Portable Earthing Device

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 November 2016

01 November 2017

12 months

£210,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

The objective of this project is to design, manufacture and test a portable earthing device that removes the need to manually install portable earths in locations that are difficult to access. This project will be successful if a portable earthing device is developed that is fit for purpose and safe to use.

It is not always possible to use an earth switch when working on equipment as there is not always a suitable earth switch at the point of work. Where an earth switch is not available a portable earth is used. Portable earths are often difficult to install, they pose a significant manual handling risk and due to height of busbars a MEWP is often required to fit them. This project is to design, manufacture and test a new portable earthing device which is capable of installing and removing portable earths in a safe and controlled manner. Some previous work was done in this area from 2009-2011 which produced an initial prototype. This project will use the learning gained from the initial project but produce a prototype which addresses the design issues that were found with the previous prototype and look to develop a product that is cost effective to manufacture.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

17/09/18