Grid Integrity:

Purpose:
To verify the interconnection between the earth pits/equipment in grid/ different grids in the plant area to
limit the GPR and avoid surges due to potential difference during the lightning and to verify that there is a
low-resistance path for ground currents.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
1. Safety will be followed and the site procedures for carrying the audit works will be abide by the
team.
2. All the necessary PPE for carrying out the test will be worn by the personnel (Safety shoe, safety
helmet, boiler suit, safety gloves.
3. The test area will be barricaded to avoid the entry of unauthorised personnel for safety.
4. The test instrument is operated at extra low voltage and will not have any potential hazard for the
person operating, however extra care will be taken by wearing the proper PPE.
5. Test locations will be identified and ensured for the any hazardous condition to work and make
ensure free from any potential hazards before the start of work
6. All the test instruments used will be ensured for calibration
7. The test equipment is ensured for safe operation before the test is conducted
8. After the test is conducted the area will be cleared of any test setup, tools and tackles.

Methodology:
1. The integrity between the two pits/grids will be verified by measuring the voltage drop and
resistance across the length of the bridged distance by using earth continuity tester.
2. First step is to identify the reference pit/grid with which the other risers and grid interconnection
needs to be verified.
3. Each riser from the grid to be chosen for the test and the measurements are carried for the resistance
of the conductor length between them.
4. The test kit should be capable of injecting 0 to 10 amps at low voltage of 0-30V at off grid
frequency/DC.
5. The test risers of the two pits/equipment/grids are looped by earth continuity test kit as a kelvins
bridge arrangement and the readings of resistance are to be taken.
6. Before the test, the surfaces of the risers are to be scrubbed to avoid any rust/dust for the proper
connection of clamps connecting the risers.
7. The measured values are then compared with the theoretical values of the resistance for the same
length and type of grid conductor to access the condition of the grid conductor and to verify the
integrity of conductor connecting them.
8. The measured values can also be verified by the table given in the standard BS 7430 Table 14 to
access the condition of the grid integrity.
9. From the above set of test results, compare the measured values with the theoretical/standard value
10. Case-1: If the readings are within the close proximity for measured value with the theoretical or in
the limits of the value prescribed in the standards then the two pits/equipment risers/girds can be
concluded to be integral.
11. Case-2: If the readings are significantly different for measured value with the theoretical or not
within the limits of the standard values then it can be concluded that the pits/equipment risers/grids
 are not connected or the loop formed in the interconnection of them is by the extreme length or the
grid conductor is deteriorated and for the abnormally high values the grid connection is open.

Outcome:
The integrity between the two pits/ equipment risers from grid/ inter grids can be ensured for the
safe dissipation of fault currents and can avoid the touch, step potentials, GPR and surges during the
lightning by ensuring the grid at equipotential.

Meters:
1. Digital Earth continuity tester (RedPhase ECT or 2000B/ Megger DLRO)
2. Digital Standard Multimeter
3. Cu cable for looping the two grids

Reference Standards: IEEE 81 2012

Figure showing the path of current for both short and long loops
Figure showing the current path via long loop where the grid conductor is found to open between the
Unit-1 and Unit-2

Figure showing the current path through the external bypass conductor