Earthing is the instantaneous discharge of electrical energy by passing charges directly to the earth using a low-resistance cable.
Different types of the earth are used to link the metallic parts of electrical appliances or installations to the earth to prevent or lessen the risk of electrocution.
The different forms of earthing include plate earthing systems, strip or wire earthing, rod earthing systems, and pipe earthing systems to ground, including wire in buildings, homes, machinery, and electrical equipment.
Earthing Procedure
Earthing is done to ensure safety by connecting the electrical appliance to the grounding/earthing system or electrodes placed near the soil or below ground level.
The flat iron riser-equipped electrode or earthing mat is installed underneath the ground's surface. It aids in the connection of all non-current-carrying metallic parts of the equipment.
The fault current from the equipment passes via the earthing system whenever an overload current is transmitted through the equipment or when a system fault arises due to the current. The earth mat conductors help raise the voltage by an amount equal to the earth mat's resistance multiplied by a ground fault. This protects the equipment from overload or fault currents.
A building has 3 different wire types: live, neutral, and earth. The ground is linked to the buried metal plate and live and neutral conduct electric current from the power plant. When in use, electric equipment like TVs, iron boxes, and refrigerators are all linked to the ground wire. As a result, these gadgets are shielded from shocks or poor electrical supplies. Local earthing is carried out close to the home's electrical meter.
Types of Earthing
Earthing, or electrical grounding, is done in housing, wiring, and electrical devices. The various types of electric earthing systems are:
1. Pipe Earthing
Pipe earthing is a common method of connecting to the earth's electrical conductors by using a steel pipe. Galvanized steel pipe with a diameter of 38 mm and a length of 2 meters is used as an earth electrode in pipe earthing by being laid vertically in the ground.
The amount of moisture in the soil and the strength of the current influence the size of the iron pipe that needs to be used. The soil's moisture will determine the maximum depth at which the steel pipe may be installed.
The finest and most effective method of earthing is pipe earthing, which is also easily affordable.Â
2. Plate Earthing
For this form of earthing, a plate composed of copper or galvanized iron is placed vertically in the ground pit less than three meters above the ground. For a more effective electrical grounding system, one must maintain the earth's moisture condition surrounding the plate earthing system.
This plate is attached to electrical wires to redirect the electric charge within the earth.
3. Strip or Wire Earthing
In this form of earthing, strip electrodes with a minimum cross-sectional area of 6.0 mm2 and a minimum depth of 0.5 m are buried in horizontal trenches. If the electrodes are made of galvanized iron or steel, their cross-sectional area shall not be less than 25 mm x 1.6 mm.
When buried in the ground, a conductor with a minimum length of 15 m would provide enough earth resistance.
4. Rod Earthing
In this method of earthing, a copper rod with a galvanized steel pipe is placed vertically into the ground manually or with a hammer to the desired value; the lengths of the implanted electrodes reduce the earth's resistance.
The rod used for this purpose is buried in the dirt at a certain depth, securely diverting the short-circuit electricity to the ground.
This earthing technique is suitable for sandy areas and is also very budget-friendly.
Advantages of Earthing
- The safest and most effective way to provide safety for a building from electrocution is through earthing.Â
- The earth has no potential and is considered neutral. Balancing is accomplished because low resistance cable links low equipment to the ground.
- Metal may be utilized in electrical systems without considering its conductivity since it won't transmit current if properly earthed.
- If sufficient earthing precautions are taken, a rapid increase in voltage or overload has no negative effects on the object or the user.
- It reduces the possibility of fire hazards that the current leakage may otherwise bring about.
FAQs
Earthing is the instantaneous discharge of electrical energy by passing charges directly to the earth using a low-resistance cable.
Different types of the earth are used to link the metallic parts of electrical appliances or installations to the earth to prevent or lessen the risk of electrocution.
The four types of electric earthing systems are:
1. Pipe earthing
2. Plate earthing
3. Strip or Wire earthing
4. Rod earthing
1. The safest and most effective way to provide safety for a building from electrocution is through earthing.Â
2. The earth has no potential and is considered neutral. Balancing is accomplished because low resistance cable links low equipment to the ground.
3. Metal may be utilized in electrical systems without considering its conductivity since it won't transmit current if properly earthed.
4. If sufficient earthing precautions are taken, a rapid increase in voltage or overload has no negative effects on the object or the user.
5. It reduces the possibility of fire hazards that the current leakage may otherwise bring about.
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