Power Quality

Training Courses

Earthing

LPQIVES is co-financed by:

LPQIVES is a programme of:

LPQI is part of:

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 Module 6

Earthing

1 INTRODUCTION
The aim of this module is to provide the user a detailed overview of earthing system design related
problems. The course gives an overview of the requirements of the earthing system and introduces
the principle of systematic approach to its design. After an introductive part dedicated to definitions
and standards, the successive lessons deal with the design of the ground electrode system by
suppying practical guidance on the design and calculation of ground electrodes.

1.1 General aims

This module’s general aim is to provide the attendants the basic knowledge about earthing, and
some tools for the design of earthing systems.
The aim is achieved through 6 didactic sections, as follows:
− Section 1: Basic definitions, standards;
− Section 2: Earth resistivity;
− Section 3: Electrical properties of earth electrodes;
− Section 4: Typical constructions of earth electrodes;
− Section 5: Durability of earth electrodes;
− Section 6: Measurements.
−
1.2 Target groups
This module’s target group includes: designers, experts, installers, and all those who wish to
expand their knowledge in earthing systems.

2 SPECIFIC AIMS AND TOPICS

The pathway of learning consists of a 2 days course, divided in sections (with different duration),
with these contents and related aims.

1st day
Contents Introduction: basic definitions, standards, earth resistivity, electrical properties of
earth electrodes.
Aims Introduce the basic knowledge related to earthing (definitions, standards, related
problems, ground resistivity,ecc…).
2nd day
Contents Typical constructions of the earth electrodes, durability of the earth electrodes,
Measurements.
Aims Provide information on constructive aspects, to give a practical guidance on the
design and calculation of earthing systems. The last section of the course will be
dedicated to the key problem of measurements.

Below there’s a detailed overview of the course contents.

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2.1 Pathway of learning flow chart

Time progression
(hours)

3 COURSE DETAILED PROGRAM

General notes:
− each day there will be one coffee break (30 mins) which will divide the lesson in two parts no
longer than 2,5 hours;
− at the beginning of the course the lecturer will explain course aims and at the end he will verify
their fulfilment through a knowledge test;
− the course will be divided in theoretical and practical sections;
− at the end of the lessons, a user satisfaction survey will help the lecturer in monitoring the course
quality.

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First day:

30 mins Participants registration and course introduction

60 mins Section 1: Basic definitions, standards

− Definitions (Earthing or earthing system, Earth electrode, Earthing conductor,
Earth surface potential, etc…)
− Standards (National and International)
Modality: Lesson

90 mins Section 2: Ground resistivity

− Soil resistivity
− influence of the soil temperature
− influence of the soil humidity
Modality: Lesson

30 mins Coffe break

90 mins Section 3: Electrical properties of the earth electrodes

− resistance
− impedance
− potential distribution
− properties at lightning currents
Modality: Lesson and discussion

Second day:

90 mins Section 4: Typical constructions

− earth electrodes
− vertical electrodes
− horizontal electrodes
− natural earth electrodes
Modality: Lesson and discussion

60 mins Section 5: Durability of the earth electrodes

− corrosion in the soil (chemical, from DC currents and galvanic)
− minimum cross section of the earth electrodes
− earth electrodes materials
Modality: Lesson and practical training

30 mins Coffe break

90 mins Section 6: Measurements

− measuring of the soil resistivity
− measuring of the earth resistance (impedance)
− measuring of the potential distribution
Modality: Lesson and practical training

60 mins Final discussion; end of the course; user’s satisfaction questionnaire;

Confirmations of attendance

4 TEACHING METHODS
Teaching methods are summarized in three main moments:

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− knowledge transfer (Lesson)
topics exposure by the lecturer with the help of slides and eventually other electronic tools
(animations, data sheets, didactic movies…);
− deepening/learning verification (Discussion)
general discussion stimulated by the lecturer (also during the lesson) to verify knowledge
transfer and to eventually deepen particular topics;
− practical training (and eventually laboratory activities)
group work (~ 6 persons/group) for topics deepening, practical problems solution and case
studies overview under the supervision of the lecturer.

During all the sections, the lecturer will always attend, with teaching and/or activity coordination
duty.

5 DIDACTIC MATERIAL AND TOOLS

The didactic tools which will be used by the lecturers will be:
− Blackboard
− Video-projector
− Notebook
− Microphone

The lecture room will be suitable to allow the use of all the above listed didactic tools and to enable
group work for the attendants.

Each user will receive, during the registration, a folder containing:

− course program;
− lecture notes containing all or part of the lecture slides;
− LPQIVES knowledge database access personal key.

All this didactic material, and eventually some additional electronic tools, will be available also in
electronic format at: http://lpqi.org/custom/1036/
The folder will also include a user satisfaction questionnaire and a knowledge test (which will be
both filled and submitted at the end of the course).

6 EXISTING KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

The user’s existing knowledge should include:

Level
Topic
Basic Medium High
Mathematical analysis •
Electrical engineering •
Electrical circuits •
Power systems •
Power quality •

7 ACQUIRED COURSE KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

At the end of this course the user will have learned the basic aspects related to earthing
(definitions, standards, related problems, ground resistivity, electrodes) along with some practical
informations and tools on earthing system design and on the measurements of the related
parameters.

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8 ANNEXES - MIDAS REPORT

Publication
REP-00112, 2000, Equipotentiality and grounding, Presentation
This paper explains equipotentiality and how it provides protection against
electric shock. This paper also describes the grounding circuit for the various
power distribution systems. Finally, this paper shows the effect of the product
grounding resistance on the voltage of accessible parts, and validates the value
required by various safety standards.
REP-00125, 2002, Specification guidelines to improve power quality immunity and reduce
plant operating costs, Paper
There are many useful IEEE and IEC standards that support the design of chemical and petrochemical
plants. This article brings relevant Power Quality standards information together and provides
recommendations in areas not yet covered in current standards. Circuit configurations for cost saving
solutions are provided.
REP-00029, 2002, 6-5-4 EMC in large buildings, Application Note
EMC strategy for buildings
This document presents the basic concept for successful EMC of a facility
in detail, including measures relating to the technology of buildings. EMC definitely
includes classic lightning protection, but that matter is treated only marginally here.
The individual measures of the basic concept can be implemented both in new
facilities and to some extent also, with certain deletions, in existing facilities.
Subjects:
- The problem
- General information
- EMC strategy for buildings:
Building shielding
Potential equalisation
Connections outside the buildings
- EMC-appropriate facility design
Fundamentals
Cable connections between buildings
Treatment of cable shielding
Earthing low-voltage power lines
Functional potential equalisation of electronics systems
Designing electronics and control cabinets
Lightning current and surge arresters
REP-00142, 2002, EARTHING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, Paper
Good practice earthing of IT devices
REP-00060, 2003, Earthing requirements in modern electrical installations, Application
note
In recent years, Power Quality and EMC add new dimensions to the discussion on earthing,
which require a different (systems) design approach in new installations, while causing severe
problems in existing installations. Installation codes do not yet follow required design practice.
Solutions are proposed for providing, in the initial design stage or as a continuous refurbishment,
a low impedance path to earth over a practical range of frequencies. Leakage currents and
corrosion in existing installations are discussed. As practical case studies, two site surveys are
discussed.
REP-00073, 2003, Earthing in information technology, Application note
Supplying power to IT equipment requires a special earthing system. The problem is the relatively
high leakage current, caused mainly by the high operating frequency of IT equipment. The regulations
described in the paper enable to eliminate negative effects of leakage current in various low-voltage
systems. In order to choose a solution, an exact analysis of the specific character and operation
parameters of the used IT equipment is required.

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 REP-00085, 2003, Earthing systems in LV - ect 172, Application note
Earthing systems (TN, TT, IT) and protection of persons, hazards of insulation faults,
influences of MV on LV, choice of switchgear depending on the earthing system,
unavailability of electrical power.
REP-00086, 2003, Earthing systems worldwide and evolutions - ect 173, Application note
Historical review of the origins of earthing systems, practices in some countries, evolutions and choices
of earthing systems.
REP-00089, 2003, The IT earthing system (unearthed neutral) in LV - ect 178, Application
note
Advantages and areas of application of the IT earthing system, first-fault situation, double-fault situation,
surge limiters.
REP-00094, 2003, Neutral earthing in an industrial HV network - ect 62, Application note
Requirements imposed by the different parameters of the installation (overvoltages, network, receivers),
calculation of fault currents, protection methods.
REP-00097, 2003, Disturbances in electronic systems and earthing systems - ect 177,
Application note
Disturbance found in LV installations originating from outside and inside the LV network,
advantages and disadvantages of earthing systems in terms of the coexistence of electrical
and electronic systems.
REP-00030, 2003, 6-5-8 Designing low voltage supply systems for electromagnetic
compatibility. Increasing protection by improved earthing, Application Note
TNS systems and EMC
The basis for ensuring electromagnetic compatibility in buildings and facilities is an
earthing and equipotential bonding system, free of operating current. The indicated
measures must be taken into account and coordinated with the safety requirements
of IEC 60364, but setting up low voltage supply systems for proper electromagnetic
compatibility involves more than earthing for voltage protection in accordance to the
standards.
Subjects:
- The advantages of the TN-S system
- Line frequency magnetic fields in the TN system
- Alternative supply of a consumer from two directions
- Concentric earth wire
- Leakage currents from filters
- Residual current devices (RCD)
REP-00027, 2003, 6-2-1 Measurement guide to earthing systems - measurement of the
earth-electrodes properties, Application Note
Application Guide about measuring earthing resistance
Subjects:
- Basic concepts and requirements
- Commonly used methods of measuring the earthing resistance
- Methods for testing the substations earth-electrode systems
REP-00025, 2003, 6-0-0 Stray alternating and direct currents in protective earth
conductors and in building earthing systems - a problem with potentially catastrophic
consequenc, Application Note
In this article we address the special risks that can arise in TN-C and TN-C-S power systems
when stray currents arise in electrically conductive structural elements within a building, and
we discuss the various remedial measures available. (2 case studies)
REP-00052, 2003, 6-1 A system approach to earthing, Application note
Purposes of earthing systems - link to EMC
REP-00053, 2003, 6-3-1 Earthing Systems - Fundamentals of Calculation and Design,
Application note
Definitions. Ground properties - resisistance.

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 REP-00054, 2004, 6-5-1 Earthing systems - Basic Constructional Aspects, Application
note
Design and application of earthing systems and particularly earthing electrodes

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