Earthing/Grounding Systems – Guidelines for Ensuring Safety #82

This episode examines the EN 50522 standard for earthing/grounding systems and its latest revision.

Earthing/grounding systems connect specific parts of an electric power system, typically the equipment's conductive surface, with the ground for safety and functional purposes. “Earthing” is used in European countries, whereas “grounding” is used in North America and other countries worldwide. 

In this episode, earthing experts Christian Raunig and Theodor Conner discuss the evolution of the EN 50522 standard in Europe, the work of standardization committees to minimize national deviations, and the guidelines it offers for the design and erection of earthing/grounding systems. 

Christian Raunig has worked as an asset manager at Austrian Power Grid AG and a transmission grid operator since 2018. His focus is on earthing and interference issues. In addition to participating in national and European standards committees on earthing issues, Christian is chairman and representative in committees on neutral point treatment and grounding.

Theodor Connor has worked for Siemens AG on network planning projects in Germany and abroad for over 39 years. He has been involved in planning transmission and distribution networks worldwide, planning and analyzing earthing systems, and investigating major network disturbances and blackouts. Theodor has held leading positions in national and international committees, including DKE, CIRED, CIGRE, IEEE, CENELEC, and IEC.