Substation Earth System Injection Testing SWP: 1. Purpose and Scope

SUBSTATION EARTH SYSTEM INJECTION TESTING SWP
Check this is the latest Process Zone version before use. Page 1 of 10 Standard Work Practice SP0510 Ver 2

Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ABN 50 087 646 062
Ergon Energy Queensland Pty Ltd ABN 11 121 177 802

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this Standard Work Practice (SWP) is to
standardise and prescribe implementing an 'Earth System
Injection Test' for the purpose of determining the Current
Distribution, Earth Potential Rise (EPR) and Personnel Safety at a
particular site. Personnel Safety includes the determination of
possible Step, Touch and Transfer voltage hazards.
This applies to the testing of new and existing earthing systems,
with the purpose of validating the adequacy of the earthing system
to meet design and safety criteria.
2. STAFFING RESOURCES
a) EFM competent in the use of test equipment.
b) Safety Observer (required for all live work as defined in the
ESO Code of Practice for Electrical Work).
Both are required to -
- Be trained in switchboard rescue and resuscitation and manual
handling techniques.
- Have appropriate Switching & Access authorisations for the
roles they are required to perform and have the ability to
assess and maintain relevant exclusion zones from exposed
live electrical apparatus.
- Hold current licences for any vehicles and equipment they may
be required to operate.
Required Training and Certificates
Regulatory Training
Course Code
Course Description Regulatory Training
2120 Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
2130 Low Voltage/Switchboard Rescue
2140 Pole Top Rescue (if required)
2160 EWP Rescue and Escape (if required)
3131 Pole Testing for Safe Access (if required)
Additional Training
Course Code Course Description Additional Training
4445 Switching Operator and Authorised
4440 Switching Operator Assistant and Authorised
4430
Safe Entry to High Voltage Enclosures and
Authorised




3. DOCUMENTATION
CS000501F115. Daily/Task Risk Management Plan
ES000901R102. Health and Safety Risk Control Guide
SP0510R01 Substation Earth Testing J ob Safety Analysis
SP0510C01 Earth System Current Distribution Test Report
SP0510C02 Earth System Voltage Gradient Test Report
SP0510C02R01 Earth System Voltage Gradient end point
(calculation spreadsheet0
SP510C03 Step and Touch Potential Test Report
SP0506 Carry Out Field Testing SWP
Maps and site plans use these for marking where test readings
were taken, these may include but not be limited to:
Local map Can give useful information on surrounding area
Civil Works - Site Clearing Plan
Civil Works - Earth Grid Plan
Test Reports
Fault levels for all voltages at substation or site these are used
to calculate estimated Step and Touch voltages under fault
conditions. For Ergon sites, these are normally obtained from
NP&D group.
Clearing times for faults use these to determine 'Allowable
Prospective Voltage Criteria'. For Ergon sites, these are obtained
from the Protection Group.
Earth Resistivity Test results
Test Equipment Manuals
4. KEY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
All equipment used is to be calibrated and within test due date.
Current Distribution
Frequency tuneable voltmeter or Spectrum Analyser
Godowsky coil
Earth Potential Rise
Spool(s) of cable (distance required will depend on recorded
measurements) up to 1km may need to be available.
Earth test electrode (stake)
Step and Touch Potential
Two earth test electrodes (stakes)
5m test leads
Switching and Access Operating Equipment PEDs, Live Line
Tester, Class 0 gloves. All equipment to be inspected and
confirmed within test date prior to use
Suitable barriers and warnings signs for erection at the source and
the remote end to prevent inadvertent contact with 'LIVE' equipment
PPE including full-length protective cotton clothing, safety footwear,
helmet. Additional PPE as required: brim for safety helmet, leather
work gloves, class 00 gloves, hearing protection, safety eyewear,
high visibility clothing when working on or near roadways. All PPE
to be inspected and confirmed within test date (where applicable)
prior to use.
Sun protection to be used when working outdoors.



5. TASK STEPS
5.1. On Site Risk Assessment
Prior to performing this activity any hazards associated with
prerequisite tasks at the worksite shall be identified and assessed
with appropriate control measures implemented and documented
in accordance with Daily/Task Risk Management Plan
CS000501F115 and using reference document Health and Safety
Risk Control Guide ES000901R102.
If any risks cannot be managed or reduced to an acceptable level,
do not proceed with the task and seek assistance from your
Supervisor.
Measurement of current distribution, earth potential rise and step
and touch potential is carried out when current is injected into the
earth grid under test. The normal configuration is that an injection
source (generator) is connected to the substation earth grid under
test and also to an out of service feeder that is shorted to a remote
earth grid. In this way a current is circulated through the earth grid
under test, through the earth, through the remote earth grid to
return along the feeder to the source. The length of the line used
for remote injection must be at least 10 times the diagonal length
of the substation earth grid to avoid interference to measurements
from the remote earth grid. It is preferred that a line length of 50
times the diagonal be used (for a theoretical accuracy of 98.5%)
A generator capable of maintaining a stable frequency off 50Hz is
used as an injection source to avoid errors introduced by any
standing 50 Hz ground current. Typically 48 or 52Hz is used.
Problems have occurred with smaller generators (~7kVA) as they
have not been able to be 'tuned' to an off 50Hz frequency
successfully. 30 kVA is usually a reasonable size. To achieve a
reasonable current level a step up transformer and/or series tuning
capacitors may be required depending on the impedance of the
earthmats and the feeder used for injection. The injection voltage
may therefore be in the order of 1-2 kV.
Errors are minimised by using an injection current significantly
higher than any standing 50 Hz ground current. 20 A to 30 A is
preferred, however as low as 10 A is suitable providing a stable
frequency injection source (eg solid state) is used with a high
selectivity voltmeter/spectrum analyser.
5.2. Hazards and Controls
- The feeder connected to the remote earth grid must be either
decommissioned / uncommissioned or under a Test Permit as
defined in the operate the Network Procedures
- The injection source voltage may have to be increased to a
high level to get sufficient earth current for accurate
measurements. Appropriate barriers and warning signs must
be erected at the injection source to prevent inadvertent
contact with dangerous voltages.
- This voltage will also be transferred to the remote earth grid,
and can also be considered dangerous (particularly in the case
of a high earth resistance or bad earth connection).
Appropriate barriers and warning signs must be erected at the
remote earth grid as well as the earth grid under test at the
point of connection of the feeder to the earth grid.
- Dangerous voltages with respect to remote earths may be
transferred out of the substation. Areas to watch are where
there is a low impedance connection to a remote earth such as
telephone cabling, feeder cable sheaths, overhead earths on
other feeders, buried metallic pipes.



- The mobile generator and coupling transformer used for
current injection may present manual handling hazards. Use
appropriate mechanical assistance such as trailer mounted
equipment, vehicle loading crane etc.
- The injection current should not pass through any current
transformers that may inadvertently operate protection (eg line
CT bus differential cores)
- Three-phase remote injection will cause balanced currents in
each phase and negligible earth current.
- If one phase of a three-phase generator is used as the
injection source, out of balance loading will cause overheating
of the generator. A de-rating factor of 10 should be used,
although it is preferable to use a single-phase generator
instead.
- There may be significant current and/or voltage induced in the
feeder used for the remote injection from another feeder in the
same easement or on the same structures (double circuit line).
Always maintain an earth on one end of the injection feeder,
and verify that the voltage on the other end is safe for the
connection of injection equipment.
- Tests should not be carried out in poor weather conditions
when a system fault on incoming or outgoing feeders could
cause earth potential rise at the earth grid under test. Similarly,
tests should not be carried out in poor weather conditions
where the feeder being used for injection could be subjected to
faults. For long feeders, it is necessary to use aids like the
lightning tracker and/or weather radar to ensure good
conditions exist for the entire length of the feeder.

5.3. Preliminary Tests
It is assumed at this stage that preliminary tests have already
been completed. These are an Earth Grid Continuity Test to prove
that all connections to the earth grid under test are sound, and a
Soil Resistivity Test. If the injection test is being performed with no
prior investigations of the soil structure then the soil resistivity
around the installation should be determined at the time of the
injection testing.
Current Distribution
Determining the current distribution throughout the earthing
system under test is vital in determining:
1. What components are independent or dependant of the
earthing system under various fault scenarios.
2. Likely voltage hazards.
3. Assessing individual component performance and
identification of critical system components.

CAUTION
There is a possibility that a system earth fault will occur
when tests are carried out, thereby exposing test staff to
dangerous step, touch and transfer voltages. Insulated
leads and class 00 insulated gloves should therefore be
used when carrying out voltage measurements relative to
a remote earth. Class 00 gloves are required for step and
touch measurements only if the allowable step and touch
voltage limits are exceeded.



Measuring the current within a component of the earthing system
and tracing that current until it exits the system or passes beyond
the system boundary constitutes a current distribution test. Points
or paths of consideration are metallic systems passing beyond the
boundary of the earthing installation, such as:

- Overhead Earth Wires (OHEW)
- Cable sheaths, power and communications
- Pipelines (water, gas)
- Telecommunications systems
- LV neutrals
- Structures (railway lines, conveyor systems)

Using an existing drawing or one prepared on site, document all
possible paths for current to flow (Figure 1). Using the Rogowski
Coil and frequency tuneable voltmeter, determine the dispersion of
the test current throughout the test site noting current measured
and turns used on Rogowski Coil. Results should be recorded on
the Earth System Current Distribution Test Report Form
SP0510C01. From this test you should be able to accurately
determine the current flowing into the earth grid via the earth (I
grid
)
It may not be practicable to identify every path of current leaving
the earthmat, however assuming that 100% of the injected current
is exiting via the earthmat under test will result in a calculated
earthmat impedance lower than the actual value. It is therefore
essential that the current flow in all accessible connections be
determined.

Figure 1: Earthing System with Commonly Found Associated Additions
Earth Potential Rise (EPR)
The EPR test is used to determine the impedance of the earth grid
under test. Using the results of the Current Distribution test we are
able to quantify the percentage of injection current actually
entering the site earth grid via the ground. With this knowledge
and the result from the EPR test we can calculate the earth grid
impedance which will be used to find the EPR under fault
conditions.
The method that used is called "Fall-of-Potential Method". Figure
2 shows the basic circuit.

O
V
E
R
H
E
A
D
T
R
A
N
S
M
I
S
S
IO
N

L
IN
E
O.H.E.W.
S
H
E
A
T
H
U
N
D
E
R
G
R
O
U
N
D

C
AB
L
E
S
T
E
L
E
C
O
M

C
A
B
L
E
P
IP
E
L
IN
E

(W
A
T
E
R
/G
A
S
)
FENCING



Figure 2: Basic Circuit for Fall-of-Potential Method
The EPR is found by measuring the voltage difference between
the site earth grid and "Remote Earth". This is achieved by taking
measurements between an earth test stake and the site earth grid
under test at increasing distances. The stake need only be driven
to a depth that will support it. The test lead used to measure the
EPR of a system should be run at either 90 or less to the injection
loop, as at these angles the induced voltage is additive and hence
a conservative result will be obtained. However, leads run at
angles greater than 90 are influenced by magnetic end effects
and this is not easily calculated.

Measurement distances should increase until a definite plateau in
results is observed. No less than three lots of results within a few
percent of each other should be interpreted as a plateau. This is
where extra reels of cable may be necessary to get the required
result. Figure 3 shows a typical EPR curve. At the most remote
measurement location it is required to take a reading from a RMS
indicating voltmeter (e.g. fluke) to double check the results of
either the spectrum analyser or the frequency tuneable voltmeter.
Results should be recorded on the Earth System Voltage
Gradient Test Report Form SP0510C02. Spreadsheet
SP0510C02R01 can be used to estimate the earthmat potential
rise at an infinite distance, i.e. the true EPR.

Figure 3: Typical Fall-of Potential Curve

Step and Touch Voltages
The safety of a substation earthing system depends on the step,
touch and mesh voltages being less than the allowable voltages
specified at the end of this SWP. The allowable voltage depends
on various parameters such as fault clearing time, permissible
Vm
POTENTIAL
ELECTRODE
EARTH
IMPEDANCE
SOURCE
EARTHING
SYSTEM
Is
CURRENT
ELECTRODEOR
REMOTE
EARTHING
SYSTEM
Zg
INJECTEDCURRENT If
Vm
x(m)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X



current by body weight, the earth resistance between hand and
two feet in parallel (touch voltage) and the earth resistance
between feet (step voltage).

Figure 4: Step, Touch, Mesh and Transfer Voltages

Possible step, touch and transfer voltage hazard locations
associated with metalwork in or adjacent to an earthing system,
must be identified and measured to ensure safety for power
authority personnel and the public. Recommended locations to
conduct touch, step and mesh voltage measurements include:
Within Substation
Within the substation the following voltages should be measured:
- In the centre of large grid meshes (mesh voltage)
- Corner meshes (adjacent to corner at 1 and 2 m spacing)
- Adjacent to equipment that may be operated (water taps,
operating handles etc). It is required to obtain at least one
measurement from every outdoor bay in the substation.

External to Substation
Design verification can be made at a number of locations external
to the substation including:
- External perimeter fence corners
- Frequented areas (such as fence gates opened out if possible)
- Nearby towers (if connected to the grid)
- Any section of the perimeter fence that the public may come into
contact with.
- Any metallic pipelines or fences in close proximity to the earthing
system. These can often be the worst measurements recorded
during a test because a fence or pipeline can be insulated from
the ground for a significant distance and therefore transfer a
remote earth potential into (or adjacent to) the substation under
test.

With the 'Earth Grid Plan' and Step and Touch Potential Test
Report SP0510C03, measurements will be taken using two
potential electrodes (1m apart) to determine step potential. Touch
potential is taken by having a potential electrode 1 m from the
plant or apparatus that will be touched. It is important that the
potential electrode is NOT driven into the earth more than a few
centimetres, merely enough to support the electrode. Results
should be recorded on the Step and Touch Potential Test Report
SP0510C03.
Vstep
VTouch
VMesh
VTransfer
Grid Conductors
Surface VoltageGradient
External Wire Fence
InsulatingPosts
SubstationFence



To check that your whole site would be safe under fault conditions,
find the highest Touch, Step and Mesh voltages from your
measurements and use the following formula to determine actual
voltages.

Using I
grid
(i.e. the proportion of the injection current that enters the
earth grid under test) from the 'Current Distribution' test and the
measured EPR find Z
grid
.
grid
grid
I
EPR
Z =
Using the Fault Level (I
FL
) and the ratio of I
grid
and I
inject
you can
find the current into the grid under fault conditions (I
f
).

inject
grid
FL f
I
I
I I =
EPR
f
is the EPR under fault conditions and is calculated by:

grid f f
Z I EPR =
Substituting for I
f
and Z
grid
.
inject
FL
grid inject
grid
FL
grid f f
I
EPR I
I
EPR
I
I
I
Z I EPR
=
=
=

To find the highest step, touch or mesh voltage (V
stm
) under fault
conditions use the highest voltage for each from the tests in the
formula:
measured
inject
FL
measured
f
V
I
I
EPR
V
EPR Vstm
=
=

If the highest is below the calculated 'Allowable Prospective
Voltage Criteria' then no further investigation is required.
Always use the appropriate Fault Level (I
FL
) in the above
calculation. For example, a fault at a step-down substation on the
HV system will cause significant earthmat potential rise, whereas
an LV fault at the same substation, even though the fault level may
be higher, will cause negligible earthmat potential rise because the
fault is contained within the substation. An external LV fault will
cause earthmat potential rise, however the fault level decreases
rapidly as the distance to the fault increases.
Note that the Powerlink test procedure divides EPR
f
and V
stm

calculated above by K
2
(shielding factor of the injection feeder).
This assumes a worst case scenario that the feeder used to inject
the test current does not have any earth current return via its
overhead earth during a fault at maximum fault level I
G
.
If the Allowable Prospective Voltage Criteria are exceeded,
measurements should be repeated using the simulated personnel
method instead of the open circuit measurements described
above. For the simulated personnel method, the body impedance
is simulated by a 1000 ohm resistor, and the foot to ground
contact resistance by a 20 kg 8 cm radius disc weight. The ground
contact area should be wetted down to simulate worst case
conditions.



REFERENCES
ESAA EG1 2000 "Substation Earthing Guide"
ANSI/IEEE Std 80 1986

For co-ordination of earthmat injection testing with Telstra, contact
David Lister from Telstra Power Co-ordination
dave.j.lister@team.telstra.com
Useful Formula
Allowable Prospective Voltage Criteria (Open Circuit)

Prospective Touch
Voltages
Prospective Step
Voltages

50 kg body weight
(to be used in areas
with public access)

t
C
s s
174 . 0 116+

t
C
s s
696 . 0 116+

70kg body weight
(to be used in
restricted areas
within a substation)

t
C
s s
236 . 0 157+

t
C
s s
942 . 0 157+

where
C
s
=Derating factor relating to surface layer thickness and
resistivity (=1 when crushed rock resistivity is equal to soil
resistivity).
s
=Resistivity of surface material (Om)
t =Duration of shock current (seconds). [Clearance time of
protection plus circuit breaker opening time]
( )
(m) layer rock crushed of thickness
m) ( y resistivit soil
m) ( y resistivit rock crushed
factor reflection
08 . 0 / 2 1
2 1
96 . 0
1
1
2
=
O =
O =
+
=
=
(
(
+
+ =

=
s
s
s
s
n
s
n
s
h
K
h n
K
C

As an alternative simplification (as per IEEE Std 80 Eq 27):
(
(
(
(
=
09 . 0 2
1
09 .. 0 1
s
s
s
h
C

These formulas are available in the spreadsheet SP0510R02
Earth System IEEE 80 Formula. This spreadsheet is an extract
from Design Standard SS-1-7.1 Substation Earthing and uses the
following guidelines:



Inside the substation: 70kg person, primary protection time
Outside the substation: 50 kg person, backup protection time
Surface layer resistivity (saturated): 3000 ohm-m
Allowable Simulated Personnel Voltage Criteria (Loaded)

Allowable
Body
Current
(amps)
Maximum Simulated
Personnel Voltage (V)
(assuming 1000 ohm
resistor, valid for step or
touch measurements)

50 kg body
weight
(to be used in
areas with
public access)

t
116 . 0

t
0 . 116

70kg body
weight
(to be used in
restricted
areas within a
substation)

t
157 . 0

t
0 . 157

Substation Earth System Injection Testing SWP: 1. Purpose and Scope

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