Last updated: 28 September 2026 | Reviewed by: Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director, SG Power Products Pvt. Ltd.
SG Power Products Pvt. Ltd. is a GI earth electrode manufacturer in India producing TRUESAFE™ GI earth electrodes designed to IS 3043 and rated for fault currents up to 25 kA for 1 second. As a direct GI earth electrode supplier to EPC contractors, utilities and industrial plants, we support projects from specification and variant selection through to documentation, inspection and delivery.
For over 15 years, SG Power has manufactured earthing products for projects across power, rail, renewable energy, defence and heavy industry, with clients including Indian Railways, L&T, NTPC, BHEL, Tata, Adani Power and the Airport Authority of India. As a GI electrode manufacturer and GI electrode supplier, we offer ready stock for standard sizes and bulk capacity for large project orders.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | TRUESAFE™ GI earth electrode (chemical earthing type) |
| Design standard | IS 3043 |
| Fault current rating | Up to 25 kA for 1 second |
| Variants | Standard, Pipe in Pipe, Strip in Pipe |
| Standard size | 40 mm diameter, Class B pipe, 1 m length |
| Supply | Ready stock for standard sizes; custom sizes on request |
| Documentation | Product datasheet, test reports |
| Inspection | 3-level in-house quality check; pre-dispatch inspection |
| Payment terms | Production begins on receipt of 50% advance |
| Delivery | Pan-India, including remote project sites |
A GI earth electrode, also called a GI earthing electrode, galvanized iron earth electrode or GI grounding electrode, is a type of chemical earthing electrode consisting of a steel pipe protected by a hot-dip zinc (galvanised) coating. The steel pipe provides mechanical strength, while the zinc coating protects it from corrosion in the soil.
SG Power GI electrodes are filled with a crystalline conductive mix that lowers and stabilises earth resistance, and have sealed ends to protect the internal compound over the service life. The electrode forms the earth termination point of the electrical earthing system, dissipating fault current and lightning surge current into the ground. GI earth electrodes are used for both system (neutral) earthing and equipment (body) earthing, either as individual earth pits or connected with earthing strips to form an earth mat or grid on larger sites.
A GI earth electrode works by providing a low-impedance path that carries fault current and lightning surge current from the electrical system into the ground. The current flows through the earthing conductor to the electrode, where the GI pipe and conductive compound dissipate it into the soil, limiting touch and step voltages so protective devices operate correctly.
The achieved earth resistance depends on three factors: the conductivity of the electrode, the electrode-to-soil contact (improved by backfill compound), and the soil resistivity at the site. The zinc coating protects the steel by corroding first, so the service life of a GI electrode depends strongly on how corrosive the soil is. For this reason, electrode selection and quantity should always be based on site soil data rather than a fixed rule.
| Factor | Effect on performance | How to manage it |
|---|---|---|
| Soil resistivity | Higher resistivity gives higher earth resistance | Use backfill compound, longer electrodes or more electrodes in parallel |
| Soil corrosivity | Corrosive soil uses up the zinc coating faster and shortens service life | Test the soil; use copper bonded electrodes in aggressive soil |
| Soil moisture | Dry soil raises resistance; seasonal changes cause variation | Backfill compound holds moisture and stabilises resistance |
| Backfill compound | Improves electrode-to-soil contact and lowers resistance | Use the recommended quantity per electrode |
| Electrode size and quantity | Larger or additional electrodes lower overall resistance | Size the system from site soil data and IS 3043 |
| Connection quality | Loose or corroded joints raise resistance | Use exothermic welds or rated bolted connections |
There are three types of GI earth electrodes: Standard, Pipe in Pipe and Strip in Pipe. The Standard type is suited to commercial and residential installations, while Pipe in Pipe and Strip in Pipe designs provide a larger conductive surface area for substations, industrial plants and systems with higher fault levels. SG Power manufactures all three.
It consists of a single GI pipe filled with conductive compound, with a terminal for conductor connection. It is a cost-effective option for commercial buildings, residential complexes and general LV installations, and a maintenance-free replacement for the traditional GI earthing pipe.
View Standard variantIt consists of an outer and an inner GI pipe with conductive compound filled between them. The increased conductive surface area improves current dissipation, making it suitable for substations, industrial plants and higher fault current applications.
View Pipe in Pipe variantA conductive strip runs through the centre of the GI pipe, surrounded by conductive compound, providing efficient current flow and strong mechanical stability for demanding industrial applications.
View Strip in Pipe variant| Feature | Standard | Pipe in Pipe | Strip in Pipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Single GI pipe with conductive filling | Outer and inner GI pipe with conductive filling between | Conductive strip through the centre of the GI pipe |
| Conductive surface area | Standard | Higher | Higher |
| Typical application | Commercial and residential LV systems | Substations, industrial plants | Demanding industrial applications |
| Fault level | Normal | Higher | Higher |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Higher | Higher |
SG Power's TRUESAFE™ GI chemical earthing electrode is a 40 mm diameter, Class B GI pipe filled with crystalline conductive mix, with sealed ends and a 25 x 5 x 75 mm terminal. It is designed to IS 3043 and rated to carry fault current up to 25 kA for 1 second. Full specifications are below.
IS 3043 is the Indian code of practice for earthing, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Internationally, earth electrodes for lightning protection systems are covered by IEC 62561-2, and substation grounding design is guided by IEEE 80.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | TRUESAFE™ Chemical Earthing |
| Manufacturer | SG Power Products Pvt. Ltd. |
| Model (Standard, 40 mm, 1 m) | GIE40SG100 |
| Material | GI (galvanised iron) electrode |
| Variants | Standard, Pipe in Pipe, Strip in Pipe |
| Diameter | 40 mm |
| Length | 1 metre |
| Pipe thickness | Class B |
| Terminal size | 25 x 5 x 75 mm with 2 holes of 10 mm |
| Filling | Crystalline conductive mix |
| End type | Sealed end |
| Fault current capacity | Up to 25 kA for 1 second |
| Design standard | IS 3043 |
| Order type | Bulk and retail |
Custom lengths and diameters can be manufactured for project requirements. Share your soil resistivity data, soil conditions, fault level and required earth resistance, and our engineers will recommend the variant and quantity.
A GI electrode offers a low purchase price, high mechanical strength, stable earth resistance and maintenance-free operation, with a zinc coating that protects the steel in normal soil. For budget-sensitive projects on non-aggressive soil, this makes it a practical and economical earthing choice.
GI is the most economical earth electrode material, which helps on projects with many earth pits or tight budgets.
The steel pipe withstands handling, transport and installation without damage.
The hot-dip zinc coating protects the steel core in normal, non-aggressive soil.
The conductive compound helps maintain consistent resistance values across seasons, including in high-resistivity soils.
No periodic watering or salt treatment is required, reducing O&M workload.
Standard sizes are available from ready stock, supporting fast project schedules.
A GI earth electrode is better for budget projects in normal, non-aggressive soil, because it has the lowest purchase price. A copper bonded earth electrode is better in moist, saline or chemically aggressive soil and for long design lives, because copper resists corrosion much longer than zinc. Pure copper electrodes offer the highest performance at the highest cost.
| Feature | GI Electrode | Copper Bonded Electrode | Pure Copper Electrode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Steel pipe with hot-dip zinc coating | Steel core with bonded copper layer | Pure copper |
| Conductivity | Moderate | High | Highest |
| Corrosion resistance | Low to moderate | High | High |
| Mechanical strength | High | High (steel core) | Lower than steel |
| Service life | Shorter, depends on soil | Long | Long |
| Maintenance | Maintenance-free (chemical type) | Maintenance-free | Maintenance-free |
| Capital cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| Lifecycle cost | Low in normal soil; higher in corrosive soil | Low | Low |
| Best suited for | Budget projects in normal, non-aggressive soil | Corrosive soil and long design life | Critical, high-budget installations |
GI chemical earthing electrodes also compare well with older plate earthing and rod earthing methods. Plate earthing needs a large excavation and is usually installed with salt and charcoal that need watering, while rod earthing works well in low-resistivity soil but has a small contact area in high-resistivity soil. A GI electrode with backfill compound gives lower, more stable resistance with less maintenance.
For a detailed comparison on corrosion, soil suitability, service life and lifecycle cost, read our guide to copper bonded vs GI earth electrodes.
GI earth electrodes are used in commercial and residential buildings, power distribution networks, telecom towers, solar rooftop and small PV plants, small and medium industrial units, and infrastructure such as street lighting and pumping stations, wherever the soil is not highly corrosive. For coastal, saline or chemically aggressive soil, a copper bonded earth electrode is usually the better choice.
| Industry / Sector | Typical Use | Suggested Variant |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial buildings and hospitals | Building and equipment earthing | Standard |
| Residential buildings | Building earthing | Standard |
| Power distribution (discoms) | Transformer and network earthing | Standard / Pipe in Pipe |
| Telecom towers | Equipment and surge protection earthing | Standard / Pipe in Pipe |
| Solar rooftop and small PV plants | Array, inverter and lightning protection earthing | Standard |
| Small and medium industrial units | Machinery and panel earthing | Pipe in Pipe / Strip in Pipe |
| Infrastructure (street lighting, pumping stations) | Equipment and pole earthing | Standard |
| Substations in non-aggressive soil | Equipment and system earthing | Pipe in Pipe / Strip in Pipe |
| Coastal, saline or chemical sites | Any earthing | Consider copper bonded instead of GI |
Selecting a GI earth electrode requires data on the site soil resistivity, the soil's corrosivity, the prospective fault current and its duration, and the target earth resistance. These inputs determine whether GI is suitable and, if so, the variant, size, number of electrodes and backfill quantity needed to meet the design requirement.
Soil resistivity. Obtain site soil resistivity measurements before finalising the design. High-resistivity soil may need more electrodes, longer electrodes or additional backfill compound.
Fault level and duration. Confirm that the electrode's rated fault current (25 kA for 1 second for SG Power GI electrodes) is suitable for the system's prospective fault current and clearing time.
Target earth resistance. The required value is set by the project's electrical design and applicable standards, and differs between applications such as substations, LV installations and lightning protection. Many specifications ask for 1 Ω or less for substations and sensitive electronic systems, with higher values allowed for general installations; always follow the value set by the electrical designer.
Number and spacing of electrodes. Where a single electrode cannot achieve the target value, multiple electrodes are connected in parallel. Spacing should follow IS 3043 guidance so that electrodes do not significantly reduce each other's effectiveness.
Corrosion environment. Moist, saline or chemically aggressive soil uses up the zinc coating faster. In these conditions, consider a copper bonded earth electrode instead of GI. Soil with high chloride or sulphate content, or low pH, is the most aggressive, so a soil corrosivity test before design helps confirm whether GI is suitable.
Connections. Specify durable connections between the electrode and earthing conductor, such as exothermic welding or a properly rated bolted terminal.
Integration with lightning protection. Where the electrode also serves a lightning protection system, coordinate the design with the relevant lightning protection standard.
SG Power's application engineers can review your soil data and single-line diagram and recommend a suitable configuration.
Use this table as a starting point. Final selection should always be confirmed against site soil data and the project's earthing design.
| Site condition | Recommended choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Normal, non-aggressive soil; commercial or residential LV system | GI Standard | Lowest cost per earth pit and suitable for normal fault levels |
| Normal soil; substation, industrial plant or higher fault level | GI Pipe in Pipe | Larger conductive surface area for better current dissipation |
| Heavy industry or demanding applications needing extra mechanical stability | GI Strip in Pipe | Central strip gives a continuous conductor and strong mechanical stability |
| Many earth pits on a tight budget, normal soil | GI Standard | Lowest capital cost across a large number of pits |
| High soil resistivity (rocky, sandy or dry soil) | Any GI variant with extra backfill compound, longer electrodes or more electrodes in parallel | Improves electrode-to-soil contact and lowers overall earth resistance |
| Prospective fault current above 25 kA for 1 second | Consult SG Power engineers; multiple electrodes in parallel | A single electrode is rated up to 25 kA for 1 second |
| Moist, saline, coastal or chemically aggressive soil | Copper bonded earth electrode instead of GI | Zinc coating is used up quickly in corrosive soil |
| Long design life or critical infrastructure | Copper bonded earth electrode | Copper layer resists corrosion much longer than zinc |
When evaluating a GI electrode supplier or manufacturer, procurement teams should check standards compliance, test documentation, galvanising quality, pipe class and wall thickness, fault current rating, conductive filling quality, manufacturing capability, size range, project references, delivery capacity and total lifecycle value. The 11 criteria below can be used as a vendor evaluation checklist.
Standards compliance. The electrode should be designed to IS 3043. Request written confirmation on the product datasheet.
Test reports and certifications. Ask for test reports covering fault current capacity and material properties, ideally from a recognised independent laboratory, along with quality management certification such as ISO 9001.
Galvanising quality. The zinc coating should be applied by hot-dip galvanising, be uniform and free of bare spots, and have its thickness stated on the datasheet. A thin or patchy coating exposes the steel to early corrosion.
Pipe class and wall thickness. The pipe class (for example Class B) determines mechanical strength and how much steel is available before corrosion becomes critical. Request it on the datasheet.
Fault current rating. Confirm that the rated fault current and duration match the system design.
Conductive filling. The internal compound should be a crystalline conductive mix with sealed ends, not a loose filler that can wash out or degrade.
Manufacturer versus trader. Sourcing directly from a GI earth electrode manufacturer gives better quality control, traceability, consistent specifications and access to custom sizes.
Size range and customisation. The supplier should offer all three variants in multiple diameters and lengths to suit different site conditions.
Project references. Check references from comparable projects such as substations, railways, solar plants or industrial units.
Delivery capability. For time-bound projects, confirm ready stock, bulk manufacturing capacity, lead times and pan-India logistics.
Lifecycle value. Evaluate total cost of ownership, not just unit price. Confirm the soil is suitable for GI; in corrosive soil, early replacement can cost more than a copper bonded electrode once excavation, labour and downtime are included.
| Criterion | Why It Matters | SG Power |
|---|---|---|
| IS 3043 design | Code-compliant earthing design | |
| Fault current rating | Must match system fault level | Up to 25 kA for 1 second |
| Conductive filling | Stable, low earth resistance | Crystalline conductive mix |
| Sealed ends | Protects filling over service life | |
| Direct manufacturer | Quality control and traceability | In-house manufacturing |
| Variants and custom sizes | Suits different site conditions | 3 variants, custom sizes |
| Ready stock and bulk capacity | Meets project schedules | |
| Pan-India logistics | Supply to any project site | |
| Quality checks | Consistent product quality | 3-level quality check |
SG Power supports vendor approval and project documentation requirements for EPC contractors, consultants and utilities.
Product datasheet with dimensions, materials and ratings.
Every electrode passes a 3-level quality check before dispatch.
SG Power is a Noida-based GI earth electrode manufacturer and supplier with over 15 years of experience, in-house manufacturing, a 3-level quality check, ready stock and pan-India logistics. It has supplied earthing solutions for Indian Railways, L&T, NTPC, BHEL, Tata, Adani Power and the Airport Authority of India. These are the 6 main reasons EPC contractors and industrial buyers work with SG Power.
Over 15 years in earthing and lightning protection, with supplies to utilities, EPC contractors, railways, defence and heavy industry.
As an earthing electrode manufacturer in India, SG Power controls production and quality in its own facility.
A 3-level quality check on every electrode before dispatch.
Ready stock for standard sizes and the capacity to handle bulk orders for large projects.
A dealer and service network that supports project sites across India, including remote locations.
GI electrodes plus backfill compounds, earth pit covers, exothermic welding powder, earthing strips, lightning arresters and copper bonded electrodes for corrosive sites, reducing vendor count and coordination for your project.
A GI earth electrode is installed by measuring soil resistivity, excavating or boring the earth pit, placing the electrode vertically, surrounding it with backfill compound, backfilling and compacting the soil, connecting the earthing conductor, fitting an earth pit cover and verifying earth resistance. The 7 steps are below.
Measure soil resistivity at the site, then excavate or bore an earth pit of the required depth and diameter for the electrode length.
Place the GI earth electrode vertically in the centre of the earth pit, taking care not to damage the zinc coating.
Fill the annular space around the electrode with SG Power backfill compound mixed with water, as per the recommended quantity.
Backfill the remaining pit with excavated soil and compact it.
Connect the earthing conductor to the electrode terminal using an exothermic weld or a properly rated bolted connection.
Install an earth pit cover to protect the connection and allow inspection access.
Measure and record the earth resistance to confirm it meets the design value.
The 8 most common GI earth electrode installation mistakes are:
Adding salt or charcoal. Salt speeds up corrosion of the zinc coating and steel, and both salt and charcoal wash out over time. Use backfill compound instead.
Damaging the zinc coating. Dragging or hammering the electrode can scratch the galvanising and start early corrosion. Handle and lower it carefully.
Skipping or under-filling backfill compound. Too little compound leaves air gaps and gives high, unstable earth resistance.
Placing electrodes too close together. Electrodes closer than about twice their length interfere with each other and reduce effectiveness.
Poor conductor connections. Loose, uncoated or undersized bolted joints corrode and raise resistance. Use exothermic welding or rated connectors.
Mixing copper and GI in moist soil. Connecting copper and zinc-coated steel can cause galvanic corrosion of the GI electrode. Get engineering advice before combining them.
No inspection chamber or pit cover. Without access, the connection cannot be inspected or tested later.
Not testing after installation. Always measure and record earth resistance at commissioning, and re-test after about a week.
A GI earth electrode is tested by measuring earth resistance with an earth resistance tester, most commonly using the fall-of-potential (three-point) method, where two auxiliary test spikes are placed at set distances from the electrode under test. A clamp-on earth tester can be used on existing multi-grounded systems without disconnecting the electrode.
Testing should be carried out at commissioning and then periodically as part of the maintenance schedule, ideally including a measurement in the dry season when soil resistivity is highest. Record results for each earth pit so trends can be tracked over time; because the zinc coating is used up gradually, a steady rise in readings can indicate corrosion. If the measured value exceeds the design requirement, additional electrodes in parallel or additional backfill compound can be used to bring it down. Test methods for earth resistance and soil resistivity are described in IEEE 81.
| Method | How it works | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Fall-of-potential (three-point) | Two auxiliary spikes are placed in line with the electrode; resistance is measured from current and voltage readings | Commissioning and periodic testing of individual earth pits |
| Clamp-on testing | A clamp meter induces a test signal around the conductor, with no spikes needed | Quick checks on existing multi-grounded systems without disconnection |
| Soil resistivity (Wenner four-point) | Four equally spaced spikes measure the resistivity of the soil itself | Before design, to size the number and type of electrodes |
The 6 main signs that a GI earth electrode needs inspection or repair are:
Earth resistance rising year on year. A steady increase can mean the zinc coating and steel are corroding.
Readings above the design value. Add electrodes in parallel or more backfill compound to bring resistance down.
Visible corrosion at the terminal or conductor. Rust or white zinc deposits show the coating is being consumed.
Loose or damaged connections. Remake the joint with an exothermic weld or a rated connector.
After a major fault or lightning strike. Inspect the connection and re-test the earth pit.
Damaged or missing earth pit cover. Replace it to protect the connection and keep it accessible.
The price of a GI earth electrode in India depends on the variant, diameter, length and order quantity, with lower unit prices for bulk project orders. GI is the most economical earth electrode material. Because quotations often include different items, compare offers on the same specification and the same scope of supply.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price basis | Per electrode, based on variant, diameter and length |
| Bulk orders | Lower unit prices for larger quantities |
| Payment terms | Production begins on receipt of 50% advance |
| Lead time | Ready stock for standard sizes; custom sizes |
For an accurate quotation, share the variant, size, quantity and delivery location.
Send your project requirements to SG Power and our team will recommend the right variant and quantity and share a techno-commercial offer.
To speed up your quotation, please include:
Project name and location
Required variant, diameter, length and quantity
Soil resistivity data and system fault level, if available
Documentation and inspection requirements
Required delivery schedule
For large projects, estimate the weight of your earthing material with our material weight calculator.
Whether you are finalising a specification, evaluating vendors or placing a bulk order, SG Power can support you as a direct GI electrode manufacturer, with technical guidance, documentation and on-time supply. Send your requirement through our contact page