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Design of earthmat
Before designing earthmat, it is necessary to determine the soil
resistivity of the area in which H.V. sub-station is to be located. The
resistivity of the earth varies considerably from 10 to 10,000 mtr.
depending upon the types of soil.
Further, the resistivity may also vary at different depth depending
upon the type of soil, moisture content and temperature etc., at various
depths which affects the flow of current due to the fact that the earth
fault current is likely to take its path through various layers.
Typical values of resistivity for various types of soils are as follows :Table No 1
Sl.
No
.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Nature of soil
Red loamy soil
Red sandy soil
Laterite soil
Shallow black soil
Medium black soil
Deep black soil
Range of Resistivity
40-200 -m
200-2000 -m
300-2600 -m
20-100 -m
50-300 -m
50-250 -m
7
8
9
50-250 -m
300-1300 -m
200-1000 -m
S2+4e2
2S
4S2 +4e2
Sl. No.
1
2.
3.
Season of
measurement
Summer
Winter
Rainy
Multiplication
factor
1
1.15
1.3
Fault current to be handled: As the earthing system has to carry the earth currents, the
maximum earth fault current likely to flow in the system which is
generally S.L.G fault is considered for designing the earthing .A good
earthing system for H.V. station can be designed using an earthmat
which is formed by a grid of horizontally burried conductors which
serves to dissipate the earth fault currents to earth, also as an
equipotential bonding conductor system, along with the required number
of vertical earth electrodes which are connected to the points of earthing
of various equipments and structures and also interconnected with the
horizontal earthmat.
Choice of materials and size of earthmat conductor :
c) If <25 mtr
Where a = 0.106 mt
hs= Height of surface layer i.e., thickness of the crushed stone
layer which is
normally 0.1 mt.
K m K i I g t c
assuming
the
spacing
between
conductors
as
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2 for the equivalent area of the mat using the formula.
Emesh =
Km Ki Ig
L
where
Km = Spacing factor for mesh voltage
=
D2
ln
(D+2h)2
Kii
ln
8
2
(2n-1)
16*h*d
8*D*d
4 *d
Kh
ii
rods none
perimeter.
K ii = 1, for grids with ground rods along the perimeter ,or
for grids with ground rods in the grid corners, as well as both along the
perimeter and through out the grid area.
Where n = (n a * n b)
Where na = number of parallel conductors of rectangular grid length
wise.
nb =
breadthwise.
Ks Ki Ig
L
Where ,
K s = Spacing factor for step voltage
= 1
1
2h
1*(1-0.5)n max -2
D+h
lower spacing till Emesh and Estep are found to be within tolerable limits.
Calculation of grid resistance Rg
Rg = /4(( /A)+ /L
Ground potential rise:
GPR = Ig * Rg Volts.
The equipment earth point or the neutrals of transformers are
connected to vertical earth electrodes which in turn are connected to the
earth mat.
current passing through them under fault conditions and discharge into
the earth safely without giving rise to heating. These electrodes also
contribute to reduction in the earth resistance because of the fact that
they connect layers of the earth up to the depth to which they are driven.
These electrodes can be of different materials, size and shapes. For H.V.
Sub-stations, it is found that CI pipes of 2.75 mts long 13 mm thick 100
mm dia are very much suited. The equipment earth points are connected
to the electrode using MS flat of the size of the earth mat conductor by
welding.
current to the earth through the electrode as well as the earth mat.
Earthing in difficult situations:The earthing resistance can be improve by any one or more of the
following methods.
1. Increase the area of the earth mat.
2. Provide deep earth electrodes.
3. Provide auxiliary earth mat in a near by place where the resistivity is low
and connect it to the main earth mat.
4. Treating the earthmat and the electrode with suitable chemicals.