Introduction
Creating an earthing system for transformers, DG sets, and UPS systems involves more than connecting each asset to a separate earthing electrode. These installations are subject to considerable fault currents and malfunctioning, so the earthing arrangements need to cooperate with the overall electrical safety system.
If the grounding system is poorly designed, there is a risk of equipment damage, danger of electric shocks, voltage disturbances in currents, false trips and downtime. Lightning surges may enter through cheap power, control and communication lines.
About LPES International
LPES International is an engineering focused electrical protection company that brings Lightning Protection, Power Protection, Earthing Protection and Surge Protection together through a coordinated engineering approach.
LPES supports industrial, commercial and infrastructure facilities with lightning risk assessment, engineering design, protection layouts, technical studies, system coordination, inspection, testing and verification. The objective is to develop protection systems that work together instead of treating lightning, surge and earthing requirements as isolated systems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Providing separate earth electrodes for transformers, diesel generator (DG) sets and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, without ensuring the proper equipotential bonding between the connected systems.
Utilizing the smaller cross section earthing conductors without consideration of the prospective fault current; fault clearing time; and the requirements of the equipment connected.
Not taking into account neutral earthing for transformers and generators, particularly, in case of different operating modes and switch-over arrangements.
Installing the surge protective devices (SPDs) and neglecting the necessity of maintaining direct and short connection to the earthing system.
Finalizing the installation process without testing earth continuity, connections, earthing resistance and the efficiency of the complete system.
Key Lightning Protection Solutions
Systems of Earthing and Grounding
Equipment frames, transformer bodies, generating unit housings, UPS cabinets, and other exposed conductive parts must be connected together through a coordinated earthing system in accordance with the electrical design.
Bonding Arrangement
Bonding helps avoid serious differences in voltage between interconnected electrical appliances, metal services, and structural components.
Surge Protection Devices
Using surge protection devices at the points of distribution helps to limit the surge voltages.
External Lightning Protection Systems
According to the lightning risk assessment conducted for the facility, there can be air terminal, down conductor, and earth termination system so as to make sure there is a controlled path for lightning current.
Risk Assessment and Engineering Design of Lightning Protection
Risk assessment based engineering design helps find out the necessary lightning protection types, expected surge voltage levels, earthing types, and bonding strategy for a facility.
Benefits of Professional Lightning Protection Systems
A well-designed and coordinated earthing system can lessen the risk of equipment damage and downtime while enhancing electrical safety. It can also protect sensitive electronics in our UPS equipment, as well as protective devices and generators from transient damages.
The establishment of reliable earthing and bonding systems provides for dependable fault current paths resulting in better coordination of electrical protection devices.
Conclusion
Effective earthing for transformers, DG sets and UPS systems should be designed as part of the complete electrical protection network rather than as individual earth connections.
LPES International supports businesses with lightning risk assessment, surge protection solutions, earthing systems, grounding systems and coordinated protection design. Connect with LPES International to develop an engineered electrical safety approach suited to your facility and connected equipment.
