IS 3043 is the Indian code of practice for earthing. The 2018 revision covers electrode types and minimum sizes, how to size the earth conductor for fault current, earth-resistance targets, soil treatment, and the testing and maintenance regime. When a specification says earthing to IS 3043, these are the requirements it invokes.
What the code covers
- Electrode types - rod, pipe, plate and strip - and their minimum sizes.
- Earth conductor sizing to the fault current and clearing time.
- Earth-resistance targets for different installations.
- Soil treatment and backfill to lower resistance.
- Step and touch potential safety, and testing and maintenance.
How to meet it
- Choose an electrode suited to the soil and drive it to a low resistance.
- Size the conductor with the IS 3043 adiabatic rule for your fault level.
- Use copper bonded or GI to the minimum sizes, matched to life.
- Test the earth resistance at commissioning and keep a maintenance log.
