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Guide For Equipotential Copper Earth Mat Installations Central Networks

This 3 sentence summary provides the key details about the document: The document provides guidance on installing equipotential earth mat gratings on substation structures with mounted switches to allow for live operation and ensure personnel safety by keeping feet and hands at the same electrical potential, with steps including testing earth continuity first, using specified materials like earth mat grating and fixings, and installation guidance on grating layout and connection to the switch handle.

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hkaruvathil
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248 views11 pages

Guide For Equipotential Copper Earth Mat Installations Central Networks

This 3 sentence summary provides the key details about the document: The document provides guidance on installing equipotential earth mat gratings on substation structures with mounted switches to allow for live operation and ensure personnel safety by keeping feet and hands at the same electrical potential, with steps including testing earth continuity first, using specified materials like earth mat grating and fixings, and installation guidance on grating layout and connection to the switch handle.

Uploaded by

hkaruvathil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Application Guide

for
Equipotential Earth Mat Installation
on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Author: Tony Haggis / Nigel Johnson Version: 2


Approver: Bob Ferris Date of Issue: Oct 2005
Reviewer: Nigel Johnson Next Review Date:
Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

REVISION LOG

Version 2 Prepared by: Approved by: Date:


Nigel Johnson Robert Ferris Oct 2005
Notes: EME Installation Guide converted to Central Networks Application Guide

Version 1 Prepared by: Approved by: Date:


Tony Haggis Andy Land May 2005
Notes: EME Installation Guide

Version: 2 Oct 2005 2 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

CONTENTS
Page

Background ......................................................................................................................... 4
Safety .................................................................................................................................. 4
Testing Procedure for Installation of Gratings.................................................................... 5
Materials.............................................................................................................................. 6
Installation Guidance .......................................................................................................... 6

Version: 2 Oct 2005 3 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Background
ƒ An objective of the work is to enable live operation on isolators and switches
installed within outdoor substation compounds by release of Suspension of
Operating Practice SOP 294 (applicable to the East).
ƒ The gratings will be installed in the West where the existing foot-plates are
non-existent or inadequate (e.g. concrete with metal strips).
ƒ The work is to install a metallic grating under the operators standing
position which is electrically connected to the switch handle.
ƒ This is to ensure that persons operating the switch have their feet and
hands at the same potential should a fault occur when switching
ƒ It is essential that the gratings are placed where the operator stands
(vertical handle) or walks (rotary handle) during the operation.
ƒ The connection on the grating must be visible for the operator to check
before switching. (To prevent tripping hazards it may be necessary to
provide a light covering of stone which can be readily moved by the
operator).
ƒ A grating shall be installed at every isolator and earth switch position. A
grating shall also be installed at any fault thrower location.
ƒ The connection from the grating to the handle must go directly between the
two and must not form part of the existing conductor between the handle
and the rest of the earth grid. This is to ensure any earth fault current
flowing down the structure to the earth grid does not flow via the
connection to the grating or through the grating itself. Existing gratings that
are being replaced may need modifications to the connections to bring it in
line with the above requirement.

Safety

ƒ The work is subject to the Distribution Safety Rules.


ƒ Work only permitted at sites where the earthing continuity tests have been
successfully completed.
ƒ Work only by Authorised Persons in receipt of appropriate safety document
and risk assessment on a site by site basis.
ƒ Existing earth connections and tapes MUST NOT be broken or cut

Version: 2 Oct 2005 4 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Testing Procedure before Installation of Gratings


LV rubber gloves MUST be worn at all times when test leads are connected to the
substation earths.

1) Identify a suitable reference earth connection in the substations (e.g. NER earth or obvious
earth bar in switch-room.)

2) Use a four terminal earth tester to test continuity between reference earth and the handles
of all switches where the grating is to be installed.

a) You should obtain a reading of between 0.005 to 0.025 ohms.


b) Readings over 0.025 should be treated with suspicion and all test connections checked.
c) If the reading is still high, then a poor earth connections from handle to earth tape is
likely – check from tape to the reference earth.
d) If the high reading cannot be resolved, make the equipment safe according to
East - procedure P3 of section 22 of the Power System Operations Manual -‘Loss of
Substation Earthing – Emergency Procedure’ and inform the control engineer
of the isolators affected
West – Depleted Earthing Procedure found in Section 49 of System Operations Manual

LEM Saturn Geo X shown – other suitable 4 terminal earth testers may also be used.

3) On a large site you can declare a new reference point by testing it back the first reference
and then make further test from there. (saves having very long leads)

4) If everything is in order then install the grating as detailed in the Installation Section below.

5) At end of the work provide results to the Control Engineer for SOP294 to be removed (East
only).

Version: 2 Oct 2005 5 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Materials

Commodity Code Item


2356200 Earth mat grating - 1m x 1m
2356210 Fixing spike for earth mat grating
2356220 Stainless steel bolt 10mm x 25mm
2356230 Stainless steel nut 10mm
2356240 Stainless steel washer 10mm
2356250 Stainless steel spring washer 10mm
5093135 Earth tape 25mm by 3mm
3982100 Contact grease
Direct purchase Copper flow brazing rod
Direct purchase Hook -bolt
Direct purchase Epoxy resin concrete fixing system
Direct purchase Post hole concrete mix

Installation Guidance
Layout of Gratings
ƒ Vertical operation ƒ Rotary operation
ƒ One grating placed centrally 500- ƒ Up to five gratings to give a 1.5m
550mm from the switch structure (+/- 0.1m) radius from the fulcrum

Version: 2 Oct 2005 6 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Remove chippings to provide a level base & flush fit. Fill grating with
further chippings for stability.

Apply contact grease to the edges of the gratings before bolting together

Contact grease

5 stainless steel nuts


& bolts per side

Bolt
Plain Washers

Nut

Spring Washer

Contact Grease
grating

Version: 2 Oct 2005 7 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Layout subject to practicalities and ergonomics


Remove trench covers from under
grating and use as packing to level
grating. Stabilise with chippings Cut outs for pipe-work

Cut half sections of grating where


necessary

Further support with anchor bolts or spikes as required

Hook-bolt - epoxy
fixing into
Fixing spike bolted
concrete to grating and
Trench concreted in

Grating

Trench

Version: 2 Oct 2005 8 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Tin earth tape & bolt to grating, greasing the connection.


Braze to earth tape
going direct to switch handle or mech box

Always make the connection visible for inspection

If the tape connection is


likely to be a tripping hazard
then a light covering of
chippings is permitted to
reduce the tripping hazard

These shall be uncovered


by hand to verify presence
of connection prior to
switching.

Version: 2 Oct 2005 9 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

Two Visible Connections For Rotary Mats

If not covered by
chippings (not a tripping
hazard) then paint grey to
deter theft.

Finally Test Continuity

Maximum of 0.025 Ohms


between the mat and the
handle mechanism box

Version: 2 Oct 2005 10 of 11


Application Guide for Equipotential Earth Mat Installation on
Substation Structure Mounted Switches

The end result

Version: 2 Oct 2005 11 of 11

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