ETAP 5.

0
ETAP 5.0
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc.
Ground Grid Systems
Ground Grid Systems
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 2
Need for Grounding Grids
Need for Grounding Grids
Currents flow into the grounding grid from:
Lightning Arrester Operations
Switching Surge Flashover of Insulators
Line-Ground Fault from Connected Bus
Line-Ground Fault from Connected Line
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 3
Objectives
Objectives
Human and animal safety
Carry and dissipate current into earth under
normal and fault conditions
Grounding for lightning impulses and surges
Low resistance to ground for protective
relays
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 4
Construction
Construction
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 5
Common Definitions
Earth Current
Ground Fault Current
Ground Potential Rise
Step Voltage
Touch Voltage
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 6
Step 1
Step 1

Soil Analysis
Soil Analysis
Done at a number of places in the substation
Several layers with different resistivity
Lateral surface changes are more gradual
than vertical changes
Wenner Four-Pin Method
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 7
Wenner Four
Wenner Four
-
-
Pin Method
Pin Method
2 2 2 2
4
2
1
4
b a
a
b a
a
aR
a
+

+
+
=

Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 8
Step 2
Step 2

Grid Area
Grid Area
Area should be as large as possible
Increasing area is more effective than
adding additional conductor to reduce grid
resistance
Outer conductor should be placed on the
boundary of substation
Fence should be placed a minimum of 3 feet
inside
Square, rectangular, triangular, T-shaped, or
L-shaped grids
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 9
Step 3
Step 3

Ground Fault
Ground Fault
Currents
Currents
L-G fault on substation bus or transmission
line
Interested in maximum amount of fault
current expected to flow into the ground grid
Determine maximum symmetrical rms fault
current
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 10
Ground Fault Current
Ground Fault Current
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 11
Ground Fault Current
Ground Fault Current
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 12
Ground Fault Current
Ground Fault Current
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 13
Ground Fault Current
Ground Fault Current
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 14
Symmetrical Grid Current
Symmetrical Grid Current
I
o
= Symmetrical rms value of Zero
Sequence fault current in amperes
Transmission Systems Model Maximum I
o
for L-G fault for present and ultimate
configuration
Distribution Systems Model future fault
current with suitable growth factor (1.1)
) 3 ( *
o f g
I S I =
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 15
Decrement Factor
Decrement Factor
Accounts for the asymmetrical fault current
AC component does not decay with time but
remains at its initial value
Calculated from time duration of fault and X
over R ratio
Transmission Systems Use fastest
clearing relay + breaker time
Distribution and Industrial Systems Use
worst case backup clearing time
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 16
Typical Shock Situations
Typical Shock Situations
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 17
Design Procedure Summary
Use network of bare conductors buried in the
earth
Encompass all area within the substation
fence and extend at least 3 feet outside
Perform soil resistivity test
Surface material at least 4 inches
Determine fault current using short circuit
Determine maximum clearing time
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 18
Design Procedure Summary
Design Procedure Summary
Size conductors
Conductor should be buried a minimum of
18 inches to 59.1 inches
Vertical ground rods should be at least 8 ft.
long
Determine if touch and step voltages are
below tolerable limits
Few iterations may be required to determine
correct grid design
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 19
Ground Rod Length
Ground Rod Length
Three schools of thought
Length of 10ft is adequate
Length of 40ft is required to reach water table
Longest possible rod depth should be used
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 20
IEEE Methods
IEEE Methods
Empirical method; limited applications
Handles 2 layers plus protective surface
material (1 layer for touch potential)
Rectangular and triangular shapes only, with
vertical and horizontal conductors
One ground grid only
Rods; but arrangements are not flexible
Calculates required parameters
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 21
Finite Element Method
Handles 2 layers plus a protective surface
material
Any shape
Multiple interconnected ground grids
Rod location modeled in detail
Calculates required parameters at all points
Graphic potential profile
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 22
Typical IEEE Grid
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 23
IEEE Grid Description
40 ft. X 40 ft. square grid with 8 conductors
along X-axis and 8 conductors along Y-axis
Depth = 1.5 ft., 4/0 copper-clad steel wire
1 rod in each grid corner, diameter = 0.5 in.,
length = 8 ft. same material as conductor
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 24
FEM Grid Example
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 25
Step Potential Profile
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 26
Touch Potential Profile
Copyright 2003 Operation Technology, Inc. Workshop Notes: Ground Grid Systems Slide 27
Absolute Potential Profile