SYSTEM GROUNDING
AND GROUNDING
TECHNIQUES
Dr.O.P Rahi
Associate Professor
NIT Hamirpur
CONTENTS:
i. Definition
ii. Importance
iii. Classification
iv. Grounding standards
v. Application
vi. Selection of site
vii. Grounding schemes
viii. Popular industrial grounding schemes
ix. Classification as per IEC standard
x. Testing (an example)
xi. Key points
xii. Conclusion
xiii. References
Fig:1
IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEM GROUNDING
System grounding is extremely
important, as it affects the susceptibility
of the system to voltage transients,
determines the types of loads the
system can accommodate, and helps to
determine the system protection
requirements
Provides reference voltage
BASIS OF CLASSIFICATION:
1.Based on equipment rating:
a) Low rating (below 5 KW, up to 33 KV)
b) High rating(above 5 KW, above 33 KV)
2.Based on applications
STANDARDS OF SYSTEM GROUNDING:
Indian National electric code 2011 (NEC-article
690.41) explains the grounding requirements
IEC STANDARD 60364 specifies a two letter code
to identify the type of earthing
IEEE standard 142(the green book) states how
effective grounding is achieved
Grounding Mat
HOW DOES GROUNDING WORK?
(EXAMPLE:grounding mat)
SELECTING THE SITE FOR
GROUNDING SYSTEM
Some of the criteria are:
At least 10.0584 meters(33ft) from
other grounding system
Away from livestock
Damp soil is available all round the
year
Grounding schemes:
GROUNDING SCHEMES
OPEN GROUNDING: In this there no
current discharging path,so that the
system get heated and may be damage.
SOLIDLY GROUNDING: This is use for the
small rating equipments(below rating 5kw).
RESISTOR GROUNDING: It is used up to
33kv,and the equipment rating more than
5kw.
REACTOR GROUNDING: It is used where
X/R ratio more than 3. It reduce the
communication line interference than solidly
grounded system.
TRANSFORMER GROUNDING :This
grounding use where neutral is not available.
TOP MOST PROMINENT GROUNDING SYSTEM
FOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS:
1.Grounded:
It is normal grounding from the mains to the earth
using normal copper wire.Best for loads located on
plain areas
2.Effectively grounded:
In it low impedance level connections are done.
Suitable for loads operating on 120v-240v
3.Grounded conductor:
Here for grounding grounding electrode is used
4.Solidly grounded:
It is same as grounded conductor except it does not
have any resistance
5.Grounding conductor:
Grounding using conductors. Useful wherever there is
a high risk of varying potential differences.
Fig 3
Fig 4
Classification according to IEC
standard
TN(TERRE-NEUTRAL) NETWORK:
In TN type of earthing system , one of the point of the
source side(generator or transformer) is connected to
earth. The body of the connected electrical device is
connected to earth via this earth point on the surface side.
TT(TERRE-TERRE)NETWORK: In TT
type of earthing system, consumers employs its own local
earth connection in the premises, which independent of
any earth connection at source side.
IT(IMPEDENCE-
TERRE)NETWORK: In IT type of earthing
system, there is either no connection to earth at all, or it is
done by a high impedance by earthing connection
What is ground
testing?
Ground testing is the verification
that resistance between your
grounding system and earth
meets the specifications of the
National Electrical Code (NEC)
and other pertinent guidelines.
Example:fence testing
Fig 5
Turn off energizer
At least 330ft away from the energizer,
short circuit the fence by laying several steel
rods
Turn on the energizer
Use a digital voltmeter to measure the
fence voltage. it should read 2kv or less. If
not, repeat steps 1 to 3
To check the grounding system, attach
voltmeter clip to the last ground rod and
insert a ground probe into the soil.
The voltmeter reading should be more
than 0.3kv. If the reading is higher than this,
the ground system is insufficient. See the
grounding list, add more ground rods
key points:
System grounding is basically providing an
electrical path for the fault currents to the
ground.
Objectives of grounding is safety and for
providing reference voltage
Standards are given by-NEC,IEC,IEEE.
Various Grounding schemes are avaliable
as per the application like
ungrounded ,solidly grounded,resistor
grounded etc.
Testing is ensuring the working of
grounding system as per standards
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, grounding
electrical systems properly,
taking the vulnerability of
equipment into consideration
prevents any significance
damages to the electrical
equipments,or the people
operating on it.
References:
Ecmweb.com/ ieee standard-142
Ecmweb.com/content/equipment
grounding
www.patriotcharger.com/fencing
ANSI/NFPA 70-1990,the national
electric code
Engineering electrical equipment.org
http://ecmweb.com/ops-amp-
maintenance/basics-personal-
protective-grounding
THANK YOU….
