Smart Ground Detector

The problem of static electricity in hazardous atmospheres is ever present in many sectors of processing industries. Due to physical movement, some materials generate high degree of static charge; at times it is in kilovolts. Insulating materials like rubber tyres, paints, gaskets and seals do not offer sufficient low resistance path to safely dissipate any static charge generated to earth. When this happens, high level of charge may accumulate on the isolated part, posing the risk of energetic static discharges. If this occurs in hazardous atmosphere there is a chance of occurrence of explosion, fire, or ignition of hazardous material.

Smart Ground Detector solves the aforesaid problem by ensuring that a low resistance connection is made from the isolated part through paint or rust to the reference ground point. Essentially the instrument monitors potential level of the vessel and only when this potential is confirmed to be at the same potential level as that of the reference ground (Earth pit) level, the instrument permits further loading or unloading operations. Throughout the fuelling operation, the instrument monitors the development of the static charge on the body of the vehicle and ensures that the condition remains safe till the loading is completed.

The Smart Ground Detector is line powered intrinsically safe, self-proving ground verification system. It can also be used in the process industries; where product is transferred into drums or containers, by ensuring that all the containers are at earth potential. The Smart Ground Detector may also be used to provide safe and secure ground to movable metal containers and mobile vessels within the plant in the process industries.

A dedicated terminal is provided in the instrument that connects the true earth potential with this instrument. And during the entire monitoring operation, the instrument considers this potential as a reference ground point. Varieties of grounding clamps are available with the system to suit the applications. The clamps are supplied with mechanically rugged chemical resistant flexible spiral cables.

Two sets of interlock outputs in the form of potential free relay contacts as standard are available to connect to the Batch controller, which immediately stops loading operation under the un-safe condition. The potential free contact may be interlocked with pumps, valves, PLC, alarms, etc. Using two LED indicator lamps available on the front cover, Earthling OK (Green Lamp On) or Defective Earth (Red Lamp On) status are displayed. Alternately, the instrument can be converted to accept inputs from two separate earthling clamps to generate two separate potential free relay contacts.