Installing an Earthing System using Directional Drilling

Abstract

All Electrical Networks rely on earthing systems to provide safe and efficient flow of electricity to protect the health of systems and its assets. Bad earthing can lead to expensive network outages, equipment failure and faults that can damage assets in the surrounding environment. Using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) to install ground earthing systems has proven to be very efficient and effective with minimal disturbance to the surroundings. The method can be used in new installations, fault repair, Single Wire Earth Return (SWER), Utility network upgrades, as well as high risk and extreme environmental sites or areas where ground resistivity levels are poor. By using this method, the earthing system can also be installed in the ground layer with the best resistivity connection by measuring and directing the drill string. This has advantages where ground conditions have poor resistivity levels and surface obstructions prevent open trenching. When the desired resistivity level is achieved the drill string is removed and the new ground wire is installed. Soils, Bentonite or ground enhancing compounds are used to surround the earthing wire leaving maximum contact with the earth layer. Furthermore, by using the Trenchless method to install an earth system the community and businesses can benefit from healthy electrical infrastructure, best environmental practices and lower costs from installations.