Grounding and Bonding For Electrical Systems-Rev01
Grounding and Bonding For Electrical Systems-Rev01
Grounding and Bonding For Electrical Systems-Rev01
PART 1 - GENERAL
A. Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including Conditions of Contract and
Division 1 Specification Sections, apply to this Section.
B. The following Sections contain special requirements that relate to this Section:
1. Division 26 Section "Underground Ducts and Raceways for Electrical Systems" for
ground earth pits.
2. Division 26 Section "Lightning Protection for structures" for additional grounding
and bonding materials.
3. Division 26 Section "Basic Electrical Materials and Methods".
4. Division 26 Section "Conductors and Cables".
1.2 SUMMARY
A. This Section includes complete installations to earth every source of energy and to provide
protective earthing and equipotential bonding, based on the TN-C-S system arrangement,
including:
1.3 DEFINITIONS
A. The following terms used on the Drawings and in the Specification are equivalent and may
be used interchangeably: "earth" and "ground"; "earthing" and "grounding".
B. Earth: Conductive mass of the Earth whose electric potential at any point is conventionally
taken as zero.
C. Earth Electrode: Conductor or group of conductors in initial contact with, and providing
electrical connection to, Earth.
D. Exposed Conductive Part: Any part which can be readily touched and which is not a live
part, but which may become live under fault conditions.
E. Extraneous Conductive Part: Any conductive part not forming part of the electrical
installation such as structural metalwork of a building, metallic gas pipes, water pipes,
heating tubes etc. and non-electrical apparatus electrically connected to them i.e. radiators,
cooking ranges, metal sinks etc. and non-insulating floors and walls.
F. Protective Conductor: Conductor used for some measure of protection against electric shock
and intended for connecting together any of the following parts:
G. Electrically Independent Earth Electrodes: Earth electrodes located at such distance from
one another that maximum current likely to flow through one of them does not significantly
affect the potential of the other(s).
H. Main Earthing Terminal or Bar: The terminal or bar provided for the connection of
protective conductors, including equipotential bonding and functional earthing conductors if
any to the means of earthing.
1.4 SUBMITTALS
A. Product Data: Prior to ordering materials, submit data for approval including, but not
limited to, manufacturer’s catalogues for each type of product indicated including the
following:
1. Ground rods.
2. Connecting clamps.
3. Earthing conductors, protective conductors, and bonding conductors.
4. Connectors and other accessories.
5. Exothermic welding kits and tools.
6. Earth pit details.
7. Test reports to relevant standard
B. Qualification Data: For firms and persons specified in "Quality Assurance" Article to
demonstrate their capabilities and experience. Include lists of completed projects with
project names and addresses, names and addresses of architects/engineers and owners, and
other information specified or required by Engineer.
C. Field Test Reports: Submit written test reports to include the following:
3. Results of failed tests and corrective action taken to achieve test results that comply
with requirements.
D. Shop and Construction Drawings: Submit drawings for approval including, but not limited
to, the following:
1. Exact location of earth pits, rods and details of installation and connections.
2. Exact routing of buried earthing conductors with indication of cross-section, depth of
laying and covering.
3. Cross sectional area of all earthing, protective and bonding conductors.
4. Layout and details of earthing provisions at substations, generator rooms, switchgear,
distribution panelboards etc., indicating fittings used, insulation, plates and marking,
passage and routing of earthing conductors, conduit, sleeves, grooves, niches etc.,
giving sizes and dimensions of component parts.
G. Product Certificate letter: Submit a letter showing the country of origin, project details
(Project name, client name, consultant name and contractor …etc.) and the supplied
quantities to the engineer for review. The engineer has the full right to check the validity of
this letter with the original manufacturer.
1. IEC 60364-1, IEC 60364-5-51, IEC 60364-5-55 and IEC 60364-4-41: Electrical
Installations in Buildings.
2. Latest edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671.
3. BS 7430: Code of Practice for Earthing.
4. BS EN 50310: Application of Equipotential Bonding and Earthing in Buildings with
Information Technology Equipment.
5. EN 50174-2, Information technology – Cabling installations – Installation and
planning and practices inside buildings.
6. TIA J-STD-607-B: Commercial Building Grounding and Bonding Requirements for
Telecommunications.
C. Comply with IEC 62305 when interconnecting with lightning protection system.
2.1 MANUFACTURERS:
1. BICC
2. Copperweld
3. Furse
4. Wallis
5. ERICO
6. Kingsmill
B. Provide a common earth termination network for all services, consisting of bonding earthing
networks of all individual services. The resistance to earth should, in this case be the lowest
value needed for any of the individual services. Combined resistance to ground of the whole
network is not to exceed 1 Ohms.
C. Earth electrode is to consist of one or more earth rods, interconnected by buried earthing
tape or cable; distance between two rods is not to be less than twice the length of one rod
driven depth.
D. Ring type earth electrode consisting of earthing conductors, in a closed loop, buried in
exterior wall foundations underneath the water-proofing, or alternatively buried at a depth of
0.5 m and a distance of about 1 m around external walls, or as shown on the Drawings.
Connect all earthing conductors to this ring. Insulated connection flags into the building, of
same material as earthing conductors, at locations specified in point (F) underneath are to
terminate into bolt-type earth points (studs) or test- links for connection of main earth bar(s).
Additional earth rods connecting with the earth ring are to be provided, as necessary, to
bring down earth electrode resistance to the specified value.
E. Alternative Earth Electrode: other types of earth electrode may be used, after approval,
including:
G. Testing joints (test links) are to be provided, in an accessible position, on each main earthing
conductor, between earthing terminal or bar and earth electrode/earthing loop. Location of
test link shall be approved by the Engineer.
H. Protective conductors are to be separate for each circuit. Where protective conductor is
common to several circuits, cross-sectional area of protective conductor is to be the largest
of the conductor sizes.
I. Protective conductors are not to be formed by conduit, trunking, ducting or the like. Where
armored cable is specified and armor is steel, it may be used as a protective conductor, if
approved and if not otherwise shown on the Drawings.
K. Ensure by calculation that Earth Fault Loop Impedance values for final circuits are to satisfy
the requirements of BS 7671 regulations.
M. Main Equipotential Bonding: Main incoming and outgoing water pipes and any other
metallic service pipes are to be connected by main equipotential bonding conductors to main
earth terminal or bar. Bonding connections are to be as short as practicable between point
of entry/exit of services and main earthing bar. Where meters are installed, bonding is to be
made on the premise side of the meter. Cross-sections of conductors are not to be less than
half that of the earthing conductor connected thereto, and minimum 6 mm2.
A. Buried Earth Conductors: Bare annealed copper strip conductors 30 x 4 mm, or annealed
stranded copper conductors 120 mm2 cross-section, unless otherwise indicated on drawings.
C. Protective Conductors: Single core stranded annealed copper, PVC insulated cables, having
rated insulation grade compatible with circuit protected, or to be a conductor forming part of
a multi-core cable, color coded.
D. Protective Bonding Conductors: Bare copper strip conductor, annealed stranded copper
cable or flexible strap (flexible braid) of cross-sectional area as described in Article
"General Requirements" hereof.
E. Power Systems (transformer, medium voltage switchgear, generator, and main distribution
board) Main Earthing Bar: Consisting of hard drawn copper bar, 50 x 6 mm, unless
otherwise indicated on drawings. Earth bar is to be labeled 'Main Earth Bar' and is to be pre-
drilled wit holes for use with standard sized lugs, for connection of conductors, at a spacing
not less than 75 mm, and is to be supplied with copper alloy bolts, nuts and washers and
wall mounting insulators.
F. Telecommunication Systems Main Earthing Bar: similar to above but with minimum
dimensions 100 x 6 mm for the main grounding busbar of the main telecommunication
room, and 50 x6 mm for equipment rooms grounding busbars.
A. Copper or copper alloy, purpose made, of approved design, compatible with points of
connection, and of adequate cross-section and current carrying capacity.
C. Welded Connectors: Exothermic-welded type, in kit form, and selected per manufacturer's
written instructions.
A. Ground Rod: 16-mm diameter high strength, low carbon steel core of high tensile strength
(600 N/mm2), with 99.99% pure electrolytic copper molecularly bonded into steel core,
0.25 mm minimum thickness Driving head is to be high strength steel. Couplings are to be
long length silicon bronze, internally threaded. Threads are to be rolled onto rod to ensure
uniform layers of copper and strength. Earth rod is to be complete with couplings, head and
bolted connector of sufficient size, and number of bolted clamps to connect all cables
terminated thereto.
B. Tape Mats (Earth Lattice): Where earth rods are not likely to be used, earth electrode is to
consist of parallel and perpendicular copper strips, spacing interval as shown on drawings,
burial depth 0.6m minimum, welded together by exothermic welds to form a 600 x 600 x 3
mm (6x6 matrix) grid. Tape is to be 25 x 3 mm strip conductor.
C. Earth Pit:
2. Heavy duty, square lightweight handhole (minimum 317.5 x 317.5mm), body and
cover are made of high performance polymer / polypropylene, chemical resistant, UV
stable, body can withstand more than 4000 kg load and extending to about 150 mm
below top of earth rod. Earth pit is to be provided for each earth rod where connected
to an earthing conductor. Cover is to be engraved with inscription 'Earth Pit’. Pit is to
be used in car drive lane spaces.
PART 3 - EXECUTION
A. Medium Voltage (MV) switchgear and Ring Main Unit (RMU) is to have a separate main
earthing bar connected to MV switchgear room earth bar by two insulated earthing
conductors not less than 120mm2, unless otherwise shown on drawings.
B. LV switchgear (main distribution board) is to have separate main earthing bar connected to
LV room earth bar by two insulated earthing conductors not less than 120 mm2, unless
otherwise shown on drawings.
C. Transformer room is to have a separate MV main earthing bar, to which the transformer
earthing terminal is to be connected by insulated copper earthing conductor not less than
120mm2, unless otherwise shown on drawings.
E. Outdoor package substation earthing is to comprise at least four earth rods, each providing a
connection point of an earthing conductor connected to one end of the earthing bars at MV
and LV switchgear sections respectively. The four rods are to be interconnected together
and to the earth electrode.
F. Lightning arresters are to be directly connected to earth electrode, following the shortest
path. Each lightning arrester is to be connected at a dedicated earth rod, unless otherwise
shown on drawings.
C. Socket outlets are to be earthed by protective conductor looped around with the branch
circuit and connected to earth terminal within socket outlet box and to which socket outlet
terminal is to be connected.
D. Final Ring Sub-Circuits: Protective conductor of every final ring sub-circuit is to be in the
form of a ring having both ends connected to earth terminal at origin of circuit in
panelboard.
E. Lighting fixtures and other exposed conductive parts of electrical installations, such as
switches, heaters, air conditioning units etc. are to be connected by protective earth
conductors to earthing terminals of respective panelboards.
A. Mechanical room is to have separate earthing bar(s) or loop conveniently located, and
connected by earthing conductors to exposed conductive parts of motor control centre at its
earthing bar, and to motors, switches and other electrical equipment etc. at their earthing
terminals, using copper conductor with half size of the protective earth conductor and not
less than 6 mm2, , unless otherwise indicated on drawings. Conductors are to be securely
fixed, recessed in floor grooves or niches, or fixed to walls by appropriate staples. Earth bar
or loop is to be securely fixed to building wall with copper or brass saddles.
B. Earthing bar with minimum size of (40 x 4 mm) is to be connected by two insulated earthing
conductors, one at each end of the bar, through testing joints to the earth electrode/earth
loop, or to the main LV earth bar. Earthing conductors are to be minimum 70 mm2 or as
shown on drawings.
C. Motor and other equipment earth terminals are to be connected also by protective earth
conductors of each branch circuit to earth terminal/bar at motor control centre, panel or
distribution unit.
A. Earthing Cables: separate protective earthing cables for lighting column circuits are to be
run with power circuit, terminated at LV supply position in lighting control panel and
looped into column earthing terminals. The last column is to be bonded via an earthing bolt
to a single 14 mm diameter copper covered steel rod, 2.4 m long, driven into ground
adjacent to column. Bonding is to be 16 mm2 stranded bare copper conductor, unless
otherwise indicated on drawings.
B. Connections between rods and earthing conductors are to be made by the Cadweld process
producing a fused joint. Bolted connections may be used for connection to removable items
of equipment only.
A. Signal and communication systems room is to have separate earthing bar conveniently
located, and connected by two insulated earthing conductors, one at each end of the bar,
through testing joints to the earth electrode, or to the main LV earth bar. Earthing
conductors are to be minimum 70 mm2 or as shown on drawings.
B. For telephone, alarm, voice and data, and other communication systems, provide 16mm2
minimum insulated grounding conductor in raceway from grounding electrode system to
each service location, terminal cabinet, wiring closet, and central equipment location, unless
otherwise indicated on drawings or recommended by system provider.
A. The metallic sheath and armor of multi-core cables shall be bonded together and earthed.
B. The Contractor shall connect, unless otherwise instructed, all cable sheaths and armor,
supporting steel work and the metal enclosure of sealing boxes, joints, etc., to the main earth
bar by suitable branch connections which may be of bare or insulated stranded conductor as
required to suit the cable system.
C. Concentric type bonding leads of suitable impedance shall be employed where necessary.
The bonding and earthing system shall be subject to the approval of the Engineer and shall
be designed to meet the subsequent maintenance requirements.
3.7 INSTALLATION
B. Earth Rods: While siting earth rods, ensure that resistance areas associated with individual
rods do not overlap. Earth rods are to be located at a distance greater than 1 m horizontally
from foundations of buildings. Where rock is encountered, a hole of sufficient size is to be
drilled before lowering the rod. Conductive filler such as Marconite or Bentonite or equal
filler that will not corrode, is to be provided around the rod.
C. Buried earthing conductors are to be laid at a depth not less than 0.5 m from ground surface
or in the blinding layer under the waterproofing membrane
D. Earthing conductors are to follow shortest path between earth rods and main earthing
terminals or bars, and are to run in PVC conduit (duct) fastened to building structure by
approved supports and extending 0.2 m above level, and are to be protected against
mechanical damage and corrosion, unless otherwise indicated on drawings.
E. Protective Conductors: Separate protective conductors, which are not part of a cable, are to
be fixed on same support or drawn into same conduit as circuit conductors.
F. Protective Bonding: Remove any non-conductive paint, enamel or similar coating at threads,
contact points and surfaces and ensure that bonding is made by fittings designed to make
secure bonds.
3.8 CONNECTIONS
A. Protection against Corrosion: Protect bolted connections against corrosion either by filling
with Vaseline or coating with a special anti-corrosion compound and proper capping.
C. Connections: Where earth connections between dissimilar metals must be made, use
bimetallic fittings and protect by coating with moisture resisting bituminous paint or
compound, or by wrapping with protective tape to exclude moisture.
E. Tighten screws and bolts for grounding and bonding connectors and terminals according to
manufacturer's published torque-tightening values. If manufacturer's torque values are not
indicated, use those specified in applicable Standards.
A. Combined resistance of earth electrodes is to be measured during dry season and checked
against specified resistance.
C. Electrical continuity of all earthing and protective conductors including main and
supplementary equipotential bonding conductors is to be checked.
D. Earth fault loop impedance of all circuits is to be measured and checked against calculated
impedance figures.
A. Restore surface features, including vegetation, at areas disturbed by Work of this Section.
Reestablish original grades, unless otherwise indicated. If sod has been removed, replace it
as soon as possible after backfilling is completed. Restore areas disturbed by trenching,
storing of dirt, cable laying, and other activities to their original condition. Include
application of topsoil, fertilizer, lime, seed, sod, sprig, and mulch. Comply with Division 2
Section "Landscaping." Maintain restored surfaces. Restore disturbed paving as indicated.