Module 3

Power system protection is a branch of electrical power

engineering that deals with the protection of electrical power systems
from faults through the disconnection of faulted parts from the rest of
the electrical network. The objective of a protection scheme is to keep
the power system stable by isolating only the components that are under
fault, whilst leaving as much of the network as possible in operation. The
devices that are used to protect the power systems from faults are
called protection devices.
 TYPES OF FAULTS IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Open Circuit: An open circuit occurs when there is a break or discontinuity in a circuit, preventing current flow. This can happen due to a
disconnected wire, a blown fuse, or a faulty switch. Open circuits result in a loss of power to connected devices or systems.

Ground Fault: A ground fault occurs when a live conductor comes into contact with a grounded surface or a grounded conductor. This can
lead to unintended current flow through the ground path, posing electric shock hazards and equipment damage.

Overload: Overloading happens when the current drawn by electrical devices exceeds the rated capacity of the circuit. This can occur due
to connecting too many devices to a single circuit or using equipment that consumes more power than the circuit can handle. Overloads
can lead to overheating of wires, insulation degradation, and potentially fire hazards.

Voltage Sag/Dip: Voltage sags or dips are temporary reductions in voltage levels, often caused by sudden increases in load demand or
faults in the power distribution system. These events can disrupt the operation of sensitive equipment and cause malfunctions

Voltage Swell/Surge: Voltage swells or surges are sudden increases in voltage levels, typically caused by lightning strikes, switching
operations, or faults in the power grid. These events can damage electrical equipment and cause insulation breakdown if not adequately
mitigated.

Phase Imbalance: Phase imbalance occurs when the voltage or current levels in a three-phase power system are not evenly distributed
among the phases. This can lead to inefficient operation of equipment and overheating of motors.
Causes of Short Circuit
• Damaged Insulation: wear and tear, mechanical stress, exposure to
extreme temperatures, moisture or chemicals
• Faulty Wiring: exposed wires, loose connections, or deteriorated
insulation, Improper installation or aging of electrical wiring
• Overloading: Excessive heat on cable insulation creates short circuits
• Equipment Malfunction: wear and tear, or improper maintenance
• Environmental Factors: moisture, dust or corrosive substances corrode the
conductor
• Arcing: Arcing occurs when electricity jumps across a small air gap between
2 conductors, creating a short-lived, high-temperature plasma discharge. it
poses fire hazards
Types of Protective Devices

1. Fuses

2. Circuit Breakers

3. Earthing Systems

4. Lightening Protection Systems

Main Features of Protective Devices
& its Selection criteria
1. Sensitivity/ detection of faults

1. Selectivity/ coordination/ compatibility/ inter-operability

2. Flexible / adjustable settings/ scalable

3. Reliability/ fail safe operation

4. Quickness/ fast response time

5. Non-Interference with future extension

Continued…
1.Detection of Faults: Protective devices are designed to detect various types of faults such as overcurrents, short
circuits, ground faults, overvoltages, undervoltages, and frequency variations. They continuously monitor electrical
parameters to identify abnormal conditions that could pose safety hazards or cause damage.

2.Selective Coordination: In complex electrical systems with multiple protective devices, selective coordination is
essential to ensure that the device nearest to the fault operates quickly to isolate the fault while minimizing disruption to
other parts of the system. Protective devices are often coordinated in a hierarchical manner to achieve this objective.

3.Adjustable Settings: Many protective devices feature adjustable settings such as trip thresholds, time delays, and
sensitivity levels to customize their response to specific operating conditions and to accommodate variations in equipment
and load characteristics.

4.Fast Response Time: Protective devices must respond rapidly to fault conditions to minimize the duration of hazardous
situations and prevent further damage to equipment. Devices such as circuit breakers, relays, and fuses are designed to
trip or operate within milliseconds or microseconds after detecting a fault.

5.Compatibility and Interoperability: Protective devices must be compatible with the overall electrical system and
interoperable with other devices and control systems. They should adhere to industry standards and protocols to facilitate
seamless integration and interoperability in diverse applications.

6.Fail-Safe Operation: In the event of a device failure or malfunction, protective devices should operate in a fail-safe
manner to ensure that electrical systems remain protected and that hazards are minimized. Fail-safe mechanisms may
include trip mechanisms, redundant protection schemes, and backup power supplies.

7.Scalability and Flexibility: Protective devices should be scalable and adaptable to accommodate changes in system
configuration, load requirements, and operational needs over time. This flexibility enables electrical systems to evolve and
expand while maintaining adequate levels of protection.
FUSE
A Fuse is a device for protecting a circuit against damage from an excessive current flowing in it, by
opening the circuit on heating and melting of the fuse element by the excessive current in case of
short circuit.

Fuse is the safety valve and the weakest part of the electrical system.

Constituent parts of a typical fuse are – It is made up of the alloy

of tin and lead.
1. Fuse Holder/Base
It has low melting point
2. Fixed Contacts and high resistance. It has
low melting point and high
3. Fuse Carrier resistance.
4. Carrier Contacts
5. Fuse Element/ Fuse Wire / Fuse link
Workings of a fuse
The operation of fuse depends upon the heating effect of an electric current
Electric current is increased in the circuit due to
short-circuit or over load

Rate of heat generation is increased which increases

the temperature of the fuse wire

Rate of heat dissipation increases

Rate of heat generation = Rate of Heat dissipation

Fuse wire temperature reaches melting point

Fuse operates
FUSE
Types of Fuse

1. Kit Kat / Ordinary Fuse

2. Screw-Plug type Fuse

3. Knife Blade Cartridge Fuse

4. Ferrule type Cartridge Fuse

5. HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) Cartridge Fuse

6. Time Delay Fuse

Kit Kat fuse and it’s merits and demerits
Advantages

1. Cheap
2. Current limiting in case of short circuits
3. Easily rewirable
4. Requires minimal maintenance

Disadvantages

1. Unreliable operation –
• Due to Oxidation of fuse wire
• Loose connection
2. Lack of selectivity
3. Small Time Lag
4. Easy to misuse
5. Low rupturing capacity
Here are some specific areas within buildings
where fuses are commonly used:
• Distribution Panels
• Main Service Entrance
• HVAC Systems
• Elevators and Lifts
• Emergency Lighting
• Fire Alarm Systems
• Surveillance systems
• Appliances (Kitchen and Laundry, office etc)
• Common Areas of buildings
The selection of fuse wire for a particular
electric load depends on several factors
• Rated Current: The fuse wire should have a rated current slightly higher than the
normal operating current of the circuit it is protecting.
• Type of Load: The fuse wire should be selected considering the peak current
demands of the load.
• Environmental Conditions: If the circuit is exposed to high temperatures, a fuse
wire with appropriate temperature and environmental ratings should be selected
to ensure reliable operation.
• Voltage Rating: The fuse wire should have a voltage rating equal to or higher than
the maximum voltage of the circuit it is protecting to ensure safety
• Fuse Material and Construction: he material and construction of the fuse wire
should be chosen based on specific melting points or application requirements
• Regulatory Standards: Fuse wire should have compliance with relevant safety
standards
Relevant standards and specifications for fuse
wire in India may include:
• IS 2086: This standard covers cartridge fuses for general-purpose applications in
electrical circuits. It specifies requirements for materials, dimensions, performance
characteristics, and testing methods.
• IS 13703: This standard covers low-voltage fuses for electrical installations. It provides
requirements for the construction, performance, and testing of fuses used for
overcurrent protection in domestic, commercial, and industrial installations.
• IS 3837: This standard specifies requirements for miniature fuses used in electrical and
electronic equipment. It covers dimensions, performance characteristics, and testing
methods for miniature fuses rated up to 250 volts.
• IS 13703-1: This part of IS 13703 specifically addresses the requirements for low-voltage
fuses rated up to and including 1,000 volts AC or 1,500 volts DC.
• IS 4064: This standard covers rewirable type fuses used for protection against over-
currents in domestic and similar installations. It specifies requirements for materials,
dimensions, construction, and testing of rewirable fuses.
CIRCUIT BREAKER
A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical
circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit. Its basic function is
to interrupt current flow after a fault is detected. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and then must be
replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal
operation.
 Types of Circuit Breakers
• High Voltage Circuit Breakers – Above
66KV application • Low Voltage Circuit Breakers –
High-voltage breakers are broadly Less than 1KV application
classified by the medium used to • MCB – rated current not more than
extinguish the arc: 100 A
• Bulk oil • MCCB - rated current up to 2,500 A
• Minimum oil
• Air blast
• Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker
– Till 40.5KV application
• Vacuum
• Vacuum circuit breakers—With
• SF6
rated current up to 6,300 A
• CO2
• Air circuit breakers—Rated current
• Other Special Use Circuit Breakers
up to 6,300 A
• RCCB
• SF6 circuit breakers
• RCBO
• ELCB
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
It is an electro-mechanical device that
operates (disconnects circuit) when the
current load exceeds a pre-determined
limit.
It provides both, protection against
over load (very sensitively) and also
against short circuits.
Main Functions

1. Break Circuit at 5 to 20% excessive over load, thus operates even for small overloads of current
flow.
2. Direct indication of the faulty circuit is provided by the switching knob.
3. Though initial cost is higher that a re-wirable fuse, the MCB unit is trouble free and gives safe
protection.
4. The circuit can be reconnected very easily.
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Operation
• High fault capacity thermal/magnetic, current limiting
automatic switching device with just magnetic tripping.
• Two main operation –
• Thermal Operation – with inverse time current
characteristic for overload protection.
 Achieved with bimetallic strip >> Deflects when
heated by any overload current >> releases the
latch mechanism >> causes contacts to open.

• Magnetic Operation – assisted by Hammer Trip for

short circuit protection.
 In case of Short Circuit rising current energise
the solenoid >> operates plunger to strike the
trip lever >> Immediate releases of the latch
mechanism >> instantaneous opening of
contacts.
Advantages – MCB over Switch Fuses

• MCB limits over-load as well as protects against short circuit, whereas fuse protects against short
circuit alone.

• MCB is essentially tamper – proof as it has sealed enclosure

• Due to narrowly controlled tripping factor i.e., ratio of minimum trip current / rated current, MCB
provides closer protection
• Modular in design thus can be used in various combinations.
• MCB can assume function of a switch to control on-off function as well
WHAT IS MCCB?
• The Molded Case Circuit Breaker is used to control electric energy in distribution and is having
short circuit and overload protection.
• This circuit Breaker is an electromechanical device which
guards a circuit from short circuit and over current.
• They offer short circuit and over current protection for circuits
ranges from 800Amps-1000 Amps.
• The primary functions of MCCB is to give a means to manually open a circuit, automatically open
a circuit under short circuit or overload conditions.
• In an electrical circuit, the over current may result faulty design
• The MCCB is an option to a fuse since it doesn’t need an alternate once an overload is
noticed.
• Unlike a fuse, this circuit breaker can be simply reset after a mistake and offers enhanced
operator safety and ease without acquiring operating cost.
• Trip current may be adjustable.
• Thermal or thermal-magnetic operation.
Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MCB and MCCB

• An MCB has less than 100 amps, while an MCCB goes as high as 2,500 amps.
• The interrupting rating for an MCB is 18,000 amps, and up to 200,000 amps for an MCCB.
• Normally, trip characteristics are not adjustable in MCB where as Trip current may be adjusted for
an MCCB
• MCBs are mostly installed for home use, while an MCCB is generally utilized for commercial or
industrial purposes.
• Both are low-voltage circuit breakers created to meet IEC 947 standards.
• Some MCCB units are specially made to respond to remote control signals, usually as standby
power.
Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB)
Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB) or Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) are the
devices designed to provide protection against accidents by rapidly interrupting dangerous contact
voltages which may be present in faulty electrical equipment as a result of ground faults, insufficient
insulation, insulation failure or misuse and sabotage.

Types

1. Voltage Operated ELCB

2. Current Operated RCCB

Components

The essential parts of an ELCB are –

1. Toroid core transformer with two opposed primary windings.
2. Secondary winding (Search Coil) connected to the trip/operating coil.
3. Test winding connected to the test button
4. Protected Metal Cover
Earth Leakage Circuit
Breakers (ELCB)
Operation

• One of the Primary Windings is connected in series to the main phase line
and the other is connected in series to the neutral.
• As long as there is no leakage current, the phase line current is equal to the neutral
current >> the magnetic flux produced by the two primary windings is equal and
opposite >> Flux cancel each other >> Secondary winding connected to the trip
coil does not have voltage induced in it.
• When there is leakage in current >> the line current differs from the neutral
current >> Voltage is
• induced in the secondary winding >>Trip coil opens the switch in the circuit.
• A Residual Current Circuit Breaker is an essential current
sensing equipment used to guard a low voltage WHAT IS RCCB?
circuit from the fault.

• Residual Current Circuit Breaker or RCCB is basically a

gadget that senses current and disengages any low
voltage (uneven current) circuit whenever a fault
occurs. The main purpose of installing a Residual
Current Circuit Breaker fundamentally is to protect
people from electric shocks or death caused by them.

• It comprises of a switch device used to turn off the

circuit when a fault occurs in the circuit. RCCB is
aimed at guarding a person from the electrical shocks.
• Fires and electrocution are caused due to the
wrong wiring or any earth faults.
• This type of circuit breaker is used in situations where
there is a sudden shock or fault happening in the
circuit.
(ACB) Air Circuit Breakers
• Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) is an electrical device used to provide
Overcurrent and short-circuit protection for electric circuits over 800
Amps to 10K Amps. These are usually used in low voltage applications
below 450V. We can find these systems in Distribution Panels (below
450V).
WORKING PRINCIPLE In an air circuit breaker, the arc
is directed into a chamber
called the arc chute. The arc
chute contains a series of metal
plates or fins arranged to
lengthen the arc path and
facilitate cooling using
compressed air chamber.

Air circuit breakers are

equipped with a tripping
mechanism that operates in
response to abnormal
conditions in the circuit.

The arc must be extinguished

quickly to prevent damage to
the electrical system.
As the arc passes through the
arc chute, it loses energy and is
eventually extinguished.
WHAT IS PROTECTION RELAY?
• In electrical engineering, a protective relay is
a relay device designed to trip a circuit breaker when
a fault is detected.
• Protective relay work as a sensing device, it senses the
fault, then known its position and finally, it gives the
tripping command to the circuit breaker.
• The circuit breaker after taking the command from the
protective relay, disconnect the faulted element.
• A protective relay is a switchgear device that detects
the fault and initiates the operation of the circuit
breaker to isolate the defective element from the rest
of the system.
• The protective relaying scheme includes
protective current transformers, voltage transformers,
protective relays, time delay relays, auxiliary relays,
secondary circuits, trip circuits, etc.
WHAT IS PROTECTION RELAY?

Relays for Transmission & Distribution Lines Protection

Earthing
Earthing or grounding is to connect the electrical equipment to the general mass of earth by
conductor of negligible resistance. This brings the equipment body to zero potential and thus avoids
shock to a person who touches the same.

The neutral of the supply circuit is also earthed to keep it at zero potential.
Earthing Process:
• The process of transferring the immediate discharge of the electrical energy directly
to the earth by the help of the low resistance wire is known as the electrical Earthing.

• The electrical Earthing is done by connecting the non-current carrying part of the
equipment or neutral of supply system to the ground, i.e; connect the part of electrical
apparatus such as metallic covering of metals, earth terminal of socket cables, stay
wires that do not carry current to the earth.

• The Earthing provides the simple path to the leakage current.

• The short-circuit current of the equipment passes to the earth
which has zero potential. Thus, protects the system and equipment
from damage.
WHY EARTHING IS REQUIRED OR IMPORTANT?

• The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or minimize the danger of electrocution, fire due to earth
leakage of current through undesired path and to ensure that the potential of a current carrying
conductor does not rise with respect to the earth than its designed insulation.

• When the metallic part of electrical appliances (parts that can conduct or allow passage of electric
current) comes in contact with a live wire, maybe due to failure of installations or failure in cable
insulation, the metal become charged and static charge accumulates on it.

• If a person touches such a charged metal, the result is a severe shock.

• To avoid such instances, the power supply systems and parts of appliances have to be earthed so as to
transfer the charge directly to the earth.

• This is why we need Electrical Earthing or Grounding in electrical installation systems.

Basics of Earthing:
Below are the basic needs of Earthing.
• To protect human lives as well as provide safety to electrical devices and appliances
from leakage current/ short-circuit current (shock).
• To keep voltage as constant in the healthy phase (If fault occurs on any one phase).
• To Protect Electric system and buildings from lightening.
• To serve as a return conductor in electric traction system and communication.
• To avoid the risk of fire in electrical installation systems.
• Provides the easiest path to the flow of short-circuit current even after the failure of the
insulation.
• It protects your electric equipment or devices against overcurrent.
Types of Earthing:
The electrical equipment mainly consists of two non-current carrying parts. These
parts are neutral of the system or frame of the electrical equipment. From the Earthing
of these two non-current carrying parts of the electrical system Earthing can be
classified into two types.
• Neutral Earthing
• Equipment Earthing.
Neutral Earthing:
• In neutral Earthing, the neutral of the system is directly connected to earth by the help of
the GI wire.
• The neutral Earthing is also called the system Earthing.
• Such type of Earthing is mostly provided to the system which has star winding.
• For example, the neutral Earthing is provided in the generator, transformer, motor etc.

BS- Electricl Services and Illumination 37

Equipotential Bonding
Equipment Earthing:
• Such type of Earthing is provided to the electrical equipment.
• The non-current carrying part of the equipment like their metallic frame is connected
to the earth by the help of the conducting wire.
• If any fault occurs in the apparatus, the short-circuit current to pass the earth by the help
of wire.
• Thus, protect the system from damage.
FACTORS AFFECTING ON EARTH RESISTIVITY

• 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.

• Soil Condition : Different soil conditions give different soil resistivity. Most of the soils are very poor conductors of
electricity when they are completely dry.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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 current magnitude: Soil resistivity in the vicinity of ground electrode may be affected by
current flowing from the electrode into the surrounding soil.

• 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.

• 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.

• Current Magnitude : A current of significant magnitude and duration will cause significant drying
condition in soil and thus increase the soil resistivity.
COMPONENTS OF EARTHING SYSTEM

Earth Continuity Conductor or Earth Wire

That part of the earthing system which interconnects the overall metallic parts of electrical installation e.g. conduit, ducts,
boxes, metallic shells of the switches, distribution boards, Switches, fuses, Regulating and controlling devices, metallic
parts of electrical machines such as, motors, generators, transformers and the metallic framework where electrical devices
and components are installed is known as earth wire or earth continuity conductor

Earthing Lead or Earthing Joint

The conductor wire connected between earth continuity conductor and earth electrode or earth plate is called earthing
joint or “Earthing lead”. The point where earth continuity conductor and earth electrode meet is known as “connecting
point”
Earthing lead is the final part of the earthing system which is connected to the earth electrode (which is underground)
through earth connecting point.

Earthing Electrode or Earth Plate

A metallic electrode or plate which is buried in the earth (underground) and it is the last part of the electrical earthing
system. In simple words, the final underground metallic (plate) part of the earthing system which is connected with earthing
lead is called earth plate or earth electrode.
A metallic plate, pipe or rode can be used as an earth electrode which has very low resistance and carry the fault
current safely towards ground (earth).
POINTS TO BE EARTHED

Earthing is not done anyhow. According to IE rules and IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers) regulations,

• Earth pin of 3-pin lighting plug sockets and 4-pin power plug should be efficiently and permanently earthed.

• All metal casing or metallic coverings containing or protecting any electric supply line or apparatus such as GI
pipes and conduits enclosing VIR or PVC cables, iron clad switches, iron clad distribution fuse boards etc.
should be earthed (connected to earth).

• The frame of every generator, stationary motors and metallic parts of all transformers used for controlling
energy should be earthed by two separate and yet distinct connections with the earth.

• In a dc 3-wire system, the middle conductors should be earthed at the generating station.

• Stay wires that are for overhead lines should be connected to earth by connecting at least one strand to the
earth wires.
TYPES OF ELECTRICAL EARTHING SYSTEMS
Plate Earthing System

• In plate earthing system, a plate made up of either copper with

dimensions 60cm x 60cm x 3.18mm (i.e. 2ft x 2ft x 1/8 in) or
galvanized iron (GI) of dimensions 60cm x 60cm x
6.35 mm (2ft x 2ft x ¼ in) is buried vertical in the earth (earth
pit) which should not be less than 3m (10ft) from the ground level.

• It is recommended to bury the earth electrode in the moisture

earth. If it is not possible, then put water in the GI (Galvanized
Iron) pipe to make possible the moisture condition.

• In the earthing system, put the earth electrode in vertical position

(underground) .Also, put a 1 foot (about 30cm) layer of powdered
charcoal and lime mixture around the earth plate (don’t confuse
with earth electrode and earth plate as both are the same thing).

• This action makes the possible increase in the size of the earth
electrode which leads a better continuity in the earth (earthing
system) and also helps to maintain the moisture condition around
earth plate.
Pipe Earthing

• It 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 electrode but the depth depend upon the soil
conditions, there is no hard and fast rule for this.

• But the wire is embedded up to the wet soil.

• The earth wire are 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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTNjw-hQIM
Chemical Earthing

• Generally we use salt and charcoal to improve the earth pit

resistance but It has certain demerits as salt and charcoal leach into
the soil so we have to maintain the earth pits in regular intervals.

• Chemical Earthing is use of bentonite based or graphite based

compound along with earthing
electrode (a pipe or a rod) that helps in improving soil condition and
reducing the soil resistivity.

• Prime contents include bentonite, graphite, aluminium silicates and

metal powders.

• There are certain compounds which have resistivity less than 0.12
ohm meter, these are called permanent earthing compounds.
These have a life span of more than 10 to 15 years. This type of
earthing is called permanent 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 embedded length of
electrode 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 Or Wire Earthing
• In this system of earthing strip electrode of cross section
not less than 25mm into 1.6mm of copper or 25mm *
4mm of GI or steel are buried in horizontal trenches of
minimum depth of 2m
• 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 buried conductor shall be sufficient to give the
required earth resistance (about 0.5Ωto 1.5Ω)
• The electrode 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 rocky soil earth bed because
at such places excavation work for plate earthing is difficult
Lightning Protection System

There are no devices or methods capable of modifying the

natural weather phenomena to the extent that they can
prevent lightning discharges. Lightning flashes to, or nearby,
structures (or lines connected to the structures) are hazardous
to people, to the structures themselves, their contents and
installations as well as to lines. Lightning protection measures
therefore become essential.

Lightning discharges are of very high energy and can have devastating effects depending on the path of its
discharge. Lightning strike is not predictable and is a random phenomenon both from the aspect of its occurrence
and intensity or the energy discharge.

It is necessary to understand that lightning possibly causes the maximum loss of life to human beings and animals
due to its unpredictability, lack of forewarning and protection systems only provide a means of diversion of
lightning discharges to safe paths.
LIGHTNING PROTECTION

• Protection against effects of lightning

• The principle consists in creating one or more
preferred impact points for a lightning strike using
low impedance, conductor elements.
• These then conduct and dissipate the lightning
current into the ground.
• This coherent system enables the lightning to be
captured and dissipated whilst providing protection to
the structure.

There are six types of lightning protection systems for

protecting structures against lightning:
1. Faraday Cage
2. Catenary wires,
3. Air-termination
4. Franklin Cone
5. Overhead Ground Shield Wire
6. Protection by natural components
Lightning Protection System

The decision on whether to protect a structure against lightning depends upon an evaluation of these factors –

1. where the area is one in which lightning strokes are prevalent;

2. where large numbers of people congregate, such as, sports, cultural, assembly buildings;
3. where there are very tall, complex or isolated structures;
4. where there are structures of historic or cultural importance;
5. structures with inherent explosive risks; for example, explosives factories, stores and dumps and fuel tanks;
6. where essential public services are concerned (as lightning may lead to power outages and unplanned interruptions
of production processes); and
7. where there is wide use of electrical and electronic equipment/ components that are sensitive to the effects of
lightning (in industry, ICT enabled buildings, transportation and communication).
External Lightning Protection Components –
1. Air Terminals – Pointed copper or aluminium rods projecting above a structure
2. Earth Terminals – embedded in highly conductive soil (or in a network of buried wires if the soil is
nonconductive, such as bedrock or very dry soil)
3. Down Conductors – That connect air and ground terminals, these may be exposed on the
building’s exterior or concealed within the structure

LIGHTNING
DOWN RODS
CONDUCTOR
STIPS
Faraday Cage
This system depends upon an open interconnected mesh covering a large,
nonconducting mass (a building) to draw a lightning stroke and conduct
it to earth. This leaves large arears of roof exposed, so the higher the air
terminals and the denser the mesh, the better the protection. This is the
most commonly used method for protecting buildings against lightning.

• Meshed conductors cover the roof and walls of the structure to be

protected.

• Air terminals are positioned around the edge of the roof and on
high network of conductors follows the external perimeter of the
roof.
• This network is completed with transverse elements.
• The mesh size is between 5 and 20 meters according to the
effectiveness required.
• The top of the down conductors fitted to the walls are connected to the
roof mesh, and the bottom to dedicated earthing systems.
CATENARY WIRE LIGHTNING
CONDUCTOR
• This lightning protection system, using a similar principle to that
of the mesh cage, consists of a mesh of conductors, but at
a distance from the structure to be protected.
• The aim is to avoid the lightning current coming
directly into contact with the structure.
• Catenary wire conductors placed above the structure to
be protected are connected to down conductors and dedicated earthing
systems.
• The size of the mesh and the distance between down conductors are subjected
to the same rules as for the meshed conductors lightning protection system.
 AIR-TERMINATION LIGHTNING
PROTECTION SYSTEM
• The lightning conductor is made up of a 2 to 8 m high tapered metal rod that
dominates the structure to be protected and which is connected to minimum two
down conductors and two earthing system.
• As the protection radius of this type of Air-Termination Rod is limited to around
30 meters ,it is normally only used to protect small structures or zones such as
pylons, chimneys, tanks, water towers, aerial masts, etc.
Franklin Cone
• This system is simply a mast with a conductor running straight to ground. A “Cone
Protection” is formed that protects the objects within it from strikes by absorbing
the lightning stroke at the mast and grounding it harmlessly. The closer the object
to the mast, the better is the protection: Buildings within an interior solid angle
of 60◦ get excellent protection, those within 90◦ get good protection, and those
within an angle of up to 126◦ get fair protection.
Overhead Ground Shield Wire
In this system we form a continuous air terminal using an overhead linear and horizontal Shield
Wire, so the protected volume is a triangular prism, rather than a cone. This is most commonly used
to protect overhead transmission lines.

It is recommended that both the single mast and the

overhead ground shield project above any structure
within the protection zone by at least 6 ft., and more
height is better.
PROTECTION USING NATURAL
COMPONENTS
• Components that have a lightning protection function but that were not installed
for this purpose.
• The frame of metal constructions;
• Sheet metal covering the volume to be protected, provided there is no risk of
them being perforated by an impact
• Metal components of a roof structure (interconnected steel frames, etc.), even if
covered with non-metallic materials, provided that these may be excluded from
the volume to be protected
• Metal rods in reinforced concrete, provided that there is electrical
interconnection between them, and particularly with the capture means and
earthing system
• Metal pipes and tanks, provided they are at least 2.5 mm thick and if perforated,
do not cause a dangerous or unacceptable situation
Building Lightning Protection System -
Building Lightning Protection System -