IS:3043-2018, "Code of Practice for Earthing," provides comprehensive guidelines for grounding and earthing electrical systems, including those in solar power plants. It covers aspects like earthing system design, material specifications, and safety procedures to ensure proper grounding and protection against electrical hazards.

 IS:3043-2018, "Code of Practice for Earthing," provides comprehensive guidelines for grounding and earthing electrical systems, including those in solar power plants. It covers aspects like earthing system design, material specifications, and safety procedures to ensure proper grounding and protection against electrical hazards. 

Key aspects of IS:3043-2018 relevant to solar plants:

Earthing System Design:

The standard outlines the design principles for earthing systems, including the selection of earthing electrodes (plates, pipes, or rods), their dimensions, and spacing. It also specifies the type of earthing conductors (e.g., copper or GI strips) and their sizes based on current-carrying capacity and fault conditions. 

Material Specifications:

IS:3043-2018 details the requirements for earthing materials, such as the quality and dimensions of earthing electrodes, conductors, and connection hardware. For example, it specifies the minimum thickness and dimensions for GI pipes and plates. 

Lightning Protection:

The standard emphasizes the importance of lightning protection for solar plants and provides guidelines for designing and implementing lightning protection systems. This includes the use of lightning arresters, earth rods, and appropriate grounding methods to divert lightning currents safely to the earth. 

Safety Requirements:

IS:3043-2018 incorporates safety measures to prevent electrical shock and ensure the safety of personnel working in and around solar plants. It covers aspects like touch and step potentials, and the use of protective equipment. 

Earthing Resistance:

The standard specifies the acceptable range of earthing resistance values to ensure effective grounding. It also provides guidance on how to measure and maintain low earthing resistance. 

Specific Applications:

IS:3043-2018 provides guidance on earthing requirements for various components of a solar plant, including PV modules, inverters, transformers, and other electrical equipment. 

Grounding of Structures:

The standard requires that all metal structures, including mounting structures for PV panels, be grounded properly to prevent the accumulation of static electricity and to provide a path for fault currents. 

Specific Considerations for Solar Plants:

Array Earthing:

Each array structure of a PV yard should be grounded according to IS:3043-2018, and lightning arresters/masts should also be earthed within the array field. 

Inverter and Transformer Earthing:

Inverters and transformers should be grounded properly, and their metal casings or shielding should be thoroughly grounded as per CEA Safety Regulations. 

Cable Earthing:

All cables used in the solar plant should be properly grounded and shielded, and the earthing system should be designed to handle fault currents. 

Testing and Maintenance:

Regular testing and maintenance of the earthing system are essential to ensure its effectiveness. This includes measuring earthing resistance and inspecting the condition of earthing electrodes and conductors. 

By adhering to the guidelines of IS:3043-2018, solar plant developers and operators can ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of their installations. 

EARTHING

The Solar PV Plant should have a dedicated earthing system. The Earthing for array and LT

power shall be made as per the provisions of IS:3043-2018 “Code of practice for earthing

(Second Revision),” that governs the earthing practices of a PV system and IS 732:2019

“Code of practice for electrical wiring installations (Fourth Revision)

9.1. Earthing System shall connect all non –current carrying metal receptacles, electrical

boxes, appliance frames, chassis and PV module mounting structures in one long run.

The earth strips should not be bolted. Earthing GI strips shall be interconnected by

proper welding.

9.2. The earthing conductor should be rated for 1.56 times the maximum short circuit

current of the PV array. The factor 1.56 considers 25 percent as a safety factor and 25

percent as albedo factor to protect from any unaccounted external reflection onto the

PV modules increasing its current

9.3. In any case, the cross-section area or the earthing conductor for PV equipment should

not be less than 6 mm2

if copper, 10 mm2

if aluminium or 70 mm2

if hot-dipped

galvanized iron. For the earthing of lightning arrestor, cross-section of the earthing

conductor should not be less than 16 mm2

of copper or 70 mm2

if hot-dipped

galvanized iron. The complete Earthing system shall be mechanically & electrically

connected to provide independent return to earth.

9.4. Masonry enclosure with the earth pit of size not less than 400mm X 400 mm(depth)

complete with cemented brick work (1:6) of minimum 150mm width duly plastered

with cement mortar (inside)shall be provided. Hinged inspection covers of size not

less than 300mm X 300mm with locking arrangement shall be provided . Suitable

handle shall be provided on the cover by means of welding a rod on top of the cover

for future maintenance.

9.5. Minimum four (04) numbers of interconnected earth pit needs to be provided in each

location. Minimum required gap shall be provided in between earth pits as per 

relevant standard. Body earthing shall be provided in inverter, each panel frame,

module mounting structure, kiosk and in any other item as required.

Earth pit shall be constructed as per IS: 3043-2018. Electrodes shall be embedded

below permanent moisture level.. Earth pits shall be treated with salt and charcoal if

average resistance of soil is more than 20 ohm meter

9.6. Earth resistance shall not be more than 5 ohms. Earthing system must be

interconnected through GI strip to arrive equipotential bonding. The size of the GI

earth strip must be minimum 25mm X 6mm.

9.7. In compliance to Rule 11& 61 Of Indian Electricity Rules,1956(as amended up to

date), all non-current carrying metal parts shall be Earthing with two separate and

distinct earth continuity conductors to an efficient earth electrode.

9.8. The equipment grounding wire shall be connected to earth strip by proper fixing

arrangement. Each strip shall be continued up to at least 500mm from the equipment.

9.9. Necessary provisions shall be made for bolted isolating joints of each earthing pit for

periodic checking of earth resistance.

9.10. For each earth pit, a necessary test point shall be provided.

9.11. Total no of Earth pits for solar plants:

i. Up to 50kWp: AC-01, DC-02, LA-01

ii. Above 50kWp: AC-02, DC-02, LA-01