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Objectives
To establish earth connections at minimum cost which:
a) Comply with the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Power Systems
Earthing (NZECP.35:1993).
b) Provide maximum possible protection to staff, the public and system.
c) Are easily maintained, inspected and tested.
Definitions
2.1
2.2
2.3
Earth conductor is the conductor wire used to bond together the various
parts of an earth connection and the equipment it serves.
Compliance
Every effort shall be made to comply with this specification and NZECP35.
General Requirements
Note:
Where these conflict with the special requirements for specific items of
equipment those special requirements are to be complied with.
4.1
Workmanship
All work to be carried out in a neat and workmanlike manner and in
accordance with good electrical practice.
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4.2
Testing
a) Before any new lines or equipment are livened all earth
connections are to be tested for resistance to earth. (ECP.2.5.1).
b) All earth tests are to be carried out using an approved earth test
instrument in accordance with the instructions supplied with that
instrument and with a current calibration certificate.
c) Resistance values for new earths should be within Specified
requirements if achievable with two electrodes per group and
driven to the maximum depth possible.
If not achievable, apart from being specifically noted on the return
form as detailed in Appendix 5 (c), the values are to be brought to
the attention of the Tonga Power representative.
Every effort is to be made to ensure that ABS earth resistance values do
not exceed the maximum allowable.
4.3
Conductors
a) All earth conductors entering and below ground level are to be
copper (ECP.6.7.3).
b) Minimum conductor size 16mm2. Refer to Section 5.2(a) plus
NZECP.35 Figure 4 for larger conductor sizes.
c) All conductor required by this code to be insulated shall be new
600/1000 volt annealed green PVC insulated conduit wire to first
electrode.
d) A test link, using two connectors, 2.5m minimum 2.8m maximum
above ground level is to be included in all earth conductors except
those for lightning arrestors.
e) All earth conductors are to be insulated except at connections and
below ground level beyond the connection to the first electrode.
f) Allow a minimum of 300mm slack in all underground conductors.
g) All buried conductor is to be a minimum of 500mm below
permanent ground level or a greater depth to minimize step
potentials and to prevent it being disturbed.
h) Conductor up to 16mm G/Y PVC is to be protected by 25mm dia
galvanized steel pipe, from 16mm up to 50mm G/Y PVC is to be
protected by 32mm dia galvanized steel pipe. Either pipe is to be
from ground level to a height of not less than 2.5m but not
exceeding 2.7m with 300mm buried in ground
Distribution Equipment Earthing Specification
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Electrodes
a) All electrodes are to be ALM or equivalent, 1800mm long x 13mm
dia copper clad tapered coupling extendable rods driven by a
lightweight air powered jackhammer, or other approved method.
b) Each rod is to be driven its full length. Where this is not possible
the undriven portion is to be cut off.
c) All electrodes to be driven until one of the following conditions is
met:
i.
ii.
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Identification
A plastic tag is to be attached to the earth conductor just below the test
link showing on the front:
a) Equipment Number (plus A or B when more than one connection
is involved).
b) Latest individual earth test reading.
c) Latest test date, and on rear, the latest MEN earth test reading if
applicable.
Transformers
5.1
Earth Connections
a) All distribution transformers are to have two separate earth
connections, with each being capable of being tested
independently of the neutral and of the other connection
(ECP.6.5.2).
b) The resistance to earth of each earth connection as noted above,
is not to exceed 25 ohms.
c) An MEN system neutral, in addition to being earthed at the source
of supply, is also to be earthed at one or more points along the
distribution line such that the resistance to earth of the neutral with
all earths connected does not exceed 10 ohms. Note that these
additional earths do not need to be tested independently.
d) Where the resistance to earth of each earth connection in (a) is
insufficient to comply with (b) after each electrode has been driven
Distribution Equipment Earthing Specification
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Earth Conductors
a) House earths and end of LV use 16mm2 copper earth conductor
25mm2 for transformers up to 250kVA. Above 250kVA use copper
equivalent size of line neutral conductor. Refer also to NZECP.35
Figure 4.
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