How to do PROPER EARTHING of house?

Answer 1

In part the answer you need depends on the age of the home. The grounding (earthing) of electrical systems in older homes was originally done by connecting a heavy gauge copper ground wire, known as a bond wire, to the main water supply pipe. In those days, a main water line was comprised of galvanized steel, an excellent electrical conductor. And since this pipe extended a considerable distance below ground, it served as an adequate basis for grounding the entire electrical system. Problems occurred, however, as these old waterlines became rusted and finally needed replacement. Some of the plumbers who replaced these deteriorated lines were focused primarily on plumbing concerns, with lesser attention to the status of the electrical system. Thus, many of these water lines were replaced with PVC plastic pipe. And since plastic has no capacity for conducting electricity, grounding for those homes was effectively eliminated.

There were, however, some plumbers who realized the necessity of maintaining an electrical ground when installing a PVC water main. And since copper grounding rods were not standard equipment on a plumber's truck, the most handy substitute was a length of galvanized steel pipe, such as the ones you've noticed at older homes.

On newer homes, grounding is provided either by an eight foot length of half inch diameter copper rod, driven deep into the ground, or by connecting a bond wire to the steel bars which reinforce the concrete foundation of the building.

Some of the galvanized grounding pipes you've seen may be functionally adequate, but the lengths of some of these pipes may be insufficient. When you see the exposed pipe stub next to a home, there's no way to determine if it measures the required eight feet, or merely three feet? Furthermore, gradual rusting of the buried pipe diminishes its effectiveness as an electrical ground. For these reasons, replacement with an approved copper grounding rod is recommended wherever a ground pipe of this kind is found..

Answer 2

The replies citing copper rods driven into the Earth are correct. The grounding wire of your electrical box should be securely attached to the rod "under" the ground. Some areas require this connection to be above ground so it can be verified, but most want it covered after inspection so it cannot be tampered with.

That's how the electrical system is "earthed". However, in some areas, telephone lines are also required to be "grounded" or "earthed". This is usually accomplished with either another copper rod, or in some areas, with a 'grounding pot' made up of a copper rod inserted into a pot of something that looks like tar.

Another area of consideration is your gas piping. Most codes require "burial anodes" for your gas pipe to ensure the pipe doesn't corrode from being buried. Although this doesn't "earth" the system, it provides insurance that electrolytic action doesn't eat away at your pipes. This is not actually "earthing", but you may hear some contractors refer to it as such.

Answer 3

In many homes the ground wire is clamped to a steel or copper cold water pipe. Since incoming water pipe is buried in the soil it will provide earth ground. However this is no longer acceptable since so many water pipes are now plastic, PVC or ABS. The proper way is to attach the electrical ground wire to a copper rod driven into the soil. Beware of copper plated steel rods. The copper will corrode and no longer proveide a conductive path.

Answer 4

The ground wire of the house's circuit should be securely fastened to a good conductor that goes deep into the Earth's surface.

Answer 5

As a clarification copper is the preferred grounding metal because copper oxides (green & black copper corrosion) still conduct electricity. Iron oxides (red rust corrosion) lead oxides (white powdery corrosion) do not conduct electricity.