Combination of Earthing, Grounding and Lightning Protection and Highest Safety Requirements

Combination of Earthing, Grounding and Lightning Protection and Highest Safety Requirements

Overview

The earthing, grounding and lightning protection systems in a building must be designed together as they are always combined with each other. The tasks of the three systems are as follows:  Grounding system: The grounding system is responsible for ensuring an equipotential surface for the plant. The connection of the grounding points with the earthing system means the grounding system has an important safety aspect.  Earthing system: The earthing system creates the electrical connection to earth that serves both as the equipotential bonding for the system and also for safety. Different safety and EMC requirements are required for the different system types TT, TN and IT systems.  Lightning protection system: The lightning protection system protects the plant and personnel against lightning strikes.

Highest safety regulations The two following safety regulations must be observed when configuring the system:  Personal injury must be avoided during normal operation and in the event of an error. This means it must be avoided that people can come into contact with components that carry dangerous voltages. Dangerous voltages are:  A.C. voltage with a peak value of 42.4 V and higher  D.C. voltage of 60 V and higher.  In the event of differing safety and EMC requirements, the safety requirements must always have priority.

Safety before EMC! NOTE: When configuring the earthing and grounding systems, always give safety requirements priority over EMC if the requirements are conflicting!

Configuration example The illustration shows an overview of how earthing, grounding and lightning protection systems can be implemented in a building while taking EMC into consideration: