Earthing Switch
Classification
Amit KUMAR SINGH
Earthing Switch
Earthing Switch or Grounding Switch are employed in conjunction with disconnectors to earth the
de-energized parts of the system, by providing an effective bonding/connection to ground.
In addition to safe electrical isolation, protective grounding was also made mandatory; this requirement led to the
development of earthing switches.
Earthing switch is a mechanical switching device for
earthing parts of a circuit, capable of withstanding for a
specified time currents under Abnormal conditions such
as those of short-circuit, but not required to carry current
under normal conditions of the circuit.
IEC 60050-195-2021
An earthing switch may have a short-circuit
making capacity.
An earthing switch of Ur > 52 kV may have a
rating for switching and carrying induced
currents.
These devices may sometimes be operated against
short-circuit. The different classes of earthing switches
are related to the number of short-circuit making
operations.
In some cases, earthing switches are used as
fault-initiating devices. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disconnector
Working Principle of an Earthing Switch
The working principle of an earthing switch involves two key aspects:
Connection to the earthing system and Operation during a fault condition
Connection to An earthing switch is connected During a fault condition,
Operation
to the earthing system, which such as a short circuit,
the Earthing consists of conductors buried in the earthing During a Fault
System the ground. When the switch is switch is activated to Condition
in the closed position, it provides quickly establish a
a low-impedance path for the connection between
fault current to flow directly into the faulty circuit and
the earth. the earth. By doing so,
This ensures the dissipation it effectively bypasses
of fault energy, preventing any the fault current away
buildup of potentially harmful from the connected
voltages. equipment, protecting
it from damage.
The switch remains
closed until the fault is
cleared, and the system
returns to normal
operation.
Classification
Classification of Earthing The short-circuit making capability of earthing switches to perform
a defined number of short-circuit making operations, without
Switches for Short Circuit major maintenance, shall correspond to one of the classes given in
Making Table below -
Class Type of earthing switch
E0 Earthing switch with no short-circuit making capability
E1 Earthing switch with capability to perform two short-circuit making operations
E2 Earthing switch with capability to perform five short-circuit making operations
NOTE: The increased number of making operations of Class E2 is typically related to voltages up to and including 52 kV depending on the
operating conditions and the protection systems of such networks
Classification of Earthing
Switches for Short Circuit
Making
The mechanical endurance of
earthing switches shall correspond to Class Number of operating cycles Mechanical endurance
one of the classes given in Table →.
M0 1000 Normal
The performance is associated to a
programme of maintenance defined M1 2000 Extended
by the manufacturer.
Classification Rated induced current and voltage shall be assigned to earthing switches of Ur
and Rated > 52 kV and designed for making or breaking of inductive or capacitive induced
currents, hence requiring an induced current switching capability.
Values of For this application, a classification for induced current switching (class A or B)
Earthing shall be assigned to the earthing switch. This class depends upon the severity
Switches for of the induced current switching duty.
Induced Current The classification of earthing switches for induced current switching is given in
Switching Table →
Class Type of earthing switch
A Earthing switch designed to be used in circuits having relatively short sections of line or low coupling to
adjacent energized circuits
B Earthing switch designed to be used in circuits having relatively long sections of lines or high coupling to
adjacent energized circuits
Earthing switches being classified for more than one switching capability may indicate their classification
by combined class designations. For example, an earthing switch having short- circuit making capability
class E1 and an induced current switching capability class B may be classified as class B+E1.
Ratings for making and breaking capabilities cannot be assigned to earthing switches with only manual
dependent operation. In the case of earthing switches with both dependent power and dependent
manual operation, any making and breaking capability is not valid for dependent manual operation.
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