Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Integrated Grounding,
Equipotential Bonding and
Lightning Protection in
Smart Grids and Smart Buildings
– A Multi-Faced Approach
Ernst Schmautzer, Stephan Pack, Maria Aigner, Chr. Raunig – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Introduction

Modern low-voltage grids and building installations
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need to be suitable for a bidirectional energy
and high-speed information flow
considering the demands of high reliability
have also to fulfil requirements of ensuring
safety and protection measures against electric shock,
over-voltages, ohmic and inductive interference (EMC-EMI),…
To guarantee the reliable functioning of necessary electronic
equipment new concepts regarding integrated systems are a precondition starting from the transformer stations via the mains
connection to the final location of the electrical / electronic
equipment in the buildings.
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Introduction

To provide the base for a safe and reliable use
concerning low and transient effects in new build and
revitalized buildings two approaches are presented:

The first approach includes the integration of grounding,
bonding, lightning protection and shielding
from the beginning of the planning and construction phase
of the electrical installation

The second approach demonstrates the integration of a
closed-meshed fish trap structure
of grounding, bonding, lightning protection and shielding
in case of refurbishment of old buildings
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Introduction

Beginning in the planning phase,
and continued in the implementation and examination state
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

grounding
equipotential bonding, shielding (EMC zones)
lightning protection (LPZ lightning protection zones)
usually are considered separately
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This leads to a multitude of problems in practice
caused by low-frequency and transient currents, such as
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stray-currents
undesired interfering electromagnetic fields and
ohmic and inductive influences
transient currents caused by switching operations in the grid
transient currents caused by atmospheric discharges
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
State of the Art (Standards)
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HD 60364-1: Low-voltage electrical installations –
Part 1: Fundamental principles, assessment of general characteristics,
definitions
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HD 60364-4-41: Low-voltage electrical installations –
Part 4-41: Protection for safety - Protection against electric shock
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HD 60364-5-55: Low-voltage electrical installations –
Part 5-54: Selection and erection of electrical equipment - Earthing
arrangements, protective conductors and protective bonding
conductors
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EN 50310: Application of equipotential bonding and earthing in
buildings with information technology equipment
EN 50173: Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 1:
General requirements
EN 50174: Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 2:
Installation planning and practices inside buildings
EN 50178: Electronic equipment for use in power installations
EN 50122: Railway applications - Fixed installations - Electrical safety,
earthing and the return circuit - Part 1: Protective provisions against
electric shock
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EN 50522: Earthing of power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.
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EN 62305: Protection against lightning
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EN 50162: Protection against corrosion by stray current from DC
systems
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IEC TR 61000-5-2
ANSI/TIA/EIA-607 (USA)
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.1-2 (USA)
BS 7671 (UK IEE Wiring Regulations)
VDE 0100 (Germany)
VDE 0800 Teil 174-2
VDE 0800 Teil 31
ITU-T
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OVE/ONORM E 8001-1: Erection of electrical installations with
rated voltages up to ~ 1000 V a.c., HD 384
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OVE/ONORM E 8383: Power installation exceeding 1 kV,
HD 637 S1: 1999
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OVE/ONORM E 8384: Earthing in AC installations with rated
voltage higher than 1 kV
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OVE/ONORM E 8014: Erection of earthing installations for
electrical installations with rated voltages up to AC 1000 V and
DC 1500 V – Part 1: General requirements and definitions
EMC, EMI
…
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
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
State of the Art (Standards)
EN 62305:
Protection against lightning
HD 60364-1: Low-voltage electrical installations –
Part 1: Fundamental principles, assessment
of general characteristics, definitions
Shielding
EN 50174: MESH
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Methodology – New Buildings
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The minimum level in most European countries (also in Austria) is
preferably the establishment of a concrete footing-type
grounding electrode system in the foundation area
(base plate, granular sub-grade course, blinding concrete)

In buildings with specific EMC requirements of information
technology (especially for the reduction of magnetic interference
fields, inductive and resistive influences by transient currents) the
construction of an additional equipotential bonding system for each
floor is essential
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Methodology – New Buildings
Integrated grounding electrode system, shielding,
equipotential bonding and lightning protection system
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Methodology – New Buildings

Combined high- and lowvoltage grounding system
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Sensible ICT-components
can be installed in all parts
of the building structure
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Methodology – Old Buildings

Most of the before mentioned measures concerning the low
inductive meshed grounding, equipotential bonding and lightning
protection system cannot be realized at low efforts and costs

The proposal is, to invert the grounding and equipotential bonding
system at spatially defined locations by realizing a fish trap like
structure of conductors to achieve a preferably low impedant
equipotential system

As the grounding and equipotential bonding system changes to a
predominate equipotential system the refurbished grounding system
has now to meet only the demands of a proper lightning protection
system and can be realized usually with vertical grounding rods
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Methodology – Old Buildings

The fish-trap like
equibonding structure
provides a low impedance

So protection and safety
measures can easily be
realized (equipotential and
function equipotential bonding,
overvoltage suppression)

The low impedance
equipotential system is
provided only in dedicated
areas in the near vicinity of
the fish-trap like
construction
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Conclusion

Realising the grounding, equipotential bonding, shielding and the lightning
protection system as well as considering EMC- and lightning protectionzones as a jointly co-ordinated system meets the requirements for
 protection against electric shock,
 minimizes resistive, inductive and capacitive interference,
 reduces the occurrence of electromagnetic fields and
 enables the implementation of high-quality measures for the
electric/electronic equipment safety,
 as well as a efficient lightning and surge protection

Additionally the reduction of the data transfer rates
caused by inductive and ohmic interference can be minimized

The proposed grounding and equipotential bonding system
can be used in new and refurbished buildings
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The integration in the design concept of architectural structures is easy

The proposed system can be integrated easily, if early enough considered
Ernst Schmautzer – Austria – Session 2 – 0760
Frankfurt (Germany), 6-9 June 2011
Integrated Grounding,
Equipotential Bonding and
Lightning Protection in
Smart Grids and Smart Buildings
– A Multi-Faced Approach
Ernst Schmautzer, Stephan Pack, Maria Aigner, Chr. Raunig – Austria – Session 2 – 0760