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Home / Technical Articles / Earthing in electrical network – purpose, methods and measurement

Earthing in electrical network

The main reason for doing earthing in electrical network is for the safety. When all metallic parts in electrical equipment are grounded then if the insulation inside the equipment fails there are no dangerous voltages present in the equipment case.

Ground network
The process of electrically connecting to the earth itself is often called “earthing”, particularly in Europe where the term “grounding” is used to describe the above ground wiring.

If the live wire touches the grounded case then the circuit is effectively shorted and fuse will immediately blow. When the fuse is blown then the dangerous voltages are away.

Purpose of Earthing

1. Safety for Human life / Building /Equipment

  • To save human life from danger of electrical shock or death by blowing a fuse i.e. To provide an alternative path for the fault current to flow so that it will not endanger the user
  • To protect buildings, machinery & appliances under fault conditions.
  • To ensure that all exposed conductive parts do not reach a dangerous potential.
  • To provide safe path to dissipate lightning and short circuit currents.
  • To provide stable platform for operation of sensitive  electronic equipment i.e. To maintain the voltage at any part of an electrical system at a known value so as to prevent over current or excessive voltage on the appliances or equipment .

2. Over voltage protection

Lightning, line surges or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines can cause dangerously high voltages to the electrical distribution system. Earthing provides an alternative path around the electrical system to minimize damages in the System.


3. Voltage stabilization

There are many sources of electricity. Every transformer can be considered a separate source. If there were not a common reference point for all these voltage sources it would be extremely difficult to calculate their relationships to each other.

The earth is the most omnipresent conductive surface, and so it was adopted in the very beginnings of electrical distribution systems as a nearly universal standard for all electric systems.


Conventional methods of earthing

1. Plate type Earthing

  • Generally for plate type earthing normal Practice is to use
  • Cast iron plate of size 600 mm x600 mm x12 mm. OR
  • Galvanized iron plate of size 600 mm x600 mm x6 mm. OR
  • Copper plate of size 600 mm * 600 mm * 3.15 mm
  • Plate  burred at the depth of 8 feet in the vertical position and GI strip of size 50 mmx6 mm bolted with the plate is brought up to the ground level.
  • These types of earth pit are generally filled with alternate layer of charcoal & salt up to 4 feet from the bottom of the pit.

2. Pipe type Earthing

For Pipe type earthing normal practice is to use GI pipe [C-class] of 75 mm diameter, 10 feet long welded with 75 mm diameter GI flange having 6 numbers of holes for the connection of earth wires and inserted in ground by auger method.

These types of earth pit are generally filled with alternate layer of charcoal & salt or earth reactivation compound.


Method for Construction of Earthing Pit

  • Excavation on earth for a normal earth Pit size is 1.5M X 1.5M X 3.0 M.
  • Use 500 mm X 500 mm X 10 mm GI Plate or Bigger Size for more Contact of Earth and reduce Earth Resistance.
  • Make a mixture of Wood Coal Powder Salt & Sand all in equal part
  • Wood Coal Powder use as good conductor of electricity, anti corrosive, rust proves for GI Plate for long life.
  • The purpose of coal and salt is to keep wet the soil permanently.
  • The salt percolates and coal absorbs water keeping the soil wet.
  • Care should always be taken by watering the earth pits in summer so that the pit soil will be wet.
  • Coal is made of carbon which is good conductor minimizing the earth resistant.
  • Salt use as electrolyte to form conductivity between GI Plate Coal and Earth with humidity.
  • Sand has used to form porosity to cycle water & humidity around the mixture.
  • Put GI Plate (EARTH PLATE) of size 500 mm X 500 mm X 10 mm in the mid of mixture.
  • Use Double GI Strip size 30 mm X 10 mm to connect GI Plate to System Earthling.
  • It will be better to use GI Pipe of size 2.5″ diameter with a Flange on the top of GI Pipe to cover GI Strip from EARTH PLATE to Top Flange.
  • Cover Top of GI pipe with a T joint to avoid jamming of pipe with dust & mud and also use water time to time through this pipe to bottom of earth plate.
  • Maintain less than one Ohm Resistance from EARTH PIT conductor to a distance of 15 Meters around the EARTH PIT with another conductor dip on the Earth at least 500 mm deep.
  • Check Voltage between Earth Pit conductors to Neutral of Mains Supply 220V AC 50 Hz it should be less than 2.0 Volts.

Factors affecting on Earth resistivity

1. Soil Resistivity

It is the resistance of soil to the passage of electric current. The earth resistance value (ohmic value) of an earth pit depends on soil resistivity. It is the resistance of the soil to the passage of electric current.

It varies from soil to soil. It depends on the physical composition of the soil, moisture, dissolved salts, grain size and distribution, seasonal variation, current magnitude etc. In depends on the composition of soil, Moisture content, Dissolved salts, grain size and its distribution, seasonal variation, current magnitude.


2. Soil Condition

Different soil conditions give different soil resistivity. Most of the soils are very poor conductors of electricity when they are completely dry. Soil resistivity is measured in ohm-meters or ohm-cm.

Soil plays a significant role in determining the performance of electrode. Soil with low resistivity is highly corrosive. If soil is dry then soil resistivity value will be very high. If soil resistivity is high, earth resistance of electrode will also be high.


3. Moisture

Moisture has a great influence on resistivity value of soil. The resistivity of a soil can be determined by the quantity of water held by the soil and resistivity of the water itself. Conduction of electricity in soil is through water.

The resistance drops quickly to a more or less steady minimum value of about 15% moisture. And further increase of moisture level in soil will have little effect on soil resistivity. In many locations water table goes down in dry weather conditions.

Therefore, it is essential to pour water in and around the earth pit to maintain moisture in dry weather conditions. Moisture significantly influences soil resistivity.


4. Dissolved salts

Pure water is poor conductor of electricity. Resistivity of soil depends on resistivity of water which in turn depends on the amount and nature of salts dissolved in it.

Small quantity of salts in water reduces soil resistivity by 80%. Common salt is most effective in improving conductivity of soil. But it corrodes metal and hence discouraged.


5. Climate Condition

Increase or decrease of moisture content determines the increase or decrease of soil resistivity. Thus in dry whether resistivity will be very high and in monsoon months the resistivity will be low.


6. Physical Composition

Different soil composition gives different average resistivity. Based on the type of soil, the resistivity of clay soil may be in the range of 4 – 150 ohm-meter, whereas for rocky or gravel soils, the same may be well above 1000 ohm-meter.


7. Location of Earth Pit

The location also contributes to resistivity to a great extent. In a sloping landscape, or in a land with made up of soil, or areas which are hilly, rocky or sandy, water runs off and in dry weather conditions water table goes down very fast. In such situation back fill compound will not be able to attract moisture, as the soil around the pit would be dry.

The earth pits located in such areas must be watered at frequent intervals, particularly during dry weather conditions.

Though back fill compound retains moisture under normal conditions, it gives off moisture during dry weather to the dry soil around the electrode, and in the process loses moisture over a period of time. Therefore, choose a site that is naturally not well drained.


8. Effect of grain size and its distribution

Grain size, its distribution and closeness of packing are also contributory factors, since they control the manner in which the moisture is held in the soil.

Effect of seasonal variation on soil resistivity: Increase or decrease of moisture content in soil determines decrease or increase of soil resistivity. Thus in dry weather resistivity will be very high and during rainy season the resistivity will be low.


9. Effect of current magnitude

Soil resistivity in the vicinity of ground electrode may be affected by current flowing from the electrode into the surrounding soil. The thermal characteristics and the moisture content of the soil will determine if a current of a given magnitude and duration will cause significant drying and thus increase the effect of soil resistivity.


10. Area Available

Single electrode rod or strip or plate will not achieve the desired resistance alone.

If a number of electrodes could be installed and interconnected the desired resistance could be achieved. The distance between the electrodes must be equal to the driven depth to avoid overlapping of area of influence. Each electrode, therefore, must be outside the resistance area of the other.


11. Obstructions

The soil may look good on the surface, but there may be obstructions below a few feet like virgin rock. In that event resistivity will be affected. Obstructions like concrete structure near about the pits will affect resistivity.

If the earth pits are close by, the resistance value will be high.


12. Current Magnitude

A current of significant magnitude and duration will cause significant drying condition in soil and thus increase the soil resistivity.


Measurement of Earth Resistance by use of Earth Tester

For measuring soil resistivity Earth Tester is used. It is also called the “MEGGER”.

  • It has a voltage source, a meter to measure Resistance in ohms, switches to change instrument range, Wires to connect terminal to Earth Electrode and Spikes.
  • It is measured by using Four Terminal Earth Tester Instrument. The terminals are connected by wires as in illustration.
  • P=Potential Spike and C=Current Spike. The distance between the spikes may be 1M, 2M, 5M, 10M, 35M, and 50M.
  • All spikes are equidistant and in straight line to maintain electrical continuity.  Take measurement in different directions.
  • Soil resistivity =2πLR.
  • R= Value of Earth resistance in ohm.
  • Distance between the spikes in cm.
  • π  =  3.14
  • P = Earth resistivity ohm-cm.
  • Earth resistance value is directly proportional to Soil resistivity value

Measurement of Earth Resistance (Three point method)

Measurement of Earth Resistance (Three point method)
Measurement of Earth Resistance (Three point method)

In this method earth tester terminal C1 and P1 are shorted to each other and connected to the earth electrode (pipe) under test. Terminals P2 and C2 are connected to the two separate spikes driven in earth.  These two spikes are kept in same line at the distance of 25 meters and 50 meters due to which there will not be mutual interference in the field of individual spikes.

If we rotate generator handle with specific speed we get directly earth resistance on scale. Spike length in the earth should not be more than 1/20th distance between two spikes. Resistance must be verified by increasing or decreasing the distance between the tester electrode and the spikes by 5 meter.

Normally, the length of wires should be 10 and 15 meters or in proportion of 62% of ‘D’.

Suppose, the distance of Current Spike from Earth Electrode D = 60 ft, Then, distance of Potential Spike would be 62 % of D = 0.62D i.e.  0.62 x 60 ft = 37 ft.


Four Point Method

In this method 4 spikes are driven in earth in same line at the equal distance.  Outer two spikes are connected to C1 & C2 terminals of earth tester.  Similarly inner two spikes are connected to P1 & P2 terminals.  Now if we rotate generator handle with specific speed, we get earth resistance value of that place.

In this method error due to polarization effect is eliminated and earth tester can be operated directly on A.C.


GI Earthing Vs Copper Earthing

  • As per IS 3043, the resistance of Plate electrode to earth (R) = (r/A) X under root(P/A).
  • Where r = Resistivity of Soil Ohm-meter.
  • A=Area of Earthing Plate m3.
  • The resistance of Pipe electrode to earth (R) = (100r/2πL) X loge (4L/d).
  • Where L= Length of Pipe/Rod in cm
  • d=Diameter of Pipe/Rod in cm.
  • The resistivity of the soil and the physical dimensions of the electrode play important role of resistance of Rod with earth.
  • The material resistivity is not considered important role in earth resistivity.
  • Any material of given dimensions would offer the same resistance to earth. Except the sizing and number of the earthing conductor or the protective conductor.

Pipe Earthing Vs Plate Earthing

  • Suppose Copper Plate having of size 1.2m x 1.2m x 3.15mm thick. soil resistivity of 100 ohm-m,
  • The resistance of Plate electrode to earth (R)=( r/A)X under root(π/A) = (100/2.88)X(3.14/2.88)=36.27 ohm
  • Now, consider a GI Pipe Electrode of 50 mm Diameter and 3 m Long. soil resistivity of 100 Ohm-m,
  • The resistance of Pipe electrode to earth (R) = (100r/2πL) X loge (4L/d) = (100X100/2X3.14X300) X loge (4X300/5) =29.09 Ohm.
  • From the above calculation the GI Pipe electrode offers a much lesser resistance than even a copper plate electrode.
  • As per IS 3043 Pipe, rod or strip has a much lower resistance than a plate of equal surface area.

Length of Pipe Electrode and Earthing Pit

 The resistance to earth of a pipe or plate electrode reduces rapidly within the first few feet from ground (mostly 2 to 3 meter) but after that soil resistivity is mostly uniform.

After about 4 meter depth, there is no appreciable change in resistance to earth of the electrode. Except a number of rods in parallel are to be preferred to a single long rod.


Amount of Salt and Charcoal (more than 8Kg)

To reduce soil resistivity, it is necessary to dissolve in the moisture particle in the Soil. Some substance like Salt/Charcoal is highly conductive in water solution but the additive substance would reduce the resistivity of the soil, only when it is dissolved in the moisture in the soil after that additional quantity does not serve the Purpose.

5% moisture in salt reduces earth resistivity rapidly and further increase in salt content will give a very little decrease in soil resistivity.

The salt content is expressed in percent by weight of the moisture content in the soil. Considering 1M3 of Soil, the moisture content at 10 percent will be about 144 kg. (10 percent of 1440 kg). The salt content shall be 5% of this (i.e.) 5% of 144kg, that is, about 7.2kg.


Amount of  Water Purring

Moisture content is one of the controlling factors of earth resistivity. Above 20 % of moisture content, the resistivity is very little affected. But below 20% the resistivity increases rapidly with the decrease in moisture content.

If the moisture content is already above 20% there is no point in adding quantity of water into the earth pit, except perhaps wasting an important and scarce national resource like water.

Length Vs Diameter of Earth Electrode

Apart from considerations of mechanical strength, there is little advantage to be gained from increasing the earth electrode diameter with the object in mind of increasing surface area in contact with the soil.

The usual practice is to select a diameter of earth electrode, which will have enough strength to enable it to be driven into the particular soil conditions without bending or splitting. Large diameter electrode may be more difficult to drive than smaller diameter electrode.

The depth to which an earth electrode is driven has much more influence on its electrical resistance characteristics than has its diameter.


Maximum allowable Earth resistance

  • Major power station = 0.5 Ohm
  • Major Sub-stations = 1.0 Ohm
  • Minor Sub-station = 2 Ohm
  • Neutral Bushing = 2 Ohm
  • Service connection = 4 Ohm
  • Medium Voltage Network = 2 Ohm
  • L.T.Lightening Arrestor = 4 Ohm
  • L.T.Pole = 5 Ohm
  • H.T.Pole = 10 Ohm
  • Tower = 20-30 Ohm

Treatments to for minimizing Earth resistance

  • Remove Oxidation on joints and joints should be tightened.
  • Poured sufficient water in earth electrode.
  • Used bigger size of Earth Electrode.
  • Electrodes should be connected in parallel.
  • Earth pit of more depth & width- breadth should be made.

Originally published at Electrical Notes and Articles

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Jignesh Parmar

Jignesh Parmar has completed M.Tech (Power System Control), B.E (Electrical). He is member of Institution of Engineers (MIE), India. He has more than 20 years experience in transmission & distribution-energy theft detection and maintenance electrical projects.

79 Comments


  1. MD.RAFIQUEL ISLAM
    Aug 13, 2023

    Dear Sir,

    Good mooring. Hope you are fine. I want to know what is the standard value of kw for one set earth pit. ice for 100kw,250kw,500kw,1000kw how much earth pit are needed? What is the standard number of earth pit. Are any formula?


    • Awadhesh Kumar Semwal
      Sep 26, 2023

      Hi, I don’t think No. of earth pit depends on the KW values of connected load, the No. is totally depends on the resistivity of soil, for generating Stations generally we requred 4 Nos separate earth pits for generating source such as DG sets, 2 separate earth pit for Neutral and 2 for Body earth and same required for transformers.


  2. Paulose Kakkuzhi
    Apr 11, 2023

    I am an Electrial consultant working at Oman.
    Thanks for your detailed note which is helpful


  3. DAVID ABU
    Feb 13, 2023

    How long does the Water Service has to be in order for the Electrical Current to dissipate?


  4. Arun
    Jan 27, 2022

    why earthing System is required 1 ohm resistance ?

    And Lightning protection is required 10 ohms resistance ?


    • Dinesh Kumar kundra
      Jul 20, 2023

      Our cnc machine is running uneven, missing of pulse


  5. Satish Kumar
    Jan 24, 2022

    Please tell me:
    What is standard length of spikes?
    How much it should be inserted in the earth?
    The Spike insertion area shall be wet or dry?


  6. Dipak Chand
    Aug 14, 2021

    Good explanation in electrical


  7. Dipak Chand
    Aug 14, 2021

    I need some electrical hints pdf Note


  8. JAYANT RAMTIRTH
    Aug 09, 2021

    1. what is the effect of earth resistance on the power consumption by the user?
    2. if the earth resistance is maintained at same value, then is there a difference between pure copper earthing electrode and Cu bonded earthing electrode?


  9. maged tanawy
    Jun 28, 2021

    hello sir , really good explanation. i have some questions hope to find answers
    how the overall earth resistance of site is measured or commissioned, all methods talk about one earth pit measurement.
    how the neutral of the transformer is solidly earthed ? the earthing pit resistance equal zero or any resistance


  10. Jithu
    Feb 20, 2021

    suppose ground water is leaking through earth pit as a result of poor water proofing works inside a basement parking area, What will be the possible impacts, Can anyone explain??


  11. Arvind Kumar
    Feb 05, 2021

    Why Lightening arrestor earth values (4ohm) are more than earth pit values. Lightening follows minimum resistance path Then it cold other minimum resistance path.


  12. SIVAKUMAR K
    May 01, 2020

    Most of the contents are plagiarised from my 2006 article titled “Earthing – myths & facts” that I have published in two of the leading industry journals in India.

    It is a shame on the author of this post that even the ‘willful’ mistake that I had done in the article is copied as it is, without any correction. That much for the professionalism of the author.

    If the author contests this I am ready to produce my original publication, alongwith publication date.


    • JORGE
      Jun 07, 2020

      I have noticed this practice in other postings by same author, and not giving credit to the sources.
      Funny thing is you will find “copyrights” in Parmar’s blog.


      • Isam Mahgoub
        Jun 08, 2020

        Hello
        Please looking for using electric fl
        ash making high heating 3000 centigrade in milliseconds
        The distance between cathode and anodes 20 centimeter.
        Would you make this


    • ASHISH PANDE
      Jul 05, 2020

      Dear Mr. Siva Kumar

      I think you are from L&T STC, i have worked in L&T & quit recently, the irony is i found you on google & EEP, so your IP material is of no use if it is not distributed.

      Inside L&T you did not bother to circulate it among your colleagues of EAIC.
      Mr. Parmar run his blog for educating people, might be a copy paste but much better then storing knowledge to himself.
      I stand by him. & you need to improve.
      Regards
      Ashish Pande
      Founder
      Jyoti Engineering Infrastructure


  13. manoj mhatre
    Dec 07, 2019

    I have hill side ban-glow .i use 150 kva voltage stabilizer but i have so much power fluctuation that cause my electronic goos have PCB damage . my neutral + earthing voltage is 7/8 volt its so haigh .
    so pls suggest me solution

    Thanks
    manoj mhatre


  14. deep
    Nov 20, 2019

    we need formula for number of AC earting for 300kwp solar system


  15. jonathan
    Oct 02, 2019

    so it is advisable to take earth testing before installing any equipment in an existing site?


  16. Engr.Faiz Khan
    Sep 05, 2019

    Hello. Sir, Is it possible to find the resistance of neutral earth electrode of a 3 phase Distribution transformer on load by ampere clamp meter and also with Earth testing meter kindly tell me the method and calculations


  17. pramod kumar vishwakarma
    Aug 29, 2019

    For earthing another material is Bentonite clay with Black cotton soil. Anyone suggest for ratio for Bentonite clay and Black cotton soil for 33 kV substation earthing.


  18. Lekhraj Jangid
    Aug 10, 2019

    Dear Sir,
    can we check Earth pit Resistance value in rainy season?
    tell me also that it will increase or decrease.


  19. ANKIT YADAV
    Aug 09, 2019

    Sir, how the value of earth resistance varies with the various voltage levels?


  20. Aniket Galande
    Jul 10, 2019

    Dear Sir,

    My question is regarding transmission line.

    If jumpering work of 800kV HVDC tower is under progress, Line is dead. How shall we protect those workmen in monsoon seasons. Where we shall put the discharge rods if most of the Jumpers are installed??


  21. Anjani Gupta
    Jun 03, 2019

    Thanks for sharing this information, Great Work!


  22. Manikandan K
    May 17, 2019

    how can you got that 2.88 for A value..
    kindly tell me sir


  23. Anil Paul Jacob
    Mar 18, 2019

    Erll explained.


  24. Swapan K Dutta
    Mar 16, 2019

    very lucid article write up well understand by even non-electrical engineer


  25. Sandeep
    Nov 13, 2018

    Sir ,my question is that,can a industry or a building contains tow or more COPPER PLATE FOR EARTHING,PLZ ANSWER,PLZ PLZ PLZ PLZ, PLEASE SIR ANSWER


  26. Ogbuagu Ikechukwu Ogbuagu
    Oct 21, 2018

    I thank God for your wealth of experience in electrical engineering.

    Please how can someone detect electrical energy ⚡ theft in both commercial and residential buildings.

    Best regards,

    Ogbuagu Ikechukwu Ogbuagu.


    • AMEH MESSIAH
      Mar 17, 2019

      There are several ways of detecting electrical energy theft in any building be it residential or commercial as your question states. First and foremost, for energy theft to occur, it means the electrical energy consumer in question is metered by the utility company offering the service. That meter can be partially bypassed or fully bypassed. Partial bypass means that the meter would only capture a fraction of what is been consumed by the consumer of full bypass in the sense that the meter is not capturing any energy at all. To be able to detect such cases of energy theft, one must be conversant with energy meter connections and how they function; this way, one can identify easily when he/she sees wrong connections that are meant to steal energy. There are AMI meters which are smart meters which can sense when meter are being tampered with and cut off supply to the premises automatically. I do hope my response helped in answering your question. Thanks


  27. Ashok Dubey
    Aug 04, 2018

    Is any equipment Available in market for improving/variable desire Earth value of already done earthing for home/equipment


  28. Sng Yeow Poo
    Jul 16, 2018

    Dear Sir,

    We have a barge that is anchored by spud in the sea. How you provide safety against lightning strike?


  29. MOHAMED KHAYRY
    Jul 15, 2018

    THANK YOU FOR EXCELLENT EXPANATION


  30. hesham abdo
    Jul 15, 2018

    how to use earthing clamp . to measure the earth resistance


  31. sumit
    May 24, 2018

    Which type of earthing system we should follow for industrial projects in india (TN-S, TNC-S or TT)?


  32. lakshminarayana rao
    Apr 28, 2018

    generally how to calculate the earthing conductor strip its dimensions and length for different types of solar plants like 1kw,2kw,3kw…..different plants tell me the calculations


  33. sahil sharma
    Apr 02, 2018

    dear sir, it is necessary to open the earth strip from the pit point which is connected to the equipment before checking the earth pit measurement. if yes then what is the right value. actually we construct 10 in numbers new earth pits for our building whose value are showing more than 10 to 15 ohm (checking with 4p earthpit test meter) but all the pits are not connected with our equipment yet or it is necessary to connect the earth strip wtih equipment before measurement for getting the earthpit value. i m so confused how to measure to get the earthpit value.


  34. Appala raju
    Jan 18, 2018

    Hi Im Appala raju Im from eletrical background,I need ursupport.What is earthing,where should give earthing for eg:Motors and conveyors.i need a explanation and if it is possible pdf format.to mail id:[email protected]


  35. siddeshq b s
    May 24, 2017

    worth of know the information


  36. Armando Campops PE
    Apr 03, 2017

    Jignesh Parmar
    excellent presentation
    easy of understand
    thank you


  37. Deepak
    Feb 24, 2017

    Please explain how to or from where you find out these value:

    Maximum allowable Earth resistance:

    Major power station= 0.5 Ohm.
    Major Sub-stations= 1.0 Ohm
    Minor Sub-station = 2 Ohm
    Neutral Bushing. =2 Ohm
    Service connection = 4 Ohm
    Medium Voltage Network =2 Ohm
    L.T.Lightening Arrestor= 4 Ohm
    L.T.Pole= 5 Ohm
    H.T.Pole =10 Ohm
    Tower =20-30 Ohm


    • veeranna malothu
      Jan 14, 2018

      By using earth resistance tester .
      Than you got the earth pit values.


  38. Rachit
    Sep 24, 2016

    To improve the earth resistance value in an installation , should we only poor water in the earth electrode pipe or mixture of salt + charcoal + water.?


  39. R K Sharma
    Sep 21, 2016

    In the 3 phase LT distribution of building some earth pits for eqipment earthing are built and some earth pit for lightning protection to building are built . Please advise whether for effectively low earth pit resistance the earth pist of equipment and earth pits of lightning can be made parallel . I have seen in an very important building that lightning protection down coinductor strips of horizontal air termination are connected with the pits of equipment . Kindly advise as early as possible


    • Rachit
      Sep 24, 2016

      Earth pits for equipment and lightning should NOT be made parallel.


      • Manashree
        Jan 15, 2018

        Why we can’t connect equipment earthing pits & lightning earthing pits in parallel?


  40. Ravi Kashyap
    Jul 06, 2016

    I want to know how to measure the earthing voltage in a machine


  41. SUMAN SHAW
    Jun 11, 2016

    How to determine the numbers of earth pit / pits required for different rated transformer?


    • android
      Sep 23, 2016

      Your post is really good providing good information.. I liked it and enjoyed reading it.Keep sharing such important posts.


  42. ANIL KALA
    Aug 05, 2015

    AMENDMENT NO. 2 JANUARY 2010 TO
    IS 3043 : 1987 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR EARTHING. specify that
    ‘Pipes may be of cast iron of not less than 100 mm diameter, 2.5 to 3 m long and 13 mm thick. Such pipes cannot be driven satisfactorily and may, therefore, be more expensive to install than plates for the same effective area.
    Alternatively, mild steel water-pipes of 38 to 50 mm diameter are sometimes employed. These can be driven but are less durable than copper rods. Alternatively, 40 mm diameter G1 pipe in treated earth pit or 40mm diameter MS rod can be directly driven in virgin soil. The earth rod shall be placed at 1.250 m below ground.
    Is meaning of this is that GI pipe rod shall be placed at 1.250 m below ground-? and how shall be connection of this rod with earth grid.(Refer fig.14)


  43. aswin
    Jul 07, 2015

    earth resistance decreases with increase in distance why?


    • okumu alfred
      Jul 23, 2015

      try to be specific then i will give u a very good answer


  44. Electricians Sydney
    Jul 07, 2015

    Excellent Article. Thanks for explain in details.


  45. jafari
    Jan 11, 2015

    dear sir
    we hane a 29 story building .we want to measure the resistance of the earth net in the last floor .how we can do it and according what standard it is possible to be done
    thank you.


  46. mohammed
    Dec 06, 2014

    Thank you mr Edvard..if I ask any qu.when and how I can get an answer?


  47. Sundar
    Nov 26, 2014

    Sir,

    You have given dimensions of earth pit and steps for construction.
    1)These are for what rating. Is it for 230V household or what current or voltage can it withstand?
    2) is it for a house or substation etc
    3) How does the value vary for different structures.


  48. O. LAWOYE
    Nov 10, 2014

    1. “Increase or decrease of moisture content determines the increase or decrease of soil resistivity” should read “Increase or decrease of moisture content determines the decrease or increase of soil resistivity.”
    2. I wonder why you do not allow this very usefull piece of information to be saved in My Documents, for instance?

    Best regards.


  49. JA
    Aug 07, 2014

    what is the difference between earth and ground


  50. saroj kumar sahur
    Jul 26, 2014

    Sir. Thanks for this add. I have learn hear so much about earthing and earthpit..


  51. mintu kr. pandit
    Jul 05, 2014

    between difference a.c earth & d.c Earth


  52. Nasir
    Jun 29, 2014

    Sir,
    What is the min distance of earth pit from high rise structure?
    How should i run the down conductor to earth pit from top, do i need to bond rebars at each floor and then at ground level run pvc sheathed cable to earth pit or directly run pvc sheathed cable from roof to earth pit. please advise


  53. VK Verma
    May 02, 2014

    Sir, can you clearify difference between chemical earth pit and maintenance free chemical earth pit. Is it because of backfill compound which makes such a differance, if so what type of back fill compound is used in both the cases or there is no such type of classification exist.


  54. Vishal Mistry
    Apr 13, 2014

    I Read Your Collection of Electrical but in some topic u put directly value & how is it got. in topic “Calculate Technical Losses of Transmission / Distribution Line” Dirctly put the value Maximum Amp is12 Amps X’mer Iron loss& Copper loss. So please Clear This


  55. Morad
    Apr 04, 2014

    Thank you for both. The author for this knowledge and Pankaj Prakash for the good reference and all good for beginners.


  56. Pankaj Prakash
    Feb 28, 2014

    Folks who’d need further in-depth knowledge may like to refer to this 40 page pdf document from Lighning Man , Australia. http://www.lightningman.com.au/Earthing.pdf


  57. Rajikhan
    Feb 27, 2014

    Excellent knowledge to beginers for the practical awareness in earthing. Thank you.


  58. HemaSundar
    Feb 15, 2014

    Really the information which was published here is excellent & it helps me to improve my knowledge ..
    Thank you vey much …


  59. ali021
    Jan 16, 2014

    thank


  60. rafi210682
    May 14, 2013

    how the pipes are parallalled. can i get the schematic for the same????


  61. gk123
    Feb 25, 2013

    Comment: It is an excellent explanation regarding EARTHING. I think if you add also the explanation of ‘Earth Resistance” measurement, to clarify as to what does earth resistance mean and what actually we are measuring. Good Luck Thanx. gk


  62. RAVISSSSS
    Nov 17, 2012

    Dear Sir

    A comprehensive Check list ( for EARTHING ALONE )in XL sheet for a factory

    starting from Transformer .Main Switch Board .Sub switch Board ……MCCB etc ………..

    will surely help us ..

    Kindly publish the Check list if you have any please


  63. jayaramanc
    Sep 27, 2012

    In your caluclation comparing Pipe and Plae Electrode there is an error. As per IS 3043 (Edition Dec 1986) it should be Resistivity/4*root (pi/A). The first denominator below resistivity factor is wrongly typed as A instead of 4 in subsequent IS reviions . The formula with denominator “4” seems to be logical as the unit of resistance will be Ohms; whereas in the formula used by you the unit of resistance will be ohm per sq m.

    If you take this into consideration the calculation will change and the resistance value of plate electrode will be 26 ohms and that of pipe will be 29 ohms which seems to be logical..

    If we refer the example and apply the formula as per the old IS, the resistance of plate electrode with surface area 0.471(equal to that of the pipe electrode) will be 65 ohms. Or in other words if you want the equal surface area you need atleast 6 pipe electrodes to match a plate electrode considered.


  64. nmr
    Jun 04, 2012

    SIR,
    KINDLY TELL ME HOW MANY EARTH PITS ARE NEEDED FOR A CONNECTED LOAD OF 200KW OF A WORKSHOP COVERING SHED.
    ASSUMING A NORMAL SOIL,LT,3PHASE 44OV.
    ALSO TELL ME FORMULAS TO CALCULATE THE NO. OF EARTH PITS FOR ANY GIVEN CONNECTED LOADS
    THANKS


  65. waelroustom
    Feb 10, 2012

    Thank you very much for your informations


  66. Ashok Parikh
    Jan 29, 2012

    The article provides very good insight into one of the neglected areas of electrical system in many Indian industries. It is needless to mention that numbers of faults and fires can be prevented by introducing scientifically designed earthing system.


  67. Qavid Sackey
    Dec 19, 2011

    Excellent presentation. I have enjoyed it


  68. Edvard
    Dec 19, 2011

    Excellent explanation, thank you very much!

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