10/29/2017 Types of Earthing (as per IEC Standards) - Electrical engineering Community

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This topic contains 14 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by Steven Mill 4 years, 5 months ago.

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2013/05/31 at 11:50 am #11015

Steven Mill
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Introduction

In the preceding article we studied the basics of Earthing and also the basic most Earthing type where the
neutral is grounded at source and optionally grounding is done even at customer side.

Besides this, International Standard – IEC 60364 formally defines different types of Earthing
arrangements. Let us examine them here in detail.

IEC Standard for Earthing

IEC Standard 60364 specifies a Two Letter Codes to identify type of earthing. It also defines three
families of Earthing arrangements.

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The two letter code is based on Source Side – Device Side Earthing.
The First Letter indicates how the Earthing is done on Source side (Generator / Transformer).
The Second Letter indicates how the Earthing is done on Device side (place where electricity is
consumed at customer premises).

The Letters used are as follows:

T – (French word “Terre” meaning Earth) – It means direct connection of a point to earth

I – It means that either no point is connected to Earth or it is connected via high impedance

N – It means that there is direct connection to neutral at the source of installation which is in turn
connected to the ground

Based on a combination of these three letters, there are three families of Earthing arrangements proposed
by IEC as below:

TN Network
TT Network
IT Network

TN Network

In TN type of earthing system, one of the points of the source side (Generator or Transformer) is
connected to earth. This point is usually the star point in a three phase system. The body of the connected
electrical device is connected to earth via this earth point on the source side. See fig. below which depicts
this:

In above diagram:

PE – Acronym for “Protective Earth” – is the conductor that connects the exposed metallic parts of the
consumer’s electrical installation to the ground.

N –Also called Neutral. It is the conductor that connects Star point in a 3 phase system to the earth.

There are three sub-types of TN networks as below:

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TN-S
TN-C
TN-C-S

TN-S: In this, separate conductors for Protective Earth (PE) and Neutral run from Consumer’s electrical
installation till the source. They are connected together only at the power source.

TN-C: In this, there is a combined conductor called PEN (Protective Earth-Neutral) which is connected to
earth at the source.

Types of Earthing (as per IEC Standards) 3

TN-C-S: In this type of earthing, part of the system uses a combined PEN conductor for earthing, whereas
for remaining part of the system uses separate conductor for PE and N.

Usually, the combined PEN conductor is used near the source of the system.

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TT Network

In TT type of earthing system, consumer employs its own local earth connection in the premises, which is
independent of any earth connection at source side.

This type of earthing is preferred in telecommunication applications, because this system is free of any
high or low frequency noise that comes through neutral wire connected to the equipment.

IT Network

In IT type of earthing system, there is either no connection to earth at all, or it is done via a high
impendence earthing connection.

Country Specific Earthing Standards

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UK – Uses Protective Multiple Earthing (PME) – which is a form of TN-C-S type of earthing

Australia / New Zealand – Also uses TN-C-S type of earthing know as Multiple Earth Neutral (MEN)
system

USA / Canada – Uses TN-C for the feed from Transformer but uses TN-C-S within the structure at
customer premises

France / Japan / Denmark – Uses TT type of earthing and customer must make its own arrangement for its
own earthing connection

2013/06/06 at 1:06 am #13076

Anonymous

Very nice post you got there! Thank you!

2013/06/07 at 8:09 am #13077

Spir Georges GHALI

Member

Dear ;

Refer to this Topic, I would mention to the following points :

– About “ TN-C ” :

The following remark should be also mentioned :

– If the supply of a load is “ 3Ph + N ” and we will use only “ 1 cable of PEN ” between the network and
that load, the connection of PEN should be done as follow “ the PEN cable should be firstly connected to
the earth point at Load, then to the neutral point ”.

– About “ TN-C-S ” :

It’s mentioned that “ Usually, the combined PEN conductor is used near the source of the system ”, but it’s
better to say :

1- For the big networks where the installed power is big or too big, we use TN-C at the 1st and maybe also
at the 2nd levels of the network, then we use TN-S.

2- By this way we can decrease the installation’s costs for these 2 levels.

3- We can’t never ever use firstly “ TN-S ” then “ TN-C ”.

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– About “ TT ” :

Also, it’s better to add :

– As we can use many independent Earthing points at consumers side only, this system is approximately
used all around the world in LV Distribution Networks to supply Housings and buildings.

– About “ IT ” :

We should also mention to the following :

1- If the connection of the transformer is “ ∆ ” ( no neutral point ) we can connect one phase to earth via
high impedance.

2- Two main types of “ IT ” that are :

– IT with distributed Neutral

– IT without distributed Neutral.

3- With this Earthing system, It’s absolutely necessary to use special devices called “ Insulation
Monitoring Devices ” to detect and indicate any insulation fault .

2013/06/10 at 8:10 am #13073

Anonymous

hi dear engineer with this app you can save your money and energy in earthing calculation … this is
available on google play for android phone . i thing it is useful for you :)

IEC and BS

2013/12/24 at 10:44 am #13396

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Anonymous

why should the PEN cable be

firstly connected to the earth point at Load, then to the neutral
point?

2014/01/01 at 9:27 am #13397

Spir Georges GHALI

Member

@shashank said:
why should the PEN cable be

firstly connected to the earth point at Load, then to the neutral

point?

Dear ;

Ac the ” Protection of person from the Electric chocks ” is the main goal to have an Earthing point in any
electrical equipment, the PEN should be connected first

2014/01/01 at 12:39 pm #12713

mohamed sleem
Member

I’m not sure we can say US uses either TN-C-S or TN-C since the main panel after transformer or
generator is connected directly to the earthing through the GEC (grounding electrode conductor).

2014/06/27 at 7:12 pm #13476

Anonymous

Hi,

Can anybody assist me how to get more than 1K ohms betweens 2 earth pits ?

2014/11/18 at 1:46 pm #13635

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Anonymous

My project is IT distribution system, and I am using step down transformer for 230v power loads, my
question is , is it necessary to ground the secondary X2? If yes, why we should ground it and what is that
system called ( TN or TT). And is it necessary to use PE conductor cable for external load , such as anti
condensation heater, single phase fan, etc).

2014/12/02 at 4:57 am #13624

denizen360
Member

More information about Earthing

Points to consider in BS 7671 regulations

Earth electrodes

BS 7671 lists a wide range of earth electrodes recognised by wiring regulations, including earth
rods, earth plates and underground structural metalwork. The single most importance deciding
factor in which type of electrode to use is resistance capacity of the soil in the ground. Ideally it
should virgin, undisturbed ground, and the effects of soil drying, freezing, and the potential for
corrosion, should also be considered, with tests carried out in the worst weather conditions.

Sizing of Circuit Protective Conductors

Several factors must be considered when working out the required size of circuit protective
conductor. A minimum cross–sectional area of 2.5mm2 copper is necessary for any separate circuit
protective conductor, meaning one which is not part of a cable or created by/contained inside a
wiring enclosure.

Earthing Conductors

Earthing conductors defined by BS 7671 as a protective conductor connecting the main earthing
terminal of an installation to an earth electrode must be sized appropriately, especially if partially
buried. They must be made from suitable material and protected against corrosion and mechanical
damage. The appropriate size is determined in the same way as for a circuit protective conductor,
except for with buried earthing conductors, in which case check BS 7671 for further guidelines. In
addition, earthing conductors for a TN–C–S supply should not be smaller than the main bonding
conductors.

Special Locations

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These are locations where extra precautions need to be taken. For example PMEs cannot be used for
caravans or boats as the combined neutral and protective conductor is not allowed to be connected
electrically to any metalwork in them, whilst a TT system is recommended for hazardous areas such
as petrol stations, and should be accompanied by the supply of a separate electrode and circuit
breaker such as an RCD, in order to ensure that the earthing in the petrol filling area and the PMP
earth of the distribution network are separated.

More information about Electrical Earthing

2015/05/05 at 12:46 pm #13674

Anonymous

What is difference between:

– IT with distributed Neutral

&
– IT without distributed Neutral
in single phase system.

2015/08/12 at 5:23 am #13580

Anonymous

Hi all,
Just join this group. Anyway..from my outstanding, earthing system shall be followed the Country
Earthing Standard so no doubt on combination of system….

2016/04/16 at 4:54 pm #13775

Anonymous

that’s really helpful.

2016/04/16 at 4:55 pm #13776

Anonymous

Thank you
that’s great

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2016/04/19 at 2:33 pm #13779

Anonymous

What is name of this application?

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