Electrical Earthing Systems

About the Course

Most engineers view earthing (or grounding) mainly as a method for protecting equipment from damage or malfunction. However, the essential element is operator safety. Proper earthing is fundamental to protection against ac line disturbances. This applies whether the source of the disturbance is lightning, power-system switching activities, or faults in the distribution network. Proper earthing is also a key to preventing radio frequency interference in transmission or computer equipment. In addition, power quality can be significantly degraded due to improper earthing. Implementing an effective ground network is challenging, requiring planning, quality components, and skilled installers. It is not inexpensive; however, proper earthing is an investment that will pay dividends for the life of the facility.

This Electrical Earthing Systems training course presents the basics of earthing system requirements and planning. In addition, various issues related to the earth electrode subsystem are given high attention. Practical methods of earth and earthing system measurements are also presented, including the practical design of the earthing system for various applications considering reasonable configurations. Lastly, it will demonstrate the impacts of inadequate earthing systems on power quality. A troubleshooting approach to various power quality disturbances and problems related to improper earthing systems is included.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the requirements, objectives, planning, and properties of earthing systems and study of related standards
• Identify the various issues related to earth electrode subsystems.
• Know the techniques for various earth/earthing systems resistance measurements and analysis of variables affecting parameters
• Design of earthing systems for various applications considering various reasonable configurations
• Know the basic practical constructional aspects of earthing systems
• Learn power quality disturbances related to inadequate earthing systems
• Troubleshoot various power quality problems related to earthing systems

Training Approach

The delegates will be taught learning techniques that ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, and retention of the information presented. The training methods will vary depending on their needs, from front-end to blended learning. It is divided through Information receiving, participation, and Learning by Doing to provide the highest level of apprehension and retention of the presented material. They will be working on case studies and doing a hands-on project, and at the end of the training course, they will be assessed to determine the level of knowledge they have retained.

The Attendees

This training course covers many aspects of electrical engineering. It deals with electrical earthing (or grounding) systems. In addition, it presents advanced topics in that field.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• Earthing (Grounding) Engineers
• Power Quality Engineers
• Reliability Engineers
• Electrical Engineers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Electrical Supervisors
• Engineering Professionals
• Project Engineers

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: BASICS OF ELECTRICAL EARTHING SYSTEMS

• Basic Definitions and Preliminaries
• Reasons for an Effective Plan for Grounding and Bonding
• Grounds System Audit: How to identify grounding issues?
• Earthing System
• Properties of Earthing Systems

DAY TWO: EARTH RESISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

• Residual Current Device RCD
• Terms and Codes
• Earth Electrode Subsystem Objectives
• Resistance Requirements
• Soil Resistivity
• Measurement Of Soil Resistivity
• Types of Earth Electrode Subsystems

DAY THREE: ELECTRODES AND THEIR RESISTANCES I

• Resistance Properties
• Measurement of Resistance-to-Earth of Electrodes
• Electrode Enhancement
• Cathodic Protection
• Lightning Protectors

DAY FOUR: ELECTRODES AND THEIR RESISTANCES II

• Lightning Protectors
• Resistance Distribution of Typical Earth Electrode Constructions
• Surface Potential Distribution
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) Application and Software Tools
• Constructional Aspects of Earthing Electrodes

DAY FIVE: POWER QUALITY AND ITS RELATION TO EARTHING SYSTEMS

• Power Quality (PQ): Defined and Classified
• Wiring and Grounding for Power Quality (PQ)
• The Electrical Environment and Causes of PQ Disturbances
• PQ and Grounding PQ
• Typical Wiring and Grounding Problems