Why you should have an Earthing System
Before I start with importance’s of have earthing system, below is the meaning of earthing system.
What is Earthing System?
The connection between electrical appliances and devices with the earth plate or electrode through a thick wire of low resistance to provide safety is known as Earthing or Grounding.
Earthing System or Grounding System in Electrical network is for safety purpose. The Main objective of earthing system is to provide an alternative path for dangerous current to flow so that the problem of electric shock and damaging of equipment’s can be cured.
Metallic part of an equipment are grounded and if the equipment’s insulation fails then there will be no dangerous voltages present in equipment box.
The circuit gets sorted and fuse will blow immediately, in case the live wire touches the earthed
case.
Particularly, it can affect the magnitude and distribution of current in short circuits through the system and the effects of the system are on equipment and people who will near to the circuit.
Why you should have an Earthing System?
This question is generally arises, when you have all the right equipment’s, wires, socket and well maintained electrical devices, Yet, why is there need of an Earthing system.
The Answer is very simple.
Earthing system makes your building electrically shock free and gives you a safe place.
Below are some of the points which can easily make you think about earthing system.
1. Safety for Human Life, Electrical Devices and Building
• It saves the human life from danger of electrical shock which can cause death, by blowing a fuse.
• Protects your electric equipment’s or devices.
• It provides a safe path for lighting and short circuit currents.
2. Voltage Stabilization
You know that electricity has many sources. As Every transformer considered to be a separate source. And if there is not a point which will act as common point, then it becomes more difficult to make a calculation between these sources.
In the Electrical distribution systems, Earth is the omnipresent conductive surface, which makes it a universal standard for all electric system.
3. Over Voltage Protection
Earthing System provides an alternative path in the electrical system to minimize the dangerous effect in the electrical system which happens at the time of lighting and unintentional contact with high voltage lines.
Now when you have got an idea of Earthing System, It’s time to know how to set up an Earthing or Grounding System at your place.
Methods of Earthing
Conventional Method of Earthing is Plate type and Pipe Type Earthing.
1. Plate Type Earthing


In Plate Type earthing you need to have some basic components which can be of Cast Iron Plate or Copper Plate or Galvanized Iron Plate. In this type you need to bury the Copper plate at 8 feet with bolts in vertical position.
These pits generally filled with layers of salt and charcoal up to 4 feet starting from bottom.

2. Pipe Type Earthing
Earthing pipes are also known as earthing electrode pipes, these can be used at house, office as well as in power stations. Earthing pipes are used in electrical installation, transmission line and other. Copper Pipe is generally use in earthing system.
The Pipe size depends upon the current to be carried and on soil type. Generally, the pipe used for this purpose is of 38mm and 2.5m in length of the depth at which the pipe will be buried.
This type of Earthing is reliable, durable, easy to handle and highly secure. Connectivity of the Pipe Earthing is up to the Chamber or earth terminal.
The connection of earth wire in Galvanized Iron pipe, being above the ground level makes it easy to check for the fault.
To have an effective earthing in summer, this type of earthing gives you freedom to put 3-4 buckets of water through the funnel, which gives an affective earthing.
Overall, it is one of the most widely used technique of earthing.

3. Rod Earthing
This type of Earthing is same as Pipe Earthing. Rods can be of Copper or Galvanized Iron. If you are using Copper rod, make sure the diameter of rod is 12.5MM and if you want to use Galvanized Iron then diameter should be of 25MM.
The length of rod should be approximately 2.5 M (8.2ft), which will be burry in the earth vertically.
4. Earthing through Waterman
In this type of Earthing, You need Galvanized Iron pipes. Before using these pipes, make sure that resistance is good. Also use Earth clamps to minimize resistance for setting a proper connection.
If you prefer standard conductor in earthing wire, be sure that the wire is straight & in parallel form and both end of wire should be clean.

5. Strip/ Wire Earthing

This type of Earthing have strip electrodes of cross-sectional not less than 25mm x 1.6mm in case of copper and 25mm x 4mm of Galvanized Iron buried into horizontal pit of minimum depth of 0.5 m.
This type of Earthing is best in rocky soil earth, as in these places it is difficult to do plate type earthing.
You need to take care of all these points discussed above before setting up an Earthing System. Besides these, the moisture of Soil is also an important thing to remember.
Conclusion
We at techwizard.com.ng keen to give good suggestion to you. We believe in Safe Electricity for you.
Earthing system can prevent the dangerous effects of electricity. So consult with an electrician today and ask for setting an Earthing system.

http://www.techwizard.com.ng/why-you-should-have-an-earthing-system/

What is our earthing system in 9ja? Is it the TT SYSTEM, TN_c_s. Or TN_s.

Pls which of the earth rod is the best ?