Assessing and Implementing Relevant Earthing and Safety Regulations: A Practical Guide for Engineers

In electrical engineering, grounding isn’t a technical luxury; it’s life insurance.

At Jemmatech Engineering Consultants, we’ve worked on numerous projects where a robust grounding system wasn’t just a matter of compliance, but also key to preventing fires, property damage, and even saving lives.

Today, we’ll take a practical look at evaluating and implementing relevant grounding and safety regulations. Whether you’re managing a new installation, a substation upgrade, or a commercial facility, this guide is for you.

Why is grounding your silent protection?

Imagine this scenario: Lightning strikes the overhead power line that supplies your facility. Without proper grounding, this surge can propagate throughout your entire electrical system, energizing metal enclosures. A worker touching a panel could receive a fatal electric shock.

Or imagine a fault in motor insulation. Without a low-resistance grounding path, fault currents can cause fires and damage expensive machinery.

These are not theoretical cases, but everyday, real-life situations.

Grounding is the central element of safety systems. It ensures that fault currents are safely routed to earth instead of flowing through people or sensitive equipment. Therefore, reviewing and implementing the relevant grounding and safety regulations is essential.

The Regulatory Framework to Know

Various regional standards govern grounding practices. Here’s a handy checklist for engineers:

• IEC 60364 – Worldwide reference for electrical installations. Defines protective measures and calculation methods.
• IEEE 80 – Essential reading for substation design, with detailed information on safe touch and step voltages.
• BS 7671 (UK Wiring Regulations) – The “bible” for installations in Great Britain.
• NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code, USA) – Standard for the Safety of Electrical Installations in the USA.

The regulations define, among other things, the maximum permissible earth resistance, electrical bonding methods, permissible voltage rise under fault conditions, and even the calculation of touch and step voltages in outdoor installations.

Concrete Steps for Evaluating a Grounding System

At Jemmatech, we approach evaluation like detectives. Here’s how we approach real-life projects:

1. Gather all documentation

Start by compiling:

• Single-line diagrams
• Grounding plans
• Previous test results
• Equipment specifications

During a recent intervention at an industrial plant in Lagos, Nigeria, we discovered that the installed system deviated from the original plans. Without access to the documentation, we would have missed the problem.

2. Measure grounding resistance in the field

Field testing is essential.

We use:

• Voltage drop testers – For measuring grounding resistance.
• Grounding clamps – Convenient for measuring resistance without disconnecting the system.

For example, at a commercial complex we service in Abuja, we observed a grounding resistance of over 25 ohms due to rocky soil. The regulations required less than 5 ohms of resistance. We solved the problem by installing additional chemical electrodes and a moisture-retaining backfill.

3. Check the connection carefully

A missing connection poses a hidden danger. Check:

• Metal enclosures
• Cable trays
• Rebar connections in concrete
• Water pipes and structural steel

We once discovered an ungrounded steel tank at a brewery. During a fault, the tank developed a dangerous voltage difference with neighboring equipment.

4. Test Soil Resistivity

Soil is not uniform. The sandy soil in Dubai differs from the clay-rich soil in Port Harcourt. We perform soil resistivity measurements using the Wenner or Schlumberger method.

• These measurements determine:
• The size and depth of the electrodes
• The number of rods required
• The need for chemical reinforcement

For example, at a high-resistivity site in northern Nigeria, we used a combination of deep-driven rods and conductive backfill to meet the requirements.

5. Analyze Fault Current Paths

Simulate possible faults:

• Phase-to-ground faults
• Two-phase faults
• Lightning surges

During a substation project, our simulations showed that the touch voltage exceeded safety limits during a fault. We redesigned the grounding network and improved the equipotential bonding to keep the voltage below dangerous limits.

Practical Grounding Solutions

Once the problems have been identified, we implement the following solutions:

Improve grounding electrodes

If the resistance is too high:

• Add additional electrodes in parallel.
• Drive the ground rods deeper to reach moist soil layers.
• Use chemical electrodes for dry or rocky soils.

Improve the grounding potential

Install grounding bridges to connect all metal structures to the grounding network. In a logistics warehouse, we interconnected metal conveyor frames to prevent injuries from electrostatic discharge.

Use conductive backfill

Bentonite or conductive concrete reduces resistance in dry soils. For example, a telecommunications tower project in Kano achieved a resistance of less than 2 ohms after backfilling the ground rods with bentonite.

Implement Regular Testing Programs

Grounding systems deteriorate over time. We support our customers in implementing testing programs:

• Annual resistance tests
• Visual inspections for corrosion
• Verification of the mechanical integrity of connections

At a manufacturing facility, corroded terminals were discovered during regular inspections that could have led to a serious failure.

Employee Training

At many locations, personnel are unaware of the importance of grounding. We provide training to help technicians:

• Interpret test results
• Identify potential hazards
• Perform routine testing

Common Field Mistakes

Despite our best efforts, errors can occur. Here are some examples of problems we have encountered in field testing:

• Failure to perform ground tests: Estimating ground resistance results in underperforming systems.
• Undersized conductors: In a hotel, undersized ground wires melted during a fault.
• Neglected corrosion protection: Coastal areas require corrosion-resistant materials.
• The “once switched on” principle: Systems evolve. New devices can alter fault currents.

Technological trends shape grounding practices.

Modern engineering tools are transforming grounding:

• Digital twin models: Simulate faults in virtual replicas of the power plant.
• Smart monitoring: Sensors now warn engineers in real time of increasing resistance.
• Green technology: New low-toxicity chemical protection rods and sustainable backfill solutions reduce environmental impact.

As part of a Jemmatech project in Ghana, we deployed smart monitoring sensors to detect a sudden increase in earth resistance caused by groundwater movement, enabling proactive maintenance before a fault occurs.

FAQs

What is the purpose of an earthing system?

An earthing system safely conducts fault currents to the ground, protecting people and equipment from electric shock, fire, and damage caused by electrical faults.

What standards apply to earthing systems?

The most important standards are IEC 60364, IEEE 80 for substations, BS 7671 (Wiring Code in the UK), and NFPA 70 (NEC) in the USA. These standards specify design criteria, resistance limits, and safety practices.

How often should earthing systems be tested?

Tests should generally be performed annually, although more frequent checks may be required for high-risk or critical installations. Regular inspections can detect corrosion, loose connections, or changes in the ground that could affect performance.

What is earthing resistance testing, and why is it important?

Earthing resistance testing measures the electrical conductivity of the ground. It serves as the basis for the design of grounding systems to ensure they can safely withstand fault currents, especially under varying soil conditions.

Can grounding systems fail over time?

Yes. Corrosion, mechanical damage, soil drying, or structural changes can impair the effectiveness of the grounding. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure safety.

What happens if a grounding system does not comply with regulations?

Failure to comply can result in electric shock, fire, property damage, and legal action. Furthermore, downtime and repairs can result in significant financial losses.

The Jemmatech Promise

At Jemmatech Engineering Consultant, we believe safety should never be purely theoretical. Real people work in the factories, offices, and facilities we design and maintain. When we assess and implement relevant grounding and safety regulations, we are committed to protecting these people every day.

If you are considering a new system or believe your existing grounding is inadequate, contact us. Our team is passionate about developing solutions that combine regulatory compliance, practical engineering, and real-world reliability.