structural steel, conduits and ground conductors.
Commonly overlooked grounding problems include conduits, metal
equipment cabinets and individual components within computer B
rooms.

– Shielding of cables helps to reduce surges by providing a preferential

path for lightning currents rather than the actual circuits. To be most
effective, shielding must be completely continuous, and grounded or
terminated to equipment housings at both ends.

ELECTRICAL MANUAL PROTECTION 23

 AUTOMATION SYSTEM-1
L&T ARCHITECTURE
RS 485

RS 485

RFID LED

ANNEXURES
SERIAL CABLE

RFID
BOS PC ADAM
LED

VSAT
BELDEN 5445FE

L .C 2
FCC

FIC
10
POS PC
E
VSAT L .C OPT-1
IDU ATG
Console
LAN SWICH-2 L .C

BELDEN 8761
L .C OPT-2

LAN SWICH-1 L .C COCO MANGER PC TANK-1

PETRO CARD PC
L .C
LAN CONNECTIONS
TANK-2

ELECTRICAL MANUAL AUTOMATION SYSTEM 25

 AUTOMATION SYSTEM-2
Power Supply: UPS NCR ARCHITECTURE
Earthing: Uses UPS earthing
RS 495

RFID LED

RS 495

ANNEXURES
POS
RFID
LED
VSAT

RS 485
2
FCC

10
BOS L .C
RS 232 D
VSAT
IPU L .C ATG
Console
OPT-1
L .C
L .C
NETWORK SWICH L .C

OPT-2 TANK-1
COCO MANGER PC

TANK-2

ELECTRICAL MANUAL AUTOMATION SYSTEM 26

 For Internal Circulation only.

Manual On Electrical, Electronics and RO

Automation Series No. 1

Power Correction And Regulation At Retail

Outlets

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 27
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 28
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 29
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 30
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 31
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 32
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 33
 POWER QUALITY

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 34
 STABILISER SPECIFICATIONS

ANNEXURES
11

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 35
 DEPOTS/INSTALLATIONS: FACILITY WISE RECOMMENDED NOS. OF EARTH ELECTRODES
LOCATION
11 KV-132KV 2/4 Pole
structure& transformer yard
Power Transformer
415 Volts MCC Room
D.G. Sets
D.G. Sets
Fire Water Pump House
Fire water storage tanks
TLF Gantry
EQUIPMENT FOR
WHICH EARTHING
REQD
Lightning Arrestors
Neutral earth of the
Transformer
Structure body earth/ body
fencing earth/ HT MOCB
earth/Transformer. Body
earth/ HT VCB body earth
Neutral earth of each
D.G.Sets
D.G.Sets body/ DB panels
Body/ All other panel
located in D.G. room
Engine body earth control
panel body earth/structure
earth/ Jockey pump earth
etc.
Water tanks body earth
Light fittings/JBs/SWs etc.
ELECTRICAL MANUAL
NO. OF EARTH TYPE OF EARTH
ELECTRODES ELECTRODES
RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED
2 Nos. (Independent) Gl Plate earthing electrode
600X600X6.3mm thick
2 Nos. (Independent) Gl Plate earthing electrode
600X600X6.3mm thick
4 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe
earthing electrode
2 Nos. Gl Plate earthing electrode
600X600X6.3mm thick
2 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe
earthing electrode
2 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe
earthing electrode
2 Nos. each 100mm dia Gl pipe
earthing electrode
2 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe
earthing electrode 36
TLF Gantry
TLF Gantry
TLF/ TWD Pump House
TLF / TWD Pump House
Oil Storage tanks
Underground tanks
Watch tower
High mast tower
Street light upto 20 poles
along road
Admin Block security barrier
Tanker static earthing
Structure earthing
Motor body/ FLP DB’s/ FLP
Lights body earth
Structure earthing
Tanks body earthing as per
Std. Drg of tankage
Tank body earth & bonding
to manhole cover
Body earth
Body earth/ switch board
earth/ winch motor earth
Body earth
Body earth of lighting DBs/
Barrier/ Barrier panels
ELECTRICAL MANUAL
2 Nos. independent for 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
tanker earthing insulated electrode
from structures
2 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
4 Nos. each 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
2 Nos. each 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
Min. 2 Nos. However 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
Standard tank drawing tank electrode
drawing shall also be
referred for this purpose.
2 Nos. (Independent) 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
1 No. 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
2 No. (to each HM) 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
2 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
2 Nos. 100mm dia Gl pipe earthing
electrode
37
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 38
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 39
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 40
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 41
 THREE TERMINAL EARTH TESTER

E P C

Earth tester

50 – 70 ft
50 – 70 ft

Potential electrode
Current electrode
Earth electrode to
be tested

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 42
 CATHODICALLY PROTECTED PIPELINE

-0.5V

Reference Junction Box

- +
Reference Electrode

GL

Anode

Product Pipeline

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 43
 MAINTENANCE OF EARTH PIT

It is recommended that periodical test checking of all earth electrodes shall be carried out as per the schedule given below :-
•Checking, cleaning & tightening of all connections.
•Ensure that the ‘C’ type clamp is welded to the electrode and no corroded joints exist.
•Ensure that the funnel & steel mesh are intact.
•Ensure that the air tight Cl cover of the chamber is in tact.
•Ensure the earth pit chamber is plastered from inside & outside and white washed without any opening to prevent entry of insects.
•Ensure that stainless steel 10mm bolts nuts flat washers and spring washers are provided and are intact.
•Ensure that the chamber is clean and safe to perform earth tests.
•Ensure proper watering arrangement is provided with tap.
•Ensure that all connections are overlapped, welded except the isolation link for testing purpose. Welded joints should be protected with
bitumen paint or epoxy paint.

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 44
•Ensure that no earthing conductor is visible on the ground. It should be buried underground at the depth not less than 250mm. However main earth
grid shall be buried at the depth not less than 600mm.
•Ensure that an indicating name plate, detailing the earth pit number, type of earthing (whether electrical, static, structural, lightning), position, earth
resistance, due date, etc. shall be provided near each earth pit.
•Ensure that the correct reading is painted on the plate provided near each earth pit.
•Ensure that when ever salt water is poured it should be in the ratio 1:10 as salt alone can damage the electrode due to corrosion.
•Ensure that all testing records are maintained up-to-date.
• Earth tests to be carried out once in a six month( preferably one during summer ).

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 45
Your questions are welcome

ELECTRICAL MANUAL 46
ELECTRICAL MANUAL 47