COURSE OVERVIEW:

Earthing in utility and industrial distribution systems is the fundamental engineering requirement for ensuring system stability and protecting both equipment and personnel from hazardous voltages. This course provides a detailed examination of the design, implementation, and maintenance of grounding systems within the context of medium and low voltage distribution networks. Participants will explore the technical differences between system earthing, which focuses on the neutral-to-earth connection, and equipment earthing, which focuses on the grounding of non-current-carrying metallic parts.

The scope of this training addresses the various neutral earthing methods, including solid, resistance, and reactance earthing, and their impact on fault current levels and transient overvoltages. It covers the technical requirements for grounding substations, industrial plants, and distribution feeders, emphasizing the management of earth fault paths to ensure rapid protection operation. The curriculum provides a detailed focus on the interaction between the utility earth and the customer’s earthing system, providing a framework for maintaining safety and power quality across the network interface.

Coverage includes the interpretation of earthing standards such as BS 7430 and the implementation of rigorous testing procedures for earth electrodes and bonding conductors. Attendees will learn to manage the risks of high soil resistivity and the impact of stray currents on buried infrastructure. By combining theoretical power system analysis with practical field installation and testing strategies, the course equips professionals with the expertise required to manage earthing systems that provide a reliable reference for voltage and a low-impedance path for fault currents.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between system earthing and equipment earthing.
• Analyze the impact of solid versus resistance earthing on fault levels.
• Design earthing systems for MV distribution substations and industrial sites.
• Select and size neutral earthing resistors and reactors correctly.
• Implement effective grounding for distribution transformers and poles.
• Manage the transition between TN, TT, and IT earthing arrangements.
• Perform soil resistivity testing and earth electrode resistance measurement.
• Calculate the sizing of grounding conductors based on fault duration.
• Implement bonding and grounding for hazardous area installations.
• Troubleshooting causes of floating neutrals and earth fault loops.
• Evaluate the condition of buried grounding systems using testing tools.
• Ensure compliance with international and local utility earthing codes.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This course is intended for Distribution Engineers, Industrial Electricians, Substation Technicians, and Electrical Inspectors involved in system design and maintenance.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximize the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.