Manual on Earthing AC Power Systems

It is pertinent to mention that Earthing plays an important role in proper operation of generation, transmission and distribution systems. The function of earthing in an electric power system is to maintain the potential of current carrying as well as non-current carrying parts of equipment, apparatus and appliances connected to the system, and to ensure safety of equipment and personnel and correct operation of protective devices during earth faults. Earthing also provides safety during lightning strikes on equipments or structures and on occurrence of induced voltage and current on electric equipments of an electric system. Moreover, proper earthing system provides easy and shortest path to the flow of earth fault current without adversely affecting the continuity of service.