Welcome to the Presentation on

Earthing Practices in Electrical

Installations
Safety, Accident Prevention & Disaster Management (SAFETY)

EARTHING (OVERVIEW)

PREAMBLE
Though there is legal binding on Electric utilities to measure the values of earth electrode resistance and to

monitor and improve the same in regular intervals, there is

negligence at all levels.

Unfortunately, there is no culture developed to measure

earth electrode resistance, even for a new work, after the electrode is cast and there is no culture of monitoring of values later on, leave alone the improvement of the values by way of maintenance.

WHAT IS EARTHING?
Earthing is a connection done through a metallic link

between the body of any electrical appliance, or neutral

point, as the case may be, to the deeper ground soil. The metallic link is normally of MS flat, CI flat, GI wire which should be penetrated to the ground earth grid.

NECESSITY OF EARTHING
Protection

(a) Safety of personnel

(b) Safety of Equipment

Prevent or at least minimize damage to equipment as a

result of flow of heavy currents. (c) Improvement of the reliability of the Power System.

CLASSIFICATION OF EARTHING
The earthing is broadly divided as a) System earthing (Connection between part of plant in an operating system like L V neutral of a power Transformer winding) and earth. b) Equipment earthing (Safety grounding) Connecting bodies of equipment (like motor body, Transformer tank, Switch gear box, operating rods of air break switches, LV breaker body, HV breaker body, Feeder breaker bodies etc) to earth.

WHAT ARE TO BE EARTHED

Bodies of all the equipments Neutral earthing Lightning arrestor earthing Battery mid point earthing

Tertiary winding earthing

Cable sheath earthing Structures in substations. Pole earthing. Control Panel Earthing.

EARTH RESISTANCE
Which offers resistance for the current to flow : The resistance varies, object to object and the resistance is measured in ohms.

RESISTIVITY
Soil or earth resistivity expressed in ohm meter is the resistance of cubic meter of earth measured. The resistivity of copper is 1.6 micro ohm-cm whereas the normal soil will be 10000 ohm-cm. The resistivity of soil would be determined by the quantity of water held in itself. In other words, it can be said that conduction of

electricity through soil is due to water content present in

it.

TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH EARTHING

(a) Touch potential (b) Step potential

(c)
(e)

Equipotential
Transferred voltage

(d) Mesh voltage (f) Exposed Conductive Part a) Touch potential :

Touch potential is the difference in voltage between the object touched and the ground point just below the person touching the object when ground currents are flowing.

(b) Step Potential : Step Potential is the difference in voltage between two points, which are one meter apart along the earth when ground currents are flowing.

(c) Eqipotential : Two separate points (at same potential)

(d) Mesh Voltage : It is the maximum touch voltage to be found within a mesh of ground grid. (e)Transferred voltage : It is a special case of touch voltage where voltage is transferred into or out of the substation. (f) Exposed conductive part : Conductive part of equipment and which is not normally live, but which can become live when basic insulation fails.

OTHER TYPES OF EARTHING

When the capabilities of certain equipment are limited, they may not withstand certain fault currents. Then the following types of earthing are adopted to limit the fault current. (a) Resistance earthing

(b) Reactance earthing

(c) Peterson coil earthing.

(d) Earthing through grounding transformer.

PERMISSIBLE VALUES OF EARTH RESISTANCE

a) Power stations b) EHT Stations - 0.5 ohms - 1.0 ohms

c) 33KV SS
d) DTR Structures

- 2 ohms
- 5 ohms

e) Tower foot resistance - 10 ohms

WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR ARRIVING AT PERMISSIBLE EARTH RESISTANCES?

a) As per IE rules one has to keep touch potential less than the safe value of 523 volts.

b) Ifault = maximum current in fault conditions.

c) Resistance = Touch voltage / Ifault = V touch / If d) Maximum fault current for a 100KVA transformer: The full load current of a 11 Kv / 400 volts, 100KVA transformer is about 100A. Percentage impedance is about 4% I fault = 100*100/4=2500A or Say 2000A.

d) For a 100 KVA Transformer installation,

R= Vtouch / If = 523/2000 = 0.26Ohms

0.26 ohms being quite low, quality work is to be done during construction. To obtain such a low value of resistance of earthing system, the expenditure will be very high. e) The earth electrode resistance value also carries importance in view of protection against lightning by lightning arrestors.

The earth electrode resistance value in that case is given by the formula

R = Flashover voltage of 11Kv

lightning discharge current

Flash over voltage of 11KV = 75KV

Lightning Arrestor Discharge = 40KA. The earth electrode resistance R R = 75KV/40 = 1.9 Ohms

 Thus the earth electrode resistance for the lightning

arrestor of 11 KV system has to be less than 1.90 ohms. In this way, it is justified to keep the value of the earth electrode resistance below 1.0 ohm from the point of view of keeping the touch potential within limit and below 2.0 ohms

from the point of view of providing protection to the system.

However taking the fault currents and implementation

difficulties in view, the distribution transformer structure the

earth resistance value is to be maintained below 5 Ohms

EARTH MAT/EARTHING SYSTEM IN A SUBSTATION

Earthing system of a substation comprises, a number of earth electrodes and a mesh of earthing strips. Individual electrodes should be designed in such a way that the earth resistance of each electrode is less than 3.0 Ohms. Earth mat should be designed in such a way that its value will automatically keep the touch and step potentials within limits.

 Hence, it is very essential to measure the resistance of individual electrodes in both the 'connected' and

'disconnected' condition i.e. the electrode connected to

the earth mat and also disconnected from the earth mat. Each electrode, individually as well as the earth mat in totality shall be very efficient to give protection to all equipments and to keep step and touch potentials within

limits for human safety.

EFFECTS OF INEFFECTIVE EARTHING ON SUB-STATION EQUIPMENT

When the earthing is poor, earth faults will not be cleared fast enough and the connected equipment will either be damaged due to carrying the fault current for prolonged periods or its life will be reduced. Power transformers The voltage across the other two healthy phases of a three phase transformer winding will be high and insulation will be subjected to extra stresses which will reduce the life of windings, when a single phase to earth faults occurs. Similarly, the voltage will not be equal in all the phases, if earthing is improper.

 Because of over voltage caused due to prolonged fault clearing period, there is a possibility of fire to the transformer. Step and touch voltages in the vicinity of transformer will not be within limits, leading to accidents to human beings.
Eddy currents in the transformer will not be discharged promptly from core and transformer body, causing heating of the transformer.

 The induced voltage on body of transformer due to nearby bus faults will not be discharged and body will give shock. Condenser bushing, if provided may burst.
The arcing horns (wherever provided) will not give proper protection to transformer.

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS (CTs)

a) Generally C.T. secondary is star connected and neutral is earthed. If neutral is not effectively earthed, when primary to secondary insulation fails, secondary will be subjected to high voltage causing damages. In such instances, associated equipment will also be damaged, if CT secondary earthing is not proper. b) Generally, for high voltage CTs, insulation is graded condenser type and this condenser is earthed to body. Abnormal voltages due to poor earthing will cause bursting of the CTs.

POTENTIAL TRANSFORMERS (PTs/CVTs)

a) In case of P.T. Primary, lower end is taken to terminal box

and is earthed.

All the secondary phases are star

connected there. The star point is earthed. If not solidly earthed, under fault condition, high voltage will be developed and the equipment connected to the secondary of the P.T. will get damaged because of improper discharge to earth, in addition to the P.T. failure.

EARTHING PRACTICES AT DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

A) EARTHING AT DOMESTIC PREMISES (HOUSES)

B) EARTHING AT DTR STRUCTURE

All connections should be through earth strip but not through GI wire.

C) EARTHING AT 33 KV SUBSTATIONS (STANDARD LAY OUT)

EARTH MAT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

33 KV Substation - M.S. Flat of 75 x 8 / 50 x 6 mm 132 KV Substation - M.S. Flat of 100 x 16 / 50 x 8 mm

BILL OF MATERIALS (FOR A TYPICAL SS)

a) Earth Electrodes shall be of C.I. pipe 100 mm(inner dia) 2.75 m long with a flange at the top b) MS Flat 100x16 mm 75x8 mm 50x6 mm 25x3 mm for neutral of Transformer

c) Bolt and Nuts with Flat & Spring WASHERS

d) BENTONITE Powder
e) Copper Strip for T/F Neutral 300 x 50 x 60mm -1No. for one T/F f) Copper Flexible Jumpers for fixing of MSFlat 50x12mm Flexible Copper of 300mm-2Nos. for One T/F.

g) MS Channels for T/F Neutral 2Nos.for One T/F.

h) Welding Rods i) Paints to apply after welding and MS Flats. 1) Red Oxide 2) Bitumen

j) Metal GELLY of size 40mm h) Cement COLLARS for earth PIT 600mm dia x 300mm height. k) Black Cotton Soil

l) Equipotential Bar: Copper Strip

750 x 75 x 8mm

METHODS FOR REDUCTION OF EARTH RESISTANCE

i) Chemical treatment. The materials which are added to the soil to reduce the soil resistivity are as follows :

a) Sodium chloride (NaCl), coke and sand are the most

common, popular and economical chemicals which are used to bring down the earth resistivity of soil. b) Aluminium sulphate is another chemical equivalent to sodium chloride but it is slightly costlier.

c)

Other effective chemicals like Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4, 7H2O), Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) and Potassium Chloride (KC1) when mixed with soil brings down the resistivity of soil. These chemicals are ten times costlier than Aluminium sulphate and more than ten times costlier than Sodium chloride. As such, choice is preferably limited to Sodium chloride or Aluminium sulphate but mostly the former one.

ii) Multiple electrode system. iii) Deep driven rod system.

iv) Counter poise earthing. v) Use of Bentonite clay

IMPORTANCE OF BENTONITE COMPOUND

Bentonite compound reduces the earth mat resistance to level of its original. Bentonite consists of a clay which, when mixed with water swells to many times its own volume. Bentonite clay is mixed with black cotton soil in 1:6 proportion and filled. It absorbs moisture from the soil and can retain it for a long time. Hence it doesnt require frequent watering to earth electrodes. It is recommended that this back fill material be used to surround vertical electrodes and used to bed horizontal electrodes to improve the overall earth resistance. It is important to stop using coke/cinders and salt as a back fill materials, as they are corrosive, especially to mild steel and cast

1) CPRI conducted

IMPORTANCE OF BENTONITE COMPOUND

Research done to find out new methods to low earthing resistance in substations. 2) Bentonite Clay is the outcome of such research

3) Electrocon, a Bentonite based special product

4) CPRI/Bangalore came out of conclusion, that Bentonite treatment of soil results in appreciable reduction of Resistances, and low resistance remains constant, over number of years. 5)This is specially efficient, in the soils where resistivity is too high i.e. 300ohm metres and above

POINTS OF EARTHING
a) Earth mat of 75x8 MS flat should be laid as outer of the

switch yard compulsorily and see that all the pole

structures and all metallic parts are enclosed in the outer mat. b) Make vertical and horizontal sections for the outer mat as shown in the fig. The internal vertical and horizontal

sections may be 75x8 or 50x6 MS flat.

POINTS OF EARTHING (CONTD)

-Outer -75 x 8 MS Flat

c) The earth mat should be laid minimum 600 mm. Below

the ground level. d) Under the earth mat, pure bentonite powder is to be laid upto 2.5 mm and over the earth mat, the same Bentonite compound with Black cotton soil (a mixture of 1:6 ratio)

is to be placed up to 100 mm and the remaining earth

trench is to be back filled with the soil. It is therefore important to ensure the earth conductor (MS flat) is laid at least 0.6 M deep, but preferably deeper, say 1M as this will reduce the surface potentials.

See that each and every pole structure is earthed with 50x6 MS flat to the earth mat.
e)

f) For every breaker, there will be five earth connections to the earth mat with 50 x 6 MS flat (i) breaker body (ii) relay panel (iii) CTs of the breaker (iv) and two side of the breaker structure. g) Lightning arrester is to be connected directly to a separate earth electrode, which in turn is to be connected to earth mat. h) Line Isolators structure is to be connected to the earth mat. i) Two sides of the Power Transformers body are to be connected to the earth mat.

 Twin neutral earthing should be done to power transformer as

shown in the fig. One earth flat of size 75 x 8 mm MS flat is directly connected to the earth pit and the earth pit is again

connected to the earth mat. The second

channel.

neutral is directly

connected to the earth mat with the support of 75x40x6mm MS

FLEXIBLE JUMPER FOR NEUTRAL EARTHING

j) Provide flexible jumpers thoroughly brazed as shown in fig. By

providing flexible jumpers there will not be any load on the transformer neutral bushing. k) All AB switch operating rods are to be provided with coil earths and the AB switch support is tobe earthed to the earth

mat.
l) All the exposed earth flats which are dropping down from the breakers, CTs structures should be applied with Bituminous paint which is non corrosive.

m) 75x 8 mm MS flat is to be laid around the control room,

which is to be interconnected to main switch yard earth mat. panels of the breakers, mid point of the battery and battery

stand structures are not to be earthed to the main earth mat

directly and are to be rooted through the equipotential bar.

LINE AND POLE EARTHING

1) Every metallic pole of line should be earthed. 2) Every fifth pole of R.C.C./P.S.C.C. in the line is to be earthed 2) Cross arms, top clip, insulator pins of P.S.C. pole should be earthed along with the pole.

3) Guarding at Railway crossing, Telephone crossing, Road

crossings should be earthed along with pole on both side. 4) All the metal fittings of L.T. pole and stay should be earthed and connected firmly to neutral because neutral is multiple earthed.

TYPES OF SOILS AND THEIR RESISTIVITY VALUES.

Type Loams,garden Clay Resistivity in Ohm-cm 500-5000 800-5000

Clay,Sand& Gravel mixture Sand Gravel

Slates,Shell,Sand stone ectc Crystalline Rock

4000-25000
60000-10000 1000-50000 20000-100000

MAINTENANCE OF EARTHING SYSTEM

The following maintenance schedule is mandatory at each of the substations:
Sl. No 1. Item Watering of earth pits Periodicity Weakly (Not required for Bentonite treated earth pits) Half yearly @

2.

Measurement of earth resistance of individual earth pits.

3.
4.

Measurement of combined earth resistance at all the earth pits.

Checking of interconnections betweens earth pits and tightness of bolts and nuts.

Half yearly
Quarterly.

 Earth resistance of individual earth pits can be measured by disconnecting the earth connections to the electrode. This is possible if the connections are made to a common clamp which in turn is fixed

round the pipe.

d) Why black metal used?

IMPORTAMCE OF BLACK METAL LAYER IN SUB-STATION SWITCH-YARD : It is common sight to see black metal spread in the switch-yards of the HV and EHV sub-stations. There are reasons to lay the black metal layers in the switch-yards of the sub-stations.

Following are the reasons why the black metal is used in the switch yards. To provide high resistivity layer. To avoid formation of pools of oil in case of leakages from the equipments such as transformers, circuit breakers, etc. and to eliminate spreading of fire. To keep reptiles away. To control the growth of grass and weeds. To maintain moisture in the soil.

It discourages running of persons in the switch-yard

and saves them of the risk of being subjected to possible high step voltage.

Point 1 : To provide high resistivity layer. To understand this point one has to know the concepts of the Touch voltage and Step voltage. As per the Indian Electricity Rule no. 67 (1) in every E.H.V./

H.V. installations :
(a) Touch voltage and step voltage shall be kept within limits.

(b) The ground potential shall be limited to a tolerable

value.

 The value of tolerable touch voltage in respect of human body is less than the value of tolerable step voltage. Also, a person in the switchyard may be exposed to touch voltage most often than to the step voltage. The touch voltage, being predominant must be considered for the purpose of analysis than the step voltage. Following is the formula of permissible touch voltage. E Touch = (116+0.174 ) t where, = The soil resistivity where the person is standing. t = Fault clearing time. The above formula clearly indicates that it is essential to provide high resistivity layer under the feet of the person standing in the switch-yard so as to keep the value of the Touch potential within permissible limits

f) Current flow under fault condition

e) Earthing of sub-station fence is also equally important from

viewpoint of touch and step potentials in the area outside the fence. Normally earth mat has to be extended upto 2m beyond the fence so as to ensure that the area in the vicinity of substation fence is safe if somebody happens to come in contact with it under fault conditions. f) Earthing in the sub-station must conform to the requirements of Indian Electricity Rules 1956 and follow the directives laid down in I.S:3046 of 1966 and its revisions.

g) Earthing system has to be designed to have a low overall impedance to earth and a current carrying capacity consistent with fault current. The factors which influence the design i) ii) Magnitude of fault current Duration of fault current

iii) Ground resistivity

iv) Resistivity of surface material v) Size and shape of grid vi) Parallel impedance vii) Material of earth electrode