Difference between Grounding, Neutral & Earthing

Shahroz Irshad (2017(F)-MS-EE-28)

Department of Electrical Engineering,
University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract—. One of the major differences between the feature of that circuit.
grounding and the earthing is that in grounding, the current Grounding can be performed directly or indirectly.
carrying part is connected to the ground whereas in • Direct grounding is carried out by direct connection of
earthing the non-current carrying parts is connected to the grounding system.
ground. In grounding the neutral of the equipment is • Indirect grounding is performed by binding to the
connected to ground so that all the equipment is at grounding system through impedance (active
equipotential. While in Earthing the body of equipment is resistance, inductance, capacitance, or combinations
grounded to save the people from shock. On the other hand, thereof).
the function of a neutral is to complete the circuit in a single-phase
system & to carry the unbalanced current in a 3-phase system. In grounding, the current carrying parts are directly connected
to the ground. The grounding provides the return path for the
Keywords—Grounding Neutral, Earthing
leakage current and hence protect the power system equipment
I. INTRODUCTION from damage.
Earthing or grounding in the power grid or in the power system
includes complexity measures and means that are undertaken in
order to provide conditions for normal operation of the system,
safe operation and movement of people and animals in the
vicinity of the facilities which can come under voltage in
normal or hazardous conditions. That complex set of measures
also needs to ensure the protection of people and equipment
from currents and voltages occurring during atmospheric
discharges.
For measurement purposes, the Earth serves as a (reasonably)
constant potential reference against which other potentials can
be measured. An electrical ground system should have an
appropriate current-carrying capability to serve as an adequate
zero-voltage reference level. In electronic circuit theory, a
"ground" is usually idealized as an infinite source or sink for
charge, which can absorb an unlimited amount of current
without changing its potential. used in classification. The case
of a continuous dependent variable is more referred to as metric
regression to distinguish it from related problems. [1] When the fault occurs in the equipment, the current in all the
three phases of the equipment become unbalance. The
Electrical power distribution systems are often connected to grounding discharges the fault current to the ground and hence
ground to limit the voltage that can appear on distribution makes the system balance.
circuits. A distribution system insulated from ground may attain
a high potential due to transient voltages caused by arcing, The grounding has several advantages like it eliminates the
static electricity, or accidental contact with higher potential surge voltage and also discharge the over voltage to the ground.
circuits. A ground connection of the system dissipates such The grounding provides the great safety to the equipment and
potentials and limits the rise in voltage of the grounded system. improves the service reliability.

2. Types of Grounding.
II. GROUNDING
• Solid Grounding
1. Definition of Grounding. • Resistance Grounding
• Reactance Grounding.
The grounding includes measures for protecting the part of the • Peterson Coil Grounding
circuit, which provides the desired function or the working • Grounding by Transformer.
 3. Solid Grounding. The value of resistance used in the neutral grounding system
should neither be very high nor be very low shown in the figure
A power system is said to be effectively grounded or solidly below.
grounded when the neutral of a generator, power transformer or
grounding transformer are directly connected to the ground
through a conductor of negligible resistance and reactance. A
part of a system or system is said to be solidly grounded when
the positive-sequence impedance of the system is greater or
equal to the zero-sequence resistance, and positive sequence
reactance is three times greater than or equal to the zero-
sequence reactance.

A very low resistance makes the system to the solidity

grounded, whereas a very high resistance makes the system
ungrounded. The value of resistance is chosen such that the
ground-fault current is limited, but still sufficient ground
current flows permit the operation of ground faults protections.
In general, the ground fault may be limited up to 5% to 20% of
that which occur with a three-phase line.
5. Reactance Grounding.

In reactance grounded system, a reactance is inserted between

the neutral and ground to limit the fault current as shown in the
figure below.

Consider a system having three phases a, b and c shown in the

figure above. If the single-ground-fault occur in phase a the
voltage of the phase becomes zero. However, the remaining two
phases b and c will still have the same voltages as before shown
in the figure below. When the fault occurs in the system, in
addition to the charging current the power source also feeds the
fault current.

For the solidly neutral grounded system, it is necessary that the

ground fault current should not exceed 80% of the three-phase
fault. It is usually used for keeping the fault current within safe
limits. [2]
4. Resistance Grounding.
In this type of neutral grounding, the neutral of the system is
connected to ground through one or more resistance. Resistance
grounding limits the fault currents. It protects the system from
transient overvoltages. Resistance grounding decreases the
arcing grounding risk and permits ground-fault protection.
To minimize transient overvoltage’s, the ground fault current in
a reactance grounded system should not be less than 25% of the
three phase fault current. This is considerably more than the
minimum current desirable in resistance grounded systems.
6. Peterson Coil Grounding
Peterson coil is an iron core reactor connected between
transformer neutral and ground. It is used for limiting the
capacitance earth fault current which is flowing when the line
ground fault occurs in the line. The coil is provided with the
tapping so that it can be adjusted with the capacitance of the
system. The reactance is selected so that the current through the
reactor is equal to the small line charging current which would
flow into the line-to-ground fault.
Consider an LG fault in phase B at a point F as shown in the
figure below. The line-to-ground voltage of phase B becomes
zero. The voltage of the phases R and Y increase from phase
values to line values.
If IC is equal to IL there will be no current through the ground,
and there will be no tendency of the arcing grounds to occur.
With the help of Peterson coil neutral grounding, arc resistance
is reduced to such a small value that it is usually self-
extinguishing. Therefore, Peterson coil is also known as a
ground fault neutralizer or arc suppression coil. [3]
Peterson coil is rated for a short time of about 5 minutes, or it
is designed to carry its rated current continuously. It reduces the
transient fault which occur due to lightning and also minimized
the single line-to-ground voltage drops.
Grounding is performed on the same principles as earthing.
Both the earthing and grounding can be interconnected with an
iron-galvanized strip. The protective lightning installation
consists of the following basic parts:
• Air Terminals
• Down conductors
• Ground Electrodes
In most cases, the air terminals consist of a galvanized iron
strips. A strip is placed so as to make an electrical wire network,
with the highest areas of the object covered. Also, if there are
metal parts in an appropriate place, they can be used as air
terminals that, if they are of sufficient size (have suitable
electrical conductivity and thermal characteristics.
Down conductors are in most cases galvanized steel strips, and
if the prescribed conditions are met, the conductors can be
replaced by metal parts that are located on the building. With
them, the discharge current is applied to the ground through the
grounding system. The grounding system consists of electro
conductive parts in direct contact with the ground.
In recent years, the use of foundation grounding has been high
(a galvanized strip in the foundation of the building, electrically
connected to the reinforcement).
III. NEUTRAL
A Neutral represents a reference point within an electrical
distribution system. Conductors connected to this reference
point (Neutral) should, normally, be non current carrying
conductors, sized to handle momentary faults (short circuits)
occurring in electrical equipment. However, with the
introduction of non linear loads, such as computers, electronic
lighting, TVs, VCRs and other switch mode power conversion
equipment, the requirements for the neutral conductor has
changed (increased).
Among the many types of distribution systems, the 3 phase, 4-
wire, 480/277 V system used in commercial centers and large
buildings is very common. It is used since it enables 3 phase ac
motors to operate at the 480 V level while 120 V fluorescent
lighting operates with the primary of a stepdown lighting
transformer connected to the 277 V (line to neutral) potential.
The secondary (120 V side) of the lighting transformer has one
of its terminals connected to ground. This grounding procedure
is done to reduce the possibilities of shocks due to an internal
fault in the transformer. The grounded terminal of the 120 V
lighting supply is often referred to as the lighting neutral. This
IS NOT the true Neutral of the distribution system. Although
this point within the lighting system is grounded, it is unlikely
that a short in any lighting equipment on that branch will ever
see current returned to the true neutral within the distribution
system.
In a 3 phase low voltage distribution system, the preferred
installation should consist of a five wire system. That 5 wire
system would consist of, 3 phase conductors, a neutral
conductor and a separate ground conductor. In normal practice,
the ground conductor is often the building ground consisting of
the metallic building structure. Although this type of ground is
usually suitable for 60 cycle leakage and fault currents, it is not
suitable for leakage currents that exist when non linear loads
such as computers, electronic lighting, variable speed drives
and other equipment using internal switch mode power supplies
and other types of conversion rectifiers are used.

The current caused by non linear electrical equipment

consisting of low amperage high frequency currents. These
currents are often measured incorrectly by 60 Hertz sensors and
mistakenly interpreted as higher amperage 60 Hertz values.
This occurs as a higher voltage develops across the sensor
whose impedance increases as the frequency increases. [4]

The following table represents the key differences between
Grounding and Neutral:
Ground
Ground in an AC mains is a
conductor that provides low
impedence path to the
ground to prevent high
voltages from entering the
equipment
Ground is not neutral
Neutral
It is a Circuit conductor that
normally carries current
back to the source and is
connected to ground at main
electrical panel.
Neutral can be grounded
1. Types of Earthing
The electrical equipment mainly consists of two non-current
carrying parts. These parts are neutral of the system or frame of
the electrical equipment. From the earthing of these two non-
currents carrying parts of the electrical system earthing can be
classified into two types.
• Neutral Earthing.
• Equipment Earthing.
1) Neutral Earthing.

In neutral earthing, the neutral of the system is directly

Color of Earth wire is green Neutral color is black. connected to earth by the help of the GI wire. The neutral
or green-yellow mixture earthing is also called the system earthing. Such type of
earthing is mostly provided to the system which has star
winding. For example, the neutral earthing is provided in the
generator, transformer, motor etc.
IV. EARTHING
2) Equipment Earthing
1. Definition of Earthing
Such type of earthing is provided to the electrical equipment.
The ‘earthing’ means the connection of non-current carrying The non-current carrying part of the equipment like their
part of the equipment to the earth. When the fault occurs in the metallic frame is connected to the earth by the help of the
system, then the potential of the non-current part of the conducting wire. If any fault occurs in the apparatus, the short-
equipment raises, and when any human or stray animal touch circuit current to pass the earth by the help of wire. Thus,
the body of the equipment, then they may get shocked. protect the system from damage.

The earthing discharges the leakage current to the earth and

hence avoid the personnel from the electric shock. It also 2. Methods of Earthing
protects the equipment from lightning strokes and provides the
discharge path for the surge arrester, gap and other devices. There are several methods of earthing which are given below.
• Earthing Mat.
The earthing is achieved by connecting the parts of the • Earthing Electrode.
installation to the earth by using the earth conductor or earth • Pipe Earthing.
electrode in intimate contact with the soil placed with some • Plate Earthing.
distance below the ground level. [5] • Earthing through water mains.
 1) Earthing Mat. 3) Pipe Earthing.

Earthing mat is made by joining the number of rods through This is the most common and best system of earthing as
copper conductors. It reduced the overall grounding resistance. compared to other systems suitable for the same earth and
Such type of system helps in limiting the ground potential. moisture conditions. In this method the galvanized steel and
Earthing mat is mostly used in a placed where the large fault perforated pipe of approved length and diameter in place
current is to be experienced. While designing an earth mat, the upright in a permanently wet soil, as shown below. The size of
following step is taken into consideration. the pipe depends upon the current to be carried and type of soil.
• In a fault condition, the voltage between the ground
and the ground surface should not be dangerous to a
person who may touch the noncurrent-carrying
conducting surface of the electrical system.
• The uninterrupted fault current that may flow into the
earthing mat should be large enough to operate the
protective relay. The resistance of the ground is low to
allow the fault current to flow through it. The
resistance of the mat should not be of such a
magnitude as to permit the flow of fatal current in the
live body.
• The design of grounding mat should be such that the
step voltage should be less than the permissible value
which would depend on the resistivity of the soil and Normally, the size of the pipe uses for earthing is of diameter
fault required for isolating the faulty plant from the 40 mm and 2.5 meters in length for ordinary soil or of greater
live system. length in case of dry and rocky soil. The depth at which the pipe
must be buried depends on the moistures of the ground.

The pipe is placed at 3.75 meters. The bottom of the pipe is

surrounded by small pieces of coke or charcoal at a distance of
about 15 cm. Alternate layers of coke and salt are used to
increase the effective area of the earth and to decrease the earth
resistance respectively.

Another pipe of 19 mm diameter and minimum length 1.25

meters is connected at the top of GI pipe through reducing
socket.

During summer the moisture in the soil decreases, which causes

an increase in earth resistance. So a cement concrete work is
2) Earthing Electrode
done to keep the water arrangement accessible, and in summer
to have an effective earth, 3 or 4 buckets of water are put
In this type of earthing any wire, rod, pipe, plate or a bundle of
through the funnel connected to 19 mm diameter pipe, which is
conductors, inserted in the ground horizontally or vertically. In
further connected to GI pipe.
distributing systems, the earth electrode may consist of a rod,
about 1 meter in length and driven vertically into the ground. In
The earth wire either GI or a strip of GI wire of sufficient cross
generating substations, grounding mat is used rather than
section to carry faulty current safely is carried in a GI pipe of
individual rods.
diameter 12 mm at a depth of about 60cm from the ground.

4) Plate Earthing.

In Plate Earthing an earthing plate either of copper of dimension

60cm×60cm×3m of galvanized iron of dimensions 60 cm× 60
cm×6 mm is buried into the ground with its face vertical at a
depth of not less than 3 meters from ground level.

The earth plate is inserted into auxiliary layers of coke and salt
for a minimum thickness of 15 cm. The earth wire (GI or copper
wire) is tightly bolted to an earth plate with the help of nut or
bolt. The copper plate and copper wire are usually not
employed for grounding purposes because of their higher cost.
The earth plate is inserted into auxiliary layers of coke and salt
for a minimum thickness of 15 cm. The earth wire (GI or copper
wire) is tightly bolted to an earth plate with the help of nut or
bolt. The copper plate and copper wire are usually not
employed for grounding purposes because of their higher cost.
5) Earthing Through Water Mains
In this type of earthing the GI or copper wire are connected to
the water mains with the help of the steel binding wire which is
fixed on copper lead as shown below.
The water pipe is made up of metal, and it is placed below the
surface of the ground, i.e. directly connected to earth. The
fault current flow through the GI or copper wire is directly get
earthed through the water pipe. [6]
3. Importance of Earthing
The earthing is essential because of the following reasons
• The earthing protects the personnel from the short-
circuit current.
• The earthing provides the easiest path to the flow of
short-circuit current even after the failure of the
insulation.
• The earthing protects the apparatus and personnel
from the high voltage surges and lightning discharge.
Earthing can be done by electrically connecting the respective
parts in the installation to some system of electrical conductors
or electrodes placed near the soil or below the ground level. The
earthing mat or electrode under the ground level have flat iron
riser through which all the non-current-carrying metallic parts
of the equipment are connected.
When the fault occurs the fault current from the equipment
flows through the earthing system to the earth and thereby
protect the equipment from the fault current. At the time of the
fault, the earth mat conductors rise to the voltage which is equal
to the resistance of the earth mat multiplied by a ground fault.
The contacting assembly is called earthing. The metallic
conductors connecting the parts of the installation with the
earthing are called electrical connection. The earthing and the
earthing connection together called the earthing system.
V. SUBSTAION EARTHING/GROUNDING
Substation earthing system is essential not only to provide the
protection of people working in the
vicinity of earthed facilities and equipments against danger of
electric shock but to maintain proper
function of electrical system.
For earth faults with return paths to offsite generation sources,
a low resistance
earthing grid relative to remote earth prevents dangerous
ground potential rises (touch REFERENCES
and step potentials). [7]
[1] Circuitglobe.com “Difference Between Grounding and Earthing”,
• Step potential [Online] Available: https://circuitglobe.com/difference-between-
grounding-and-earthing.html
Step Potential is the difference in the voltage between two
[2] Circuitglobe.com “Solid Grounding”, [Online]
points which are one meter apart along the Available: https://circuitglobe.com/solid-grounding.html
earth when ground currents flowing. [3] Circuitglobe.com “Peterson Coil Grounding”, [Online]
• Touch Potential Available: https://circuitglobe.com/peterson-coil-grounding.html
Touch Potential is the difference in voltage between the [4] Robin Priestley, “Power Control Manager”, Feb 2,2014. (PDF) [Online]
object touched and the ground point just Available: https://mrec.org/files/2014/03/UnderstandingNeutral-vs-
below the person touching the object when ground currents Ground.Priestley.Handout.2014.pdf
are flowing.
• Mesh Potential [5] Circuitglobe.com “Electrical Earthing”, [Online]
Available: https://circuitglobe.com/electrical-earthing.html.
The maximum touch potential within a mesh of the grid.
[6] Circuitglobe.com “Methods of Earthing”, [Online]
• Transferred Potential Available: https://circuitglobe.com/methods-of-earthing.html
A special case of touch potential where a potential is [7] Swapnil. G. Shah, “Design of Earthing System for HV/EHV AC
transferred into or out of the sub-station from or Substation”, Jan 2014 (PDF)
to a remote point external to the sub-station site. [8] [8] Electricaltechnology.org “Design of Grounding / Earthing
System in a Grid Substation’’, [Online] Available:
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2018/02/design-earthing-
grounding-substation-grid.html

VI. CONCLUSION

Earthing and grounding are entirety of measures and means

related to system protection of electric shocks. Protective
grounding is the grounding of metal parts that do not belong to
the current carriage or are indirectly in electrical contact with
them, but in case of failure they may come under voltage.
Earthing is the protection of the part of the circuit that provides
the desired function and / or operating characteristics of the
circuit. It can be direct – by immediate connection to the
grounding system, and indirect – by means of connection to the
grounding system via impedance. Grounding also covers the
lightning protection which covers the lightning installation. The
lightning protection serves to conduct the atmospheric
discharge current into the ground.