Earthing System in Malaysia

Defining "Best Earthing System in Malaysia"

There isn’t a single “best” earthing system in Malaysia that applies universally. The optimal earthing system depends on various factors specific to your situation. Though a “best” system isn’t definable, reliable earthing products like earth rods, earth plates, and conductors are vital for any system’s effectiveness. Regular maintenance of the earthing system is necessary to ensure optimal performance and safety.

The best earthing system depends on factors like-

property type,
soil conditions, and
existing electrical systems.

Understanding Earthing

Ever felt a tingle when touching an appliance? Earthing prevents these shocks by channeling excess electricity safely into the ground. It’s crucial for electrical safety and protects devices from damage.

Why Earthing System in Malaysia is Important ?

In Malaysia, the lightning earthing and grounding system play a crucial role in earthing and lightning protection systems. Earthing ensures the safety of electrical installations and equipment, as well as protecting people and property from electrical hazards and lightning strike. The Malaysian Electrical Code of Practice (MECOP) governs all the lightning protection system practice in malaysia , which provides guidelines and regulations for the design, installation, and maintenance of earthing systems in various electrical installations,

The Role of Earth Rod and Earth Plate

We drive earth rod or lightning rod into the ground, on the other had, we buried earth plate electrical is a flat metal plate in the ground. Along with protective conductor, they create a low-resistance path for electrical current to flow into the ground and are both essential components of a grounding system. There isn’t a single “best” earthing method that works for every situation.

In addition to the design and installation of earthing systems, regular maintenance, and testing are also important to ensure their continued effectiveness. We ensure our Earthing systems inspection and testing done periodically to ensure that the earth electrode resistance is still within the permissible limits and that the connections and conductors are free from corrosion and damage.

Earth Rod

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), at least one grounding electrode (earthing rod or earthing plate) is required for electrical installations. The ability of an earth plate electrical or rod to provide good grounding depends on a few things :

Composition and moisture content of the soil as the soil can conduct electricity.
The length and thickness of the earth plate electrical or rod.

There isn’t a single “best” earthing method that works for every situation. The best earthing and lightning protection system depends on your property’s condition. The most common earthing method is pipe rods where each method has its advantages and disadvantages. To understand more about the earthing system: Earth Rod and Earth Plate in Malaysia, visit our blog post.

In Malaysia, 77% of buildings utilize the conventional method for lightning protection, while 23% opt for the structural bonding method, primarily seen in government projects.
The conventional method typically involves grounding and surge protection devices, while structural bonding integrates lightning protection into the building’s structure.

What is the Differences between Earth Rod and Electrode ?

Ground electrical systems consist of ground rod and an electrode, however they are different from each other in practise. A ground rod is a long metal rod that normally professional put in the ground to connect the electrical system with the earth. It is usually used with a hole in the ground filled with a special mixture to help the connection work better.

An electrode is anything that can connect an electrical system to the earth. It can be a metal water pipe, a metal building frame, or even a buried metal object like a metal plate or a wire mesh. It also need ground conductor and ground rods to work effectively.

The main difference between both of them is how they are made and used. An earth rod is a specific type of electrode that is put into the ground, while an electrode can be any material that helps connect the electrical system to the ground. Installation of a complete earthing system will help you to ensure a safe and secure grounding system. These are consider as external lightning protection while surge protection devices are internal lightning protection.

What is Malaysia Earthing Standard ?

The Malaysian lightning earthing standard is a set of guidelines that tell us how to make sure our electrical installations are safe and working properly. It helps us design and install earthing systems correctly, so we don’t get shocked or start a fire. It also helps protect our equipment and infrastructure from damage.

The standard covers different aspects of earthing, like picking the right earthing system, using the right size of earthing conductors, and testing and maintaining the system. Electrical engineers, contractors, and other professionals use the standard to make sure they are doing everything correctly. We are following the standard required by the Energy Commission of Malaysia to approve electrical installations.

What are the Type of Earthing System ?

There are several types of earthing systems, including:

TN-S system

In this system, we separate earth conductor for each electrical appliance, and the neutral conductor for earthing.

TN-C system

In this system, we use the neutral conductor for both for the supply of electricity and as the earth conductor.

TN-C-S system

This system combines elements of both TN-C and TN-S systems, with separate earth conductors used for high-current electrical appliances.

TT system

In this system, we made each electrical appliance connected to earth via a separate earth electrode. This is applicable when situations where the earth resistance is high.

IT system

We made each electrical appliance in this system isolated from the ground, as well as any defects that are coming with it, using monitoring system. we usually applied in settings like hospitals where there is a greater risk of electric shock.

5 Common Types of Earthing

Pipe Earthing: Commonly used, it employs a galvanized steel pipe driven into the ground. Pipe size and depth depend on soil moisture.
Plate Earthing: A copper or galvanized iron plate buried deep (over 3 meters) with coke and salts surrounding it. This method enhances lightning protection and prevents static charges.
Mat Earthing: Ideal for industrial areas, it uses a buried mesh of bare metal conductors for current discharge. This improves safety against accidental contact with electricity.
Strip Earthing: Creates a path for current to flow from faulty equipment to the ground. Copper strips, resistant to corrosion, are used for this method.
Marconite Earthing: Considered the safest, it utilizes specially designed copper electrodes and a conductive material (Marconite) to create a highly effective earthing system. This is often used in solar power plants.

Just as a building finds stability through a strong foundation, a secure earthing system grounds electrical systems, fostering a balanced flow of energy.
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60364-4-41:2017

Case Study: Optimizing Best Earthing System Improves Safety and Reduces Equipment Failures in Textile Factory

Introduction

ABC Textile Mill, a major player in the textile industry, experienced frequent electrical issues. These included malfunctions in machinery, occasional shocks for workers, and disruptions in production. The existing earthing system was suspected to be inadequate, leading to potential safety hazards and financial losses.

Challenges

The challenge was to identify the root cause of the electrical problems and implement the best possible earthing system for ABC Textile Mill. Factors to consider included:

Existing System: Assess the type of earthing system currently in place and its effectiveness.
Soil Conditions: Analyze soil resistivity to determine the best earthing method for optimal grounding.
Electrical Load: Evaluate the total electrical load of the factory to design an earthing system capable of handling it.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the new earthing system adheres to all relevant safety regulations.

Solution

Professionals assessed the existing system and soil conditions. A combination of deep plate earthing, mat earthing, and strip earthing was implemented.

Results

Reduced equipment failures, enhanced worker safety, and regulatory compliance led to increased production efficiency.

Takeaway

A properly designed earthing system is crucial for safety and optimal performance in industrial settings.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this page is for informational and marketing purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Our focus is on providing comprehensive LPS total solution services. This service encompasses a wide range of solutions to design, install, and maintain a complete lightning protection system tailored to your specific needs. For any questions or to discuss your specific lightning protection needs, please contact us directly.