Grounding (Earthing) Systems
ground vs earth
Parameter Earthing Grounding
Definition It protects human life from It protects the entire
electrocuted. power system from
malfunctioning.
Potential It contains zero potential. It does not possess any
zero potential.
Location It is placed between the It is placed between the
equipment body and earth neutral of the equipment
and kept under the earth’s and ground.
surface.
Parameter Earthing Grounding
Types It is of five types such as It is of three types such as
Pipe, Plate, Rod earthing, Solid, Resistance, and
tap earthing, and strip Reactance grounding.
earthing.
Example It is in use in transformer, It is in use as a neutral
generator, and motor for generator and power
connecting to the earth. transformer and connected
to the ground.
Parameter Earthing Grounding
Application Earthing discharges the Grounding provides the
electrical energy to the return path to the current.
earth. It is mainly in use It is mainly in use for
to avoid shocking the unbalancing when the
humans. electric system overloads.
Voltage = 0 V ???
One ground serving many objectives
with different (and conflicting) rules
for each
Objectives of Grounding
Objectives of Grounding
Three key purposes
Safety grounding
Signal grounding
Electromagnetic interference
(EMI) control grounding
Safety grounding
The protection from hazards associated with high voltage /
high current
1. To limit voltages
2. To stabilize voltages
3. To provide a path in order to facilitate the
operation of overcurrent devices
Safety grounding
Grounding for Preclusion of Power Fault Hazards
electrical safety
ground conductor
(ESGC)
Safety grounding
Grounding for Preclusion of Power Fault Hazards
The equipment chassis potential V
IL V C
RB jX C
Single-phase power line filter I L V C
with delta capacitive construction
I L 1.1V 1.2CY
Safety grounding
Lightning Protection System (LPS) Grounding
Voltage hazards caused by
lightning-induced voltage
gradients in the earth
Safety grounding
Lightning Protection System (LPS) Grounding
Improper grounding of a cable penetrating
a facility caused a spark-over
in a fuel tank
Propagation of lightning surges over
a communication link between two
buildings
Protection of lightning surges in
LV supply with TT earthing system
Types of Earthing Systems
The three major types of Earthing Systems used by IEC 60364
1. TT
2. IT
3. TN – TN-C, TN-S, TN-C-S
T = Direct connection to the Earth, T stands for Terra meaning earth
I = Isolated N = Neutral
S = Separate C = Combine
TT Earthing System
IT Earthing System
TN-S Earthing System
TN-C Earthing System
TN-C-S Earthing System
Methods of Power System Earthing
1. Solid earthing
2. Resistance earthing
3. Reactance earthing
4. Unearthed
Signal grounding
intended to provide an equipotential signal voltage
reference between components of the system and serve
as a path for signal current return.
1. Signal Reference Grounding
2. Signal Current Return Path
In single-ended signaling, the “ground” serves as a common signal reference
structure for all system components
dVL
IC C
dt
2
dI C d VL
VGG LGG LGGC 2
dt dt
VA ( I1 I 2 I 3 ) Z1 VB ( I1 I 2 I 3 ) Z1 ( I 2 I 3 ) Z 2
VC ( I1 I 2 I 3 ) Z1 ( I 2 I 3 ) Z 2 ( I 3 ) Z 3
(series connection) single-point grounding
(parallel connection) single-point grounding
Problems associated with coaxial interconnects
(parallel connection) single-point grounding
Problems associated with coaxial interconnects
(parallel connection) single-point grounding
Signal Current Return Path
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) control grounding
Intended for controlling common mode EMI current drainage
from cable shields and suppression devices as well to serve as
an “image plane”
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) control grounding
Controlled Path for EMI Current
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) control grounding
Image Plane
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) control grounding
Fundamental of grounding design
Ground-coupled Interference VNG ES 1
Z
S1
ZG
Z L1 Z
G
ZG
ES 1 ; ZG Z S 1 Z L1
Z
S1 Z L1
Z L2
Vi 2 VNG ; ZG Z S 2 Z L 2
ZS 2 ZL2
signal to interference ratio (SIR)
VS 2 ES 2 Z S 1 Z L1
SIR2
Vi 2 ES 1 ZG
Single-ended circuits
CSG = circuit signal ground
CRG = circuit reference ground ZW
ESGC = electrical safety ground VN I N ZG
ZW Z G
Typical ground potential distribution at a given frequency
Reduction of Common Signal Reference Structure Impedance
Z ( ) R( ) jX L ( )
DC RESISTANCE
l l
RDC 2
A r
AC RESISTANCE skin depth
1
f
AAC 2 r 2r
f r r
l f r
RAC RDC
2r 2
ตัวอย่าง Calculating skin depth in copper
1
f
f 50 Hz
f 2.4 GHz
REACTANCE
circular cross section
rectilinear grounding strap
Avoiding a Common-Impedance Return Path
Reduce common-impedance ground coupling is to avoid
common-impedance coupling between circuits altogether
Reduction of ground interference coupling by eliminating a common return path
GROUND LOOPS
GROUND LOOPS
GROUND LOOPS
Equipment problems can be of three distinct types
1. Low-level currents
2. High-energy transients
3. Common-mode noise
GROUND LOOPS
Breaking ground loops
Blocking
Balancing
Isolation
Diversion/Decoupling
breaking ground loops
common-mode choke
breaking ground loops
isolate transformer
breaking ground loops
optical isolators
breaking ground loops
capacitive isolators
Summary of techniques for total interface isolation
Summary of techniques for total interface isolation
Summary of techniques for total interface isolation
Summary of techniques for total interface isolation
Application of Residual-Current Devices
RCCB (Residual Current
Circuit Breaker)
RCBO (Residual Current
Circuit Breakers with
Overload protection)
