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There are various kinds of earthing systems specifically designed for certain operating needs and electrical features.
These types are classified according to system voltage and earthing feature categories in the earthing system, which include:
In the valley earthing system, the supply system's earth and the equipment's local system are separately connected to the ground.
In this system, the provider's water pipeline is considered the main conductor for grounding. In case of any short-circuit conditions, the current is caused to flow through the local ground instead of the earthing system.
Valley earthing system's main feature is that it does not have any interconnection on the part of the user and the supplier. Rather, it utilizes physical components of the environment, such as metallic water pipes, to create a path for electrical currents. Examples include the use of metallic water pipes in grounding.
As for the advantages, no connection to the supply system means that even in remote places, adequate grounding can still be achieved. In addition, there's less risk for the equipment as a result of isolation from supplier currents. The disadvantage is that it works well only in areas with good soil conductivity for an excellent grounding result. Where conductivity is poor, users will need to augment with extra rods. An added earthing plate may also increase the cost. Poor conductivity means that the grounding system may become ineffective during fault conditions, endangering equipment.
In this system, the supply system is grounded at one point only, with the equipment having no direct connection to the ground. Instead, the equipment is partially insulated, with the system itself grounded through a neutral conductor.
There is an absence of direct system ground interconnection, and so if one part of the space is grounded, it doesn't mean the whole space is. This is to ensure that in the event that the grounding point of a system is short-circuited, it is only part of the space that will be affected. Often, system errors are likely to occur only after the grounding of both spaces have been interconnected.
Using IT systems in metalworking shops can be considered an improved earthing system, primarily due to the incorporation of insulation features. Its main element is the reduced interconnection. Since there is no direct inter-system ground linkage, the chance of common failure is reduced.
In this system, the whole system is grounded. The phase conductors are connected to ground throughout at least one point referred to as the neutral point. When this point is grounded, it means this is the point where the system voltage is equal. During fault condition, the fault current will return to the neutral ground location. This establishes a conductive path to the neutral ground, so when grounding this system, it means connecting it to the system neutral point.
Neutral-grounding methods used in power systems involve integrating the system's neutral point to provide a return pathway for fault current. Some commonly employed neutral-grounding techniques include:
Direct grounding
Also known as solid grounding, this technique involves directly connecting the system's neutral point to the ground. This creates a low-impedance fault current path during system defects. This kind of grounding is commonly used in system voltage.
Resistance grounding
This limits the fault current by incorporating grounding resistance, typically in the manner of grounding the neutral point through a resistor. The purpose is to reduce the intensity of the fault current, thus minimizing the chances of great damage to system components.
Reactance grounding
This is similar to resistance grounding. However, instead of outsider resistor, it uses inductance coil or reactor. These devices will be connected to neutral and ground. They function like a resistance but will provide more reliable grounding, especially in systems with significant voltage fluctuation.
Earth items have various features ranging from electrical to mechanical and even physical features.
The key factors include but are not limited to:
This is the main criteria for putting any component to the ground because only conductive materials can transmit electrical current. Common erthing conductors include copper boron steel and aluminum.
Grounding electrodes are the conductive components installed into the ground to disperse the electrical current. Grounding conductors connect equipment to these electrodes.
The grounding plate is a conductive material piece mounted horizontally into the soil to serve as an electrode.
This is the most common grounding element, usually a copper or galvanized steel rod, driven vertically into the ground.
They can also be used as grounding electrodes. They are conductive materials already embedded into the ground by the construction work.
This is the soil's ability to restrict electrical current flow, measured in ohmeter.
Low resistivity is desired as high resistivity means high resistance, restricting the electrical current flow and potentially making the system unsafe.
Asses using a soil test, the resistivity of the soil used will indicate whether the area is suitable for one of the earthing systems.
High temperatures can increase soil resistivity through the evaporation of moisture. Lowing the temperature will reduce the flash point.
Also, the incorporation of moisture-retaining materials such as clay can help lower the resistivity by more than what was previously measured.
The earthing systems can be used at the start of a construction project. During this period, and before the electrical installation, conductors can be an integrated component of the building baseline.
In most situations where grounding conductors are used, the only solution is to dig them out through the developed situations to rescue people in them.
Since grounding systems manufacturers try to use insulating materials in equipment for infused protection, they can be used to prevent people from exposed electrical current.
As previously mentioned, the earthing system relies on water pipes to conduct electrical currents. For this reason, any constructive element, like a concrete water pipe, can be used to conduct electrical current as long as the conduit conducts electricity. The current conducting ability of the element will depend on the element's material conductivity.
When creating or calibrating electrical test equipment, a manufacturer uses the typical voltage and the system neutral during grounding to enable the device to function well.
Water pipes provide grounding conductors, and grounding plates can be used to resolve traffic safety issues. For example, grounding rods can be employed to fix the problem of Energized conductors with low voltage by contacting them with a suitable conductor.
Many construction sites use temporary power supply. Grounding system conductors used for the space can be utilized as neutral point grounding for the temporary power supply.
Earthing systems are chosen based on the structures and electrical system owner preferences.
Guide on selecting appropriate earthing systems:
Limited access experience and inability to recover grounding electrode materials or destruction when dealing with bedrock and clay formation conditions. These geological conditions create a lot of trouble. Bedrock makes it impossible to drive grounding rods, while plastic clay may have very low grounding capability.
The type, voltage, and geographic region of electrical equipment like transformers, generators, and distribution boards can affect the type of earthing system used.
The following ways are how electrical equipment can determine the earthing system used:
System Voltage
High voltage systems usually need more complex earthing system compositions like resistance grounding to help defeat the fault current value. On the other hand, low-voltage systems can operate on a simpler structure like solid grounding.
Equipment Type
Uses like rectifiers and inverters require an insulation infere-solution for grounding. Industrial utilize IT systems because where the risk of transient is lower, go for valley earthing.
Geographic Location and Soil Condition
The soil type, terrain, and resistivity in a given area can affect the choice of earthing system. High resistivity, like rocky or sandy soil, require additional grounding electrodes to achieve low resistance. In area with high lightning occurrence, the earthing system should be enhanced to adequately contain lightning arresters.
Using valley earthing means the manufacturer will have to apply one or more grounding conductors to interconnect the earthing systems like first. Since there will be no isolation but rather just limited interconnection, the IT system will only require one of its space components to be grounded. For this space, one rule of thumb to remember is that this must not be common to other spaces that are grounded.
All these conditions must be carefully measured and evaluated, as their impact can develop adverse effects. Grounding system has to comply with all safety measures, just like any safety measure.
Earthing systems are required to be well constructed and maintained through a series of inspection processes. The overall health of the system will determine how effective the system is in protecting against electrical hazards.
A1. To check whether there is an effective earthing system, one can place a voltage tester set to home voltage range on the power outlet and read the test wire. If the readout shows about 1 to 3V, it may mean the earth has good resistance. If the number is more than 0-1V, it possibly indicates there is no earth connection.
A2. The term grounding is when a conductor is connected to the physical earth for safety reasons. For example, electrical appliances may employ grounding to prevent shock. Earthing, on the other hand, is grounding the neutral wire in the system and providing a return path for electrical current. It helps stabilize voltage by providing a reference point.
A3. Without proper grounding system, lightning strikes also have no way of dispersing. As a result, it may seek the shortest path to the ground and therefore strike the building or any other structure within its vicinity. While grounding will not eradicate lightning strikes, it will give lightning a safer pathway than your house.
A4. Some of the symptoms that may indicate grounding issue problems are electrical equipment malfunctioning, like frequent power surges or tripping. Low or fluctuation voltage readings and an electrical shock experienced when touching appliances also indicate the grounding system may have issues. Presence of corrosion on appliances or plumbing system and erratic behavior of electronic items also signals poor grounding, which is worth investigating.
