The earthing or grounding system or arder or earthing system is a system for removing excess current. This system uses a variety of circuits using soil as an overcurrent refractor / decomposer. The earthing system structure consists of various components such as cables, clamps, busbars, grounding rods, etc. as conductors and circuit connectors.
If the grounding does not run smoothly, such as the ground resistance is not below 3 ohms, then the earthing system is flowed with a high electric current (for example from a lightning strike) then the current will not be lost but can instead cause the grounding system or terminal water to explode, the impact of the explosion will cause an electronic device. become damaged, it can even be deadly to humans.
Here are the benefits of system grounding
- Prevent the generation of electric shock (shock) that endangers the people around the area.
- As a protection system for the performance of electrical and electronic equipment, so that their performance continues to run smoothly.
- As a protection system for electrical equipment and electrical circuits, so as not to be damaged due to electric shock voltages from lightning.
- Channels energy from a lightning strike hitting the lightning rod component to the ground.
- As a system to improve performance or improve the performance of the electrical system.
- In order to produce a certain current that is large and also the duration of the current, it will not cause an explosion and fire to the building and its contents.
- Protects persons from electric shock hazards, whether or not under normal conditions, from touch voltage and step voltage.
Factors Affecting Earthing System
In order for the earthing system to work optimally and according to its designation, there are several things that must be considered, both internal and external factors such as environmental conditions.
- The condition for the earthing system to be said to be feasible is if the resistance distribution of the resistance that the earthing system has is 3 Ohm at most. So that if the resistance value can be below 3 Ohm, it will be better.
- The grounding materials used for the earthing of lightning rods are copper rods, copper cones, and copper plates. The surface area of the grounding material of lightning rods that is planted into the ground greatly affects the resistance value of the lightning rod. The value of resistance decreases when the surface area of the grounding material of the lightning rod that is planted into the ground increases. The performance of lightning rods is said to be getting better, if the resistance value is getting lower.
- The depth of the rod electrode depends on the type of soil and the properties of the soil. The type of soil is hard and rocky, so it is more effective if the digging is done deep into the ground. Meanwhile, on looser soils such as clay and swampy soil, it is sufficient to mount the metal electrode rods in a shallow manner.
- The value of soil type resistance which is the value of soil resistance. Analysis of the resistivity value of the soil must be carried out before erecting the metal rods
