Port Plug Types and Uses

A port plug, also known simply as a plug, is a connector that allows a device to connect to another device or a network. It fits into a port, which is a receptacle on the device, to facilitate various functions such as power supply, data transfer, or multimedia connection.

Underground Power Cable Bonding Methods

Cross bonding for high voltage underground cable sheath earthing

How Bond Your Cable?

Widely used bonding system for High Voltage or Extra High Voltage power cables are as follows:

1. Both End Bonding Systems
2. Single Point Bonding System
3. Cross Bonding System
4. Both End Bonding systems

The simplest arrangement to eliminate sheath induced voltage is Both End Bonding system. It is very easy and simple to ground both end of cable sheath. Minimum materials are required which lead to economical. 

But circulating current flows through cable sheath and heat produces which increase loss and reduce cable life. Circulating current is proportional to the length of the cable and the magnitude of the load current. This system normally applies to short cable section of tens of meters long.

Single point bonded system

A simple system is single point bonding which arrangement does not allow any path to flow circulating currents or external fault currents. In this system the sheaths of cables are grounded at one end and other end are open or connected with SVL and grounded through earth continuity cable, consequently induced voltage is present at open end. 

The magnitude of sheath induced voltage depends on the length of the cable, longer the cable length higher the induced voltage. Using of this bonding system is limited only for short distance of cable length to keep induced sheath voltage within a safe limit. Generally suitable for less than 500 m cable length.

Advantages of Single Point Bonding:

No circulating current.
No heating in the cable screen.
Economical
Disadvantages of Single Point Bonding:
Induced voltage at the un–earthed end
SVL required if induced sheath voltage during fault is extreme.

Earth Continuity Conductor is required for undesirable fault current.

Cross Bonding system

This arrangement is such that the circuit provides electrically continuous sheath runs from earthed termination to earthed termination. Voltage will be induced between screen and earth, but sectionalized cross bonding system will reduce the sheath circulating currents. 

Screen separation and additional link boxes are require for this system, arrangement carries 3 minor sections in each major section. When number of minor sections is not exactly divisible by 3, then system may consist of mixture of single point bonding with cross bonding. This system is technically complicated and more expensive, but for long route length cross bonding system is suitable because of following advantages- 

-Earth continuity conductor no need.

-Virtually zero circulating current in the screen.

-Standing induced voltage in the sheath is controlled.

-Technically superior than other methods.

-Suitable for long route length.

ECC – Earth Continuity Conductor

What Is ECC Cable or Earth Continuity Conductor?

ECC or Earth Continuity Conductor is the part of the earthing or grounding system which joins or bonds together all the metallic parts of an installation network: Conduit, ducts, boxes, metal casing of switches, switch-fuses, fuse distribution boards, regulating and controlling apparatus, exposed metal work of machines and any metal framework on which electrical apparatus in mounted.

Earth Continuity Conductor is a name utilized in IEC world. It is called grounding conductor in North America. As the name suggests, it keeps up the continuity of the earthing or grounding all through the electrical network. It could be an bare or uncovered conductor or single conductor or a conductor of a multi-conductor cable. By and large, the size of the grounding conductor is littler than the power conductor in a multi-conductor cable. It is same as the PE (protective conductor) of TN system as defined in standard code IEC 60364-1.

You may read: How Do Make Earthing or Grounding For Equipment?

ECC or Earth Continuity Conductor is a third conductor in line network or main distribution system  with line and neutral that, bonded to earth for providing connection for safety purposes to any metal component not enclosed in the electrical circuit. 

An earth or grounding conductor is a conductor set that provides a low impedance path. Earth conductor mainly conduct any unwanted leakage or fault current away from a conductive electrical appliance.

The earth continuity test, or the earth bond test, ought to guarantee that there is a decent association between the mains plug and any earthed metal parts. For protection, earthing cable are intended to counteract electric shock by permitting the passage of current under faulty conditions.