EARTH PIT- Basics, Testing, Maintenance: Part-1

What is Earth Pit?

In electrical system, an Earth pit refers to a pit, dug in earth with some standard
filling. Primarily Earth pits are used for SAFETY towards SHORT CIRCUITS.
It also acts as the reference point for different electric power sources. As Earth Pits
are easy to make and maintain so since starting of commercialized Electricity, Earth
pits are used as reference points.

How it saves human from electric shocks?

This safety philosophy works on "Current flows from High Voltage to Low
Voltage." Here Jim is about to open his refrigerator but he is not aware that a live
wire is touching the metallic body of Refrigerator. So there are two possibilities as
below-

In figure (b), Jim will get electric shock as current has no other path to pass.
However in other case, figure (c), the current has two choices to pass- 1. From Jim's
body 2. Through earth wire.
As we know that current chooses the lowest resistance path. And the resistance of
human body is about 300 Ohms (depends on several factors) and that of Earth is
very low. So the current will go into the earth through grounding wire.

How does proper earthing saves the equipment?

If a machine or equipment is properly grounded into the earth, it has less chances to
get damaged. In case of short circuit or any other accident, the current will rush to
the lowest resistance path i.e. into the earth. And a OCR(over current relay) will
sense the high current and will cut off the supply.
Types of EARTHING?
Following types of earthing are the most practiced.
1. Plate earthing.
2. Pipe earthing
3. Rod earthing
4. Strip earthing
5. Water mains earthing

Plate Earthing-
1. In this type of earthing plate either of copper or of G.I. is buried into the ground at
a depth of not less than 3 meter from the ground level.
2. The earth plate is embedded in alternative layer of coke and salts for a minimum
thickness of about 15 cm.
3. The earth wire(copper wire for copper plate earthing and G.I. wire for G.I. plate
earthing) is securely bolted to an earth plate with the help of bolt nut and washer
made of copper, in case of copper plate earthing and of G.I. in case of G.I. plate
earthing.

Pipe Earthing-
Pipe earthing is best form of earthing and it is cheap also in this system of
earthing a GI pipe of 38 mm dia and 2meters length is embedded vertically in
ground to work as earth electrod but the depth depend upon the soil conditions,
there is no hard and fast rule for this.
But the wire is embedded upto the wet soil.
The earth wire is fastened to the top section of the pipe with nut and bolts.
The pit area around the GI pipe filled with salt and coal mixture for improving the
soil conditions and efficiency of the earthing system.
It can take heavy leakage current for the same electrode size in comparison to
plate earthing.
The earth wire connection with GI pipes being above the ground level can be
checked for carrying out continuity test as and when desired, while in plate
earthing it is difficult.
In summer season to have an effective earthing three or four bucket of water is
put through the funnel for better continuity of earthing.

ROD EARTHING
In this system of earthing 12.5mm diameter solid rods of copper 16mm diameter
solid rod of GI or steel or hollow section of 25mm GI pipe of length not less than 3
meters are driven vertically into the earth
In order to increase the embeded length of electrod under the ground, which is
some time necessary to reduce the earth resistance to desired value more than
one rod section are hammered one above the other.
This system of earthing is suitable for area which are sandy in character .
This system of earthing is very cheap
STRIP EARTHING
In this system of earthing strip electrod of cross section not less than 25mm into
1.6mm of copper or 25mm * 4mm of GI or steel are burried in horizontal trenches
of minimum depth of 0.5m
If round conductor are used their cross sectional area shall not be smaller than
three if copper is used and 6mm2 if GI or steel is used.
The length of burried conductor shall be sufficient to give the required earth
resistance (about 0.5to 1.5)
It shall however be not less than 15 m
The electrod shall be as widely distributed as possible in a single straight or
circular trenches radiating from a point
This type of earthing is used in rockey soil earth bed because at such places
excavation work for plate earthing is difficult

Procedure for filling up New Earthing Pit

Step A :
Excavate the earthing pit size 2000 X 2000 X 2500 mm depth. Sprinkle sufficient
quantity of water in the bottom and surrounding walls to become wetty only.
Fill up the bottom layer of the pit up to 250 mm height from the bottom by mixture
black soft soil + salt + wooden charcoal pieces. (Fig. I)

Step B :
Prepare the electrode assembly as per Sr. No. - 3 of the drawing and rest the
entire Assembly in the pit as shown in (Fig. II)

Step C :
Collect thin C.R.C. sheet approx 18 to 20 SWG having size 500 mm width 3.5
meter length approx. (Please make joints of three to four pieces to achieve
requirement of 3.5 meter length (Fig. III-a)
Prepare the Cylindrical Ring from the above sheet by bending both ends & joining
each other. The diameter "D" of the cylindrical ring shall arrive approx. 1000 mm
and height shall be 500 mm. Collect two pieces of scrap G.I. wire of approx. 8-
SWG and prepare two lifting round handles (Hooks) on upper side of the
cylindrical ring to facilitate the lifting of the Cylindrical Ring. (Fig. III-b)
Now wear this cylindrical ring to the electrode pipe of the electrode assembly such
a way that the electrode pipe remains in the centre of the cylindrical ring. (Fig III-c)

Step D :
Fill up the inner part of the Cylindrical Ring with Mixture - I ( Homogeneous
mixture of Black Soft Soil.
The remaining part i.e. the Gap between walls of the pit and outer periphery of the
Cylindrical Ring by Mixture - II. After completing filling work of both the mixtures up
to 500 mm height, proper ramming and watering is to be done. (Fig. IV)
Step E :
There after lift the Cylindrical ring by help of two lifting handles (hooks) and again
rest it on the layer for carrying out filling of 2nd layer cycle. Again fill up the inner
cylindrical part of the ring by Mixture - I and outer gap between walls of the pit &
outer Cylindrical periphery by Mixture - II up to height of the Cylinder (i.e. 500 mm)
(Fig. V)
Step F :
Lift the cylindrical ring by lifting handles (hooks) after proper ramming and
watering. Now again place the cylindrical ring on upper layer and arrange 3rd
cycle, subsequently complete the filling of entire pit. Please see that water content
is minimum 20 %
Fill up upper layer of the pit by crushed rock pieces (Gravel) size 50 X 35 mm. 1
CMT. approx. to provide insulating layer to person moving side by the pit, and to
prevent reptile movements subsequently causing hazards.

In Next post:-Standard Pipe & Plate Type Earthing Design for the 11 Kv. System Equipments,
Distribution Transformer Centers, L.T. Distribution System Equipments
EARTH PIT CONSTRUCTION

EARTH PIT CONSTRUCTION AS PER INDIAN

ELECTRICITY BOARD
1. Excavation on earth for a normal earth Pit size is 1.5M X 1.5M X 3.0 M
2. Use 500 mm X 500 mm X 10 mm GI Plate (Plate may be use as big as possible to contact
more and more area of Earth for low resistance & best result)
3. Make a mixture of Wood Coal Powder Salt & Sand all in equal part
(a) Wood Coal Powder use as good conductor of electricity, anti corrosive, rust prove for GI
Plate for long life.
(b) Salt use as electrolyte to form conductivity between GI Plate Coal and Earth with
humidity
(c) Sand has used to form porosity to cycle water & humidity around the mixture
4. Put GI Plate (EARTH PLATE) of size 500 mm X 500 mm X 10 mm in the mid of mixture
5. Use Double GI Strip size 30 mm X 10 mm to connect GI Plate to System Earthling
6. It will be better to use GI Pipe of size 2.5" diameter with a Flange on the top of GI Pipe
to cover GI Strip from EARTH PLATE to Top Flange
7. Cover Top of GI pipe with a T joint to avoid jamming of pipe with dust & mud and also
use water time to time through this pipe to bottom of earth plate
8. Maintain less than one Ohm Resistance fr
om EARTH PIT conductor to a distance of 15 Meters around the EARTH PIT with an other
conductor dip on the Earth at least 500 mm deep.
9. Check Voltage between EARTH PIT conductor to Neutral of Mains Supply 220V AC 50 Hz
it should be less than 2.0 Volts

Labels: EARTH PIT

Earthing in electrical network

purpose, methods and
measurement
PO STED DEC 19 2011 BY JI GUPARM AR I N ENERGY AND POWER WI TH 48 CO MM ENTS

The process of electrically connecting to the earth itself is often called earthing,
particularly in Europe where the term grounding is used to describe the above ground
wiring.

Earthing in electrical network

The main reason for doing earthing in electrical network is for the safety. When all
metallic parts in electrical equipments are grounded then if the insulation inside the
equipments fails there are no dangerous voltages present in the equipment case.
If the live wire touches the grounded case then the circuit is effectively shorted and

fuse will immediately blow. When the fuse is blown then the dangerous voltages

are away.

Purpose of Earthing
1. Safety for Human life / Building /Equipment
To save human life from danger of electrical shock or death by blowing a fuse i.e. To
provide an alternative path for the fault current to flow so that it will not endanger the
user
To protect buildings, machinery & appliances under fault conditions.
To ensure that all exposed conductive parts do not reach a dangerous potential.
To provide safe path to dissipate lightning and short circuit currents.
 To provide stable platform for operation of sensitive electronic equipments i.e. To
maintain the voltage at any part of an electrical system at a known value so as to
prevent over current or excessive voltage on the appliances or equipment .

2. Over voltage protection

Lightning, line surges or unintentional contact with higher voltage lines can cause
dangerously high voltages to the electrical distribution system. Earthing provides
an alternative path around the electrical system to minimize damages in the
System.

3. Voltage stabilization
There are many sources of electricity. Every transformer can be considered a
separate source. If there were not a common reference point for all these voltage
sources it would be extremely difficult to calculate their relationships to each other.

The earth is the most omnipresent conductive surface, and so it was adopted in

the very beginnings of electrical distribution systems as a nearly universal standard

for all electric systems.

Conventional methods of earthing

1. Plate type Earthing
Generally for plate type earthing normal Practice is to use
Cast iron plate of size 600 mm x600 mm x12 mm. OR
Galvanized iron plate of size 600 mm x600 mm x6 mm. OR
Copper plate of size 600 mm * 600 mm * 3.15 mm
Plate burred at the depth of 8 feet in the vertical position and GI strip of size 50
mmx6 mm bolted with the plate is brought up to the ground level.
These types of earth pit are generally filled with alternate layer of charcoal & salt up
to 4 feet from the bottom of the pit.
2. Pipe type Earthing
For Pipe type earthing normal practice is to use GI pipe [C-class] of 75 mm
diameter, 10 feet long welded with 75 mm diameter GI flange having 6 numbers of
holes for the connection of earth wires and inserted in ground by auger method.

These types of earth pit are generally filled with alternate layer of charcoal & salt or
earth reactivation compound.

Method for Construction of Earthing Pit

Excavation on earth for a normal earth Pit size is 1.5M X 1.5M X 3.0 M.
Use 500 mm X 500 mm X 10 mm GI Plate or Bigger Size for more Contact of Earth
and reduce Earth Resistance.
Make a mixture of Wood Coal Powder Salt & Sand all in equal part
Wood Coal Powder use as good conductor of electricity, anti corrosive, rust proves
for GI Plate for long life.
The purpose of coal and salt is to keep wet the soil permanently.
The salt percolates and coal absorbs water keeping the soil wet.
Care should always be taken by watering the earth pits in summer so that the pit soil
will be wet.
Coal is made of carbon which is good conductor minimizing the earth resistant.
Salt use as electrolyte to form conductivity between GI Plate Coal and Earth with
humidity.
Sand has used to form porosity to cycle water & humidity around the mixture.
Put GI Plate (EARTH PLATE) of size 500 mm X 500 mm X 10 mm in the mid of
mixture.
Use Double GI Strip size 30 mm X 10 mm to connect GI Plate to System Earthling.
It will be better to use GI Pipe of size 2.5 diameter with a Flange on the top of GI
Pipe to cover GI Strip from EARTH PLATE to Top Flange.
Cover Top of GI pipe with a T joint to avoid jamming of pipe with dust & mud and
also use water time to time through this pipe to bottom of earth plate.
Maintain less than one Ohm Resistance from EARTH PIT conductor to a distance of
15 Meters around the EARTH PIT with another conductor dip on the Earth at least
500 mm deep.
Check Voltage between Earth Pit conductors to Neutral of Mains Supply 220V AC 50
Hz it should be less than 2.0 Volts.
Factors affecting on Earth resistivity
1. Soil Resistivity
It is the resistance of soil to the passage of electric current. The earth
resistance value (ohmic value) of an earth pit depends on soil resistivity. It is the
resistance of the soil to the passage of electric current.

It varies from soil to soil. It depends on the physical composition of the soil,
moisture, dissolved salts, grain size and distribution, seasonal variation, current
magnitude etc. In depends on the composition of soil, Moisture content, Dissolved
salts, grain size and its distribution, seasonal variation, current magnitude.

2. Soil Condition
Different soil conditions give different soil resistivity. Most of the soils are very poor
conductors of electricity when they are completely dry. Soil resistivity is measured
in ohm-meters or ohm-cm.

Soil plays a significant role in determining the performance of electrode. Soil

with low resistivity is highly corrosive. If soil is dry then soil resistivity value will be

very high. If soil resistivity is high, earth resistance of electrode will also be high.

3. Moisture
Moisture has a great influence on resistivity value of soil. The resistivity of a
soil can be determined by the quantity of water held by the soil and resistivity of the
water itself. Conduction of electricity in soil is through water.

The resistance drops quickly to a more or less steady minimum value of about 15%
moisture. And further increase of moisture level in soil will have little effect on soil
resistivity. In many locations water table goes down in dry weather conditions.

Therefore, it is essential to pour water in and around the earth pit to maintain
moisture in dry weather conditions. Moisture significantly influences soil resistivity.
4. Dissolved salts
Pure water is poor conductor of electricity. Resistivity of soil depends on resistivity
of water which in turn depends on the amount and nature of salts dissolved in it.

Small quantity of salts in water reduces soil resistivity by 80%. Common salt is

most effective in improving conductivity of soil. But it corrodes metal and hence

discouraged.

5. Climate Condition
Increase or decrease of moisture content determines the increase or decrease of
soil resistivity. Thus in dry whether resistivity will be very high and in monsoon
months the resistivity will be low.

6. Physical Composition
Different soil composition gives different average resistivity. Based on the type of
soil, the resistivity of clay soil may be in the range of 4 150 ohm-meter, whereas
for rocky or gravel soils, the same may be well above 1000 ohm-meter.

7. Location of Earth Pit

The location also contributes to resistivity to a great extent. In a sloping
landscape, or in a land with made up of soil, or areas which are hilly, rocky or
sandy, water runs off and in dry weather conditions water table goes down very
fast. In such situation back fill compound will not be able to attract moisture, as the
soil around the pit would be dry.

The earth pits located in such areas must be watered at frequent intervals, particularly
during dry weather conditions.

Though back fill compound retains moisture under normal conditions, it gives off
moisture during dry weather to the dry soil around the electrode, and in the process
loses moisture over a period of time. Therefore, choose a site that is naturally not
well drained.
8. Effect of grain size and its distribution
Grain size, its distribution and closeness of packing are also contributory factors,
since they control the manner in which the moisture is held in the soil.

Effect of seasonal variation on soil resistivity: Increase or decrease of moisture

content in soil determines decrease or increase of soil resistivity. Thus in dry
weather resistivity will be very high and during rainy season the resistivity will be
low.

9. Effect of current magnitude

Soil resistivity in the vicinity of ground electrode may be affected by current flowing
from the electrode into the surrounding soil. The thermal characteristics and the
moisture content of the soil will determine if a current of a given magnitude and
duration will cause significant drying and thus increase the effect of soil resistivity.

10. Area Available

Single electrode rod or strip or plate will not achieve the desired resistance
alone.

If a number of electrodes could be installed and interconnected the desired

resistance could be achieved. The distance between the electrodes must be equal
to the driven depth to avoid overlapping of area of influence. Each electrode,
therefore, must be outside the resistance area of the other.

11. Obstructions
The soil may look good on the surface, but there may be obstructions below a few
feet like virgin rock. In that event resistivity will be affected. Obstructions like
concrete structure near about the pits will affect resistivity.

If the earth pits are close by, the resistance value will be high.
12. Current Magnitude
A current of significant magnitude and duration will cause significant drying
condition in soil and thus increase the soil resistivity.

Measurement of Earth Resistance by

use of Earth Tester
For measuring soil resistivity Earth Tester is used. It is also called the
MEGGER.
It has a voltage source, a meter to measure Resistance in ohms, switches to change
instrument range, Wires to connect terminal to Earth Electrode and Spikes.
It is measured by using Four Terminal Earth Tester Instrument. The terminals are
connected by wires as in illustration.
P=Potential Spike and C=Current Spike. The distance between the spikes may be
1M, 2M, 5M, 10M, 35M, and 50M.
All spikes are equidistant and in straight line to maintain electrical continuity. Take
measurement in different directions.
Soil resistivity =2LR.
R= Value of Earth resistance in ohm.
Distance between the spikes in cm.
= 3.14
P = Earth resistivity ohm-cm.
Earth resistance value is directly proportional to Soil resistivity value

Measurement of Earth Resistance

(Three point method)

Measurement of Earth Resistance (Three point method)

In this method earth tester terminal C1 and P1 are shorted to each other and connected to
the earth electrode (pipe) under test. Terminals P2 and C2 are connected to the two
separate spikes driven in earth. These two spikes are kept in same line at the distance of
25 meters and 50 meters due to which there will not be mutual interference in the field of
individual spikes.

If we rotate generator handle with specific speed we get directly earth resistance on
scale. Spike length in the earth should not be more than 1/20th distance between two
spikes. Resistance must be verified by increasing or decreasing the distance between the
tester electrode and the spikes by 5 meter.

Normally, the length of wires should be 10 and 15 meters or in proportion of 62%

of D.

Suppose, the distance of Current Spike from Earth Electrode D = 60 ft, Then,
distance of Potential Spike would be 62 % of D = 0.62D i.e. 0.62 x 60 ft = 37 ft.

Four Point Method

In this method 4 spikes are driven in earth in same line at the equal
distance. Outer two spikes are connected to C1 & C2 terminals of earth
tester. Similarly inner two spikes are connected to P1 & P2 terminals. Now if we
rotate generator handle with specific speed, we get earth resistance value of that
place.

In this method error due to polarization effect is eliminated and earth tester can be
operated directly on A.C.

GI Earthing Vs Copper Earthing

As per IS 3043, the resistance of Plate electrode to earth (R) = (r/A) X under
root(P/A).
Where r = Resistivity of Soil Ohm-meter.
A=Area of Earthing Plate m3.
The resistance of Pipe electrode to earth (R) = (100r/2L) X loge (4L/d).
Where L= Length of Pipe/Rod in cm
d=Diameter of Pipe/Rod in cm.
The resistivity of the soil and the physical dimensions of the electrode play important
role of resistance of Rod with earth.
The material resistivity is not considered important role in earth resistivity.
Any material of given dimensions would offer the same resistance to earth. Except
the sizing and number of the earthing conductor or the protective conductor.
Pipe Earthing Vs Plate Earthing
Suppose Copper Plate having of size 1.2m x 1.2m x 3.15mm thick. soil resistivity of
100 ohm-m,
The resistance of Plate electrode to earth (R)=( r/A)X under root(/A) =
(100/2.88)X(3.14/2.88)=36.27 ohm
Now, consider a GI Pipe Electrode of 50 mm Diameter and 3 m Long. soil resistivity
of 100 Ohm-m,
The resistance of Pipe electrode to earth (R) = (100r/2L) X loge (4L/d) =
(100X100/2X3.14X300) X loge (4X300/5) =29.09 Ohm.
From the above calculation the GI Pipe electrode offers a much lesser resistance
than even a copper plate electrode.
As per IS 3043 Pipe, rod or strip has a much lower resistance than a plate of
equal surface area.

Length of Pipe Electrode and Earthing Pit

The resistance to earth of a pipe or plate electrode reduces rapidly within the first
few feet from ground (mostly 2 to 3 meter) but after that soil resistivity is mostly
uniform.

After about 4 meter depth, there is no appreciable change in resistance to earth of

the electrode. Except a number of rods in parallel are to be preferred to a single
long rod.

Amount of Salt and Charcoal (more than

8Kg)
To reduce soil resistivity, it is necessary to dissolve in the moisture particle in the
Soil. Some substance like Salt/Charcoal is highly conductive in water solution but
the additive substance would reduce the resistivity of the soil, only when it is
dissolved in the moisture in the soil after that additional quantity does not serve the
Purpose.

5% moisture in salt reduces earth resistivity rapidly and further increase in salt

content will give a very little decrease in soil resistivity.

The salt content is expressed in percent by weight of the moisture content in the
soil. Considering 1M3 of Soil, the moisture content at 10 percent will be about 144
kg. (10 percent of 1440 kg). The salt content shall be 5% of this (i.e.) 5% of 144kg,
that is, about 7.2kg.

Amount of Water Purring

Moisture content is one of the controlling factors of earth resistivity. Above 20 %
of moisture content, the resistivity is very little affected. But below 20% the
resistivity increases rapidly with the decrease in moisture content.

If the moisture content is already above 20% there is no point in adding quantity of
water into the earth pit, except perhaps wasting an important and scarce national resource
like water.

Length Vs Diameter of Earth Electrode

Apart from considerations of mechanical strength, there is little advantage to be
gained from increasing the earth electrode diameter with the object in mind of
increasing surface area in contact with the soil.

The usual practice is to select a diameter of earth electrode, which will have

enough strength to enable it to be driven into the particular soil conditions without

bending or splitting. Large diameter electrode may be more difficult to drive than

smaller diameter electrode.

The depth to which an earth electrode is driven has much more influence on its
electrical resistance characteristics than has its diameter.

Maximum allowable Earth resistance

Major power station = 0.5 Ohm
Major Sub-stations = 1.0 Ohm
Minor Sub-station = 2 Ohm
Neutral Bushing = 2 Ohm
Service connection = 4 Ohm
Medium Voltage Network = 2 Ohm
L.T.Lightening Arrestor = 4 Ohm
L.T.Pole = 5 Ohm
H.T.Pole = 10 Ohm
Tower = 20-30 Ohm
Treatments to for minimizing Earth
resistance
Remove Oxidation on joints and joints should be tightened.
Poured sufficient water in earth electrode.
Used bigger size of Earth Electrode.
Electrodes should be connected in parallel.
Earth pit of more depth & width- breadth should be made.
Originally published at Electrical Notes and Articles