PIPE EARTHING

1. By earthing, we mean a metallic connection of the body to the mass of earth for the
safety of the human being from electric shock.
2. The size of the pipe depends on
a) The current to be carried
b) The type of soil.
3. According to ISI standard no. 732-1963, the galvanized iron pipe shall not be less than
38.1mm diameter and 2m long for ordinary soil but if the soil is dry and rocky, the
length of the pipe should be increased to 2.75m.
4. The pipe is placed in a permanently wet ground; the depth at which the pipe should be
buried depends upon the condition of the ground moisture.
5. According to Indian standards, the pipe shall be placed at a depth of 4.75m; it can be
less if the soil provides sufficient moisture earlier.
Cast iron lid
Earth wire
Funnel
60cm
2.75m

19mm
dia

2m

Salt
Charcoal

12.7 mm
dia

6. The pipe at the bottom should be surrounded by broken pieces of coke or charcoal for a
distance of about 15cm around the pipe. The coke increases the effective area of the
earth practically to the outside of the bed. Impregnating the coke with the salt decreases
the earth resistance. Generally, alternate layers of salt and coke are used for best results.
7. In India in summer season the moisture in the soil will decrease to a larger extent, which
will increase the earth resistance. So in order to have an effective earth, whenever
needed, 3 to 4 buckets of water should be put into the funnel connected to the main G.I
pipe through 19mm dia. pipe.
8. The earth wire should be of same material as that of earth electrode used. The earth lead
used must be a G.I wire or G.I strip (not of Copper) of sufficient c/s area to carry fault
current safely.
9. The size of earth conductor as a general rule should not be less than half of the section
of live line conductor. It should be not be less than electrical equivalent of Copper
conductor of 12.97sq.mm (8 SWG) c/s area.
10. The earth wire from the G.I pipe of dia 19mm should be carried in a G.I pipe of dia
12.7mm at a depth of about 60cm below the ground.
11. Further, when the earth wire is carried from one machine to the other, it should be well
protected from mechanical injury, by carrying the earth wire in a recessed portion.
12. The earth wire connected to the earth electrode should not be necessarily run along the
whole wiring system.
13. All the earth wire run along the sub-circuits should be terminated and hooked firmly at
the main board and from where the main earth wires should be run to the earth
electrode.
14. The loop earth wires should be of 14 S.W.G. copper wires.
15. All the joints in the earth wire should be firmly done with bolts of the same material as
of earth wire.
16. The bolts and nuts used to connect earth wires at the earthing electrode should be
covered with Bitumen to protect the joints from moisture.
17. The distance between the two earth electrodes is 5M (15) approximately.
18. If these electrodes are buried near the wall of the building, then the minimum distance
from the wall should be 1.5M.
19. No switch or fuse should be installed in the earth continuity conductor.
20. Double earthing is very often provided to increase safety.