Handbook On Electrical Earthing

CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-Earthing/1.
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(For Official Use Only)
Hkkjr ljdkj GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

jsy ea=ky; MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
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Handbook on Electrical Earthing

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TARGET GROUP: General Services Maintenance Staff
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CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-EARTHING/1.0
fnlEcj 2010
December 2010
egkjktiqj, Xokfy;j & 474 005

Maharajpur, GWALIOR - 474 005
December, 2010
2
Earthing/1.0
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-
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QUALITY POLICY
To develop safe, modern and cost effective
Railway Technology complying with Statutory
and Regulatory requirements, through
excellence in Research, Designs and
Standards and Continual improvements in
Quality Management System to cater to
growing demand of passenger and freight
traffic on the railways.
December, 2010
Earthing
Handbook on Electrical
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-Earthing/1.0
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2011
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December, 2010
4
Earthing/1.0
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-
FOREWORD
Earthing of electrical installations/ equipments plays very
important role in safe functioning of system as well as safety of
personnel. It provides low impedance path to fault currents and
ensures prompt and consistent operation of protective devices
during ground faults.
CAMTECH has prepared this handbook on electrical
earthing system for general services to disseminate knowledge to
working personnel.
The handbook contains construction of earthing, earthing
arrangement at substation, maintenance schedules, maintenance
free earthing etc.
I hope this handbook will prove to be useful to
maintenance personnel working in general services department.
CAMTECH, Gwalior
Date: 27.01. 2011
December, 2010
Earthing
S.C. Singhal
Executive Director
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vkbZ- ,l- dksM IS: 3043] vkbZ bZ fu;ekoyh] vkjMh,lvks ;k jsyos
cksMZ }kjk fofuZfn"V fdlh Hkh fo/kku dks foLFkkfir ugha djrhA ;g
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bl gLriqfLrdk dks cukus esa gekjh lgk;rk dh A
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fnukad 31
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December, 2010
6
Earthing/1.0
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-
PREFACE
The proper upkeep and maintenance of earthing system is
necessary to ensure good and reliable protection system for
electrical equipment and to avoid shock to the operator. This
handbook on Electrical Earthing has been prepared by
CAMTECH with the objective of making our maintenance
personnel aware of earthing systems to be adopted in field.
It is clarified that this handbook does not supersede any
existing provisions of IS code of earthing (IS: 3043), IE Rules
and other existing provisions laid down by RDSO or Railway
Board. This handbook is for guidance only and it is not a
statutory document.
I am sincerely thankful to all field personnel who helped
us in preparing this handbook.
Technological up-gradation & learning is a continuous
process. Please feel free to write to us for any addition/
modification in this handbook. We shall highly appreciate your
contribution in this direction.
CAMTECH, Gwalior
Date:31.12.2010
December, 2010
Earthing
Peeyoosh Gupta
Jt.DirectorElectrical
e - mailid:direlcamtech@gmail.com
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07
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1-8 feV~Vh dh frjks/kdrk fu/kkZfjr djus
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1-9 vFkZ bysDVksM yxkus dk LFkku
19
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20
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20
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22
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22
2-5 vFkZ bysDVksM
24
December, 2010
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-
8
Earthing/1.0
CONTENTS
Sr.No.
1.0
Description
Foreword
Preface
Contents
Correction Slip
INTRODUCTION
iv
vi
viii
xii
01
1.1
ADVANTAGES OF EARTHING
02
1.2
TERMINOLOGY
03
1.3
EARTH AS CONDUCTOR
05
1.4
IMPORTANT INDIAN ELECTRICITY

RULE RELATED TO EARTHING
05
GENERAL REQUIREMENT
FOR EARTHING
07
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
GROUNDING AND EARTHING
10
1.7
HUMAN ELEMENT & ELECTRIC

SHOCK
11
1.8
FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE

RESISTIVITY OF SOIL
13
LOCATION OF EARTH ELECTRODE
19
1.5
1.6
1.9
2.0
Page No.
DESIGN, SIZE AND TYPES OF EARTH

ELECTRODE
20
2.1
ELECTRODE RESISTANCE TO EARTH
20
2.2
INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR

ELECTRODE RESISTANCE
21
2.3
ELECTRODE SIZE
22
2.4
DESIGN OF EARTH ELECTRODES
22
2.5
EARTH ELECTRODE
24
December, 2010
Earthing
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2-7
2-8
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3-1
3-2
3-3
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5-0
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3-5 forj.k ykbu LVdpj dh vfFkZax
3-6 miHkksDrk ds ifjlj esa vfFkZax
3-7 vkS|ksfxd ifjlj esa vfFkZax
3-8 viw.kZ vfFkZax ds [krjs
3-9 lko/kkfu;k
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4-2 vuqj{k.k 'ksM~;wy
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5-1 vFkZ frjks/k
5-2 mi;ksx
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6-1 D;k djsa
6-2 D;k u djsa
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32
35
35
35
41
43
47
51
53
56
57
58
59
59
62
65
66
66
66
77
77
78
80
December, 2010
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-
10
Earthing/1.0
Sr.No.
3.0
Description
2.6
TYPES OF ELECTRODES
26
2.7
TYPES OF EARTHING
32
2.8
EARTHING LEAD
35
EARTHING SYSTEM
35
3.1
CLASSIFICATION OF EARTHING
35
3.2
EARTHING SYSTEM IN SUB STATION
41
3.3
EARTHING OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT IN

THE SUB-STATIONS
43
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER
STRUCTURE EATHING
47
EARTHING OF DISTRIBUTION LIENE

STRUCTURES
51
3.6
EARTHING AT CONSUMERS PREMISES
53
3.7
EARTHING IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES
56
3.8
DANGERS OF IMPERFECT EARTHING
57
3.9
PRECAUTIONS
58
3.4
3.5
4.0
5.0
6.0
Page No.
TESTING & MAINTENANCE
59
4.1
TESTING OF EARTHING SYSTEM
59
4.2
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
62
MAINTENANCE FREE EARTHING
65
5.1
EARTH RESISTANCE
66
5.2
APPLICATIONS
66
5.3
MAINTENANCE FREE EARTHING SYSTEM
66
DOS & DONTS
77
6.1 DOS
77
6.2 DONT
78
REFRENCES
81
December, 2010
Earthing
11
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December, 2010
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-
12
Earthing/1.0
ISSUE OF CORRECTION SLIP

The correction slips to be issued in future for this
handbook will be numbered as follows:
CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-Earthing/1.0/ C.S. # XX date--Where XX is the serial number of the concerned
correction slip (starting from 01 onwards).
CORRECTION SLIPS ISSUED

Sr. No.
December, 2010
Earthing
Date
issue
of Page no. and Item Remarks

no. modified
1.0
Lrkouk
INTRODUCTION
Earthing is a connection done through a metal

link between the body of any electrical appliance, or
neutral point, as the case may be, to the deeper ground
through these metal links, normally of MS flat, CI flat,
GI wire penetrated to the earth grid. Object of earthing
is that all parts of apparatus other than live parts shall
be at earth potential.
Earthing eliminates the possibility of any
dangerous potential rise on the body of electrical
equipment. It drains away the charge on the equipment
through an earth connection. When an earth fault is
occurres such as winding insulation failure etc. causes a
heavy current flow into the general mass of the earth.
This causes blowing out of fuse or operation/ tripping
of protective devices. The potential under and around of
the object shall be uniform nearly to zero w.r.t. earth.
Apart from this it is to ensure that operators or
working personnel shall be at earth potential at all
times, so that there will be no potential difference to
cause shock or injury to a person, whenever any short
circuit takes place.
The primary requirements of a good earthing
system are:
a.
It stabilizes circuit potential with respect to

ground potential and limits the potential rise.
b.
It protects men & materials from injury or

damage due to over voltage or touching.
December, 2010
1.1
c.
It provides low impedance path to fault currents

to ensure prompt & consistent operation of
protective devices during earth fault.
d.
It keeps the maximum voltage gradient along the

surface inside & around the substation within safe
limits during earth fault.
e.
It protects underground cables from overall

ground potential rise & voltage gradient during
ground fault in the system.
vfFkZax ds ykHk
ADVANTAGES OF EARTHING
For efficient/effective operation of any power

system, it is essential to connect the neutral to suitable
earth connection. The following are the few advantages:
Reduced operation & maintenance cost
Reduction in magnitude of transient over voltages.
Improved lightning protection.
Simplification of ground fault location.
Improved system and equipment fault protection.
Improved service reliability
Greater safety for personnel & equipment
Prompt and consistent operation of protective

devices during earth fault.
December, 2010
1.2
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TERMINOLOGY
The following terms are commonly used in

earthing systems:
1.2.1
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Earth
The conductive mass of the earth, whose

electrical potential at any point is conventionally taken
as zero.
1.2.2
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Earth electrode
A Galvanized Iron (GI) pipe in intimate contact

with and providing an electrical connections to earth.
1.2.3
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Earthing grid
A system of a number of interconnected,

horizontal bare conductors buried in the earth,
providing a common ground for electrical devices and
metallic structures, usually in one specific location.
1.2.4
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Equipment Earthing
It comprises earthing of all metal work of

electrical equipment other than parts which are
normally live or current carrying. This is done to ensure
effective operation of the protective gear in the event of
leakage through such metal work, the potential of
which with respect to neighboring objects may attain a
value which would cause danger to life or risk of fire.
1.2.5
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System Earthing
Earthing done to limit the potential of live

conductors with respect to earth to values which the
insulation of the system is designed to withstand and to
ensure the security of the system.
December, 2010
1.2.6
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Touch Voltage (E Touch)
The potential difference between a ground

metallic structure and a point on the earths surface
separated by a distance equal to the normal maximum
horizontal reach of a person, approximately one meter
as shown in figure-1
Figure-1
1.2.7
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Step Voltage (E Step)
The potential difference between two points on

the earth's surface separated by distance of one pace
that will be assumed to be one meter in the direction of
maximum potential gradient as shown in figure -2
Figure-2
December, 2010
1.2.8
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Mesh Voltage (E mesh)
The maximum touch voltage to be found within

a mesh of an earthing grid.
1.3
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EARTH AS CONDUCTOR
Resistivity () of earth is 100-M.
Resistivity () of copper is 1.7x 10 -8 -M.
Resistivity () of G. I. is 1.7x 10 -7 -M.
Take as reference, 25x 4 mm copper strip. To

obtain the same resistance, the size of G.I. will be
65mm x10mm. The corresponding figure for earth is
800mtrs x 800mtrs (158 acres.)Hence, it shows metallic
conductor is a preferred alternative conductor to earth
to bring the fault current back to source.
1.4
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Hkkjrh; fo|qr fu;e
IMPORTANT INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULE RELATED
TO EARTHING
fu;e 33 RULE No: 33

Earth terminals on consumers premises.
fu;e 61
(A)
RULE No: 61.
Max: permissible resistance of earthing system.

Large power station
:
0.5 ohms.
Major sub-station
:
1.0 ohms.
Small sub-station
:
2.0 ohms.
In all other cases
:
8.0 ohms.
The earth continuity
inside an installation
:
1.0 ohms.
December, 2010
(B)
Connection with Earth:
Earthing of neutral conductor of a 3-phase,

4-wire system.
Earthing of all metal casing / covering of

electric supply lines or apparatus.
Testing of such earth resistance not less

than once in every two years during a dry
day of a dry season shall be conducted and
recorded.
Test results should be recorded and shall be

made available to the EIG or Assisting
officer to EIG, when required.
fu;e 67
RULE No: 67. Connection to earth
All equipments associated with HV/EHV

installation shall be earthed by not less than two
distinct and separate connections with the earth
having its own electrode, except an earth mat.
Testing of such earth resistance not less than once

in every year during a dry day of a dry season shall
be conducted & recorded
fu;e 90
RULE No: 90. Earthing
In distribution system, all metal supports and all

reinforced/ pre-stressed cement concrete supports
of overhead line and metallic fittings attached shall
be permanently and effectively earthed.
Each stay wire shall be similarly earthed, unless

insulators have been provided in it at a height not
less than three mtrs from the ground.
December, 2010
Every 5th pole as a minimum shall be grounded, if

the foundations are not cements concrete blocks.
fu;e 91 RULE No: 91. Safety and protective device
Every overhead line erected over any part of street

or public place shall be protected with a device,
approved by the EIG, for rendering the line
electrically harmless in case it brakes.
The owner of every high and extra high overhead
line shall be protected to the satisfaction of the EIG,
to prevent unauthorized persons from ascending
any of the supports of such overhead lines.
fu;e 92
RULE No: 92.

Protection against lightening
The owner of every overhead line which is so
exposed, as may be liable to injury from lightening,
shall adopted efficient means for diverting to earth,
any electrical surge during lightening.
The earthing lead for any lightening arrester shall
not pass through any iron or steel pipe but shall be
taken as directed as possible from the lightening
arrester to a separate earthing electrode/ mat.
1.5
vfFkZax ds fy, lkekU; vko;drk;sa

GENERAL REQUIREMENT FOR EARTHING

Earthing shall generally be carried out in
accordance with the requirement of I.E. rules,
1956, as amended from time to time and the
relevant regulation of the electricity supply.
Codes /Standard given below may also be
referred :
i)
IS:3043 - Code of practice for earthing
(latest)
December, 2010
ii)
iii)
National Electricity Code - 1985 of BIS

IEEE guide for safety in AC substation
grounding no. ANSI/IEEE standard, 801986.
In cases where direct earthing may prove harmful
rather than provide safety, relaxation may be
obtained from the competent authority.
Earth electrodes shall be provided at generating

stations, substations and consumer premises in
accordance with the requirements.
As far as possible all earth connections shall be

visible for inspection.
All connections shall be carefully made. If they

are not properly made or are inadequate for the
purpose for which they are intended, loss of life
or serious personnel injury may result.
Each earth system shall be so devised that the

testing of individual earth electrode is possible. It
is recommended that the value of any earth
system resistance shall not be more than 5 ohms
unless otherwise specified.
The minimum size of earthing lead used on any

installations shall have a nominal cross-section at
areas of not less than 3.0 mm2 if of copper and
6.0 mm2 if of galvanized iron or steel. The actual
size will depend on the maximum fault current
which the earthing lead will be required to carry
safely.
It is recommended that a drawing showing the

main earth connection and earth electrode be
prepared for each installation.
December, 2010
No addition to the existing load whether

temporary or permanent shall be made, which
may exceed the assessed earth fault or its duration
until it is ascertained that the existing
arrangement of earthing is capable of carrying the
new value of earth fault current resulting due to
such addition.
All materials, fittings etc. used in earthing shall

confirm to Indian Standard specification
wherever these exist. In the case of material for
which Indian standard specifications does not
exists, the material shall be approved by the
competent authority.
An earthing electrode shall not be situated with in

a distance of 1.5 meter from the building whose
installation system is being earthed.
The earthing electrode shall always be placed in

vertical position inside the earth or pit so that it
may not be in contact with all the different earth
layers.
The sensitivity of the protective equipment,

system voltage and the maximum fault current
directly relate to permissible value of earth
resistance. In case the earth exceeds the
permissible value, then in the event of earth fault,
the fault current may not reach a sufficient value
to operate the protective equipment (such as fuses
or relays) and dangerous condition may arise.
The earth wire and earth electrode will be of

same material. The earth wire shall be taken
through G.I. pipe of 13 mm diameter for at least
30 cm length above and below ground surface to
December, 2010
10
the earth electrode

mechanical damage.
to
protect
it
against
All the earth wires run along the various subcircuits shall be terminated and looped firmly at
the main board and from main board the main
earth shall be taken to earth electrode. The loop
earth wires used shall not be either less than 2.9
mm2 (14 SWG) or half of the size of the sub
circuit conductor.
1.6
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1.6.1
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DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN GROUNDING AND EARTHING
Grounding
Grounding implies connection of current

carrying parts to ground. It is mostly either generator or
transformer neutral. Hence it is generally called neutral
grounding. Grounding is for equipment safety.
There are three requirements for grounding:
a.
Shall provide a low impedance path for the

return of fault current, so that an over current
protection device can act quickly to clear the
circuit.
b.
Shall maintain a low potential difference

between
exposed metal parts to avoid
personnel hazards.
c.
Shall control over voltage.
December, 2010
1.6.2
11
vfFkZax Earthing
Earthing implies connection of non current
carrying parts to ground like metallic enclosures.
Earthing is for human safety.
Under balanced operating conditions of power
systems, earthing system does not play any role. But
under any ground fault condition, it enables the ground
fault current to return back to the source without
endangering human safety as shown in figure -.3
GENERATOR
TRANSFORMER
NEUTRAL GROUNDING
NEUTRAL GROUNDING
EARTHING
Figure-3
1.7
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HUMAN ELEMENT & ELECTRIC SHOCK
Electric shock is possible only when the human
body bridges two points of unequal potential as shown
in fgure-4.
Maximum tolerable current for human body is
160 mA for one second. If this limit exceeds, it will
result in death due to ventricular fibrillation (heart
attack).
December, 2010
12
Allowable body current IB (Amperes) for two

body weights, as per IEEE STD:-80 are given:
= 0.116/ TS for body weights of 50kg.
IB
= 0.157 / TS for body weight of 70kg.

TS
= Duration of current exposure (fault clearance time).
TS
IB (50kg)
IB (70kg).
0.2sec
259 mA
351 mA.
0.5sec
164 mA
222 mA.
1.0sec
116 mA
157 mA.
Figure 4 - Current flow under fault condition

December, 2010
1.8
13
feV~Vh dh frjks/kdrk fu/kkZfjr djus okys dkjd

FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE RESISTIVITY OF
SOIL
The resistivity of soil for earthing system
depends upon the following factors:

Type of soil
Moisture content
Chemical composition of salt dissolved in the
contained water
Concentration of salt
Temperature of material
Grain size and distribution of grain size
Size and spacing of earth electrodes

1.8.1
feV~Vh dh frjks/kdrk de djus dh fof/k;k

fof/k;k
;k
Methods of Reducing Resistivity of Soil
feV~Vh dh frjks/kdrk ds dkj

Types of soil resistivity
Sl. Type of soil
No.
Resistivity
Ohm-cm
Loamy garden soil
500 - 5000
Clay
800 - 5000
Clay, Sans and Gravel mix
4000 - 25000
Sand and Gravel
6000 - 10000
Slates, Slab sand stone
1000 - 50000
Crystalline Rock
20000 - 100000
in
December, 2010
14
1.8.2
feV~Vh dk mipkj Soil Treatment

When the soil resistance is high, even the

multiple electrodes in large number may also fail
to produce low resistance to earth. To reduce the
resistivity of soil immediately surrounding the
electrode some salt substances are made available
as a solution with water. The substances are used
salt sodium chloride (NaCl), Calcium chloride
(CaCl2) Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), copper
sulphate (CuSO4) and soft cock and charcoal in
suitable proportion.
Nearly 90% of resistance between electrode and

soil is with in a radius of two meters from
electrode/ rod. Treating this soil will result in
required reduction in earth resistance by
excavation of one meter diameter around top of
the electrode/ rod to 30 cm deep and applying
artificial soil treatment agency and watering
sufficiently.
General practice to treat the soil surrounding the

ground electrode with common salt, charcoal and
soft cock in order to bring down the earth
resistance. These conventional methods are
effective in soils of moderately high resistivity up
to 300 ohm-meter. When the soil resistivity
exceeds this value, these conventional methods of
chemical treatment will be inadequate to get
desired value of earth resistance.
December, 2010
1.8.3
15
feV~Vh mipkj esa cSUVksukbV dk ;ksx

Use of Bentonite in Soil Treatment
1.8.4
Bentonite is clay with excellent electrical

properties. It swells to several times its original
volume when suspended in water. It binds the
water of crystallization and the water absorbed
during the mixing process is retained over a long
period. Bentonite suspension in water when used
to surround the earth electrode virtually increases
the electrode surface area.
Use of bentonite around the earth electrode

results in reduction of ground resistance by about
25- 30 %.
Bentonite has a tremendous capacity to absorb

water and retain it over along period.
Even during the summer months, bentonite

suspension retains the moisture where as the
natural soil dries up.
Bentonite may be used to advantage in rocky

terrain.
feV~Vh mipkj esa eghu jk[k dk ;ks

;ksx
Use of fly ash in soil treatment
As per CPRI studies reveals that fly ash from
thermal stations has equivalent chemical composition
and hence can be used for the electrical installations in
areas of high ground resistivity. Fly ash can also be
used as a chemical treatment material to reduce soil
resistivity.
December, 2010
16
1.8.5
vFkZ frjks/kdrk ij vknz

rk dk Hkko
vknzrk
Effect of Moisture Content on Earth Resistivity
Moisture content is expressed in percentage by
weight of dry soil. Dry earth weights about 1440 kg/m3.
Therefore about 144 kg (10%) of water is required per
cubic meter of soil to have 10% of moisture content.
About 20% moisture the resistivity is very little affected
below 20% moisture the resistivity increases very
abruptly with decrease in moisture. Moisture content of
about 17% to 18% by weight of dry soil is the optimum
requirement. Availability of moisture assists formation
of electrolyte by dissolving salt content in soils and
there by enhance the conductivity of soil. More water
content can not improve soil resistivity.
Moisture content(% by Resistivity(Ohm-cm)
weight)
Top Soil
Sandy Loam
6
0
1000x10
1000x106
2.5
250000
150000
5
165000
43000
10
53000
18500
20
12000
6300
30
6400
4200
1.8.6
rkieku dk Hkko
Effect of Temperature
The temperature coefficient of resistivity for soil

is negative, but is negligible for temperatures above
freezing point. At about 200 C the water in the soil
begins to freeze and introduce a tremendous increase in
the temperature coefficient. The resistivity changes 9%
per degree C. Below 0 degree C resistivity rises
abnormally.
December, 2010
17
Effect of Temperature on Resistivity

0
C
20
10
0
0
-5
-15
1.8.7
F
68
50
32(Water)
32(Ice)
23
14
Resistivity(Ohm-cm)
7,200
9,900
13,000
30,000
79,000
330,000
feV~Vh dh frjks/kdrk dk tax ij Hkko

Effect of Soil Resistivity on Corrosion
Resistivity plays an important role in so far as
the corrosion performance of earthing rods is
concerned. It is observed that soils having resistivity of
less than 25 ohm-meter are severely corrosive in nature
while corrosion rate is of less importance in soils of
resistivity over 200 ohm- meter. The methods adopted
to safe guard earthing conductors against corrosion
depends upon
a.
b.
c.
Material of the conductor

Corrosivity of the soil
Size of the grounding system
Range of soil resistivity

(Ohm-metre)
Less than 25
25 50
50 -100
Above 100
Class of soil
Severely corrosive
Moderately corrosive
Mildly
Very mildly corrosive
December, 2010
18
1.8.8
1.8.9
lrg ij iRFkj pwjk dh irZ ds Qk;ns
Advantages of
Crushed Rock Used as a Surface Layer
It provides high resistivity surface layer
It serves as impediment to the movement of

reptiles and there by help in minimizing the
hazards which can be caused by them
It prevents the formation of pools of oil from oil

insulated and oil cooled electrical equipment
It discourages the growth of weeds
It helps retention of moisture on the underlying

soil and thus helps in maintaining the resistivity
of the subsoil at lower value.
It discourages running of persons in the

switchyard and saves them from the risk of being
subjected to possible high step potentials.
iRFkj pwjk dh eghu irZ dk Hkko

Effect of Thin Layer of Crushed Rock
In outdoor switchyard, a thin layer of crushed
rock is spread on the surface.
The resistivity of gravel () is 2000 ohm-meter
while that of soil is 100 ohm-meter. Since of gravel is
high, only a high voltage can force the current through
the body to cause injuries. The gravel act like insulator
& throws the electric field generated by GPR back to
soil.
December, 2010
1.9
19
vFkZ bysDVksM yxkus dk LFkku

LOCATION OF EARTH ELECTRODE
The location of earth electrode should be chosen
in one of the following types of soil in the order of
preference given on next page
Wet marshy ground.
Clay, loamy soil and arable land
Clay and loam mixed with varying proportions of

sand, gravel and stones.
Damp and wet sand, peat.
Dry sand, gravel chalk limestone, granite, very

stone ground and all locations where virgin rock is very
close to the surface should be avoided.
December, 2010
20
2.0
vFkZ
vFkZ bysDVksM ds fMtk;u] lkbt ,oa dkj
DESIGN, SIZE
ELECTRODE
2.1
AND
TYPES
OF
EARTH
bysDVksM ,oa vFkZ ds e/; frjks/k

ELECTRODE RESISTANCE TO EARTH
Conventional practices to measure the earth
resistance is by using ohms law.
For electrode resistance to earth, current is
injected to earth by electrode and electric field travels
through the earth. The voltage appears at certain
distance from electrode and the resulting impedance is
electrode resistance to earth.
This is similar to CT, where the flow of primary
current results in voltage appearing across CT
secondary. This drives the current through the
connected relay (burden) as shown in figure- 5
IF
CT
Resistance area of driven earth rod
Figure-5
December, 2010
2.2
21
bysDVksM frjks/k dks Hkkfor djus okys dkjd

INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR ELECTRODE
RESISTANCE:
The major factor is the length, diameter or width
(Cross section) has very minor influence.
The resistance of pipe electrode is given by
R = ( / 2 L) [LN {8L / ( x 2.7183)}].
Where, L = Length in meter. (Pipe)
LN=Nominal length (buried conductor)
= Diameter in meter
Let, consider the case of a length = 6 meter.
For = 2.5 Cm, R = 16.4 .
For = 10 Cm, R = 15.3 .
So, it is observed that 300% increase in
diameter, resistance decreases by app 7% only.
The electrode resistance is not much dependent
on type of electrode materials like Cu, Al or GI.
Resistance is the function of physical dimension,
mainly length.
A horizontal earth strip of 75mm x 10mm Cu
and 45mm x 10mm GI both of same length will offer
almost same electrode resistance.
December, 2010
22
2.3
bysDVksM dk lkbt
ELECTRODE SIZE
The choices for materials & size are only with

respect to the amount of fault current to be discharged
to earth.
The current density (A/mm2) as per IS-3043.
Materials
Cu
Al
GI
0.5 sec rating
290
178
113
1 sec rating
205
126
80
Earthing grid for EHV switchyards is designed
for 0.5 sec duty & for others 1sec duty is selected.
2.4
vFkZ bysDVksM dh fMtkbu
DESIGN OF EARTH
ELECTRODES
2.4.1
bysDVksM frjks/kd ij vkdkj dk Hkko

Effect of Shape on Electrode Resistance
With electrodes, the greater part of the fall in
potential occurs in the soil within about 2m of the
electrode surface, since it is here that the current density
is highest. To obtain a low overall resistance the current
density should be as low as possible in the medium
adjacent to the electrode and should decrease rapidly
with distance from the electrode. This requirement is
met by making the dimensions in one direction large
compared with those in the other two. Thus we find that
a pipe, rod or strip will have much lower resistance than
a plate of equal surface area. The resistance is not,
however, inversely proportion to the surface area of the
electrode.
The theoretical principles relating to calculation
of resistance of earth electrodes are dealt with in the
December, 2010
23
resistance of any electrode in the earth is in fact related

to the capacitance of that electrode and its image in free
space since it can bare shown that the lines of current
flow are identical with the electrostatic lines of force
which would result if the earth were a dielectric and the
electrode with its image in the earths surface where a
considered as a condenser in free space.
This relationship is given by
100
R= -------4C
Where
R=
=
C=
Resistance in an infinite medium

Resistance of the medium in ohm-meter
Capacitance of the electrode and its
image in free space.
In the practical case the medium is divided into
two by the plane of earths surface so that
100
R= -------2C
Thus, if the capacitance in free space of any
form of electrode is known together with the resistivity
of the surrounding soil, the resistance of the electrode
can be calculated. This capacitance is known for some
simple forms of electrodes.
Applying this principle, resistance of pipe and
rod electrodes, strip electrodes and plate electrodes can
be calculated.
December, 2010
24
2.5
vFkZ bysDVksM
EARTH ELECTRODE
It is a metal pipe, rod or other conductor which

makes an effective connection with the general mass of
the earth.
When a fault is passing, the potential of the
electrode is much above the general mass of the earth.
The potential exists over an area in the vicinity of the
electrode. The potential gradient i.e. the voltage drop
between two points on the earth surface is high close
around the electrode. It decreases as moved away from
the electrode. Each electrode has a resistance area
within which the voltage gradient exists.
The resistance areas of two earth electrode
should not overlap each other; otherwise the
effectiveness of the electrode is reduced as shown in
figure-6. The recommended distance between the two
electrodes is twice of its length minimum, if the rod
length is L, separation distance shall be 2L as shown in
figure-7 on next page.
To obtain low effective earth grid resistance,
electrodes are connected in parallel. The total resistance
will be half of individual resistance.
December, 2010
25
Over lapping resistance areas of two earth rods
Fig-6
2L
Separation distance
Fig-7
December, 2010
26
2.6
bysDVksM ds dkj
TYPES OF ELECTRODES
Types of earth electrodes are used as follows:

2.6.1
IysV bysDVksM
Plate Electrode
Plate electrode may be made of copper,

galvanized iron or steel. If electrode made of copper the
minimum size is 60 cm x 60 cm x 3.15 mm. If of
galvanized iron or steel, the minimum size should be 60
cm x 60 cm x 6.3 mm.
Plate electrode shall be buried such that its top
edge is at a depth not less than 1.5 m from the surface
of the ground. Where the resistance of one plate
electrode is higher than the required value, two or more
plates shall be used in parallel. In such a case two plates
shall be separated from each other by not less than 8.0
m. Plate shall preferably be set vertically. Use of plate
electrode is recommended only where the current
carrying capacity is the prime consideration i.e.
generating stations and substations.
If necessary, plate electrodes shall have a
galvanized iron water pipe buried vertically and
adjacent to the electrode. One end of the pipe shall be at
least 5 cm above the surface of the ground and need not
be more than 10 cm .The internal diameter of the pipe
shall be at least 5 cm and need not be such that it should
be able to reach the center of the plate. In no case,
however, shall it be more than the depth of the bottom
edge of the plate.
Plates to be buried vertically in pits and
surrounded by finely divided coke, crushed coal or
December, 2010
27
charcoal at least 150 mm all round the plates. Plates

should not be less than 12.2 m apart and should be
buried at sufficient depth to ensure that they are always
surrounded by moist earth as shown in figure-8
CI COVER
GROUND LEVEL
CI FRAME
WIRE MESH
50cm
FUNNEL
CEMENT CONCRETE
70 cm
1.5m (Min.)
60cm X 60cm X
6.30mm GI PLATE
OR 60cm X 60 cm X
3.15mm COPPER
PLATE
10mm DIA GI PIPE
CHARCOAL
12.7mm dia GI PIPE
A
60 cm
COPPER OR GI WIRE
90 cm
15 cm
15 cm
Figure- 8 Plate Earth Electrode

BOLT, NUT,
CHECK NUT AND
WASHER TO BE
OF COPPER FOR
COPPER PLATE
AND GI FOR GI
PLATE
View of section A
December, 2010
28
2.6.1.1 IysV
bysDVksM dh fMtk;u
fMtk;u
Design of plate electrode
In designing plate electrodes, the resistance may

be calculated from, the following formula
R= ------ ------- ohms

4
A
Where
=
Resistivity of soil in ohm-meter
A = Area of both sides of plate in m2
In practice little gain is obtained by increasing
the plate area of on side by more than 1.75 m2
2.6.2
IkkbZi bysDVksM
Pipe Electrode
It should be made of B class G.I pipe. The

internal diameter should not be smaller than 38 mm and
it should be 100 mm for cast Iron pipe. The length of
the pipe electrode should not less than 2.5 m. It should
be embedded vertically. Where hard rock is
encountered it can be inclined to vertical. The
inclination shall not more than 300 from the vertical.
To reduce the depth of burial of an electrode
without increasing the resistance, a number of pipes
shall be connected together in parallel. The resistance in
this case is practically proportional to the reciprocal of
the number of electrodes used so long as each is
situated outside the resistance area of the other. The
distance between two electrodes in such a case shall
preferably be not less than twice the length of the
electrode as shown in figure 9
December, 2010
29
300mm
200mm
CLAMP
8 SWG
G.I. WIRE
2500 mm (Min.)
40MM DIA G.I. PIPE
CHARCOAL OR
COKE AND SALT IN
ALTERNATE LAYER
OF 300
12MM DIA HOLES
300
300
Figure 9 Pipe Electrode

December, 2010
30
2.6.2.1 IkkbZi
bysDVksM dh fMtk;u
Design of pipe electrode
In designing drive rod or pipe electrodes, the

resistance may be calculated from the following
formula:
100
4L
R= -------- loge ------ ohms
2L
d
Where
=
L=
D=
Resistivity of the soil in ohm-meter

Length of rod or pipe in cm, and
Diameter of rod or pipe in cm.
Consideration of the above formula will show

that theoretical resistance to earth of a driven rod
electrode depends to a large degree upon its buried
length and to a lesser extent upon its diameter.
2.6.3
iV~Vh bysDVksM
Strip Electrode
Where strip electrode is used for earthing, it

should not be less than 25 mm x 1.60 mm, if made of
copper and 25 mm x 4 mm if made of G.I. or steel. The
length of the buried conductor should not be less than
15 m. laid in a trench not less than 0.5 m depth. If round
conductors are used, their cross-sectional area shall not
be smaller than 3.0 mm2 if of copper and 6 mm2 if of
galvanized iron or steel.
The electrodes shall be widely distributed as
possible, preferably in a single straight or circular
trench or in a number of trenches radiating from a
point. If the conditions necessitate use of more than one
December, 2010
31
strip, they shall be laid either in parallel trenches or in

radial trenches as shown figure-10
Resistance for strip or horizontal wire electrode
is measured by RYDERs formula:R = ( / 2 L) [LN (8L/T) +LN (L/h) - 2 + (2h/L)-(h2/L2)].
Where,
L=
Length in meter.(electrode)
LN=
Nominal length (buried conductor)
h=
Depth in meter.
T=
Width in meter (for strip).
Figure 10 Strip Electrode
2.6.4
dscy 'khFk
Cable Sheaths
Where an extensive underground cable system

is available, lead sheathed and steel armored cables
may be used as earth electrodes provided the bond
across the joints is at least of the same conductivity as
of the sheath. The resistance of such an earth electrode
system is generally less than one ohm.
December, 2010
32
2.7
vfFkZax ds dkj
TYPES OF EARTHING
The various types of earthing are as follows:

2.7.1
fLV
LVi vfFkZax Strip Earthing
In this system of earthing strip electrodes of
cross section not less than 25 mm x 1.6 mm if of copper
and 25 mm x 4 mm if galvanized iron or steel are
buried in horizontal trenches of minimum of depth 0.5
meter. If round conductors are used, their crosssectional area shall not be smaller than 3.0 mm2 if of
copper and 6 mm2 if of galvanized iron or steel. The
length of buried conductor shall be sufficient to give the
required earth resistance. It shall not be less than 15
meters. The electrodes shall be as widely distributed as
possible, preferably in a single or circular trench or in a
number of trenches radiating from a point, if conditions
require use of more than one strip, they shall be laid
either in parallel trenches or in radial trenches.
This type of earthing is used at places which
have rocky earth bed because at such placed
excavations work for plate earthing is difficult.
2.7.2
jkWM vfFkZax Rod Earthing

In this system of earthing 12.5 mm diameter
solid rod of copper or 16 mm diameter solid rod of
galvanized iron or steel; or hollow section 25 mm G I
pipes of length not less than 2.5 meters are driven
vertically into the earth either manually or by
pneumatic hammer. In order to increase the embedded
length of electrodes under the ground, which is
sometimes necessary to reduce the earth resistance to
December, 2010
33
desired value, more than one rod sections are

hammered on above the other.
This system of earthing is suitable for areas
which are sandy in character. This system of earthing is
very cheap as no excavation work is involved.
2.7.3
ikbi vfFkZax Pipe Earthing

Pipe earthing is the best form of earthing and is
very cheap in cost. In this method of earthing, a
galvanized and perforated pipe of approved length and
diameter is placed up right in a permanently wet soil.
The size of the pipe depends upon the current to
be carried and the type of the soil. Usually the pipe
used for this purpose is of diameter 38 mm and 2.5
meters in length for ordinary soil or of greater length in
case of dry and rocky soil. The depth at which the pipe
must be buried depends upon the moisture of the
ground. The pipe is placed at a depth of 3.75 meters
(minimum). The pipe is provided with a tapered casing
at the lower end in order to facilitate the driving. The
pipe at the bottom is surrounded by broken pieces of
coke to increase the effective area of the earth and to
the earth and to decrease the earth resistance
respectively. Another pipe of 19 mm diameter and
minimum length 1.25 meter is connected at the top to G
I pipe through reducing socket.
In our country in summer the moisture in the
soil decrease which cause increase in earth resistance.
So a cement concrete work, is done in order to keep the
water arrangement accessible, and in summer to have
an effective earth, 3 or 4 buckets of water are put
December, 2010
34
through the funnel connected to 19 mm diameter pipe,

which is further connected to G I pipe.
The earth wire (either G I wire or G I Strip of
sufficient cross section to carry faulty current safely) is
carried in a G I pipe of diameter 13 mm at a depth of
about 60 mm from the ground).
2.7.4
IysV vfFkZax Plate Earthing

In plate earthing an earthing plate either of
copper of dimensions 60 cm x 60 cm x 3 mm or of
galvanized iron of dimensions 60 cm x 60 cm x 6 mm is
buried into the ground with its face vertical at a depth
of not less than 3 meters from ground level. The earth
plate is embedded in alternate layers of coke and salt
for a minimum thickness of 15 cm. The earth wire (G I
wire for G I plate earthing and copper wire for copper
plate earthing) is securely bolted to an earth plate with
the help of a bolt, nut and washer made of material of
that of earth plate (made of copper in case of copper
plate earthing and of galvanized iron in case of G I
plate earthing).
A small masonry brick wall enclosure with a
cast iron cover on top or an R C C pipe round the earth
plate is provided to facilitate its identification and for
carrying out periodical inspection and tests.
For smaller installations G I pipe earthing is
used and for larger stations and transmission lines,
where the fault current, likely to be high, plate earthing
is used.
December, 2010
2.8
35
vfFkZax yhM EARTHING LEAD

It is the conductor by which the final connection
to the earth is made. Its size should be of sufficient
cross sectional area so that it will not fuse under worst
fault condition.
The earthing lead should be terminated on a
soldered lug and secured perfectly to the body at the
point of connection to the earth plate. There should be a
clean metal to metal surface contact which will remain
intact permanently without deterioration or corrosion.
3.0
vfFkZax flLVe EARTHING SYSTEM
3.1
vfFkZax dk oxhZdj.k
CLASSIFICATION OF EARTHING
The earthing can be classified as
(1)
(2)
3.1.1
System earthing
Equipment earthing
flLVe vfFkZax
System Earthing
System earthing is designed to maintain

protection of the system by ensuring the potential
on each conductor to be restricted to a value
consistent with the level of insulation applied.
It is very important that earthing should be

ensured, in such a manner to operate the
protective device fast and efficiently in case of
any earth fault.
December, 2010
36
The system resistance should be such that, when

any fault occurs against which earthing is
designed, should protect or operate the gear to
achieve the faulty main or plant harmless.
In such cases, the faulty main or plant is

generally isolated with the help of circuit
breakers or fuses.
In case of overhead equipments it becomes very

difficult to arrange the value of earth resistance of
the system to achieve protection when the
conductor falls due to breakage and makes a good
contact with the ground.
3.1.1.1
U;wVy vfFkZax flLVe dh fof/k

Methods of Earthing System Neutral
A. Solid Earthing
B. Resistance Earthing
C. Reactance Earthing
D. Arc-suppression Coil or Peterson Coil
Earthing
A.
Bksl vfFkZax
Solid Earthing
When the fault current is expected to be

low and not likely to cause damage to plant,
cables and loss of stability of system, the
earthing may be done directly through metallic
conductor from system neutral to the main
earthing ring without any impedance in the
circuit. It should be ensured that the impedance
between the N and E is so low so that if an
earth fault occurs in one phase of the system
December, 2010
37
sufficient current will flow to operate to

protective devices as shown in figure- 11
N
Figure - 11 Solid Grounded Neutral

B.
frjks/k vfFkZax Resistance Earthing

Resistance earthing is generally used when the
fault current is likely to be so high as to cause
damage to transformers. If a resistance is inserted
between the neutral and earth, quick action protective
devices are also used as shown in figure-12. The
resistors shall comprise of metallic resistance units
supported in insulation in a metal frame or shall be a
liquid resistor of a weak aqueous solution either of
zinc chloride or sodium carbonate.
N
Figure 12
Resistance Grounded
December, 2010
38
Metallic resistors have a constant

resistance which does not change with time
liquid resistors have to be treated frequently
specially after the clearance of a fault. Metallic
resistors are slightly inductive and this is a
disadvantage with overhead lines traveling
waves and impulses are subject to positive
reflection and this is likely to unduly stress the
insulation of the equipment and cause
breakdown. Use of liquid resistors is
recommended only at voltages above 6.6 kV.
All neutral earthing resistances should be
designed to carry their rated current for a short
period, usually 30 seconds.
The earth resistance shall be of such a
value if a fault is outside the equipment, the
fault current will be restricted to the rated full
load current if the equipment. If the earth
resistance is too low, for any occurrence of the
earth fault, the equipment will be subjected to
shock due to load resulting from the power loss
in the resistor.
C.
fj;DVsal vfFkZax Reactance Earthing

When the zero sequence reactance of
generators or transformers is as low as to cause
excessive fault current, usually reactance
earthing is used. A single phase reactor is
inserted between the neutral and the earth to
limit fault current to the maximum of three
phase short circuit current. Here the current due
to earth fault on one phase is limited to
minimize damage the equipment. Care should
December, 2010
39
be taken to see that dangerously high transient

voltage during system fault or switching
operations do not occur due to high value of
reactance of earthing reactor as shown in figure13.
N
Figure- 13 Reactance grounding

D.
vkdZ lsku Dokby vfFkZax
Arc-Suppression
Coil Earthing
In high voltage systems with isolated
neutrals over voltages caused by switching
surges or by lighting may cause a line to each.
Considerable current will be drawn through the
arc to charge the system capacitance to earth.
The arc is quenched at zero voltage but may
restrict at a higher voltage. This successive
restricting if the arc often causes very high
voltages to be built upon the transmission lines,
and is known as arcing grounds. To avoid
isolation of system under earth fault conditions,
arc-suppression coils are sometimes used. Arcsuppression coil, also known as Peterson coil, is
a tuned earthing reactor as shown in figure- 14.
It is to the system capacitance in such a way as
to make the reactance of the zero sequence
December, 2010
40
networks practically infinite, so that no fault

current flows to the earth and there is no
tendency for arcing grounds to occur. With the
use of Peterson coil, arc current is reduced to
such a small value that it is usually selfextinguishing, which increases continuity in
service
Figure- 14 Resonant grounding

3.1.2
midj.k vfFkZax Equipment Earthing
December, 2010
It pertains to those electrical conductors, by

which all metallic structures through which the
energized conductor passes will be inter
connected.
The purpose of equipment earthing is;
To maintain low potential difference between
nearby metallic structure in any area to achieve
freedom from electrical shock to person or animal
etc.
3.2
41
To provide an effective and easy path over which

short circuit current involving ground can flow
without heating or sparking or fire to combustible
atmosphere.
All housings of electrical conductors, equipment
enclosure, motor frame shall be interconnected by
equipment earthing and two separate and distinct
connection to be made to main earthing.
lc LVsku esa vfFkZax .kkyh

EARTHING SYSTEM IN SUB STATION
The earthing system comprises of earthing (or)
grid, earthing electrodes, earthing conductors and earth
connections.
3.2.1
vFkZ eSV ;k fxzM
Earth Mat or Grid
The primary requirement of earthing is to have a

very low earth resistance. If the individual electrodes
driven in the soil are measured it will have a fairly high
resistance. But if these individual electrodes area inter
linked inside the soil, it increases the area in constant
with soil and creates a number or paralleled paths and
hence the value of earth resistance in the interlink state,
which is called combined earth resistance, will be much
lower than the individual resistance.
However interlinking of earth pit electrodes is
necessary. The sub-station involves many earthing
through individual electrodes. In order to have uniform
interconnection, a mat or grid or earthing conductor is
formed inside the soil. Thus a mat is spread underneath
the sub-station. Hence if a ground electrode is driven in
the soil, the interlinking can be done by a small link
December, 2010
42
between that electrode and earth mat running nearby.

The spreading of such a mat in the soil also ensures the
object of earthing that and surface under and around the
sub-station is kept at as nearly absolute earth potential
as possible.
3.2.2
vFkZ eSV dk fuekZ.k Construction of Earth Mat

The sub-station site including the fence is
segregated at intervals, of say four meters width along
with length and breadth wise. Trenches of one meter, to
1.5 meter depth and one meter width is dug along these
lines. The earthing conductors of sufficient sizes (as per
fault current) are placed at the bottom of these trenches.
All the crossing and joints are braced. The trenches are
then filled up with soil of uniform fine mass of earth
mixed with required chemicals depending upon the soil
resistivity.
If location of equipment is fixed, the intervals
are also arranged that the earth mat passes nearby the
equipment location to facilitate for easy interlinking.
It is preferable to extend the mat beyond the
fence for about one meter that fence can also be
suitably earthed and made safe for touching.
Normally the earth mat is buried horizontally at
a depth of about half a meter below the surface of the
ground and ground rods at suitable points.
December, 2010
3.2.3
43
lc LVsku esa fofHkUu

fofHkUu vFkZ eSV dk dusDku Earth Mat
connection in a Sub-Station
The neutral point of such system through its own

independent earth.
Equipment frame work and other non-current

carrying parts of the electrical equipments in the
sub station.
All extraneous metallic frame work not

associated with equipment.
Handle of the operating pipe.
Fence if it is within 2 m from earth mat.
3.3
lc LVsku esa fofHkUu midj.kksa dh vfFkZax

EARTHING OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT IN THE
SUB-STATIONS
3.3.1
vkblksysVj ,oa fLopst
Isolators and switches
A flexible earth conductor is provided between

the handle and earthing conductor attached to the
mounting bracket and the handle of switches is
connected to earthing mat by means of two separate
distinct connections made with MS flat. One connection
is made with the nearest longitudinal conductor, while
the other is made to the nearest transverse conductor of
the mat.
3.3.2
ykbVfuax vjsLVj
Lightning Arrestors
Conductors as short and straight as practicable to

ensure minimum impedance shall directly connect the
bases of the lightning arrestors to the earth grid. In
addition, there shall be as direct a connection as
practicable from the earth side of lightning arrestors
to the frame of the equipment being protected.
December, 2010
44
Individual ground electrodes should be provided for

each lighting arrestor for the reason that large grounding
system in itself may be relatively of little use for
lightning protection. These ground electrodes should be
connected to the main earth system. In the case of
lighting arrestors mounted near transformers, earthing
conductor shall be located clear off the tank and coolers
in order to avoid possible oil leakage caused by arcing.
3.3.3
lfdZV czsdj Circuit Breakers

For every breaker there will be five
earth connections to the earth mat with MS flat (i)
breaker body (ii) relay panel (iii) CTs of the breaker
(iv) Two side of the breaker structure.
3.3.4
ikoj
ikoj VklQkeZj Power Transformers
The tank of each transformer shall be directly
connected to the main grid. In addition there shall be as
direct a connection as practicable from the tank to the
earth side of projecting lightning arrestors.
The transformer track rails shall be earthed
either separately or by bonding at each end of the track
and at intervals not exceeding 60.96 meter (200 feet).
The earthing of neutral bushing shall be by two separate
strips to the earth grid and shall likewise be run clear to
rank cell and coolers.
3.3.5
djsaV VklQkeZj ,oa iksVsfUk;y VklQkeZj

Current Transformers and Potential Transformers
The supporting structures of Current
Transformer and Potential Transformer unit of bases,
all bolted cover plates to which the bushings are
attached connected to the earthing mat by means of two
December, 2010
45
separate distinct connections made with MS flat. One

connection is made with the nearest longitudinal
conductor, while the other is made to the nearest
transverse conductor of the mat.
3.3.6
vU; midj.k
Other Equipments
All
equipments,
structures,
and
metallic
frames of switches and
isolators are to be earthed
separately as shown in
figure- 15.
3.3.6.1
Figure - 15
?ksjk Fences
The Sub-station fence should be generally too
far outside the substation equipment and grounded
separately from the station ground. The station and the
fence ground should not be linked. To avoid any risk to
the person walking near the fence inside the station, no
metal parts connecting connected to the station ground,
should be near to the fence five feet and it is desirable
to cover the strip about ten feet wide inside the fence by
a layer of crushed stone which keeps its high resistively
even under wet condition. If the distance between the
fence and station structures, can not be increased at
least five feet and if the fence is too near the substation
equipment structure etc., the station fence should be
connected to the fence ground, otherwise a person
touching the fence and the station ground
simultaneously would be subjected to a very high
potential under fault conditions.
December, 2010
46
In a fence very near to the station area, high

shock voltage can be avoided by ensuring good contact
between the fence stations and by grounding the fence
at intervals. The station fence should not be connected
to the station ground but should be grounded separately.
If however, the fence is close to the metal parts of
substation, it should be connected to the station ground.
3.3.6.2
xzkUM
kUM rkj Ground Wire
kU
All ground wires over a station shall be
connected to the station earth grid. In order that the
station earth potentials during fault conditions are not
applied to transmission line ground wires and towers,
all ground wires coming to the station shall be broken
at and insulated on the station side of the first tower
or pole external to the station by means of 10 disc
insulator.
3.3.6.3
dsfcy ,oa liksZV Cables and Supports

Metal sheathed cables within the station earth
grid area shall be connected to that grid. Multi-core
cables shall be connected to the grid at least at one
point. Single core cables normally shall be connected
to the grid at one point only. Where cables which are
connected to the station earth grid pass under a
metallic station perimeter fence, they shall be laid at a
depth of not less than 762 mm (2-6) below the
fence, or shall be enclosed in an insulating pipe for a
distance of not less than 1524 mm (5) on each side
of the fence.
December, 2010
3.3.6.4
47
iSuy ,oa D;wfcdy Panels and Cubicles

Each panel or cubicle should be provided near
the base with a frame earth bar of copper to which
shall be connected the metal bases and covers of
switches and contactor unit. The frame earth bar shall
in turn be connected to the earth grid by an earthing
conductor.
3.4
forj.k
VklQkeZj
LVdpj
dh
vfFkZax
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER STRUCTURE

EATHING
1.
For earthing three earth pits in triangular

formation at a distance of six meter from each
other are to be provided.
2.
Earth pit should be digged for 45 cm x 45 cm size

and 5 ft. depth.
3.
3 Nos. of 40 mm dia and 2.9 mm thickness and 3

mts. (10 ft) length of earth pipe should be used
for earthing. This earth pipe is erected in 5 ft.
depth earth pit and for the balance length of earth
pipe is driven by hammering into the ground.
4.
When a pipe is driven into the earth, the earth

surrounding the pipe can be considered to be
consisting of concentric cylinders of earth which
will be bigger in size and area, as they are away
from the pipe. The current can travel into the
earth with large area having little resistance.
5.
3 m. length of electrode will have contact with

the earth area of 3 m in radius. Hence to have
better effect 3 m pipe should be fixed at a
December, 2010
48
distance of 6 m (i.e.) twice the distance of pipe

length.
6.
For better earth connection, one G I clamp should

be welded to the earth pipe and the other clamp
bolted with 2 nos. 11/2 x G I bolt nuts and 4
nos. G. I. washers to the earth pipe.
7.
Two separate distinct connections through G I

wire should be made from the transformer neutral
bushing to the earth pit No. 2.
8.
Two separate distinct connections through GI

wire should be made from the transformer HT
lightning Arrestor to the earth pit No. 1. As far as
possible this earth wire should not have contact
with other earth wire connections. If needed PVC
sleeves can be used for insulation.
9.
Two separate distinct connections through GI

wire from the following parts of the structure
should be made to the earth pit No. 3 as shown in
figure- 16.
Metal part of the disc and stay.
Top channel.
AB switch frame, metal part of the

insulator, side Arms.
HG fuses frame and metal part of the

insulator.
LT cross arm, metal part of the insulator,

open type fuse frame.
AB switch guide and operating pipe ( At

the top and bottom )
December, 2010
49
Transformer body.
Belting angle.
Seating channel
LT lightning arrestor.
The above earth connections should be made as

far as possible without joints. Wherever joints are
necessary, GI sleeves should be used by proper
crimping.
10.
The earth pits No. 2 and 3 can be interlinked to

serve as parallel path and lower the earth
resistance.
11.
If the earth resistance of the earth pit No. 1 is

high, then another earth pit No. 4 can be formed
as a counter poise earth and linked with the HT
lightning arrestor pit.
December, 2010
50
H.T.LA's
AB SWITCH
EARTHING
HG FUSE
TRANSFORMER
B Y R N
SEATING CHANNEL
EARTHING
EARTH PIT NO.2
EARTH PIT NO.1
EARTH PIT NO.3
Figure- 16 Earthing of Distribution Transformer Structure
December, 2010
3.5
51
forj.k ykbu LV
dpj dh vfFkZax
LVdpj
EARTHING OF DISTRIBUTION LINE STRUCTURES
The following procedure is adopted for the

earthing of HT and LT line supports.
3.5.1
,p Vh ykbu LVdpj
HT Line Structures
Lines carried on metal poles:
Every fifth pole and all supports provided with

mass or block concrete foundation shall be
earthed.
Lines carried on R.C.C. & P.S.C. poles
The metal cross arm and the insulator pin shall be

bound together and earthed at every pole.
3.5.2
,y Vh ykbu LV
dpj LT Line Structures
LVdpj
(with Multiple Earthed Neutral)
Lines carried on metal poles:

Every fifth pole and all supports provided with
mass or block concrete foundation shall be
earthed.
Lines carried on R.C.C. & P.S.C. poles

The metal cross arm and the insulator pins shall
be bound together and earthed at every fifth pole.
All special structures carrying switches,
transformers, fuses etc., should be earthed.
3.5.3
vU; LVdpj

Other Structures
The supports on either side of a road, railway or
river crossing span should be earthed.
All supports (metal, wood or R.C.C. ) of both H T
and LT lines running through inhabited locations,
December, 2010
52
December, 2010
road crossings and along such other places where

earthing of all poles is considered desirable from
safety considerations should be earthed.
In special locations, railway and telegraph
crossings, special structures etc., pipe earth
should be adopted (i.e.) and earthing should be
done by means of a 25 mm GI pipe driven 2.5 to
3 meter into the ground.
At other locations coil earthing may be adopted
which consists of either 10 meter length of 6 or 8
SWG GI wire compressed into a coil of one
meter length and diameter 75 to 100 mm and
buried 1.5 meter deep or as per REC standard or
pole earthing with 8 SWG GI wire of 75 feet
length wound as a coil to have 115 turns of 75/50
mm dia as to have good contact with soil is to be
provided.
Whenever the distribution line structures pass
close to well or a permanently moist place, an
earth should be provided in the well or the
marshy place and connected to distribution line
support.
All tapping poles, terminal poles, stay poles,
streetlight poles and service connection tapping
poles should be earthed.
Only if the above requirements are met out we
can say that LT is with multiple earth neutral
system. The ohmic resistance of the earth should
be as low as possible and should not exceed 10
ohms.
3.6
53
miHkksDrk ds ifjlj esa vfFkZax

EARTHING AT CONSUMERS PREMISES
As per rule 33 (i) of I.E. rules 1956, the supplier

shall provide and maintain at the consumers premises
for the consumers use a suitable earthed terminal in an
accessible position at the point of commencement of
supply.
a)
ijh lfoZl dusDku ykbu

Overhead Service Connection Lines:
1. The earthed terminal may be a 32 mm x 3
mm or near about, consisting of copper
plate with three number (16 mm) studs.
2. One of the studs on the earthed terminal
should be connected to the neutral wire of
the twin core supply lead.
3. The bearer wire should be connected to the
second stud of the earthed terminal.
4. The consumers installation should be
connected to the third stud of the earthed
terminal.
5. The bearer wire should not be used as the
earth lead. The bearer wire should be
earthed at both the pole ends and the
consumers premises and by connecting it
to the overhead neutral wire and to the
earthed terminal respectively.
6. The size of the bearer wire should be
stranded 7/20 G.I. or near about size.
7. The bearer wire and the W.P. cable should
be bunched together by porcelain reel
insulators or alkathene clips intervals of 6.1
meter.
December, 2010
54
b)
Hkwfexr dscy
1.
2.
3.
4.
3.6.1
Underground Cables
The terminal block for earth connection
may be of size 31 mm x 3 mm or near
about, consisting of copper plate with
three number 12.5 mm copper or brass
studs with lock nuts or spring washers.
The neutral core of the cable, the lead
sheath, the steel armour and the cable box
should be connected to one of the studs
on the earthed terminal.
The metal part of the boards meter
should be connected to the second stud of
the earthed terminal.
The consumers installation should be
connected to the third stud of the
terminal.
fyV dh vfFkZax
Earthing in Lifts
Frames of motors, winding machine, control

panel, cases and covers of tappet switch and similar
electrical apparatus, which normally carry the main
current, shall be all earthed.
The exposed metal parts of electrical apparatus
installed on a lift car shall be sufficiently bonded and
earthed.
3.6.2
?kjsyw midj.kksa ,oa fQfVa

fQfVaxksa dh vfFkZax
Earthing of Domestic Fittings and Appliances
Earthing of domestic appliances arises in case
they have only functional insulation. Appliances having
reinforced or double insulation need not be earthed.
December, 2010
1.
Iyx ,oa lkWdsV
55
Plug and Sockets
All plugs and sockets shall be of threepin type, one of the pins being connected to
earth.
2.
ykbV fQfVax Light Fittings

If the bracket type lamp holders are of
metallic construction, it is recommended that
they should be earthed. All pedestal lamp
fittings of metallic construction shall be earthed.
3.
ia[ks ,oa jsxqysVj Fans And Regulators

Bodies of all table fans, pedestal fans,
exhaust fans, etc., shall be earthed by the use of
three pin plugs. The covers of the regulators, if
of metallic construction shall be earthed by
means of a separate earth wire.
4.
dqfdax jsat Cooking Ranges

Bodies of hot plates, kettles, toasters,
heaters, ovens and water boilers shall all be
earthed by the use of three pin plugs. However,
if fixed wiring has been used, then a separate
earth wire shall be used for earthing these
appliances.
5.
Luku ?kj
Bath Room
The body of automatic electric water

heaters shall be earthed by the use of a three-pin
plug or by a separate earth wire, if fixed wiring
has been done. All non electrical metal work
including the bathtub, metal pipes, sinks and
tanks shall be bonded together and earthed.
December, 2010
56
6.
okfk
okfka
kax ekhu ,oa fMk okkj
Washing Machine & Dish Washer
From the point of view of good
reception it is recommended that washing
machine & dish washer should be earthed
through an electrode different from that of the
main earth system for other electrical
appliances. However, if it is not possible to have
separate earth electrode, washing machine &
dish washer may be earthed through the main
earth system.
3.7
vkS|ksfxd
fxd ifjlj esa vfFkZax
EARTHING IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES
In factories and workshops all metal conduits,

truncking, cable sheaths, switchgear, distribution fuse
boards, starters, motors and all other parts made of
metal shall be bonded together and connected to an
efficient earth system. The electricity regulations made
under the factories act require that adequate precautions
shall be taken to prevent non-current-carrying
metalwork of the installation from becoming
electrically charged.
In larger installations, having one or more
substations, it is recommended to parallel all earth
continuity system.
3.7.1
fo|qr vkdZ osfYMax midj.kksa dh vfFkZax

Earthing of Electric Arc Welding Equipment
All components shall be effectively bonded and
connected to earth, the transformers and separate
regulators forming multi-operator sets and capacitors
for power factor correction, if used, shall be included in
the bonding.
December, 2010
57
All terminals on the output side of a motor

generator set shall be insulated from the car case and
control panel, as the generator is not connected
electrically to a motor and therefore the welding circuit
is electrically separate from the supply circuit including
the earth.
In case of transformers sets, which for welding
purpose are double wound, an earth and work
terminal shall be provided. In single-phase sets this
terminal shall be connected to one end of the secondary
winding and in case of three-phase sets this shall be
connected to neutral point of the secondary winding.
3.7.2
ih,ylhlh midj.k dh vyx ls vfFkZax

Separate Earthing For Power Line
Communication (PLCC) Equipment
Carrier
Providing separate earthing is not sufficient if

earthing is not effective. Earth resistance of such
earthing should not be more than 0.5 Ohm. If earthing
is not efficient, it will have effect in communication
signaling (poor signaling). Separate earthing is
provided to avoid flow of fault current through PLCC
components and for human safety. Hence ineffective
earthing may cause failure of components and also
danger to human beings.
3.8
viw.kZ vfFkZax ds [krjs

DANGERS OF IMPERFECT EARTHING
If the transformer neutral is not earthed properly,

in the event of an earth fault in the system a
condition will occur resulting in high voltages
resulting in irreparable damage to the
transformer.
December, 2010
58
3.9
If lightning arrester earth is not proper, in the

event of lightning discharge, the lightning arrester
will become in-effective and this may cause
injury elsewhere in the equipment.
In case air brake (AB) switch handle is not

earthed properly, during the operation of the AB
switch, the touch voltage limits may not exceed
and cause injury to the operator.
In-effective earthing in a distribution system may,

not only result in life hazards but also may affect
metering.
lko/kkfu;k
lko/kkfu;k PRECAUTIONS
Always see that earthing requirements are

observed without any compromise.
Never use an earth return to serve as neutral when

tapping single phase supply.
Consumer neutral must always be maintained

pucca and proper linkage with the system neutral
ensured.
Remember that earth wire will carry current

during fault conditions and hence adequate size
of the wire should be used for earthing.
Remember that removal of the earth or improper

maintenance of the earth system will cause single
voltages at some points which may cause over
fluxing conditions on the feeding power
transformer and cause irreparable damages inside
the power transformers.
December, 2010
59
4.0
ijh{k.k ,oa vuqj{k.k TESTING & MAINTENANCE
4.1
vfFkZax .kkyh dk ijh{k.k

TESTING OF EARTHING SYSTEM
4.1.1
vFkZ bys
bysDVksM ds frjks/k dk ekiu
Measurement of Earth Electrode Resistance
4.1.1.1
iksVsafk;y fxjkoV fof/k
Fall of potential method
In this method two auxiliary earth electrodes,

besides the test electrode, are placed at suitable
distances from the test electrode as shown in figure17.
A measured current is passed between the electrode A
to be tested and an auxiliary current electrode C and
the potential difference between the electrode A and
the auxiliary potential electrode B is measured. The
resistance of the test electrode A is then given by:
R
=
V/I
Where, R = Resistance of the test electrode in ohms,
V = Reading of the voltmeter in volts,
I = Reading of the ammeter in amperes
In most cases, there will be stray currents
flowing in the soil and unless some steps are taken to
eliminate their effect, they may produce serious errors
in the measured value. If the testing current is of the
same frequency as the stray current, this elimination
becomes very difficult. It is better to use an earth tester
incorporating a hand driven generator. These earth
testers usually generate direct current, and have rotary
current reverser and synchronous rectifier mounted on
the generator shaft so that alternating current is applied
to the test circuit and the resulting potentials are
rectified for measurement by a direct reading moving
December, 2010
60
coil ohm meter. The presence of stray currents in the

soil is indicated by a wandering of the instrument
pointer, but an increase or decrease of generator handle
speed will cause this to disappear.
At the time of test, where possible, the test
electrode shall be separated from the earthing system.
The auxiliary electrode consists of 12.5 mm diameter
mild steel rod driven up to one meter into the ground.
A
AMMETER
CURRENT
SOURCE
VOLTMETER
X = 1m
TEST
ELECTRODE
POTENTIAL
ELECTRODE
CURRENT
ELECTRODE
Figure- 17
4.1.1.2
gLrpkfyr vFkZ VsLVj dk fooj.k
Details of Earth
Tester (Hand Driven)

Earth resistance meter are employed for
measurements of earth resistance in Traction sub
station, switching stations and other electrical
installations. An Earth resistance meter comprises a
hand driven magneto type D.C. Generator, a current
reverser, rotary rectifier and ohm meter.
The current reverser and rotary rectifier are
driven along with D.C. Generator by driving systems
which incorporate a clutch mechanism for
unidirectional rotation and a governor for speed control.
The function of current reverser is to change the
December, 2010
61
direction of flow of current in the soil and that of rotary

rectifier is to maintain unidirectional current in the
potential coils of the ohm meter.
The ohm meter consists of a current coil and a
potential coil mounted on a common spindle and placed
in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet. The
current coil is connected in series with the earth
electrodes and current electrodes. The potential coil is
connected across the earth electrode and the potential
electrode through the rotary rectifier. While measuring
the earth resistance the terminals C1, P1 are connected
to the main earth electrode P2 to the potential electrode
and C2 to the current electrode. The potential and
current electrodes are temporary electrodes placed in
the ground 50 to 75 feet apart and 50 to 75 feet & from
the earth electrode as shown in below figure- 18.
When the megger is operated an ac current is
produced in the coil. The voltage drop produced in the
earth electrode is applied across the potential coil. The
current coil produces a torque in the clock wise
direction, and the potential coil produces a torque in
anti-clock wise direction. The current applied to the
current coil is inversely proportional to the earth
resistance and the voltage drop applied across the
potential coil is directly proportional to the earth
resistance the torque opposes each other and brings the
moving system to rest when they are equal. The pointer
indicates the earth resistance values on a calibrated
scale.
December, 2010
62
C urrent T erm inal: or C 2

P otential Term inal: P 1 or P 2
C1
C2
P1
P2
50 - 70 fe et
Test E arth
E lectrode
5 0 - 70 feet
P otential
E lectrode
C urrent
E lectrode
Figure- 18
4.2
4.2.1
vuqj{k.k 'ksM~;wy MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

ekfld 'ksM~;wy Monthly Schedule
Sr
1
December, 2010
Items
Inspection
Action to be
taken
Earth connections Visual check If found abnormal
& Earth electrodes for
or loose, it should
connections,
be
attended
overheating,
immediately
tapped hole,
rigidness and
any sign of
deterioration
Bolts and nuts of Check for rust Rust and dirt
the connections
and dirt
should be cleaned
and apply grease,
if required.
4.2.2
=Sekfld 'ksM~;wy
63
Quarterly Schedule
Carry out following work in addition to monthly

schedule:
Sr
Items
Inspection
Earth wire
Check
joints
Earth conductor
Check for
cross
section area
MS links by bolted Check for

joints between earth tightness
electrode and MS
flat
Projection of
earth electrode
for
Action to be
taken
Never be twisted
together
for
making joints.
All joints should
be
soldered
together solidly.
It should not be
less
then
minimum
permissible limit.
If found broken or
loose, it should be
immediately
replaced/
tightened.
It should be 175
10 mm above the
ground level.
the Check for

ground
level
and
proper soil
Power equipment
Check for If it is not found,
two
it should be made.
separate
distinct
connection
to the earth
December, 2010
64
4.2.3
v)Z okf"kZd 'ksM~;wy
Half Yearly Schedule
Carry out following work in addition to monthly

and quarterly schedule:
Sr.
1.
Items
Measure
earth
resistance
2.
Measure
earth
resistance
combined
3.
Sump
December, 2010
Inspection
Measure
individual earth
electrode
resistance.
It should be
checked
preferably
during May &
December.
Combined earth
resistance with
earthing flats,
connected to the
equipment,
structures and
earth electrode.
Check
up
general
condition
including
dryness.
Action to be taken
By earth resistance
meter. It should be
within permissible
limit.
Record the value
and updated on the
pit using paint.
Large Substation
0.5
Small Substation 2.0
Other Installation
-8.0
If the surrounding
area is too dry, water
should be poured
into the sump to
keep the soil moist.
4.2.4
okf"kZd 'ksM~;wy
65
Yearly Schedule
Carry out following work in addition to

monthly, quarterly and half yearly schedule:
Sr.
1.
5.0
Item
Earth
pits
Inspection
Check up the
electrode for
proper earth
continuity.
Action to be taken
Remove the hardened top
layer of the earth pit for a
depth of one meter, mix
with coke and loamy soil
(non-sandy) and ram the
earth. Repair the earth.
Repair sides and top cover
of the earth pits. Avoid
use of salt as far as
possible to avoid rusting
of earth pipe.
vuqj{k.k jfgr vfFkZax

MAINTENANCE FREE EARTHING
In conventional earthing system GI pipe is used
as earth electrode. It is provided with charcoal and salt
as conducting media, which provides a reasonable
earth. Corrosion of metallic parts is comparatively fast.
It also requires maintenance by way of watering of
earth pits and chiseling of corrosion prone parts and
replacement. It also requires monitoring which may not
always be feasible in certain crowded and inaccessible
areas.
With technological developments in this field,
modern maintenance free and durable earthing system
employs steel conductors as electrode which are copper
claded and utilize graphitic compounds and non
corrosive salts as Ground Enhancing Material which
December, 2010
66
do not lead to corrosion. Such earth pits also do not

require the usual watering schedules to maintain the
earth resistance with in limits. Maintenance free earths
are to be constructed as per RDSOs specification
no.RDSO/ PE/ SPEC/ 0109-2008 (REV0).
Where the earth pits are not easily accessible for
schedule maintenance, maintenance free earth pits shall
be provided. In areas where clusters of earth pits are
required to keep the earth resistance low, provision of
maintenance free earth pits should be made during
initial installation.
5.1
vFkZ frjks/k
EARTH RESISTANCE
The earth resistance value at earth bus bar

should be less than 0.5 ohms for major electrical
equipment & installation.
5.2
mi;ksx
APPLICATIONS
This earthing system may be used in following

locations.

Sub stations & switching stations

Remote Terminal Units

Transformer & Generator neutral earths

Lightning arrester earths

Equipment earths including panels
5.3
vuqj{k.k jfgr vfFkZax flLVe

MAINTENANCE FREE EARTHING SYSTEM
This earthing system includes earth electrode
installation in suitable pit, construction of earth pit with
cover for the installation, connection of earth electrode
with equi-potential earth bus and connection of
equipment to equi- potential earth bus.
December, 2010
5.3.1
vFkZ byS
bySDVksM
67
Earth Electrode
The material for earth electrode used in this type

of earthing, has a good electrical conductivity and it
does not corrode in a wide range of soil conditions.
There are basic two types of earth electrodes
used in this earthing system.
i.
jkWM dkj dk vFkZ bySDVksM
Rod type earth
electrode
The copper bonded stainless steel rod
(low carbon high tensile steel alloy) earth
electrode shall conform to the standard BS 4360
Grade 43A or EN10025:2-004 S275IR
molecularly bonded by 99.99% pure high
conductivity copper on outer surface with
copper coating thickness 250 micron or more.
The earth rod shall have following
characteristics/ specifications.
a. The minimum length of earth electrode
shall be 3.0 meters long. The length of
electrode may be increased in multiple of
1.0 meter to reduce earth resistance.
b. To increase the length, pieces of similar rod
shall be either exothermally welded to basic
3.0 meter electrode or connected using
socket of suitable size. These sockets shall
be molecularly bonded by 99.99% pure
high conductivity copper on inner & outer
surface with copper coating thickness 250
micron or more.
c. The diameter of earth electrode shall not be
less than 17 mm.
December, 2010
68
d. The copper bonding thickness on stainless

steel rod shall be 250 microns or more, hot
dipped or electroplated.
e. Copper bus bar of size 250 mm x 50 mm x
6 mm having electrical conductivity of
101% IACS minimum 99.9% copper
content shall be exothermically welded to
rod with 4 holes of 12 mm dia. (2 on each
side) for connecting earthing conductor.
f. Current carrying capacity of earth electrode
should be such as to have more than 15kA
for one second.
ladsfUnzr ikbi vFkZ bySDVksM
ii.
Concentric pipe earth electrode

MS pipe with 25 - 50 mm diameter, class B,
ISI mark as per IS: 1239, length 2000 mm
or 3000 mm is used as primary conductor
as shown in table -1
MS pipe with 40 - 100 mm diameter, class
B, ISI mark as per IS: 1239, length 2000
mm or 3000 mm is used as secondary
conductor (electrode) as shown in table -1
Sr.
1
2
3
4
5
Table - 1
Current Primary
Secondary conductor
capacity conductor (Electrode) dimensions
diameter (dia x length)
3kA
5kA
15kA
40kA
50kA
25 mm
25 mm
25 mm
40 mm
50 mm
40 mm x 2000 mm
40 mm x 3000 mm
50 mm x 3000 mm
60 mm x 3000 mm
100 mm x 3000 mm
NOTE For more than 50kA applications, multiple electrodes
of 50kA capacity are installed and connected.

December, 2010
69
For hermetically filling inside the cavity between

secondary conductor and primary conductor,
crystalline compound is to be injected in the
electrode assembly. It is a combination of high
conductivity metal alloys, copper & aluminum
powder, conductive carbon/cement and bonding
material etc. mixed in different proportion. The
mixture is forced (pressurized) filled inside the
earth electrode in the paste form and after
solidification of the same, the end caps are
welded. The metal alloys shall help in conducting
the current and conductive carbon gives anti
corrosive property. Bonding material provides
strength to the mixture. Resistivity of the mixture
shall be less than 0.2 ohm - meter. Resistivity
shall be tested by making a 20 cm cube of the
material and checking resistance across the
opposite face of the cube.
Complete electrodes shall be molecularly bonded

by 99.99% pure, high conductivity copper on
outer surface with copper coating thickness 300
micron or more.
Its surface shall be cleaned and free from any

visible oxide layer or foreign material.
Copper bus bar of size 250 mm x 50 mm x 6 mm

having electrical conductivity 101%, minimum
99.9% copper content shall be preferable to
exothermically welded to earth electrode or
connected with the help of two number stainless
steel nut bolts of appropriate size having 4 holes
of 12 mm dia (2 on each side) for connecting
earthing conductor as shown in figure 19.
December, 2010
70
25 x 3mm Copper Strip (To be duplicated)

300 x 25 x 6mm Copper bus
Ground Level
To Equipment
Exothermic
Welding
Exothermic
Welding
Exothermic
Welding
Earth Electrode
(Dimension as per
design)
Earth
Ehancement
5 ft x 5ft x 10ft pit or 300mm bore
(Earth Electrode Installation)
Figure - 19
5.3.2
vFkZ bugsUlesaV lkexzh Earth Enhancement Material
Figure- 20
December, 2010
71
Earth enhancement material is a superior

conductive
material
that
improves
earthing
effectiveness especially in area of poor conductivity as
shown in figure-20. It improves conductivity of the
earth electrode and ground contact area. It has
following characteristics:
a.
It should low resistivity bellow 0.2 ohm- meters.
b.
It shall not depend on the continuous presence of

water to maintain its conductivity.
c.
It should be a little alkaline in nature with pH

value >7 but <9.
d.
It should have better hygroscopic properties to

absorb moisture. It should absorb and release the
moisture in dry weather condition and help in
maintaining the moisture around the earth
electrode.
e.
It has a capacity to retain >10% moisture at

1050C.
f.
It should have water solubility <5%.
g.
It should not decompose or leach out with time.
h.
It shall be thermally stable between -100C to +

600C ambient temperature.
i.
It should be non toxic, non reactive, non

explosive and non corrosive.
j.
It shall not pollute the soil or local water table

and shall meet environmental friendly
requirement for landfill.
k.
It should expand & swell considerably and shall

remove entrapped air to create strong connection
between earth electrode and soil.
December, 2010
72
5.3.3
l.
It should be diffused into soil pores and shall

create conductive roots enlarging conductive
zone of earth pit.
m.
It shall be permanent & maintenance free and in

its set form, shall maintain constant earth
resistance with time.
n.
It shall not require periodic charging or

replacement.
o.
It shall not cause burns, irritation to eye, skin etc.
p.
Minimum quantity of earth enhancement material

to be required:

For 5ft x 5ft x 10ft earth pit min 75 kgs
per pit.

For 300 mm bore type earth pit min 50
kgs per pit
cSfDQy inkFkZ
Backfill material
The excavated soil can be used if it is free from

sand, gravel and stones. Small proportion of sand in the
soil may be permissible. Material like sand, salt, coke
breeze, cinders and ash are not used because of its
acidic and corrosive nature.
While backfilling the soil shall be thoroughly
compacted with at least 5 kg compactor, in case the soil
is dry small quantity of water may be sprinkled only to
make it moist enough suitable for compacting. Large
quantity of water may make the soil muddy which is
not suitable for compacting and after drying the soil
may contain voids which may permanently increase
earth resistance.
December, 2010
5.3.4
73
le foHko cl ,oa vFkZ pkyd

Equi- Potential Bus & Earth Conductor
A copper bus bar of size 300 mm x 25 mm x 6

mm to be installed in this equipment room as equi
potential bus connected with copper strip of size
25 mm x 3 mm (suitable length) from instrument
to the bus bar. The connecting terminal of the
earth electrodes to the bus bar must be connected
by copper strip of 25 mm x 3 mm (suitable
length) buried inside a trench of 300 mm width x
600 mm (depth from the nearest wall). It is
duplicate earth conductor.
The maximum specific resistance of the copper

strip earthing conductor shall be 17.241 x 10-7
ohm cm at 200C and having electrical
conductivity of 101% IACS i.e. minimum 99.9%
copper content.
At a temperature of 200C, its density shall be 8.89

gm/cm3.
A single length of copper strip shall be used for

each duplicate earthing conductor and no joint
shall be permitted. The joint shall be made by
exothermic welding of at least 10 mm
overlapping portion of the strips.
It shall be connected to earth electrode and earth

bus bar with the help of exothermic welding or at
least two number stainless steel nut bolts of
appropriate size.
December, 2010
74
5.3.5
bdkbZ vFkZ dh fuekZ.k
Construction of unit Earth
Make 5ft x 5ft x 10ft earth pit. If it not possible to

make such a pit due to non availability of clear
space a minimum 300 mm bore up to 10ft deep
can be made using earth auger or any other
method. Each pit larger than specified size can be
made, if required.
Sleeve the soil digged and remove the gravels and

stones. If soil quality is good then add some
quantity of earth enhancement material in the soil
for using as backfill.
If the soil seems unusable (containing large

quantity of gravel, stones, murum, sand etc) then
replace the soil with black cotton soil.
Insert the electrode at the center of the earth pit

and arrange to keep it vertical in the pit
Arrange for adequate quantity of water supply for

the earth pit (600 liters).
Fill the pit with the backfill and keep on adding

the earth enhancement material surrounding the
electrode and simultaneously watering the pit
with a steel bar or pipe, keep on poking the soil
gel and stirring intermittently for removing the air
pockets and proper settlement of the pit. The
procedure to be repeated till completion of the
filling of the earth pit along with the packing
material and sufficient watering adequate
ramming.
December, 2010
5.3.6
75
The pit should be very compactly rammed and

watering for 2-3 days and addition of soil if
required be done.
Construct inspection chamber with cover for the

installation.
Measure the earth resistance as per IS 3043:1987

code of practice.
cgq vFkZ fiVksa }kjk vFkZ fjax dk fuekZ.k Construction

of Ring Earth by Providing Multiple Earth Pits
Wherever it is not possible to achieve required

earth resistance with one earth electrode/ pit due
to difficult/ rocky soil conditions, provision of
ring earth consisting of more than one earth pit is
required. The number of pits required can be
decided based on the resistance achieved for the
earth pits already installed.
The distance between two successive earth

electrodes shall be min. 3.0 mtrs/length of
electrode which ever is higher, and max. up to
twice the length of the earth electrode.
These earth pits shall inter linked using 25 x 3

mm copper strip to from a loop preferably using
exothermic welding or with the help of at least
two numbers of stainless steel nut bolts of
appropriate size.
The interconnecting strips shall be buried not less
than 800 mm (0.8 m) below the ground level.
This interconnecting strip shall also be covered
with earth enhancing compound.
December, 2010
76
5.3.7
fujh{k.k pSEcj
Inspection chamber
A 300 mm x 300 mm x 300 mm (inside

dimension) concrete box (wall thickness min. 50
mm) with smooth cement plaster finish shall be
provided on the top of pit. A concrete lid of 25 to
50 mm thick, with pulling hooks, painted black
shall be provided to cover the earth pit. PVC
sleeve of appropriate size shall be provided in
concrete wall to take out earthing connections.
The masonry work shall be white washed inside

and outside.
Care shall be taken regarding level of the floor

surrounding the earth so that the connector is not
too deep in the masonry or projecting out of it.
On backside of the cover, date of test and average

resistance value shall also be written with yellow
paint on black background with date.
December, 2010
6.0
D;k djsa vkSj D;k u djsa
6.1
D;k djsa
77
DOS & DONTS
DOS:
1.
Ensure that the electrodes are embedded below

permanent moisture level.
2.
Inspect earth electrode regularly.
3.
Ensure that every earth wire shall be of copper,

galvanized iron or steel.
4.
Ensure good and reliable electrical connection

between earthing leads and earth electrodes.
5.
Ensure that path of earth wire should be as far as

possible, out of reach of any person.
6.
Consider all parameters while designing earth

system.
7.
Ensure the size of earth wire should be proper

and according to IS 3043 (Code of practice for
earthing and IE rules)
8.
Ensure that all materials, fittings etc. used in

earthing system shall confirm to IS specification
wherever they exist.
9.
Ensure safety while working on electrical

installations.
10.
Ensure that as far as possible all earth terminals

should be visible.
11.
Ensure that voltage between neutral to earth

should be below 2.0 volts.
December, 2010
78
6.2
D;k u djsa
DONT
1.
Dont connect single pole switch or fuse in a

neutral circuit. Always connect it in the live or
phase wire circuit.
2.
Dont renew a blown fuse until you are satisfied

as to the cause of its blowing and also as to the
removal of the cause.
3.
Dont use copper or aluminum wire as substitute

for fuse wire.
4.
Dont touch or tamper with any electrical gear or

conductor unless you have made sure that it is
dead and earthed. High voltage apparatus may
give shock or flashover without touching.
5.
Dont disconnect earthing connections or render

ineffective the safety gadgets installed on mains
and apparatus till you are at work.
6.
Dont expose your eyes to an electric arc. Painful

injury may result even with short exposure.
7.
Dont take unnecessary risk with electricity. Low

voltage under certain circumstances can be
dangerous.
8.
Dont use paint, enamel and grease on the

electrodes.
9.
Dont use neutral conductor as earth wire.
10.
Dont use water pipe line for earthing.
11.
Dont make series connections for earth path.
December, 2010
NOTES
79
December, 2010
80
lUnHkZ
1- Hkkjrh; ekud vfFkZax ds fy, dksM vkWQ sfDVl vkbZ,l
3043&1937 A
2- ,lh lcLVsku xzkmfUMax esa lqj{kk ds fy, IEEE 80 xkbMA
3- lcLVsku xzkmfUMax esa LFkkbZ dusDkuksa vgZdkjh ekud
IEEE 837 A
4- Hkkjrh; fo|qr fu;ekoyh 1956 uohure lakks/kuksa lfgrA
5- vuqj{k.k eqDr vfFkZax ij vkjMh,lvks LislhfQdsku laRDSO/PE/SPEC/PS/ 0109 2008 (Rev. 0) A
6- eq[; vfHk;Urk dkfeZd pSUubZ }kjk fyf[kr fjiksZV **vfFkZax
sfDVl bu , uV lsy^^ A
7- bjdSeVsd Xokfy;j esa fnukad 08 fnlEcj 2010 dks
vk;ksftr lsehukj esa fofHkUu jsyksa ls vk;s gq;s izfrfuf/k;ksa
}kjk fn;s x;s lq>ko A
December, 2010
81
REFERENCES
1. Indian standard code of practice for earthing IS: 30431937
2. IEEE guide for safety in AC sub station grounding
IEEE 80
3. Standard for qualifying permanent connections used in
substation grounding IEEE 837.
4. Indian Electricity Rules 1956 with latest amendments.
5. Maintenance free earthing RDSO specification no.
RDSO/PE/SPEC/PS/0109-2008( REV 0)
6. Earthing Practice in a Nutshell report written by
Chief Engineer (Personnel) Chennai.
7. Suggestions given by participants from various Railways
during seminar conducted on 8th December 2010 at
IRCAMTECH/ Gwalior.
December, 2010
82
gekjk mn~ns;
vuqj{k.k izkS|ksfxdh vkSj dk;Ziz.kkyh dk mUu;u
djuk rFkk mRikndrk vkSj jsyos dh ifjlEifRr
,oa tukfDr ds fu"iknu esa lq/kkj djuk ftlls
vUrfoZ"k;ksa esa fooluh;rk] miyC/krk] mi;ksfxrk
vkSj n{krk izkIr dh tk ldsA
;fn vki bl lanHkZ esa dksbZ fopkj vkSj foks"k lq>ko nsuk pkgrs
gksa rks d`Ik;k gesa bl irs ij fy[ksaA
lEidZ lw=
funskd ( fo|qr )
Ik=kpkj dk irk
Hkkjrh; jsy
mPp vuqj{k.k izkS|ksfxdh dsUnz]
egkjktiqj] Xokfy;j e- izfiudksM 474 005
Qksu
0751&2470803
0751&2470740
QSDl
0751&2470841
bZ&esy
direlcamtech@gmail.com
December, 2010
83
OUR OBJECTIVE
To upgrade maintenance technologies and
methodologies and achieve improvement in
productivity and performance of all Railway
assets and manpower which inter-alia would
cover reliability, availability, utilisation and
efficiency.
If you have any suggestions and specific comments

please write to us.
Contact person
Director Electrical
Postal address
Indian Railways
Centre for Advanced
Maintenance Technology,
Maharajpur, Gwalior,
Pin Code - 474 005
Phone
0751 2470740
0751 2470803
Fax
0751 2470841
E-mail
direlcamtech@gmail.com
December, 2010

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CAMTECH/E/10-11/El-Earthing/1.

Hkkjr ljdkj GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

fo|qr vfFkZax ij gLriqfLrdk

Handbook on Electrical Earthing

egkjktiqj, Xokfy;j & 474 005

fo|qr vfFkZax ij gLriqfLrdk

Handbook on Electrical Earthing

Handbook on Electrical Earthing

IMPORTANT INDIAN ELECTRICITY

HUMAN ELEMENT & ELECTRIC

FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE

LOCATION OF EARTH ELECTRODE

DESIGN, SIZE AND TYPES OF EARTH

ELECTRODE RESISTANCE TO EARTH

INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR

DESIGN OF EARTH ELECTRODES

EARTHING SYSTEM IN SUB STATION

EARTHING OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT IN

EARTHING OF DISTRIBUTION LIENE

EARTHING AT CONSUMERS PREMISES

EARTHING IN INDUSTRIAL PREMISES

DANGERS OF IMPERFECT EARTHING

TESTING & MAINTENANCE

TESTING OF EARTHING SYSTEM

MAINTENANCE FREE EARTHING

MAINTENANCE FREE EARTHING SYSTEM

DOS & DONTS

lakks/ku ifpZ;ksa dk izdkku

tgkWa XX lEcfU/kr lakks/ku iphZ dh dze la[;k gS 01

izdkfkr lakks/ku ifpZ;k

izdkku lakksf/kr Ik`"B la[;k

Handbook on Electrical Earthing

ISSUE OF CORRECTION SLIP

CORRECTION SLIPS ISSUED

of Page no. and Item Remarks

Earthing is a connection done through a metal

It stabilizes circuit potential with respect to

It protects men & materials from injury or

Handbook on Electrical Earthing

It provides low impedance path to fault currents

It keeps the maximum voltage gradient along the

It protects underground cables from overall

For efficient/effective operation of any power

Reduced operation & maintenance cost

Reduction in magnitude of transient over voltages.

Improved lightning protection.

Simplification of ground fault location.

Improved system and equipment fault protection.

Improved service reliability

Greater safety for personnel & equipment

Prompt and consistent operation of protective

Handbook on Electrical Earthing

The following terms are commonly used in

The conductive mass of the earth, whose

A Galvanized Iron (GI) pipe in intimate contact

A system of a number of interconnected,

It comprises earthing of all metal work of

Earthing done to limit the potential of live

Touch Voltage (E Touch)

The potential difference between a ground

Step Voltage (E Step)

The potential difference between two points on

Handbook on Electrical Earthing