Earthing Test

Introduction:

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

 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’s 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.
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 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

1) Three point method :

 In this method earth tester terminal C1 & P1 are shorted to each other and connected to the earth electrode
(pipe) under test.
 Terminals P2 & 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 Meter 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.
2) 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.

Maximum allowable Earth resistance:

 Major power station= 0.5 Ohm.
 Major Sub-station= 1.0 Ohm
 Minor Sub-station = 2 Ohm
  Neutral Bushing. =2 Ohm
 Service connection = 4 Ohm
 Medium Voltage Network =2 Ohm
 L.T.Lightening Arrester= 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.

What’s a Thermographic Survey and why we need

A thermographic survey is a visual investigation, to detect abnormally high temperatures within an electrical
installation. A higher than normal temperature indicates a problem within a system that could have serious
consequences if allowed to escalate.

Reasons for abnormal temperature

 Overloaded sockets
 Loose connections
 Faulty equipment
 Or simple fatigue

Any of the above elements can cause temperatures to rise before the electrical system fails.

Do you get a warning?

Thankfully, yes you would, as the one thing all these factors have in common is a spike in temperature or a ‘hot
spot’, warning you of an impending malfunction. Ignore this at your peril!
A thermographic survey should be part of an ongoing routine maintenance programme ensuring that your electrical
system remains in tip-top health. This prevents the risk of it overheating due to a lack of care and attention and
stops you from blowing a gasket as a result.

Give your electrical system some TLC and it will continue to operate for many years to come.
A picture paints a thousand words

A slight exaggeration maybe but a thermographic survey produces a series of top-quality thermal images
highlighting any defects – potential or actual in your electrical system. You’re probably familiar with the term
‘thermal imaging’ and the brightly colored images based upon infrared radiation. The hottest areas are yellow in
color whereas the coolest appear in blue.
A bright yellow area on your thermographic survey will indicate a hot spot and one that will require attention.
Conducting a thermographic survey
Thermographic surveys from One Way are performed by PCN certified engineers in accordance with ISO 18436:7
standards. All our engineers have extensive experience of the most complex electrical systems so you’ll be in safe
hands. Surveys are conducted when the system is under load as it is the best way to detect hot spots and prevent the
risk of a failure.
What electrical equipment would be included?
Anything that you have a particular concern about or equipment that cannot be isolated such as main distribution
boards. Add to that consumer units, mains units, LV transformers, control panels, motors and integrated wiring
systems then you have pretty much everything noted.
Maximum impact, minimum fuss
This type of survey is most valuable when carried out on large 24/7 systems that cannot be shutdown, such as
hospitals due to the threat to life and limb. Our knowledge and expertise, combined with methodical planning
enables us to conduct a thorough review. Carried out in safety, with no disruption to day-to-day business, you’ll
have a full audit trail for ‘due diligence’ purposes.
Your survey will include an introduction, summary of the process with faults identified and accompanying photos,
and recommended actions to take.