Method of providing pipe earthing as recommended by

Indian Standards Institute (I.S.I.) with diagram

This is a common and best system of earthing as compared to other systems
suitable for the same earth and moisture conditions.
A pipe of diameter sufficient to carry the fault current is selected. The size of
the pipe which serves as an earth electrode, depends upon (a) the current to
be carried (b) the type of soil. According to I.S.I. standard specification No.7321963, the galvanized iron pipe shall not be less than 38 mm diameter and 2
metre long for ordinary soil but if the soil is dry and rocky, the length of the
pipe to be embedded should be increased to 2.75 mts. The pipe must be placed
in a permanently wet ground. The depth at which the pipe should be buried
depends upon condition of soil and moisture. According to ISI, the pipe should
be placed at a depth of 4.75 metres again depending upon moisture.
The pipe having a tapered casting at the bottom is placed up right in that
pit. The charcoal and salt are filled in that pit alternately in layers up to about
two metres from bottom and for a distance of about 15 cm around the pipe to
increase dampness and moisture around the each pipe. The pipe placed has 12
mm diameter holes drilled in it so that water poured from top is made to
spread in the charcoal layers through the holes to decrease earth resistance
accordingly. The pit of about 40 square cm is dug in the soil. At the top, a
cement concrete work is made for the production of earth pipe from
mechanical damage and also to facilitate water pouring arrangements for
provision of dampness. A funnel with wire mesh is provided in the concrete
work so that water is put through that funnel in order to have an exceptive
earth, when ever needed. 3 to 4 buckets of water should be put into the funnel
connected to the main G.I. pipe. The pipe to which funnel is connected is
further connected to main earthing pipe.
Another G.L pipe is taken from the funnel towards outer-side for its
connection to earth wire. According to I.S.I. specifications, a G.I wire of size not
less than 8 S.W.G. should be used for earthing in case of small installations. The
earth wire from the G.I pipe of 19 mm dia. should be carried in a G.I. pipe of
diameter 7 mm at a depth of about 60 cm below the ground.

The size of continuous earth wire used with cables in domestic installation
should not be less than 14 S.W.G. in any case. It is important to mention that
the earth wire must be electrically continuous. The joints should be made
properly after removing rust etc.

Plate Earthing and Procedures:

This is also one of the common systems of earthing. In this case, the
earthing is done by embedding G.I. or copper plate in the earth sufficiently
deep. The size of plate used should not be less than 60 cm X 60 cm X 6.36 mm
in case of G.I., (Galvanized iron) plate and 60 cm X 60 cm X 3.18 mm in case of
copper plate. The copper, on account of its high cost is not used now a days.
A pit is dug about 4 metres deep (depending upon soil conditions in regard
to dampness) and the earth electrode is placed in such a way that its face is
vertical. The space around that plate is filled with layers of charcoal and salt for
a minimum thickness of 15 cm. The electrode or plate is connected to G.I. pipe
of 1 2.7 mm diameter for carrying G.I. earth wire for connection to earth
electrode. The earth wire is securely bolted to the earth plate with the help of
bolt, nut, washer and G.I. thimble, the detail of which is shown in the diagram.
It should be remembered that the nut and bolts, thimble and washers must be
of copper for copper plate and should be of G.I. for galvanized eh plate or
electrode. The pit filled with charcoal and salt is also connected with a pipe for
carrying water from concrete work to that area for the purpose of increasing
dampness and moisture which ultimately reduces earth resistance. The cement
work is covered with iron plate for periodic opening. The gas pipe should not
be used for the purpose of earthing of electrical equipment. As regards water
pipe, it cannot he used for larger installations in any case. In case of domestic
installations, however it can be used for earthing purpose with the consent of
the Owner of the water mains. It is better to have an independent earth plate
in domestic installations. The diagram is given showing details of plate earthing
with dimensions.

ELECTRIC SHOCK
The human failure in handling the electrical components or repairing the
distribution system without switching off the supply, the ultimate effect of
electric shock on human body may be death. The result of electric shock on
human body may be fatal but it may be due to:
(a) Fibrillation of heart i.e. damaging the heart to small pieces causing the
stopping of breathing.
(b) Stopping of breathing action caused by blockade in the nervous system
causing respiration.
(c) Local over heating or burning of the body due to sparking.
The fibrillation of the heart is the most serious cause of death and there is no
cure, although there is a possibility of rescuing a man who has suffered by the
latter two causes.

FACTORS ON WHICH INTENSITY OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DEPENDS

The current strength: It has been experienced that in alternating currents of
low frequency, the currents between 1 mA (miliampere) and 8 mA are just
bearable, but currents between 8mA and 15mA give a painful shock which
sometimes contract muscles too. If the leakage current is between 20mA and
50 mA and it passes through chest, it may stop breathing and currents between
100mA and 200mA may cause fibrillation of heart. The current beyond 200 mA
will cause burns and if it passes through the heart even, it will not cause
fibrillation of heart but may stop breathing temporarily. Thus it is seen that it is
the current which gives up although it depends upon the voltage. The leakage
current is given as:

Milliamp(mA)

Effect

1 to 8

Perceptible but not painful

Painful Shock, individual can let go at will, as muscular control is
not lost
Painful Shock, muscular control of adjustment muscles lost, cannot
go
Severe muscular contraction, breathing difficult
Possible death, ventricular fibrillation, a heart condition that
results in instant death, no known remedy
Certain death, severe burns, muscular contraction extremely
severe that chest muscles clamp down and heart stop it during the
during shock

8 to 15
15 to 20
20 to 50
50 to 100
200 and above

(a)The Body Resistance: The body resistance is different under different

conditions. When the body is dry its resistance varies between 70,000 ohm and
1, 00,000 ohm per sq. cm (The skin resistance is high while the internal
resistance is low) but when the body is wet, its resistance reduces to between
700 ohm and 1000 ohm per sq. cm. The average effective resistance of the
body may be taken as 50,000 ohm when dry and 1000 ohm when wet. The high
voltage causing currents beyond 200mA punctures the outer skin causing
burns. The table below gives the result of shock under different conditions and
different voltages:
Condition of
Body

Electric
resistance
of Body
In ohms
1,000

100 V
Current
(A)

Neither wet
nor dry

5,000

0.020

Dry

1,00,000

0.001

Totally wet

0.100

Effect

500 V
Curren
t
(A)
0.5

Certain
deaths
and slight
burns
No burns 0.1
or injury,
painful
shock
Very light 0.005
shock no
burns

Effect

10,000 V
Current Effect
(A)

Burns,
probabl
e death

10

Certain
death,
slight
burns
Light
shock
no
burns

0.1

Severe
burns
may
survive
Severe
burns,
may
survive
Sure
death,
slight
burns

Therefore, in wet situations, the body and contact resistance is low and
therefore, even a small leakage becomes dangerous. Although under such
conditions, 50 volts is sufficient to prove fatal if applied for an appreciable
time, this can only be considered as exceptional.
(b)Frequency: When the frequency is low the electric shock is more severe and
dangerous, and the direct current shock is most severe.
(c)The path taken by the current through the body: If the path of the leakage
current is without involving the chest or heart, survival is possible but there are
severe burns on the parts of the body Involved in the shock depending upon
the value of the current.
(d)Duration of the contact: If the duration of the contact is for a more time,
the situation becomes dangerous due to numbness is the body part in contact.
Such electric shock becomes dangerous and sometimes fatal if contact is not
broken within the earliest possible time.
(e)Area of contact: Resistance decreases with the area of contact with the live
part and the contact pressure. The accidents are nearly fatal in such situations.

Actions to be taken if a person is getting an electric shock:

(1) If the main switch is close by, switch it off at once. If not, ask someone to
contact the substation supplying the area to cut off the supply temporarily. Use
the telephone or send someone immediately. Prevent anyone else rushing
ignorantly out to rescue the victim and getting himself electrocuted in trying to
help, cordon off the area involved until supply is cut off. Try to disconnect the
person from the supply by any means available if switching system is not very
near. What is required is immediate action.
(2) If the voltage is 500 volts or below, every attempt should be made to free
the person from contact with the live wire after protecting oneself with any dry
insulating material. But in the case of high voltage circuits, switching off the
supply is obligatory.

(3) To free the person from contact with live wire, stand on a dry plank, stool,
table or any other insulating object and pull the man away from the mains. If it
is not possible, ul1 his coat if dry. Use your own coat, cloth, paper, bamboo
stick, wooden pole etc. either to pull or push the person without touching his
body directly. Sometimes the live wire itself (if L.T.) may be pulled or pushed
away using a dry bamboo or any other dry stick such as walking stick.
(4) Send for a doctor.
(5) Observe the victim if he is unconscious and breathing normally. If not, start
giving artificial respiration without any delay. It requires training and practice
to give artificial respiration, in the absence of which, it is more likely that the
patient may he smothered. When the person regains consciousness, stimulants
should be avoided unless ordered by the doctor.

CURE OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

In case, the victim becomes unconscious, stops breathing and his head still
beats, the most urgent and immediate cure for the victim is that he should be
given artificial respiration in the manner detailed below on the following pages
and it should be continued until the victim starts breathing normally. It should
be born in mind that if the artificial respiration is stopped just after the victim
recovers, he is liable to become unconscious again. In some cases, the artificial
respiration is required for one or more hours if required, since fresh air drawn
into the lungs will prevent the blood from becoming impure and will thus keep
alive the sensitive brain cells.
There are several methods of applying artificial respiration, any one of which
is good if applied properly. Following are some of the methods:
Artificial Respiration: (Method 1):
a) Lay the patient on his stomach with his face to one side. Free the neck
from clothing and see that passage of his throat is clear. Remove false
teeth, tobacco etc. if any from the mouth
b) Kneel over him or at his side as may be convenient and place the palms
of your hands flat in the small of his back, with the thumbs nearly
touching and the fingers spread out on each side of the body under the
lowest side of the ribs.

c) With arms straight, lean forward gradually over the patient bringing the
weight of your body to bear on the patient for about a second Fig. (a).
Next release all pressure for about 3 seconds by swinging your body
backward but without lifting your hands from the patient Fig.(b).
d) Repeat this application and relaxation of pressure as described above,
without any marked pause between the movements at the rate of about
1 2 to 15 times per minute until natural breathing is restored.
e) Do not give up efforts to restore natural breathing, until the victim is
pronounced to be safe by a doctor there is every possibility that the
victim may survive even after more than an hour of unconsciousness.
f) The patient should be kept warm with blankets or coats and hot water
bottles, if available, should applied to the feet.
g) Do not give any liquid until the patient is conscious.
Method-2:
When the patient has burns etc. on his chest or anywhere on front side, then
the patient must not be laid his front downward. The main process of artificial
respiration is to expand and contract his chest to draw the air in and expel it
out a1ternately. In this method, first loosen the clothes around the chest and
stomach and place a rolled up coat or improvised pillow beneath the shoulders
so that the head falls backwards.
First motion: Kneel in the position shown in Fig. and hold the patient just below
the elbows and draws his hand over his head until they are horizontal. Keep
them in that position for about two seconds. Now bring the patients hands so
as to compress his chest by bringing them down as shown in the figure and
keep repeating two motions at the same rate.
Mouth-to-mouth respiration method:
It is easily applied and particularly suited where the patient has suffered
chest injuries.
Mouth-to-mouth method for adults: Insert thumb of your left hand between
victims teeth. Hold the jaw upward so that the head tilted backwards. Close
victims nostrils with your right hand. Take a deep breath and place your mouth
tightly over victims mouth and your own thumb. Blow carefully enough to

make victims chest rise. Repeat inflation every three or four seconds. The main
precaution to be adopted is that a handkerchief or some other cloth should be
placed over the victims mouth to prevent direct transmission of germs from
one mouth to the other.
Mouth-to-mouth method for children:
Hold the angle of the childs jaw at the ear lobes using both hands and lift up
forcibly so that the head is tilted backwards. Push childs lower lip towards the
chin with your thumbs. Never let the chin sag. Take the breath and place your
mouth tightly over childs mouth (for a small child cover both mouth and nose).
Blow in gently until his chest moves then take your mouth off and let him
exhale passively. Repeat inflation about one every two to three seconds.
The mouth to mouth method has been found to supply ten to twelve times
more volume of air into the lungs than any of the other methods. There is a
danger of sagging of the victims tongue into the throat and blocking the air
passage. But this is prevented in the new technique if the victims head is tilted
back.
Can anything be done if the heart stops beating?
The following main points may be of great help in reviving head stoppage due
to drowning choking or electric shock
1. Check for pulse, if no pulse is apparent, start working at once without
wasting seconds in asking for equipment or help. The lack of sufficient oxygen
carried in the blood to feed the brain may result in peril of any heart as the
brain is the most sensitive tissue of the body.
2. Lay the patient face up on a solid bed or floor.
3. Tilt the head back.
4. Kneel on the body so that you can use your weight in applying pressure.
Place the heel of your right hand on the breast bone with fingers spread and
raised so that pressure is only on the breastbone not on the ribs.
5. Place your left hand on top of the right and press vertically downwards,
firmly enough to depress the breastbone one to one and a quarter inch. (In

case of child, use only one hand for relatively light pressure). The chest of an
adult is resistant when he is conscious. It will be surprisingly flexible when he is
unconscious.
6. Release the pressure immediately, lifting the hands slightly, then repeat in a
frequency of 60 to 80 thrusts per minute approximating the normal heart
action.
7 If normal heart beat and respiration has resumed, even then, the patient
should be shifted to hospital as soon as possible.
8. Continue the massage until you get professional medical aid for the patient.
Also continue if possible, the mouth to mouth breathing until the patient is put
on oxygen.