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One of the fundamental elements of safety in electrical installations is the earthing system. Earthing helps to control dangerous voltages and ensures that protective devices function safely in the event of an insulation fault or leakage in the electrical installation.
However, the mere presence of an earthing installation in a facility does not mean that the system is adequate and safe. To determine the condition of the earthing system, earthing measurements and checks must be carried out using appropriate methods.
Earthing measurement is the general term for measurements and checks performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the protection and earthing system in an electrical installation.
Depending on the structure of the facility, the checks may not be limited to measuring the resistance of the earthing electrode. Points such as earth resistance, continuity of protective conductors, equipotential bonding, and earthing connections of panel and machine bodies are also evaluated.
For example, in a facility, even if the main electrical panel is earthed, there might be discontinuities in the protective conductor connections of some machine bodies or sub-panels. Therefore, it is important to perform measurements considering the entire facility.
The primary purpose of an earthing system is to contribute to the protection of people and the facility against dangerous touch voltages when an electrical fault occurs.
Through the measurements and checks performed:
Periodic checks are particularly important in factories, workshops, workplaces, construction sites, hotels, warehouses, and production facilities, as the operating conditions of electrical installations can change over time.
One of the most frequently asked questions in earthing measurements is "What should the earthing value be in ohms?".
It is not correct to speak of a single resistance value applicable to every facility here. The acceptable value should be evaluated based on the type of earthing system, the characteristics of the facility, the protective devices used, and whether the tripping conditions are met.
Therefore, instead of simply looking at the ohm value displayed on the measuring device and concluding "suitable" or "not suitable," the measurement results should be technically evaluated together with the facility's protection system.
The measurement method to be used may vary depending on the structure of the facility and the point to be checked. Appropriate measuring devices and methods are used for measuring earthing electrodes, continuity checks of protective conductors, and different electrical measurements within the facility.
During measurement, it is not only important to obtain values from the device but also to visually inspect elements such as earthing conductors, connection points, panels, equipotential bonds, and accessible metal parts.
After the measurement process is completed, recording the obtained results allows for monitoring the current status of the facility.
The prepared earthing measurement report may include the measured points, obtained values, the measurement method and device information used, identified non-conformities, and necessary technical evaluations.
Thus, the report ceases to be merely a document indicating that a measurement has been performed; it gains the quality of a technical record showing which points need improvement in terms of the facility's electrical safety.
The earthing installation is one of the unseen but critically important systems for electrical safety. The fact that the system was installed years ago or that the facility is operational does not mean that the earthing is still adequate.
Therefore, it is important for the safe operation of electrical installations that earthing measurements and periodic checks are carried out by competent persons using appropriate measurement methods, that identified deficiencies are rectified, and that the results are reported.
However, the mere presence of an earthing installation in a facility does not mean that the system is adequate and safe. To determine the condition of the earthing system, earthing measurements and checks must be carried out using appropriate methods.
What is Earthing Measurement?
Earthing measurement is the general term for measurements and checks performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the protection and earthing system in an electrical installation.
Depending on the structure of the facility, the checks may not be limited to measuring the resistance of the earthing electrode. Points such as earth resistance, continuity of protective conductors, equipotential bonding, and earthing connections of panel and machine bodies are also evaluated.
For example, in a facility, even if the main electrical panel is earthed, there might be discontinuities in the protective conductor connections of some machine bodies or sub-panels. Therefore, it is important to perform measurements considering the entire facility.
Why are Earthing Measurements Performed?
The primary purpose of an earthing system is to contribute to the protection of people and the facility against dangerous touch voltages when an electrical fault occurs.
Through the measurements and checks performed:
- The current status of the earthing system is determined,
- The continuity of protective conductors is checked,
- Earthing connections of panels, machines, and metal enclosures are evaluated,
- Loose, broken, corroded, or improper connections can be identified,
- Data is provided for evaluating the effectiveness of electrical protection systems,
- Changes occurring in the earthing installation over time can be monitored.
Periodic checks are particularly important in factories, workshops, workplaces, construction sites, hotels, warehouses, and production facilities, as the operating conditions of electrical installations can change over time.
What Should the Earth Resistance Be in Ohms?
One of the most frequently asked questions in earthing measurements is "What should the earthing value be in ohms?".
It is not correct to speak of a single resistance value applicable to every facility here. The acceptable value should be evaluated based on the type of earthing system, the characteristics of the facility, the protective devices used, and whether the tripping conditions are met.
Therefore, instead of simply looking at the ohm value displayed on the measuring device and concluding "suitable" or "not suitable," the measurement results should be technically evaluated together with the facility's protection system.
How is Earthing Measurement Performed?
The measurement method to be used may vary depending on the structure of the facility and the point to be checked. Appropriate measuring devices and methods are used for measuring earthing electrodes, continuity checks of protective conductors, and different electrical measurements within the facility.
During measurement, it is not only important to obtain values from the device but also to visually inspect elements such as earthing conductors, connection points, panels, equipotential bonds, and accessible metal parts.
Why is the Earthing Measurement Report Important?
After the measurement process is completed, recording the obtained results allows for monitoring the current status of the facility.
The prepared earthing measurement report may include the measured points, obtained values, the measurement method and device information used, identified non-conformities, and necessary technical evaluations.
Thus, the report ceases to be merely a document indicating that a measurement has been performed; it gains the quality of a technical record showing which points need improvement in terms of the facility's electrical safety.
Conclusion
The earthing installation is one of the unseen but critically important systems for electrical safety. The fact that the system was installed years ago or that the facility is operational does not mean that the earthing is still adequate.
Therefore, it is important for the safe operation of electrical installations that earthing measurements and periodic checks are carried out by competent persons using appropriate measurement methods, that identified deficiencies are rectified, and that the results are reported.
