Grounding the plate
Grounding is a series of ground connections for electrical safety. The earthing terminal is the main component of the system.
By placing it in simple language, the earthing terminal is connected to any electrical installation, either a DG Set, a transformer, a motor or a control panel to effectively diffuse the fault current to the ground. This also applies to the current generated due to lightning occurrences.
There are several materials used as earthing terminal. One is metal plates usually made of copper, but not restricted to galvanized iron, bonded copper material, and other conductive alloys.
The grounding plate is placed deep into a well (usually dug up to 2-3 meters) along with carbon (absorbs and retains moisture) and salt (creates ionic solution for faster dissipation of current) . The plate is connected through a copper conductor, or GI conductor or copper wire hidden to the respective electrical configuration.
A funnel is added to add water at regular intervals.
Advantages:
- Proven grounding method
- Economical and easily available
Disadvantages:
- The salts are washed during rains or the flow of water
- The plaque corrodes and therefore has a short life
- Due to the high current flow, the coal can be burned and reduced to ashes, thus creating resistance instead of being conductive
- Regular addition of water is mandatory.
The grounding of the plate is replaced today by a ground without previous maintenance (pipe in tube / tube strip / ground rods of solid copper)