Electrotechnics

T09-Importance and Types of Electrical

Grounding Systems

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 Objective
Identify the importance and types of electrical
Grounding Systems.
Content:

- Introduction.
- Electrical Grounding Definition.
- Types of Electrical Grounding Systems.
- Common Methods for Electrical Grounding Systems.
- Importance of Electrical Grounding Systems.
- Conclusions.
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 Electrical Grounding Explained
What is Ground? Earth Ground/Earthing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO-Dnk6ZKrI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLW_7TPf310

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 Introduction

The ground is the common point of return

for an electrical flow.
The grounding system is a backup pathway
that has an alternate route for an electrical
current to flow to ground due to any risk in
the electrical system before it gets a fire or
shock.

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 Electrical Grounding Definition

“Grounding" means a low-resistance path has been made for electricity to

flow into the ground.
A "grounded" connection includes a connection between the electrical
equipment and a ground through a wire.
Once wired properly, this provides your devices and appliances a secure
place to discharge excess electrical current.
This will potentially prevent electrical equipment from several risks.

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 Electrical Grounding Definition

The National Electrical Code defines ground as a "conducting connection,

whether intentional or accidental between an electrical circuit or equipment
and earth or some conducting body that serves in place of the earth."

The (NEC) limits voltage from lightning, line surges and contact with a line of
higher voltage by using equipment earthling conductors.

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 Electrical Grounding Definition

The purpose of grounding an electrical system is to make an entire system

safer and provide protection against the fluctuations in power supply.

The system should be perfectly grounded, if you want to have a safe and
secure network and to avoid risks of human lives.

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 Why do we need to Ground the Electrical System?

Particularly in large-scale residential or commercial projects, some people

think that it will be difficult and time consuming to install a grounding system
and any additional construction of electrical material, if timely maintenance is
performed.

This is an extremely dangerous practice that could lead to a shock if the

internal wiring in the appliance become a short circuit.

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 Why do we need to Ground the Electrical System?

Common risks of an ungrounded electrical system are electrical shocks and

fire as electrical current always follows through the low resistance path.

Workers at workplace are at a higher risk when an ungrounded device

discharges excess electricity.

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 Why do we need to Ground the Electrical System?

The chance of a fault in an ungrounded system is very high. In order to get

best protection of an individual and an electrical equipment, make sure that
your system is grounded.

Generally, Power Systems are connected to ground through the capacitance

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 Types of Electrical Grounding Systems

Three different types of grounding systems that are important are listed
below:

1.- Ungrounded Systems

2.- Resistance Grounded Systems

3.- Solidly Grounded Systems

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 1.- Ungrounded Systems

When an electrical power system

operates and there is no intentional
connection to ground then called as
ungrounded system.

Though these systems were normal

within the '40s and '50s, they're still in use
nowadays.

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 1.- Ungrounded Systems

In an ungrounded system, ground fault

current is negligible therefore can be
used to reduce shock risk to people.

Once a fault occur, two wires needs to

carry an amount of current that was
assigned for three wires.

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 1.- Ungrounded Systems

As ground fault current is negligible so

finding any fault become very difficult and
time consuming process.

The opportunity cost of a fault in an

ungrounded system is extremely high.

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 2.- Resistance Grounded Systems

Resistance Grounding is when an

electrical power system has a connection
between neutral line and the ground
through resistor.

There are two types of resistance

grounding: high resistance grounding and
low resistance grounding.

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 2a.- High Resistance Grounding

Limit ground fault current to < 10 amps.

High-resistance grounding (HRG)

systems are commonly utilized in plants
and mills wherever ongoing operation of
processes

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 2b.- Low Resistance Grounding

Limits ground fault current to between

100 and 1000 amps.
On the other hand, Low-resistance
grounding (LRG) systems are used in
medium voltage systems of 15kV or less
and tripping protective devices once
there's a fault.

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 3.- Solidly Grounded Systems
Solid Grounding means an electrical
power system is directly connected to the
ground and there is no intentional added
impedance in the circuit.

These systems have the potential to own

large amounts of ground-fault current,
thus faults are easily located.

It is commonly used in industrial and

commercial power systems. There are
backup generators in case when a fault
shuts down a production method.
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 Common Methods for Electrical Grounding Systems

The most common methods used for electrical grounding are:

- Grounding Plates

- Grounding Pipes and Rods

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 Grounding Plates

Grounding plates are made up of copper or Galvanized Iron (GI)

and placed vertically into the ground in a pit (filled with charcoal and
salt layers) over 10 feet deep.

For a higher electrical grounding system, the earth moisture

condition must be maintained around the grounding plate system.

The National Electric Code requires that ground plates have at

least 2 ft of surface area exposed to the surrounding soil.

Ferrous materials must be at least .20 inches thick, while non-

ferrous materials (copper) need only be .060 inches thick.

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 Grounding Pipes and Rods

A galvanized steel pipe (mixture of salt and charcoal) is placed

vertically into the soil through drilling for connecting the grounding
wires.
The length and diameter of the pipe size mainly depends on the
type of soil and electrical installation (magnitude of current). The
soil moisture will decide the pipe's length to be placed in the ground.
A copper rod with galvanized steel pipe is placed upright into the
ground. This is very similar to pipe grounding. Here, rods are in the
form of electrodes therefore decreasing the resistance of earth to a
specific value.
The National Electric Code (NEC) requires that driven rods be a
minimum of 8 feet in length and that 8 feet of length must be in
direct contact with the soil.

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 Factors affecting the Grounding System Installation

Following are the factors that impact the performance of any ground
electrode:

- Material used in Grounding system

- Ground Electrode (Length or Depth, diameter, number of ground electrodes)
- Soil (Type, Moisture content, Temperature, Resistivity, Quantity of salt)
- Ground system design
- Location of the earth pit

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 Importance of Grounding Electrical Currents

Overload Protection:

At electrical workplace, when excessive power surge occurs for any reason,
it produces high voltage of electricity in system causes electrical shocks and
fire.
In this scenario a grounded system helps significantly, all of that excess
electricity will go into the earth.
This simple form of surge protection can potentially save workers, electrical
appliances, data and devices rather than damaging everything connected to
an electrical system.

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 Importance of Grounding Electrical Currents

Voltage Stabilization:

A grounded system ensures that circuits aren't overloaded and driven by

distributing right amount of power between voltage sources.

The ground provides a common point of reference for voltage stabilization.

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 Importance of Grounding Electrical Currents

Protection against Electrical Hazards:

Common risks of an ungrounded electrical system are serious shock and fire.
In the worst-case scenario, ungrounded system causes a fire to start,
damage the equipment, data loss and personal injury or death.

Grounded system provides countless benefits, eliminates shock hazards,

protects equipment from voltage, prevents electrical fires, reduces equipment
repair cost and downtime, lowers levels of electrical noise (fluctuations in an
electrical signal).

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 Electrical Grounding Safety Tips

In an electrical system, keeping electricity grounded should be a high priority

for safety. To keep employees and workplace secure, safety precautions are
followed across the location. Some safety tips are mentioned below:

- Review Electrical Safety Practices Before Beginning.

- The ground-end connection should be installed first and removed last when
removing the grounds.

- Ensure that electrical workplace is furnished with voltage detectors, clamp

meters and receptacle testers.

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 Electrical Grounding Safety Tips

- Use a surge protector to shut off the worksite's power supply when fault is
occurring, floor cable protectors to prevent tripping in an electrical worksite
and ground fault circuit interrupters for all receptacle outlets to prevent
electrical shock.

- Select the Right Equipment when grounding an electrical system.

Remember, your equipment is only as strong as the weakest component in a
system.

- Ensure that workers know the right way to use each tool, particularly in
direct electrical current.

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 Electrical Grounding Safety Tips

- Use a circuit breaker or fuse with the appropriate current rating.

- Regular cleaning of ground sets prolongs the life and safety of the set.

- Never use equipment with frayed cords, damaged insulation or broken

plugs.

- Inspect, maintain, and organize repairs of wires where they enter a metal
pipe, an appliance, or where in-wall cables enter an electrical box.

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 Conclusions:

Electrical Grounding System ensures

personal and equipment safety while
working on the line.

Select the Right Equipment when

grounding an electrical system. Ensure
that workers know the right way to use
each tool, particularly in direct electrical
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current.
 T09-Importance and Types of Electrical Grounding Systems

T09- NEW WORDS GROUPS

UNDERGROUNDED SYSTEMS GROUP 01

RESISTANCE GROUNDED SYSTEMS GROUP 02

SOLIDLY GROUNDED SYSTEMS GROUP 03

IMPORTANCE OF GROUNDING ELECTRICAL CURRENTS GROUP 04

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 T09-Importance and Types of Electrical Grounding Systems

1. The purpose of grounding an electrical system is to 3. ____are commonly used in industrial and
make an entire system safer and commercial power systems
_____________________________against the fluctuations in
a. intentional grounded
power supply
systems
a. need protection b. object systems
b. provide protection c. dosimeter systems
c. see protection d. solidly grounded systems
d. lead protection e. potential grounded systems
e. buy protection 4. There are ________ types of Resistance
Grounding
2. _____ is when an electrical power system has a a. eleven
connection between neutral line and the ground b. six
through resistor c. seven
a. small grounded system d. two
b. big grounded systems e. fifteen
c. solidly grounded systems
d. ungrounded systems
e. resistance grounded
systems
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