Course Overview:
This course delivers in-depth knowledge on the principles, design, implementation, and maintenance of protective grounding (earthing) systems in electrical networks. It explores the critical role of grounding in enhancing personnel safety, protecting equipment, and ensuring system stability. Participants will gain practical skills in assessing, testing, and improving grounding systems in industrial, utility, and commercial settings.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and principles of protective grounding
- Differentiate between system grounding and equipment grounding
- Apply national and international grounding standards
- Design grounding systems for different electrical installations
- Conduct grounding system inspections and resistance testing
- Identify and resolve grounding-related problems
- Implement best practices for safety and regulatory compliance
Who Should Attend:
- Electrical engineers and technicians
- Power systems engineers
- Maintenance and operations staff
- Facility and plant engineers
- Project and design engineers
- HSE professionals involved in electrical safety
Course Outline:
Introduction to Protective Grounding
- What is grounding and why it matters
- Electrical shock hazards and fault currents
- Difference between grounding and bonding
- Overview of protective and functional grounding
Types of Grounding Systems
- System grounding (neutral grounding)
- Equipment grounding (protective earthing)
- Grounding configurations: TT, TN, IT systems
- Grounding in high-voltage vs. low-voltage systems
Components of a Grounding System
- Ground rods, plates, and meshes
- Ground conductors and bonding jumpers
- Earth pits, electrodes, and resistance enhancers
- Grounding of transformers, generators, and enclosures
Grounding Standards and Codes
- Overview of IEEE, IEC, NEC, and local standards
- Ground resistance limits and measurement requirements
- Earthing design calculations and regulatory compliance
- Marking, labeling, and documentation requirements
Testing and Measuring Grounding Systems
- Earth resistance and soil resistivity tests
- Use of clamp-on and fall-of-potential testers
- Interpreting test results and ensuring acceptable values
- Maintenance inspection checklists and records
Grounding for Lightning and Surge Protection
- Role of grounding in lightning protection systems
- Surge protection devices and coordination with grounding
- Bonding metallic structures and equipment
- Grounding practices in hazardous and explosive areas
Troubleshooting and Improving Grounding Systems
- Identifying poor grounding and its effects
- Common grounding system faults and risks
- Enhancing ground conductivity and system integrity
- Upgrading grounding in old or non-compliant installations