Earth-Rite® II RTR Gantry mounted static ground verification with system interlocks and visual indication

Overview

The Earth-Rite II RTR forms part of the Earth-Rite range and is designed to ground a tank truck during loading and unloading operations in order to dissipate any static electricity which could accumulate on a tank truck.

When an ungrounded tank truck is being filled/emptied with a liquid or powder, the road tanker could accumulate enough static to pose a discharge risk.

To counteract this risk, it is important to ensure that the tank truck does not have the capacity to accumulate static electricity. The most practical and comprehensive way of achieving this is to make sure that the tank truck is at earth potential, especially before the transfer process starts.

This is because the general mass of the Earth has an infinite capacity to balance charges which in turn minimizes the accumulation of static in the tank truck, and mitigates the generation and presence of voltages on the tank truck.

Using a grounding system can increase the safety and efficiency of the loading/unloading process by reducing the need to physically measure the bond between the earth bar and the tank truck to ensure it is in good condition.

Having a simple display coupled with education of the drivers/operators that they attach the grounding clamp as the primary function ensures repeatable reliability of use.

When using a grounding system to ground and monitor the tank truck, a permissive state can clearly be indicated to the driver/operator by GREEN flashing LEDs whilst utilising interlock relays can assist in improving the safety of the loading/unloading process.

Detects the presence of the tank truck

• With the grounding clamp and cable attached to the designated ground point on the tank truck detects its presence by its capacitance and not by impedance, resistance or the presence of a diode on the tank truck

Connection to Earth

• Ensures a true connection to the general mass of the earth. This is a critical step as a connection to earth is the only means by which the static electricity can be transferred from the teeth of the clamp on the tank truck to earth thereby mitigating the accumulation of static electricity during the transfer

Continuously Monitors Ground Connection

• Continuously monitors the loop resistance from between the teeth of the clamp on the tank truck to the designated general mass of the earth through the Earth-Rite II systems G1 and G2 connections. The circuitry will monitor the loop resistance and if it exceeds 10 Ohms it will stop the transfer.