Grounding (Earthing) plays a vital role in all electrical systems or infrastructure.
It is the number one key power quality (PQ) factor, together with wiring contributes 90% of PQ problems.
Proper earthing (grounding) system help resolve power quality issues like Voltage Disturbances, Harmonics, Lightning & Surge Protection, Electromagnetic Interferences and Electrostatic Discharge.
All these affect the quality of power (PQ) and moderates the set of electrical boundaries that allows a piece of equipment to function in its intended manner without significant loss of performance and life expectancy.
Thereby making you installations HSE compliance as well as saving you money. Why then is earthing (grounding) important?
4 Main Reasons for Earthing (grounding)
- Protects people and livestock
- Protects equipment
- Permits the equipment to function correctly
- Ensures the reliability of electrical services.
We have all seen the importance of earthing, both for HSE and systems reliability & operations. It also saves you money in downtime and operational/maintenance cost.
What then constitute a good earth (ground) connection?
4 Characteristics of good ground (earth) connection
A good earth connection should posses the following characteristics
- A low electrical resistance between the electrode and the earth. The lower the earth electrode resistance the more likely the lightning or fault current will choose to flow down that path in preference to any other, allowing the current to be conducted safely to and dissipated in the earth.
- Good corrosion resistance. The choice of material for the earth electrode and its connections is of vital importance. It will be buried in soil for many years so it has to be totally dependable.
- Ability to carry high currents repeatedly.
- Ability to perform the above functions for a minimum of 30 years.
At FullSpectrum Energy, we assist organisations save money and reduce costly downtime by offering deploying customized Earthing (Grounding) solutions from Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Procurement to Training irrespective of the standard code of practice.
Victor Oyedu, FNSE, FNIEEE, CPQ.
Power Quality and Energy Management Specialist.
Publisher at Afrienergyonline.com &
CEO, FullSpectrum Energy Solutions Limited, Nigeria.
