Bonding, Grounding and Earthing

Bonding, Grounding and Earthing

In Fire detection system or CCTV / Access Control System this 3 terms are very important during doing the errection, testing & commissioning activity.

• Bonding is more clear word compare to Grounding and Earthing but there is a micro difference between Grounding and Earhing.
• Earthing and Grounding are actually different terms for expressing the same concept. Ground or earth in a mains electrical wiring system is a conductor that provides a low impedance path to the earth to prevent hazardous voltages from appearing on equipment. Earthing is more commonly used in Britain, European and most of the commonwealth countries standards (IEC, IS), while Grounding is the word used in North American standards (NEC, IEEE, ANSI, UL).
•  We understand that Earthing and Grounding are necessary. We need to understand that there are really two separate things we are doing for same purpose that we call Grounding or Earthing.
• The Earthing is to reference our electrical source to earth (usually via connection to some kind of rod driven into the earth or some other metal that has direct contact with the earth).
• The grounded circuits of machines need to have an effective return path from the machines to the power source in order to function properly (Here by Neutral Circuit).
•  In addition, non-current-carrying metallic components in a System, such as equipment cabinets, enclosures, and structural steel, need to be electrically interconnected and earthed properly so voltage potential cannot exist between them. However, troubles can arise when terms like “bonding,” “grounding,” and “earthing” are interchanged or confused in certain situations.
• In TN Type Power Distribution System, in US NEC (and possibly other) usage: Equipment is earthed to pass fault Current and to trip the protective device without electrifying the device enclosure. Neutral is the current return path for phase. These Earthing conductor and Neutral conductor are connected together and earthed at the distribution panel and also at the street, but the intent is that no current flow on earthed ground, except during momentary fault conditions. Here we may say that Earthing and grounding are nearly same by practice.
• But In the TT Type Power Distribution System (In India) Neutral is only earthed (here it is actually called Grounding) at distribution source (at distribution transformer) and Four wires (Neutral and Three Phase) are distributed to consumer. While at consumer side all electrical equipments body are connected and earthed at consumer premises (here it is called Earthing). Consumer has no any permission to mix Neutral with earth at his premises here Earthing and grounding is the different by practice.

But in both above case Earthing and Grounding are used for the same Purpose. Let’s try to understand this terminology one by one.

Bonding:

§  Bonding is simply the act of joining two electrical conductors together. These may be two wires, a wire and a pipe, or these may be two Equipment’s.

§   Bonding has to be done by connecting of all the metal parts that are not supposed to be carrying current during normal operations to bringing them to the same electrical potential.

§  Bonding ensures that these two things which are bonded will be at the same electrical potential. That means we would not get electricity building up in one equipment or between two different equipment. No current flow can take place between two bonded bodies because they have the same potential.

§  Bonding, itself, does not protect anything. However, if one of those boxes is earthed there can be no electrical energy build-up. If the grounded box is bonded to the other box, the other box is also at zero electrical potential.

§  It protects equipment & Person by reducing current flow between pieces of equipment at different potentials.

§  The primary reason for bonding is personnel safety, so someone touching two pieces of equipment at the same time does not receive a shock by becoming the path of equalization if they happen to be at different potentials.

§  The Second reason has to do with what happens if Phase conductor may be touched an external metal part. The bonding helps to create a low impedance path back to the source. This will force a large current to flow, which in turn will cause the breaker to trip. In other words, bonding is there to allow a breaker to trip and thereby to terminate a fault.

§  Bonding to electrical earth is used extensively to ensure that all conductors (person, surface and product) are at the same electrical potential.  When all conductors are at the same potential no discharge can occur.  

Earthing:

§  Earthing means connecting the dead part (it means the part which does not carries current under normal condition) to the earth for example electrical equipment’s frames, enclosures, supports etc.

§  The purpose of earthing is to minimize risk of receiving an electric shock if touching metal parts when a fault is present. Generally green wire is used for this as a nomenclature.

§  Under fault conditions the non-current carrying metal parts of an electrical installation such as frames, enclosures, supports, fencing etc. may attain high potential with respect to ground so that any person or stray animal touching these or approaching these will be subjected to potential difference which may result in the flow of a current through the body of the person or the animal of such a value as may prove fatal.

§  To avoid this non-current carrying metal parts of the electrical system are connected to the general mass of earth by means of an earthing system comprising of earth conductors to conduct the fault currents safely to the ground.

§  Earthing has been accomplished through bonding of a metallic system to earth. It is normally achieved by inserting ground rods or other electrodes deep inside earth.

§  Earthing is to ensure safety or Protection of electrical equipment and Human by discharging the electrical energy to the earth.

Grounding:

§  Grounding means connecting the live part (it means the part which carries current under normal condition) to the earth for example neutral of power transformer.

§  Grounding is done for the protections of power system equipment and to provide an effective return path from the machine to the power source. For example grounding of neutral point of a star connected transformer.

§  Grounding refers the current carrying part of the system such as neutral (of the transformer or generator).

§  Because of lightening, line surges or unintentional contact with other high voltage lines, dangerously high voltages can develop in the electrical distribution system wires. Grounding provides a safe, alternate path around the electrical system of your house thus minimizing damage from such occurrences.

§  Generally Black wire is used for this as a nomenclature.

§  All electrical/electronic circuits (AC & DC) need a reference potential (zero volts) which is called ground in order to make possible the current flow from generator to load. Ground is May or May not be earthed. In Electrical Power distribution it is either earthed at distribution Point or at Consumer end but it is not earthed in Automobile( for instance all vehicles’ electrical circuits have ground connected to the chassis and metallic body that are insulated from earth through tires). There may exist a neutral to ground voltage due to voltage drop in the wiring, thus neutral does not necessarily have to be at ground potential.

§  In a properly balanced system, the phase currents balance each other, so that the total neutral current is also zero. For individual systems, this is not completely possible, but we strive to come close in aggregate. This balancing allows maximum efficiency of the distribution transformer’s secondary winding

Difference between Earthing & Grounding:

There is no major difference between earthing and Grounding, both means “Connecting an electrical circuit or device to the Earth”. This serves various purposes like to drain away unwanted currents, to provide a reference voltage for circuits needing one, to lead lightning away from delicate equipment. Even though there is a micro difference between grounding & earthing.

(1) Difference in Terminology:

§  In USA term Grounding is used but in UK term Earthing is used.

(2) Balancing the Load Vs Safety:

§  Ground is a source for unwanted currents and also as a return path for main current some times. While earthing is done not for return path but only for protection of delicate equipment’s. It is an alternate low resistance path for current.

§  When we take out the neutral for a three phase unbalanced connection and send it to ground, it is called grounding. Grounding is done to balance unbalanced load. While earthing is used between the equipment and earth pit so as to avoid electrical shock and equipment damage.

(3) Equipment Protection Vs Human Safety:

§  Earthing is to protect the circuit elements whenever high voltage is passed by thunders or by any other sources while Grounding is the common point in the circuit to maintain the voltage levels.

§  Earth is used for the safety of the human body in fault conditions while Grounding (As neutral earth) is used for the protection of equipment’s.

§  Earthing is a preventive measure while Grounding is just a return path

§  The ground conductor provides a return path for fault current when a phase conductor accidentally comes in contact with a grounded object. This is a safety feature of the wiring system and we would never expect to see grounding conductor current flow during normal operation.

§  Do not Ground the Neutral Second time When It is grounded either at Distribution Transformer or at Main service Panel of Consumer end.

§  Grounding act as neutral. But neutral cannot act as ground.

(4) System Zero Potential Vs Circuit Zero Potential:

§  Earthing and Grounding both is refer to zero potential  but the system connected to zero potential is differ than Equipment connected to zero potential .If a neutral point of a generator or transformer is connected to zero potential then it is known as grounding. At the same time if the body of the transformer or generator is connected to zero potential then it is known as earthing.

§  The term “Earthing means that the circuit is physically connected to the ground and it is Zero Volt Potential to the Ground (Earth) but in case of “Grounding” the circuit is not physically connected to ground, but its potential is zero(where the currents are algebraically zero) with respect to other point, which is also known as “Virtual Grounding.”

§  Earth having zero potential whereas neutral may have some potential. That means neutral does not always have zero potential with respect to ground. In earthing we have Zero Volt potential references to the earth while in grounding we have local Zero Volt potential reference to circuit. When we connect two different Power circuits in power distribution system, we want to have the same Zero Volt reference so we connect them and grounds together. This common reference might be different from the earth potential.

Illegal Practice of interchange Purpose of Grounding & Earthing wire

§  Neutral wire in grid connections is mandatory for safety. Imagine a person from 4th floor in a building uses Earth wire (which is earthed in the basement at Basement) as neutral to power his lights. Another Person from 2nd floor has a normal setup and uses neutral for the same purpose. Neutral wire is also earthed at the ground level (as per USA practice Neutral is Grounded (earthed) at Building and as per Indian Practice it is Grounded (earthed) at Distribution Transformer). However, ground wire (Neutral wire) has a much lower electrical resistance than Earth Wire (Earthing) which results in a difference of electrical potential (i.e. voltage) between them. This voltage is quite a hazard for anyone touching a Earth wire (Metal Body of Equipment) as it may have several tens of volts.

§  The second issue is legality. Using ground wire instead of neutral makes you an energy thief as the meter uses only the Phase and neutral for recording your energy consumption. Many Consumers make energy theft by using Earthing wire as a Neutral wire in an Energy meter.

How to Apply to Fire Safety Systems and Installations

The NFPA 70, or NEC, sets the foundation for electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial occupancies in the United States. Updated every three years, it's a living document that evolves alongside the ever-advancing field of electrical technology. Let's go through a fast summary of NFPA 70 (also expressed as NFPA70 and NFPA-70). This will allow you, as a fire safety professional, to navigate and use its provisions more effectively.

Application of NEC to Electrical installation Directly

The NEC is divided into 9 chapters, with each chapter further divided into parts, articles, and sections. The chapters cover specific aspects of electrical installations, ranging from wiring methods, equipment for general use, special occupancies, special equipment, to special conditions.

·        Article 210: This covers branch circuits, the smallest units of an electrical system that directly supply power to electrical equipment. It includes standards for circuit ratings, protection, and load calculations.

• Article 215: It focuses on feeder circuits, which transport electricity from service equipment to branch circuits. Understanding this section is essential for ensuring proper feeder size and load.
• Article 230: This provides guidelines for service installations, the point where a building or system receives power from the utility source. It covers service conductors, equipment, and overcurrent protection.
• Article 240: Overcurrent protection is a crucial safety element of any electrical system. This section provides guidance for the selection and installation of overcurrent protective devices.
• Article 250: This focuses on grounding and bonding, two critical aspects of electrical safety. It defines how to properly ground electrical systems and equipment, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of electrical shock and fires. Digitize equipment is thoroughly grounded to protect itself from surge damage, and this obviously depends on the earth ground available in the building.
• Article 760: This section is of particular interest to you, as it pertains specifically to fire alarm systems. NEC Article 760 covers fire alarm system power sources, circuit identification, installation, and more.

Application of NFPA 70 to Fire Alarm Installations Directly

One of the most direct overlaps between the NEC and fire safety is found in NFPA 70 Article 760, "Fire Alarm Systems," within the NEC. This article deals specifically with the installation of wiring for fire alarm systems.

NFPA 70 Article 760 outlines the specific wiring methods for both non-power-limited and power-limited fire alarm circuits. This distinction is critical as power-limited circuits are designed to limit electrical energy to a level that does not ignite a fire in normal or fault conditions. Non-power-limited circuits, on the other hand, may have enough energy to ignite a fire. That's why they require more robust safety measures.

Power-limited fire alarm circuits are generally easier to install due to fewer restrictions, as they don't pose as much of a fire hazard. They can often be installed using similar techniques to those used for regular low-voltage wiring.

Non-power-limited circuits, however, must adhere to stricter standards. They need to be installed in such a way that reduces the potential for faults and ensures a higher degree of safety. Specific types of cable or conduit may be required, and separation from other electrical cables may be mandated.

Additionally, the NEC dictates how fire alarm circuits should be protected from accidental damage or disconnection. The use of dedicated circuit breakers or disconnecting means, identifiable and accessible control equipment, and appropriately labeled circuits are all examples of NEC provisions related to fire alarm installations.

Other Overlaps between Fire Safety and NFPA 70

Beyond fire alarm systems, several other aspects of the NEC directly influence fire safety. For example:

• Grounding (Article 250): Proper grounding of electrical systems is crucial for preventing electrical fires. By providing a path for electric current to follow in the event of a fault, grounding reduces the risk of electrical shock and fire.
• Overcurrent Protection (Article 240): Overcurrent protection devices, such as circuit breakers and fuses, are designed to cut off electrical power when the current exceeds a certain level. This prevents overheating of wires and potential electrical fires.
• Wiring Methods and Materials (Articles 300-399): These articles provide guidelines for the proper installation of wiring and related equipment to ensure safety and prevent electrical fires. This includes specifications for conductors, cables, raceways, and boxes, among other components.

Understanding and applying these codes is crucial in minimizing fire risks and ensuring optimal safety in all types of buildings and facilities.

How to Stay Up to Date with NFPA 70 / NEC

Given the rapid evolution of electrical technology, it's important to stay updated with the latest NEC revisions. The NFPA offers numerous resources for ongoing education, including online training, webinars, and certifications.

Regularly reviewing and understanding changes in the NEC can enhance your ability to install, maintain, and use fire safety systems in compliance with the highest safety standards.

Conclusion:

Ground is a source for unwanted currents and also as a return path for main current. While earthing is done not for return path but only for protection of delicate equipment’s. It is an alternate low resistance path for current. Earth is used for the safety of the human body in fault conditions while Grounding (As neutral earth) is used for the protection of equipment’s.