IEEE T R A N S A C T I O N S ON MAGNETICS, VOL.

32, N O 3, M A Y 1996

I509

Calculating the Impedance of a Grounding System

B. Nekhoul, P. Labie, F. X. Zgainski and G. Meunier
Laboratoire d'Electrotechnique de Grenoble, LEG, URA CNRS 355, ENSIEG, BP 46
38402 Saint Martin $Heres Cedex France.
F. Morillon and S. Bourg
ElectricitC de France, Direction des Etudes et Recherches, Service MatQiel Electrique
Les Renardieres 77250 Moret-sur-Loing France.

Abstract
Following up previous research,
concerning low frequency electromagnetic emission
from a grounding system [l], the authors suggest
methodology
which
allows
a
complete
electromagnetic study by Finite Element Method
(FEM) of a grounding system in the significant
frequential spectrum of a stroke of lightning or a
short circuit ( f l l M H z ) . In this study, as well as
calculating the electromagnetic field at any point
in space (ground and air), we shall pay particular
attention to variation with frequency of the
impedance of a grounding system. Suggested
modelling will take into account eddy currents in
buried conductors and ground and non-linear
phenomena (ionization of the ground) around the
buried conductors when high currents flow via the
earth. It will also deal with displacement currents
when their effect becomes noticeable in
the earth
for high frequency. The interest of this work lies in
providing data needed to implement an optimal
grounding system in non-homogeneous medium. All
the results of calculations will be compared with
measurements made by the French Electricity Board
(E. D.F, France).

I. INTRODUCTION
Grounding electrodes of power and industrial systems play
an important part during perturbances where behaviour of the
systems and safety of technician and public are concerned.
The various ends which we attempt to meet by contributing
to grounding electrodes of electric systems relate to protecting
equipment and improving the quality of service.
The main electric property of a grounding system is the
factor usually called the "impulse impedance", considered
independently from the return back circuit as if it occurred
infinitely in all directions. This factor shows how capable an
earth is of running off a rather high impulse current
(lightning stroke) and what the potential of the surrounding
ground will be.
Several authors have presented the results of analytical
investigations to evaluate resistance and the impulse
impedance of simple grounding electrode configurations
buried in homogeneous ground.
In industry (French Electricity Board), in order to improve
the efficiency of the grounding system (grounding rod), a hole
is bored around the electrode beforehand. This hole is filled
with "bentonite" material of better conducting quality

than the ground. This means that the ground is not

homogeneous and analytic processing of the grounding
system then becomes extremely difficult if not impossible.
Besides, impedance of a grounding system hardly alters
with high intensity (ionization phenomenon in the ground
around buried electrode) and frequency of injected current
With the methodology proposed in this study, both a
simple and a complex grounding system buried in
homogeneous and non-homogeneous ground (after
introducing bentonite boring) taking into account ionization
phenomena and frequency effect will be modelled using the
FEM .
Solving Maxwell equations with partial derivatives by
FEM enables us to reach variations in state variables (A:
magnetic vector potential and V: electric scalar potential)
which describe physical phenomena in harmonics (few Hz<
f2lMHz) which occur when a current runs off via a
grounding system. This modelling takes into account the
eddy current in a thin wire conductor and ground,
displacement current in ground and semi-infinity of ground
and air.
In order to avoid the poor meshes introduced by
disproportion into dimensions of the industrial configuration
(see Fig. 3), in this study mixed meshing [2] (bricks,
tetrahedrons and pyramids) is introduced.
Furthermore, open boundaries of both air and ground are
processed by introducing a spatial transformation [ll.
The results of numerical calculations and measured results
(made by the French Electricity Board, EDF)of the resistance
and impedance of grounding rods are presented.

II. CALCULATING IMPEDANCE OF GROUNDING

SYSTEMS
A . Ana lytically
Analytically, based on the transmission line equation [3], it
is fairly easy to make several simplifications which allow
expressions for calculating the resistance and impedance for
homogeneous soil, which are sufficiently precise for practical
purposes, to be reached. These can be used to calculate several
simple forms of a grounding system in homogeneous soil.
The impedance Z of a grounding electrode looking into the
energized end of the conductor [31 is defied by :
Z=-V(0)
I(0)
In homogeneous medium it becomes :

Manuscript received July 10, 1995.

This work was supported in part by French Eldricity Board (EDF)

0018-9464/96$05.00 0 1996 IEEE

(1)

1510

where V is the potential, I the injected current, 2, the

characteristic impedance, y the propagation constant, h the
reflection factor and 1 the length of the electrode.

B. Finite Elemenl Method

In a previous paper [l],based on the work proposed by 0.
Biro et al. [4], the authors have presented the results of the
numerical investigations for modelling the behaviour of
grounding systems in low frequency by E M .
Physical analysis of the problem of the electromagnetic
field generated by grounding systems shows it can be solved
with A-V formulation in conducting areas and vector
potential A or a total magnetic scalar potential formulation
( y ) may be used in the air [41.
In the conducting area, when displacement current is taken
into account, the A-V formulation is translated, for an
isotropic, homogeneous and linear environment, by the
following equations :

--+

--

+ (0+ j m )
4

--.-

(jwW.A + W.gradV)) dn= 0 (3)

-

+ jwE).gradw.(joA + giadv)) dn = 0

(0

(4)

w: weighting function of a scalar potential for a volume

element;
W: weighting function of a vector potential for a volume
element.
When G >> W E (i.e. when displacement current is
negligible) this formulation is translated in classical A-V
formulation used in industrial (low) frequency.
For a cylindrical conductor with a diameter @) small
enough compared to its length (l), with low frequency
harmonic current, if 6 2 2.D (6: depth of skin effect) : then
linear A-V formulation [l] is used; volume meshing of the
cylindrical conductors can be avoided, only line discretization
is needed.
The boundary conditions to be set on outside faces together
with couplings which ensure continuity between
formulations on the interfaces are described in 0. Biro et ai's
work [4]. Semi-infinity of ground and air is taken into
account by introducing a spatial trmkformation Ell.
In this study, we preferred the use of scalar formulation (cp)
to take into account the semi-environment air. It is then
necessary to apply the spatial transformation on the volume
elements as well as on the boundary elements between the air

region and the earth to ensure field continuity.

I ) Calculation of the impedance: Running off a total current
I(0) via an earth leads the electrode to a certain potential V(0).
Generally, the impedance of the earth,taking potential zero at
infinity, is given by (1).
In low frequency, if currents induced in the conductor are
not taken into account, the equabon for the electric field is
wntten :
- - . +

Ez-gradV
and the injected current and resistance are :

il -

--e

I(0) = ck (- gradV - joA) ds

The integrals (6) and (8) are obtained under a surface where
the current is injected or where the potential is imposed.
111. MODELLING
OF THEIONIZATION PHENOMENA
When the current is injected into a grounding electrode, the
voltage gradients will be generated within the soil in
accordance with the equation :

(1
(rot W).(rot A) + 1(divw) (divA)

J I1

;j

- -

--+

where S is the conductor section and bc the conductivity of

the conductor.
In high frequency induced currents are taken into account,
and we obtain :

(5)

E=pT
(9)
where p is soil resistivity and J current density at the point
under consideration.
Wherever E exceeds the ionization gradient E, breakdown
will occur. This basically converts the affected portion of the
soil from an insulator to a good conductor with negligible
resistivity [ 5 ] . The breakdown of the soil is basically
equivalent to an increase in the dimension of the electrode. It
has &n h o w n for many years that the grounding resistance
of a concentrated electrode drops when it is subjected to high
cment discharge.
In the present study, ionization of the soil, around the
buried rod, is accounted for by inserting a volume which will
envelop the electrode (see. Fig.1); for modelling the ionized
volume within which copper is placed. The dimensions of
this volume are defined according to the results supplied by a
f r s t computation when high current intensity is injected, in
which ionization effects are discarded. The ionized volume
may be determined since the ionization gradient E of the
ground is h o w n . It is clear the concept of a buried rod
disappears as the material of the ionized volume is copper.
In the case of a grounding rod, Liew et al. and Bellaschi et
al. [5] took the ionized zone to be shaped as shown in Fig. 1.
Bellachi's model has been adopted in this paper because it
identifies the ionized zone by simple parameters ai (ionization
radius) and L, (ionization length).
bun

10IllZatlOn
localisation
phenomena
of the

Liew's model

Bellasch's model

Fig 1 Shape of the iomzed mne assumed in calculation.

151 I

IV. MESHINGTHINWIRECONDUCTORS
In order to take skin effect (induced current) in a thin wire
conductor where a volume A-V formulation is used into
account, this last has to be meshed well. Generally, it is
advisable to mesh so that two meshes are obtained in the
thickness of the skin. Owing to the disproportionate
dimensions of a wire conductor (r<<l), meshing it with a free
tetrahedral mesher (Delaunay type) without increasing the size
of the problem inordinately or generating poor quality
elements leading to a largely deteriorated numerical solution
is illusory.
In this study we remark that the variation of the state
variables, A and V, along the wire conductor is not fast (there
is no propagation for f 5. 1MHz). It was decided to mesh the
geometry using two meshings (see Fig. 2) :
- mapped brick meshing;
- Eree tetrahedral meshing.
The brick mesh generator, contrary to the tetrahedral mesh
generator, enables a homogeneous meshing of the linear
conductor to be obtained assuming its section is square.
The advantage of the tetrahedral mesh generator, used for
meshing semi-infinite environments, is its adaptability to
any kind of geometry which is not the case for the brick one.
The main difficulty come across when two mesh generators
are used is their coupling through pyramidal elements [ 2 ] .
Indeed, it is necessary to perform a strong coupling between
the bentonite and the soil to get a continuous variation of the
state variables A and V.
meshing of infinite
nvironment air

brick meshing of bentonite

volume
brick meshing of linear
conductor

infinite semi-environment ground (volume A,V formulation)

Fig. 3. Cross section of grounding rod.

5o L

4
8
12
16
20
2.4
28
Fig. 4. Variation of resistance of grounding rod with length
and bentonite bonng.

32

Wgere Rhg : calculated resistance via FEM for

homogeneous ground, Rgb : calculated resistance via FEM
for ground with bentonite boring, and Rgbm : measured
resistance for ground with bentonite boring.
Figure 4 show the effect of length and bentonite boring; a
drop in resistance when burial depth (Lo) is increased
(increasing contact between metal and ground reduces earth
resistance). Compared with results obtained for homogenous
ground (Rhg), the results after introducing the bentonite
boring (Rgb and Rgbm) are significantly low; this reduction
of ground resistance justifies the interest of industrials. The
results obtained, for ground with bentonite, by FEM (Rgb)
are in good agreement with those measured (Rgbm).
150

.........................................................................................

....................

130

V. APPLICATION
EXAMPLE
Applications concem the configuration presented in Fig. 3:
boring has been carried out beforehand (see Fig.3); effect of
bentonite, length (Lo) and frequency (f);
- accounting for non-linearity (ionization phenomena).
In this paper the retained value for ionization gradient E, is
300 kV/m; this value is recommended by Moussa [SI.
All measured results presented in this paper are those
obtained by the French Electricity Board (EDF) in a natural
site for real grounding rods.

.-

Fig. 2. Mixed meshing.

- single earths : rod buried underground where bentonite

4 ?:.=:.&--.k.:.+d

- 2 ..%. !
.........
. .>+7 ......
...........h.
.............
;.-...
.-...
- - 2............... :-.................

110
h

s
2 90
Q
ro

2
70
50

1 ,

................................

I I 1111111

*,!

i...............*...-...=+..- ............................

1111111

1111111

I 1111111

i f
111111

(WIZ)
I

;
;

Id

0.001
0.1
10
loo0
Fig. 5. Variation of impedance of grounding rod wlth frequency and length.

1512

E M ) . On the other hand the measurements are made in soil

which is non-linear, non-homogenous and non-isotropic
(natural site).
The chief aim in this domain, where any search for
excellent accuracy is vain and illusory with measured results
(non-homogeneous ground, incertitude as to resistivity of the
ground and its seasonal variations, hazardous quality of
'contacts between the electrode and soil, etc.), is to approach
the behaviour of harmonic impedance of grounding systems
(effect of the frequency, resistivity, length, etc...).
VI. CONCLUSION

i f (WZ)

0.13
0.39
0.65
0.91
1.2
Fig. 7.Variation of resistance of grounding rod with injected current.

The results displayed in figure 7 show calculations carried

out taking into account ionization phenomena in soil and
bentonite boring. These results are in good agreement with
the measurements obtained by French Electricity Board and
with those p u b l i s h e d by Moussa [ 5 ] .It may be remarKed that
the resistance of the grounding system decreases when the test
current increases and breakdown in soil will occur.
When the results (Figures 4 , 6 and 7) obtained by FEM are
compared with those measured, the difference is generally
between 5% at 15%. For some points the difference may
reach 30%. This difference between calculated results and
those measured is justified on the one hand by a slight loss in
accuracy due to the huge conductivity ratio (>lolo) between
the copper and the ground (This means systems are in very
poor condition when they are processed numerically with

As a conclusion to this paper, it may be said that FEM

modelling is quite able to describe in terms of both amplitude
and shape the frequential behaviour of the impedance of a
grounding system.
The advantage of FEM modelling lies in its ability to deal
with any type of geometry. Throughout all the papers we
have read, only the case of a horizontal electrode has been
dealt with. Furthermore, FEM takes into account most of the
physical phenomena together with ground ionization, and it
is also able to include several materials with different
characteristics (e.g. : soil and bentonite or horizontal or
vertical stratification for ground, etc..), complete processing
of the problem (map of the electromagnetic field and
distribution of scalar potential for the whole area "spatial
transformation", density of leakage current, etc...).
Today the different drawbacks of FEM modelling lie
mainly in ill conditioning of the matrix to be solved because
of the marked rise in conductivity between ground and copper.
This ill conditioning leads to poor accuracy when computing
and makes the numerical solution extremely dependant on
meshing.
In our opinion, more powerful computing facilities than
those presently available to us together with the use of more
efficient algorithms for pre processing of the matrix systems
would greatly contribute to FEM modelling obtaining much
better results.
Nevertheless, in high frequency we believe that another
solution using the surface impedance formulation in the wire
conductor could be considered. This formulation, in our
opinion, avoids using A-V formulation in conductors : then
improves poor conditioning for the matrix system to be
solved: besides avoids the meshing of the conductors.
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[I]

[2]

[3]
[4]

[5]

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1995.
F. X. Zgainski, J. L. Coulomb, Y. MarCchal, F. Claeyssen and X.
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0. Biro and K. Preis, '' On the Use of the Magnetic Vector Potential
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