Earthing Bonding, Lightning and Surge Protection of Electrical Systems and Equipment Course

Introduction:

Few topics generate as much controversy and argument as that of grounding and the associated topics of surge protection, shielding, and lightning protection of electrical and electronic systems. Poor grounding practice can be the cause of continual and intermittent difficult-to-diagnose problems in a facility. This course looks at these issues from a fresh yet practical perspective and enables you to reduce expensive downtime on your plant and equipment to a minimum by the correct application of these principles.

Course Objectives:

Upon the successful completion of this course, each participant will be able to:-

• Apply the various methods of grounding electrical systems
• Detail the applicable national Standards
• Describe the purposes of grounding and bonding
• List the types of systems that cannot be grounded
• Describe what systems can be operated ungrounded
• Correctly shield sensitive communications cables from noise and interference
• Apply the latest technology of earthing, bonding, lightning, and surge protection of electrical and electronic systems & equipment
• Implement the recommended design and installation practices for earthing and bonding
• Practice earthing for building electrical systems and determine the typical rules to be applied for the electrical and electronic systems & equipment
• Apply earthing and noise control and detect  electrical faults on equipment
• Identify the various applications of earthing and bonding and emphasize the need for a lightning protection system
• Discuss surge and transient protection and carry-out power conditioning
• Apply practical knowledge of surge and transient protection
• Troubleshoot and fix grounding and surge problems
• Design, install and test an effective grounding system for electronic equipment
• Protect sensitive equipment from lightning
• Apply good grounding practice to your next installation
• Minimize electrical surge problems due to lightning and surges
• Protect sensitive electronic equipment from surges and lightning
• Correctly shield sensitive systems from noise and interference

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended for Building Service Designers, Consulting Engineers, Data Systems Planners and Managers, Electrical and Instrumentation Technicians, Electrical Contractors, Electrical Engineers, Electrical Inspectors, Instrumentation and Control Engineers, Maintenance Engineers, Power System Protection and Control Engineers, Project Engineers, Safety Professionals.

Course Outlines:

Network Structures

• Structure of Distribution Networks
• The Supply Source
• MV Power Supply
• Different MV Service Connections
• LV Networks inside the Site
• LV Switchboards Supply Modes
• LV Switchboards Backed up by Generators
• LV Switchboards backed up a UPS

Earthing System

• The need for Earthing Systems
• Step and Touch Voltage
• Earthing System at Low Voltage
• Medium Voltage Earthing System
• Limiting Resistance Earthing

Soil Investigation

• Soil Characteristics
• Soil as a Grounding Medium
• Effect of Voltage Gradient
• Effect of Current Magnitude
• Effect of Moisture, Temperature, and Chemical
• Use of Surface Material Layer
• Soil Structure and Selection of Soil Model
• Investigation of Soil Structure
• Classification of Soils and Range of Resistivity
• Resistivity Measurements
• Interpretation of Soil Resistivity Measurements

Earthing System Design

• Simple Earthing System Design
• Earthing System Components
• Ground Roads
• Bar Wiring
• Clamping o Welding
• Techniques for Ground System Construction
• Ground Resistivity Measurements
• Ground System Resistivity Measurements
• Bonding
• High-Frequency Bonding and “Grounding”
• Sample Calculations

Grounding of Electronic Equipment

• Electrical Power System Selection Consideration
• Equipment Selection and Installation Considerations
• Grounding Considerations
• 380 Hz to 480 Hz System
• Industrial System Noise Considerations
• Industrial System Grounding Practices

Lightning Protection

• Integral Protection System
• Construction Protection Classes
• Accessories and Equipment
• Grounding Consideration or Lightning Protection
• Separately Mounted Protection Systems
• Overhead Ground Wire Type
• Waveguide Installation and Grounding
• Lightning Generated Transient Surge Protection
• Transient Source and Equipment Damage

Surge Protection

• Surge Definition
• Bonding as a means of Surge Proofing
• Surges and Surge Protection
• Surge Protection of Electronic Equipment
• Achieving graded Surge Protection
• Positioning and Selection of Lightning/Surge Arrestor
• Surge Protection for Sensitive Equipment

Noise Mitigation

• Electrical Noise and Measures for Noise Reduction
• Earth Loop as a Cause of Noise
• Ways in Which Noise Can Enter a Signal Cable
• Shielded Isolation Transformer
• The Use of Insulated Ground (IG) Receptacle
• Zero Signal Reference Grid and Signal Transport
• Harmonics in Electrical Systems

Special Considerations

• Industrial Hazardous Areas
• Insulation Monitoring
• Ground Fault Protection
• Ground System Inspection