For those who don't know, grounding is a special connection of all elements of equipment, which, even if they are not connected with electricity, but as a result of insulation breakdown, can be energized with the ground. This is necessary for safety and protection against electric shock. In this article, we will consider one of the types of this connection, which is called modular grounding.
What's the point?
What is grounding, we have decided. One of its types is modular grounding. This system is used both in residential and industrial enterprises. One of its advantages is the speed of installation. You can assemble and install such a system in a few hours. In addition, this does not require specialized equipment or any technical skills.
Any digital or electrical equipment can fail, therefore, inavoid unpleasant consequences and install deep modular grounding systems.
System Benefits
This grounding system is popular in communications, telecommunications, energy, etc. It is also used for grounding in problematic soils and at great depths. In addition, the cost of installing the structures of these systems will be minimized.
Modular grounding systems have a number of advantages (judging by the reviews):
- Installation takes a short amount of time due to its convenience.
- Allows installation at any depth. When fastening vertical elements, the depth can reach 50 m.
- Requires minimal investment.
- Earth electrode is protected from corrosion because it consists of stainless steel and has a copper coating.
- No welding needed.
- Does not take up much space. It only takes 1 m to install the structure2.
- Does not require special equipment and qualified personnel.
- It has a long service life (at least 30 years).
- The spreading resistance of the earth electrode does not depend on atmospheric conditions.
Current shortcomings
Despite the large number of advantages, modular grounding also has several disadvantages.
First of all, it is the impossibility of using this system in stony ground. When installing a structure in such soil, the system can either move a stone that has fallen in its way, or,bending over to go around it. But this applies only to small stones. If the pin stumbles upon a large and strong stone, then further installation of the system will be impossible.
Another downside is the price point. Copper-plated rods cost about 380-400 rubles per meter. Judging by the reviews, additional components for them are also not cheap. If we compare this system with standard grounding, then the price of a modular kit will be lower than the price of drilling operations, but higher than the price of ferrous metal. However, it is customary to compare not only the cost of materials, but also take into account the durability of the structure and the time it takes to pay off.
Types of grounding technologies
There are two main grounding technologies. This is a traditional and modular pin grounding.
For the device of the first type of grounding, pins are used that are driven vertically into the ground. Between themselves they are connected by steel strips. Then connect the ground loop to the distribution board.
For the manufacture of traditional or standard grounding, ferrous metal is used. Strips, pipes and a corner are made from it. To install this design, three metal electrodes in the form of a triangle are driven in at a depth of 3 m. The interval between the electrodes should be 5 m. Then they are interconnected using a metal strip and electric welding.
This grounding technology has a number of drawbacks. Among them, a large amount of land work, the need to use welding and the susceptibility of metalcorrosion. Due to these imperfections, this technology has now faded into the background.
Ready kits
There are a large number of ready-made grounding devices on the market now. If you prefer to trust the factory settings, then you can easily pick up a ready-made modular-stud grounding kit.
These ready-made kits include:
- grounding pin;
- threaded coupling;
- dip tip;
- impact head;
- universal clip;
- Earth mounting accessories (anti-corrosion tape, viewing device, etc.)
Grounding pins, or they are also called rods, are made of high quality steel and covered with copper on top. The cross section of the rods is about 14 mm, and the length reaches 1.5 m. These pins have a copper-plated thread on both edges. They are connected to each other by brass threaded couplings.
Dip tips and impact sockets are provided for driving the pins. They screw onto the threads of the pins. Tips are also subdivided, depending on the type of soil in which grounding is performed.
Universal clamps are used to connect vertical and horizontal elements. All structural elements are treated with anti-corrosion preparations. Among these, a special paste is included in the kit.
Installation instructions
Installation of modular grounding begins with the preparation of the first pin. Starting tiptreat with conductive grease and put on the pin on one side. We also treat the coupling with grease and put it on the other side of the pin. We screw the guide head for the hammer into the coupling from the free side.
Drive the pin into the ground with a jackhammer to the depth required for further work.
Remove the head from the pin without a clutch. The remaining clutch is again treated with grease. We connect the next pin to the coupling. We take a new clutch and also process it with grease. We screw the head back into the new coupling. We connect everything with a pin already mounted in the ground.
Drive the pin into the ground again. Repeat the operations to obtain the desired penetration depth of the ground electrodes.
When it comes to the last pin, you need to leave part of it on the surface of the earth for subsequent connection to the ground conductor. We put a clamp on the electrode. We connect a ground conductor to it. We wrap the clamp with waterproofing tape.
Mounting Features
When laying modular grounding, the pins are immersed in the ground with a blunt end, and the sharper one is used for fastening with a sleeve.
Only apply conductive grease to the inside of the couplings.
The assembly of the structure before driving into the ground is done by hand. If during the process of deepening the system becomes loose, it is necessary to tighten it, but again manually. Additional intervention of special tools is not necessary.
The jackhammer should be positioned so that betweena zero angle was maintained with a hammer and a pin, otherwise the structure could be damaged.
Wiring depth and sequence of work
For laying conductors, the optimal depth is 0.5-0.7 m. Above this depth, the surface layer of the soil is constantly exposed to various weather and human influences, which can disrupt the grounding system.
When carrying out work on the installation of grounding, it is initially necessary to dig a channel with a depth of 0.5-0.7 m. In it, carry out the installation of ground electrodes according to the instructions described by us above.
Lay the connecting conductor in the channel and connect the electrodes to it using the supplied clamps. Then we connect the structure with the electrical panel and fill the channel with soil.
