Static Earthing Design and Installation in Melbourne

ARA Electrical Services designs and installs static earthing and bonding systems across Melbourne for hazardous area environments where electrostatic charge accumulation presents an ignition risk. Work covers fuel storage and transfer facilities, chemical and petrochemical handling sites, tanker loading and unloading operations, and industrial installations handling flammable liquids or combustible materials.

Projects include new static earthing installations, upgrades to existing bonding infrastructure, and earthing designs developed for facilities subject to hazardous area classification. Static earthing is treated as a system — design and installation are based on charge generation potential, equipotential bonding requirements, and discharge path control, not simply the provision of an earth connection.

Static Earthing System Design

Static earthing systems are designed to control electrostatic charge accumulation and maintain a reliable, continuous discharge path throughout transfer and handling operations. Design is developed to suit the specific materials handled, transfer system configuration, and the charge generation potential of the operations at the facility.

Design scope typically includes:

  • Static earthing point locations and bonding connection arrangements
  • Bonding resistance calculations and discharge path continuity analysis
  • Bonding of tanks, pipework, pumps, and transfer equipment
  • Continuity across flanges, mechanical joints, and flexible connections
  • Earth proving system configuration and interlock requirements where transfer inhibit systems are specified

Where existing bonding infrastructure is in place, new works are designed to integrate with or extend that system without compromising its overall continuity or performance.

Standards and Hazardous Area Coordination

Static earthing systems are developed in accordance with applicable Australian Standards and site-specific requirements, including:

  • AS/NZS 1020 — control of undesirable static electricity
  • AS/NZS 60079 series — electrical equipment and installations in hazardous areas
  • Applicable WorkSafe guidance for flammable and combustible liquid handling

Where hazardous area classification applies to the installation, the earthing and bonding design is developed to satisfy both static control requirements and the electrical installation requirements of the classified zone. These are treated as a coordinated system — not addressed independently — to ensure the overall installation is compliant and safe.

Testing, Verification, and Documentation

Testing and verification are completed following installation and include:

  • Bonding resistance testing across all connections
  • Continuity testing across flanges, joints, and flexible connections
  • Verification of earth proving system operation
  • Confirmation of interlock performance where transfer inhibit systems are installed

Test results are recorded and documented to provide a verified baseline record of system performance. Where bonding systems are subsequently modified or extended, retesting is carried out to confirm ongoing compliance with the original design criteria and applicable standard requirements.

Completed installations are supported by documentation including test results, as-built records, and confirmation of compliance with applicable standards — providing a clear reference for future maintenance, inspection, and regulatory audit.

Static Earthing Installations Across Melbourne and Victoria

ARA Electrical Services works across Melbourne and Victoria on both new static earthing installations and assessments of existing bonding arrangements. If you would like to discuss a static earthing design, installation, or verification requirement, contact us to arrange an initial consultation.