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Earthing – Types And Method Of Earthing
In this article on Earthing, we will understand the earthing system very well. In which what is the meaning, types of earthing, benefits of earthing, method of earthing, and how earthing is checked. Together you will learn the use of Earth Tester.
Earthing is also called grounding. Connecting a device to the ground means earthing.
What is Earthing?
Earthing any equipment means the connection of that wire with the body of the equipment by connecting a low resistance wire to the ground through the earthing system. This process of earthing the instrument is called earthing.
There are different types of earthing systems to take the connection of earthing wire to the ground, which we will understand in detail in this article on Earthing.
Remember – Earthing plays a very important role in electrical. It is not beneficial to operate any equipment without earthing.
Definition of Electric Earthling
Electrical earthing is the process of discharging the leakage electrical charge on the body of any device by carrying it into the ground by a low-resistance carrier.
Why is earthing necessary?
Earthing is necessary to discharge the electric charge with the least resistance.
Understand it in detail.
Friends, electricity is a great thing. We turn on the switch or remote, only then the electricity gives our desired output. Like fan gives air, AC gives a cooling, heater gives heat.
Electricity is full of convenience, so is DANGER too. If it is not used according to the electrical rules, then it can also be caused by a big accident.
According to electrical rules, any equipment must be connected to earthing.
The electric supply used by us at home is 230AC volt. When the device is connected to electricity, the current is distributed according to its rating in the normal state.
In abnormal conditions, the value of this current increases greatly. In these abnormal conditions, earthing is very important for the safety of the equipment and the person coming in contact with it.
As an example
No electrically operated equipment has earthing connected and due to any defect in this equipment, if the power supply wire touches with the body of the equipment, then in such a situation the electric current will spread through the whole body of the equipment.
This current flowing in the body of the machine reduces the efficiency of the machine, but if a person touches that device, then he will get an electric shock. This electric shock can also be fatal. If we have done proper earthing then we can get rid of such troubles.
Remember - the cost of earthing in a house can be two to three thousand (30-40 dollars). Which is nothing before the life of our family members. Earthing must be done, every day is not the same.
Advantages of Earthing at home
1) Connecting earthing increases human safety.
2) Due to leakage current earth, the losses in the equipment will be less. The safety of the equipment is increased.
3) If the leakage current is high and there is protection in the line, then it will shut down the equipment.
4) Used in protective relays to protect electrical systems in industries.
5) For protection from lightning, it is connected to the earthing peat by installing a lightning arrester.
6) Where there is a possibility of static charge generation, like in loading unloading system earthing relay is used as interlocking. Which provides protection against the static charge.
7) Can remove the interface in the communication circuit.
8) By doing proper earthing, an electrical fire can be stopped.
Types and Methods of Earthing
Earthing is done in different ways to earth the electrical equipment, to earth the electrical system, to earth the machinery of the factory, or to earth the wiring of our house. Which we call type of earthing. Trying to know about each type.
Plate Earthing
The main part of plate earthing is the plate. The plate used in this is of copper. 1*1 ft. 2*2 ft. and its thickness are available in different sizes like 2 mm, 3 mm.
Our selection is based on which instrument we want to make sense of. Whether to do it for the home or the factory.
A copper key strip is connected with a copper plate. The width of the bandage oat thickness is also selected like a plate. The length of the strip is 2ft from the pit. Have more. Which we can do the connection of earthing.
Plate Earthing
Connect the copper strip to the copper plate with a nut bolt.
The pit for earthing is done from 1.5 m to 3 m. A mixture of charcoal is prepared. In this, a mixture of coal and salt is used which is called charcoal.
Keeping the copper plate in a vertical position, it should be slightly inserted into the ground. A pipe is placed 50 mm above the ground parallel to the strip. From where the earthing is kept working by pouring water in the summer season.
After this, the prepared charcoal is to be put in the pit. More than half of the plate will be covered with charcoal.
After pouring the charcoal into the plate earthing, some water has to be added and the pit is to be filled with soil. And water has to be added through the pipe.
This is how our plate earthing is prepared. With which we connect the earthing wire.
Remember – the value of earthing resistance should be very less. According to international regulations, this value should be less than 1Ω ohm.
Chemical Earthing
The most used earthing system in today's time. Chemical earthing is especially effective for industries and hilly areas. It has an earthing electrode. Which is available in different sizes. We can make the selection according to our requirements.
In chemical earthing, the earthing electrode is of high electrical conductivity. Also, it has Super Anti Corrosion properties. Which works with the best quality. It is made from low-carbon steel. Its strength is also good and the life of the rod is also long.
Chemical Compound
The chemical compound is also called SOR (Soil Ohm Reducer Compound).
Its main function is to exploit moisture from the ground and retain moisture for a long time. Also, the resistance between the ground and earth electrodes is reduced. It is included around the earth electrode.
The chemical earthing compound uses bentonite, graphite, aluminum silicate + metal powder, and bonding resin.
Chemical earthing method
1) Where the pit is to be prepared, there is to be a hole of 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Whose depth will be 2 or 3 meters according to the length of the electrode.
2) After making the pit, mix the compound well and put it in the pit.
3) There is a plastic cover on the electrode, remove it carefully.
4) Place the electrode in the middle of the pit.
5) Put a little backfill around the electrode.
6) After this, pour some water and move the wood on the side of the rod and take out the air.
7) In this way, slowly the filing process continues till the pit is filled.
8) There is a green marking on the electrode, that has to be filled with compound.
9) Pour some buckets of water around the pit.
10) Test the resistance of the electrode with the ground, if it is satisfactory, connect it to the instrument.
11) Build an earth pit chamber and get it tested from time to time.
Remember – There are two reasons for two earthing of any instrument. The value of the current passing at the time of a fault is high. If the other one is disconnected, then protection is obtained from the other.
Pipe Earthing
Pipe earthing also comes under the category of popular earthing. But this system is old. It is less used nowadays. But pipe earthing is a reliable earthing. There is a G.I Earthing pipe for earthing in it.
This earthing pipe is 65 mm in diameter and 3 meters in length. The upper part of the GI pipe has a funnel. From where we can put water.
The earthing chamber in Pipe Earthing is 450mm*450mm. The pipe is cut from the bottom into the cross, along with holes are made at some places. A mixture of charcoal and salt is poured into the chamber. After adding some water, the soil is poured, in this way, the chamber is filled.
There is a GI strip along the pipe at the bottom of the funnel. Where the earthing of the equipment is connected. A cast iron cover is installed over the earthing chamber.
Rod Earthing
Rod earthing is the simplest earthing and is done easily. Rod belongs to GI and also gets copper. It has a sharp point on the front side of the road. From that point, it is buried in the ground. And the earthing wire is connected from above.
Earthing with water tap or hand pump
For this type of earthing, you do not have to bring any material of earth pit from outside. If there is a water tap or hand pump at home, then a wire has to be used for earthing by connecting it with it.
The water pipe and hand pump should be of GI. But keep in mind that the earthing wire should remain tight. This type of earthing reliability is low. Therefore, it is used less.
What should be the earthing resistance?
This means we apply it so that the electric current can pass. Therefore, the lower the resistance, the better it is said to be earthing. By the way, the value of the resistance of the earthing should be less than 1Ω (ohm) according to the rules.
How to Check Earthing Resistance of Earth pit?
Earth pit resistance is checked by Earth Tester. Earth Tester is available in both Analog and Digital. The functioning of both is the same.
1) Earth Tester has four terminals.
2) The four terminals C1, P1, P2, C2 are marked with a color code.
3) The first is to short C1 and P1.
4) A wire from P1 whose resistance is to be checked is to be connected to that earth pit.
5) In Earth Tester, a wire is connected to the terminal with P2. Which is buried in the ground with the help of a rod at a distance of 20 meters from the earth pit.
6) At a distance of 30 meters from the earth pit, the second road is to be erected at 45 degrees from the first road. Which will connect to C2 of Earth Tester.
7) Both the rods should not be in the straight direction.
After this, the setting of the earth tester foot Ohm is to be done. Gradually the display foot value of Earth Tester will start showing. You have to wait till the digit becomes stable. The value you get later will be the resistance of the earth pit.
House Earthing - How to do earthing at home?
Generally, everyone knows that there should be an earthing at home. Because it is a matter related to the safety of the family. But if we do not have this subject, then many questions arise in our minds. Like which earthing should be done? How should the earthing be done? What is the main purpose of earthing?
What earthing should be done at home?
1) Pipe earthing
2) Plate earthing
3) Rod earthing
4) Tap or hand pump earthing,
we can do any of these earthing.
For earthing at home, a pit of one and a half to two meters has to be made, till the soil becomes wet.
Put the plate, pipe, or road whatever you have brought in the middle of this pit. Put salt and charcoal in the pit, then fill it with soil.
A wire is connected over the earthing rod or strip. Which is connected to our earthing wire.
In a home appliance, the earthing pin is thicker than the other because the earthing is connected before the power supply is connected.
The information related to the Electrical Earthing System is shared in this article Earthing. Hope this will be helpful for you.
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