EARTHING & LIGHTNING

PROTECTION SYSTEM
Presented By : Ar. Jasper .S– Asst Prof BGSSAP
 EARTHING
Earthing & Lightning Protection System:
Definition, Purpose; Types of Earthing Systems,
Factors affecting selection and system
specification - Type of Soil, water table, soil
resistivity etc. Brief about new advances in
earthing systems; Lightning system design -
Factors affecting the system specification, basic
rules as per NBC and other relevant codes.

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 WHAT IS EARTHING

The process of connecting metallic bodies of all the electrical apparatus

and equipment to huge mass of earth by a wire having negligible
resistance is called Earthing. This brings the body of the electrical
equipment to zero potential and thus will avoid the shock to the operator.

Earthing
The term earthing means connecting the neutral point of supply system
or the non current carrying parts of the electrical apparatus to the
general mass of earth in such a manner that all times an immediate
discharge of electrical energy takes place without danger.
Neutral Equipment

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 3

 NEUTRAL EARTHING
In neutral earthing the neutral of the system is directly connected to the
earth by the help of GI wire. The neutral earthing can also be called as
system earthing provided in the generator, transformer , motor etc..

• To isolate system under fault condition

• To limit the potential difference between conductors which are

not insulated in an area.

• To limit occurrence of over voltages under various conditions

EQUIPMENT EARTHING
The type of earthing which is provide to the electrical equipment, the non
current carrying part of the equipment like their metallic frame is
connected to the earth by the help of the conducting wire.

If any fault occurs, the short circuit current to pass the earth by the help
of the wire.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S Thus protect the system from damage

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 ELECTRICAL FAULT
Fault in electrical equipment or apparatus is define as an imperfection in
the electrical circuit due to which current is deflected from the intended
path.

A fault is an abnormal condition of the electrical system which damages

the electrical system which damages the electrical equipment and
disturbs the normal flow of electrical current

The higher the potential difference the more the damage. The effect of an
electric shock is a function of what parts of body come in contact with
each conductor, the resistance of each contact point the surface resistance
of the body at the contact as well as other factor.
• Fig 1 illustrates the amount of current
When the electrical contact is such that the circuit path through the body is
that can flow through human body at
across the heart, you have the greatest potential for death.
three different potential differences
As shown in fig the human body’s resistance varies from as low as 500 across the body also shown is the effect
ohms to as high as 600,000 ohms. As the skin become moist the contact of different current level both AC and
resistance drop. If the skin is moist due to sweat that contain salt the DC the ultimate effect is fibrillation
resistance drop further which cause the heart to stop and result
in death

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 5

 PURPOSE OF EARTHING
1. To save human life from danger or shock or death by
blowing fuse of any apparatus which becomes leaky.

2. Provide an alternative path for the fault current to

flow so that it will not endanger the user.

3. To drain away any leakage of current due to poor

insulation that it may be safe to work.

4. Indian electricity rule no.61

5. Good Earthing must have low impedance enough

to ensure that sufficient current can flow through
the safety device so that it disconnects the supply (
<0.4 sec ).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X_Hy8i8Itg

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 6

 PURPOSE OF EARTHING
6. To protect buildings, machinery & appliances
under fault conditions ie. To ensure that all exposed
QUALITIES OF GOOD
conductive parts do not reach a dangerous
EARTHING
potential.
• Must be of low electrical resistance.
7. To provide safe path to dissipate lightning and
short circuit currents. • Must be of good corrosion
resistance.
8. To provide stable platform for operation of
sensitive electronic equipment's i.e. To maintain the • Must be able to dissipate high fault
voltage at any part of an electrical system at a current repeatedly
known value so as to prevent over current or
excessive voltage on the appliances or equipment .

9.To provide protection against static electricity

from friction

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 7

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 8
 Dedicative Earthing

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 METHODS OF EARTHING
1. Earthing through water mains.

2. Pipe Earthing

3. Plate Earthing

4. Rod Earthing

5. Wire or strip earthing

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 10

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 PIPE EARTHING
• Common and best system of earthing
• The size of the pipe which serves as an earth electrode depends
on
- the current to be carried
- the type of soil
• According to ISI, the galvanized iron pipe shall not be less
than 38mm diameter and 2m long for ordinary soil but if the
soil is dry and rocky, the length of the pipe to be embedded
should be increased to 2.75m.
• The pipe must be placed in a permanent wet ground. • At the top a cement concrete work is made
• According to ISI pipe should be placed at a depth of 4.75m for the protection of earth pipe from
again depending upon moisture. mechanical damage and also to facilitate
• The pipe having a tapered casing at the bottom is placed water pouring arrangements for provision
of dampness.
upright in that pit.
• A funnel with mesh is provided in the
• The charcoal and salt are filled in that pit alternately in
concrete work so that water is put through
layers up to 2m from bottom and for a distance of about
the funnel in order to have an effective
15cm around the pipe to increase dampness and moisture
earth, whenever needed 3 to 4 buckets of
around the earth pipe.
water should be poured .
• The pipe placed has 12mm dia holes drilled in to so that water
• The pipe to which funnel is connected is
poured from top is made to spread in charcoal layers through
further connected to main earthing pipe.
the holes to decrease earth resistance accordingly.
• Another GI pipe is taken from the funnel
• The pit of about 40 sq.cm is dug in the soil. towards outerside for its connection to
earth wire.
• The earth wire from GI pipe of dia 12.7mm
at a depth of about 60 cm below the
ground.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 12

 PLATE 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 x 8mm. OR Copper plate of size
600 mm X 600 mm X 3.15mm
• Plate is buried at the depth of 8 FEET in the vertical position and GI
strip of size 50 mm x6mm is bolted with the plate, brought up to the
groundlevel.
• These earth pits are generally filled with alternate layer of charcoal &
salt up to 4 feet from the bottom of the pit.
• Wood Coal Powder is used as good conductor ofelectricity

• The purpose of coal and salt is to keep the soil wet permanently.

• Salt percolates and coal absorbs water keeping the soilwet.

• Care should always be taken by WATERING the earth pits in summer so

that the pit soil is wet.

• Coal is made of carbon which is good conductor minimizing the earth

resistant.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 13

 Earthing through water mains :
• Normally this method is not advisable
• It is ensured that the water pipe is of iron and electrically
continuous
• When making an earth connection, care must be
taken to limit the contact resistance to the minimum
• Well designed pipe clamps should be used.
Wire or strip earthing
• A copper wire of 5SWG or copper strip of cross section not
less than 25mm wide and 1.6mm thick is used as earth
wire.
• In case of round conductors the cross sectional area for
copper – not less than 6 sq.mm and of galvanized iron or
steel is 6 sq.mm
• It shall not be less than 8 to 15m depending upon moisture
content in the soil.
• Enough length wire or strip to be buried so as to reduce
earth resistance value to a large extent.
• If conditions require use of more than one strip, they
shall be either in parallel trenches or in radial trenches.
• Strips are used in are where it is difficult to dig pits of
desired depth due to rocky bed.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 14

 ROD EARTHING
• A solid copper rod of dia 12.5mm / 19mm dia of
galvanized iron / hollow GI pipe of 25mm dia is
used
• Rods driven vertically in to up to a depth of 5 to
6m depending upon depth of moisture in the
earth.
• Suitable for sandy earth
• Earth wire carried in the pipe to the ground and
in case of solid rod, the wire is to be tied to it
with small sturdy clamps.

• To increase the embedded length of electrodes

under the ground which is sometimes required
to reduce the earth resistance to desired value,
more than 1 rod sections are hammered one
above the other with proper joints.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 15

 DEFINITIONS
1)Earth electrode: Any wire, pipe, rod or metal
plate embedded in earth for the purpose of making an
electrical connection with general mass of earth is
known as earth electrode.
2)Main earthing conductor: The wire which
connects overhead earth wire or any other apparatus
to be earthed to the earth electrode is known so.
3)Sub main earthing conductor: The earth wire
which runs between the main switch board to the
distribution board or along sub mains is known as
sub main earthing electrode.
4)Earth continuity conductor is the conductor
running between the distribution board and various
plugs.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 16

 • The earthing electrode shall always be placed
INDIAN STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS in vertical position inside the earth or pit so
that it may be in contact with all different earth
REGARDING EARTHING OF ELECTRICAL layers.
INSTALLATION • All the earth wires run along the various sub
circuits shall be terminated and looped firmly
1)Distance of earth from building: An earthing electrode shall not be situated within a at the main board and from this the main earth
distance of 1.5m from the building whose installation system is being earthed.
shall be taken to the earth electrode
2)Size of earth continuity conductor: The conductor, by means of which the metal body
of an equipment or appliance is connected to the earth is known as ‘earth continuity
conductor (ecc) ’. The cross section of this earth continuity should not be either less than
2.9 sq.mm or half of the installation conductor size.
Factors considered for the choice of the
3)Resistance of earth: The main principle regarding earth resistance is that the earth earthing conductor
resistance should be low enough to cause flow of current sufficient to operate the
protective relay or blow fuses in the event of an earth fault.
• It may have to carry current at the
• The value earth resistance has to change with the weather as it depends on the time of short circuit.
moisture content of the soil and are maximum during dry season. • The conductor should have high
• As a general rule, the lower the value of earth resistance better it is but then the
following values of earth resistance will give satisfactory results conductivity preferably copper.
1) Large power station – 0.5 ohms • It should have sufficient diameter in
2) Major power station – 1.0 ohms order to carry the fault current safely.
3) Small substations – 2.0 ohms • Instead of copper if iron wire is used
4) In all other cases – 8.0 ohms it should be galvanized so that it does
• The earth wire and earth electrode will be of same material. not get rusty in adverse conditions as
• The earth wire shall be taken through GI pipe of 12.7mm of diameter for atleast it had to be buried in to the earth.
30.5cm length above and below ground surface to the electrode to protect it
against mechanical damage.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 17

 Factors affecting selection and system specification in Earthing

3.Moisture
1. Soil Resistivity : Moisture has a great influence on resistivity
It is the resistance of soil to the passage of electric value of soil. The resistivity of a soil can be
current. The earth resistance value (ohmic value) of an earth determined by the quantity of water held by
pit depends on soil resistivity. It is the resistance of the soil to the soil and resistivity of the water itself.
the passage of electric current. Conduction of electricity in soil is through
It varies from soil to soil. It depends on the physical water.
composition of the soil, moisture, dissolved salts, grain size and The resistance drops quickly to a more or
distribution, seasonal variation, current magnitude etc. In less steady minimum value of about 15%
depends on the composition of soil, Moisture content, moisture. And further increase of moisture
Dissolved salts, grain size and its distribution, seasonal level in soil will have little effect on soil
variation, current magnitude. resistivity. In many locations water table
2. Soil Condition : goes down in dry weather conditions.
Different soil conditions give different soil resistivity. Most of Therefore, it is essential to pour water in
the soils are very poor conductors of electricity when they are and around the earth pit to maintain
completely dry. Soil resistivity is measured in ohm-meters or moisture in dry weather conditions.
ohm-cm. Moisture significantly influences soil
Soil plays a significant role in determining the performance of resistivity
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.
Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 18
 7.Location of the earth pit
4. Dissolved salts
Pure water is poor conductor of electricity. Resistivity of soil • The minimum distance from
depends on resistivity of water which in turn depends on the wall to pit should not be less
amount and nature of salts dissolved in it. than 1.5m
Small quantity of salts in water reduces soil resistivity by 80%. • The building foundation should
Common salt is most effective in improving conductivity of not be affected by excavation of
soil. But it corrodes metal and hence discouraged. pit.
• Should not be located near
5. Climate Condition
pavements, roads, railway tracks
Increase or decrease of moisture content determines the
etc.
increase or decrease of soil resistivity. Thus in dry whether • Should not be placed closely to
resistivity will be very high and in monsoon months the metal fence, if it is unavoidable
the fence should be earthed.
resistivity will be low.
8. Effect of grain size and its
6. Physical Composition distribution
Different soil composition gives different average resistivity. Grain size, its distribution and
Based on the type of soil, the resistivity of clay soil may be closeness of packing are also
in the range of 4 – 150 ohm-meter, whereas for rocky or gravel contributory factors, since
soils, the same may be well above 1000 ohm-meter. they control the manner in
which the moisture is held in
the soil.
Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 19
 Effect of seasonal variation on soil resistivity: Increase or 11. Obstructions
decrease of moisture content in soil determines decrease or The soil may look good on the surface,
increase of soil resistivity. Thus in dry weather resistivity will be but there may be obstructions below a
very high and during rainy season the resistivity will be low. few feet like virgin rock. In that event
9. Effect of current magnitude resistivity will be affected. Obstructions
Soil resistivity in the vicinity of ground electrode may be like concrete structure near about the
affected by current flowing from the electrode into the pits will affect resistivity.
surrounding soil. The thermal characteristics and the moisture If the earth pits are close by, the
content of the soil will determine if a current of a given resistance value will be high.
magnitude and duration will cause significant drying and thus
increase the effect of soil resistivity. 12. Current Magnitude
10. Area Available A current of significant magnitude and
Single electrode rod or strip or plate will not achieve the duration will cause significant drying
desired resistance alone. condition in soil and thus increase the
If a number of electrodes could be installed and interconnected soil resistivity
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.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 20

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION
The system for protecting a building against the
effects of lighting must include,

• Protection of structures against direct lighting

strokes.

• Protection of electrical installation against

direct and indirect lightning strokes.

To achieve this it is necessary to :

• Capture the lightning current and channel it

to earth ,

• Perform equipotential bonding of the

equipments

SPD – Surge protection devices

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 21

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 22
 INTERNAL LPS COMPONENTS

1. Equipotential Bonding - commonly referred to as bonding

- is a very important measure in reducing the risk of
equipment damage and personal injury. Bonding involves
joining together all metalwork and conductive items that
are or may be earthed so that it is at the same potential
(voltage) everywhere.

Sudden voltage rise is called as Surge

1. Surge Protection Devices (SPD) - The terms surge

protection device (SPD) and transient voltage surge
suppressor (TVSS) are used to describe electrical devices
typically installed in power distribution panels, process
control systems, communications systems, and other
heavy-duty industrial systems, for the purpose of
protecting against electrical surges and spikes, including
those caused by lightning.

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 23

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 EXTERNAL LIGHTNING PROTECTION
COMPONENTS

1. Air Terminals – Pointed copper or aluminium rods

projecting above a structure

2. Earth Terminals – embedded in highly conductive soil (or

in a network of buried wires if the soil is

nonconductive, such as bedrock or very dry soil)

3. Down Conductors – That connect air and ground

terminals, these may be exposed on the building’s
exterior or concealed within the structure
DOWN
CONDUCTOR
STIPS
LIGHTNING RODS 25
Presented by Ar. Jasper.S
 TYPES
The 3 types of lightning protection system :-
1. The lightning rod (simple rod or with triggering system)
2. The lightning rod with taut wires
3. The lightning conductor with meshed cage (Faraday cage)
The system consists of:
1. The capture device: the lightning protection system;
2. Down-conductors designed to convey the lightning current to
earth;
3. "crow's foot" earth leads connected together;
4. links between all metallic frames (equipotential bonding) and
the earth leads.
When the lightning current flows in a conductor, if potential
differences appear between it and the frames connected to earth
that are located in the vicinity, the latter can cause destructive
flashovers.

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 THE LIGHTNING ROD (SIMPLE ROD OR WITH
TRIGGERING SYSTEM) :

The lightning rod is a metallic capture tip placed at the top of the
building. It is earthed by one or more conductors (often copper
strips) (see Fig. J12).

It is made up of 2 to 8 m high tapered metal rod that dominates

the structure to be protected and which is connected to
minimum two down conductors and two earthing system.

THE LIGHTNING ROD WITH TAUT WIRES

These wires are stretched above the structure to be protected.
They are used to protect special structures: rocket launching
areas, military applications and protection of high-voltage
overhead lines (see Fig. J13).

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 27

 THE LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR WITH MESH
CAGE :

• This protection involves placing numerous down

conductors/tapes symmetrically all around the
building. (see Fig. J14).
• This type of lightning protection system is used for highly
exposed buildings housing very sensitive installations
such as computer rooms.
• It is derived from the faraday cage consist of meshed
conductors that cover the roof and walls of the structure
to be protected

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 28

 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
• Define lightning protection device ?its components and
types in detail with sketches?

• Explain internal lightning protection system in detail?

• Factors affecting selection and system specifications in

earthing?

• Methods of earthing and explain it in detail with

sketches ?

• Factors to be considered during earthing installations?

Presented by Ar. Jasper.S 29

THANK YOU

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Reference :
Source : http://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/Building_protection_system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVhKzyNRY_g&list=PLcwp2fRcIXJWOOA1w
JGXbRRWKUPXqS7Fd&index=10

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