1 PROPER EARTHING SYSTEM
Why should earthing resistance (R) be low (say, less than 1 ohm)?
Using Ohm’s Law,
E = IR
where, E = Voltage in Volt (V)
I = Current in Ampere (A)
R = Resistance in Ohm
Assume that we have a supply voltage (E1) (to the transformer) of 11000 V and leakage voltage (E2) to
ground of 6000 V with an earthing resistance (R1) of 20 Ohms. Again, assume that an exposed wire in
this system touches a motor frame that is connected to a grounding system which has a 10 Ohm
resistance (R2) to earth (earthing resistance).
Main Switch Starter
MS S
Motor
Motor
Incoming voltage to
Transfo transformer, E1 = 11000 V
rmer Leakage voltage to ground,
E2 = 6000 V
R2 = 10 Ω
(Earthing
R1 = 20 Ω resistance)
(Earthing
resistance)
Potential difference
E2 = 6000 V
Figure 1: Example of an electrical circuit with very high earthing resistance (Earth being treated as
universal conductor)
1. Case I: Calculate the leakage current (I1) through the fault (from the motor frame to the earth):-
Leakage Current (I1) = E2/(R1+R2) = 6000/(10+20) = 6000/30 = 200 Ampere
If full voltage leaking at T and M:
Leakage Current (I1) = E2/(R1+R2) = (11000-400)/(10+20) =10600/30 = 353 Ampere
2. Case II: Calculate the leakage voltage (E3), if we happen to touch the motor frame and are grounded
solidly to earth (where, resistance (R2) to earth = 10Ω and leakage current (I1) = 200 Amps)
Then,
Leakage Voltage (E3) = Leakage Current (I1) X Resistance (R2)
E3 = I1 R2 = 200 X 10 = 2000 V
Then, we could be subjected to electric shock of 2000 V. This could kill the person instantly.
Similarly, as per cases I and II, equipment and relays can also be damaged by over voltage and over
current caused by high resistance grounding systems.
3. Case III: Calculate the leakage voltage (E4), if we happen to touch the motor frame and are grounded
solidly to earth (where, Resistance to earth or earthing resistance (R3) = 1 Ω and leakage current (I1)
= 200 Amps)
Then,
Leakage Voltage (E4) = Leakage current (I1) X Resistance to earth (R3) = 200 Amps X 1 Ohm = 200 V
Here, the shock we get is 200 V and this would not kill the person (But, what about current . In this
case, equipment and relays can also be protected by low voltage and low current caused by low
resistance (<1 Ω) grounding systems.
