BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS III

FATIMAH AMJAD
FA20-BAR-006
Earthing System
What is Earthing in Architecture? Why is it provided in Buildings?

Safety measures that are taken by connecting various electrical components and systems to the Earth to prevent electrical faults
such as short circuits and lighting strikes, in architecture and construction, these measures are known as "earthing.

Reasons to provide electrical grounding in buildings:

1.Safety: The major purpose of earthing in buildings is to keep the humans and equipment's safe, as it doesn’t allow fault
currents to flow into earth due to its low resistance path and that reduces the risk of electrical shocks.
2.Lightning Protection: Buildings are prone to lightning strikes, which can lead to fires, structural damage, or electrical system
failures. An in effect earthing system can safely dissolve the energy from lightning strikes into the ground, protecting the
building and its users.
3.Compliance: Many buildings have requirement to have proper earthing to ensure the safety standards. Compliance with these
codes is essential for legal and insurance purposes.
4.Static Electricity Control: Grounding systems are vital for controlling static electricity in buildings, particularly in industrial
settings where flammable materials are present. Proper grounding can prevent static sparks that could potentially ignite
combustible substances.
5.EMI/RFI Reduction: Grounding helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) in
sensitive electronic systems. This is especially crucial in buildings where precise electronic equipment, such as medical devices
or data centers, is used.
6.Stability: Grounding contributes to the stability of the electrical system by maintaining voltage levels within safe limits. This
helps prevent electrical surges and voltage fluctuations that can potentially damage sensitive electronic equipment.
What are the types of Earthings? What damages can be done if there's no Earthing in buildings?

There are several types of electrical earthing systems used in buildings and electrical installations. The type of earthing depends on,
local electrical codes and regulations, and the requirements of the electrical equipment being used.
TN Earthing System:
•This system has three variants: TN-C, TN-S, and TN-C-S.
•TN-C (Combined Neutral and Earth):
•TN-S (Separate Neutral and Earth):
•TN-C-S (Combined at Source, Separate in Building):
•Often used in residential and small commercial buildings.
TT Earthing System (Separate Earth and Neutral):
•In this system, the earth and neutral conductors are kept separate throughout the electrical installation.
•Each electrical device or appliance is individually grounded.
•Often used in residential and small commercial buildings.

The damages that can occur if there is no proper earthing in buildings can be:
Electric Shock: Without proper earthing, electrical faults or leakage currents may flow through the building's metal structure,
making it possible for occupants to be exposed to electric shock hazards.
Equipment Damage: Electrical equipment and appliances may be damaged or destroyed due to voltage surges, electrical noise,
and other electrical disturbances.
Lightning Strikes: Buildings without adequate lightning protection grounding systems are more susceptible to damage from
lightning strikes, which can cause fires, structural damage, and equipment failure.
Fire Hazard: Electrical faults and overheating due to a lack of proper grounding can lead to electrical fires, which can result in
extensive damage to the building and pose a threat to life safety.
Inadequate Power Quality: A lack of grounding can lead to poor power quality, including voltage fluctuations and harmonics,
which can affect the performance of sensitive electronic equipment.

As a conclusion, electrical earthing in architecture and building construction is mainly for the purpose of safety that protects
humans, equipment's, and structures from electrical hazards, maintains the stability of the electrical system, and ensures
compliance with safety standards and regulations. And it should be carefully planned to make sure of the safety measurements.
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