Review of Grounding Practices on Power System in Indian Underground Coal Mines with Futuristic Projections

The grounding system requires for maintaining safety of operators and apparatus, and ensuring reliable working of the power network. The main objectives of grounding system are to provide a means to transfer electric current into the earth under normal faulty conditions without exceeding any working and equipment limits or badly affecting continuity of service and safety of any person in the vicinity of ground services. The grounding system is reducing the risk of danger of critical electric shock. In this paper an attempt has been made to identify the means of different grounding practices, keeping in mind the present as well as the futuristic projection of the Indian underground coal mines. It is probable that there may be radical transformations from present day grounding system to other system/systems compatible for future mining conditions. However, it is essential to get prepared for that inevitable situation to make underground coal mining safer and efficient.