Earthing is a connection between electrical equipment and the ground via a low resistance channel that allows electrical energy to be discharged directly to the earth. Earthing is one of the most important safety requirements in an electrical system.
Reduces the risk of electric shock: The main goal of earthing is to avoid or reduce the possibility of electrocution. The presence of electric charge on exposed conductive surfaces is caused by any leakage or defective current in the circuit. An earthing system typically consists of a number of metal wires embedded in the earth, with each wire connected to an electrician’s work area. Earthing creates a low-resistance conductive conduit directly to the ground, carrying any fault or leakage current.
The entire point of the earth conductor will not have enough potential to create an accident since the earth line is always in touch with the earth. There is no potential difference to induce a significant quantity of current to travel through another channel, such as a human body. As a result, metal items, such as the device’s chassis, that are linked to the earth line are always safe to touch. As a result, it is preferable to ground any non-insulated body of electrical gadgets that may come into touch with humans. It is also advised that appliances that come into touch with water or liquids be earthed.
The Benefits of Earthing system:-
The Earthing system offers several benefits for computers, wireless devices, and other electrical gadgets. The Benefits of Earthing are follows:-
- Earthing is the most secure and effective means of providing safety. We know that the earth’s potential is zero and that it is considered Neutral. Balancing is done because low equipment is linked to ground through low resistance cable.
- Metal can be used in electrical installations without regard for its conductivity; however, correct earthing guarantees that metal does not carry current.
- If suitable earthing safeguards are taken, a sudden spike in power or overload does not harm the equipment or person.
- It eliminates the potential of fire threats that might otherwise result from the existing leaking.
Types of Earthing
There are three types of earthing system, they are
- Pipe earthing
- Plate earthing
- Strip earthing
A pipe earthing system is made out of galvanised steel or iron that is buried vertically in the ground. Pipe earthing has dimensions of 1.5 inches in diameter and feet in length. The diameter of rocky and dry soil should be bigger than that of typical soil. The soil moisture determines the length of the pipe that will be installed on the ground.
Plate earthing system involves burying an earthing plate composed of copper or G.I. into the ground at a depth greater than 3 metres below ground level. This earthing plate is encased in a different layer of coke and salts.
In transmission procedures, strip earthing is employed. Strip electrodes with a cross section of at least 25mm X 1.6mm of copper or 25mm X 4mm of G.I. or steel are buried in horizontal trenches of at least 0.5m depth.
