IEEE 2760 - Guide For Wind Power Plant Grounding System Design For Personnel Safety

IEEE Guide for Wind Power
STANDARDS
Plant Grounding System Design
for Personnel Safety
IEEE Power and Energy Society
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Committee
IEEE Std 2760™-2020
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IEEE Std 2760™-2020
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Energy Development and Power Generation Committee

of the
IEEE Power and Energy Society
Approved 24 September 2020
IEEE SA Standards Board

Abstract: The collector system grounding for wind power plants (WPPs) is the primary concern
of this guide. This guide is not intended for the WPP substation; however, since the substation
is typically interconnected with the collector system, its design might affect or be affected by
the collector system. With proper consideration, the methods described herein could be used in
determining the impact of the collector system on substation safety and vice versa.
Quantitative analysis of the effects of lightning surges is beyond the scope of this document.
Similarly, this guide does not cover offshore wind power plants, battery energy storage facilities,
solar power plants, or substation grounding.
Keywords: collector system, grounding, IEEE 2760TM, safety, wind power plant
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Participants
At the time this IEEE guide was completed, the Wind and Solar Plant Collector System Design Working
Group had the following membership:
Loren Powers, Chair

Sudipta Dutta, Vice Chair
Chris Brooks Andy Leon Doug Price

Tracker Goree Dave Mueller Abdou Sana
Matt Hadsell Gopal Padmanabhan Rob Schaerer
Dustin Howard Marius Popescu Alkesh Shah
The following members of the individual balloting committee voted on this guide. Balloters may have voted
for approval, disapproval, or abstention.
Robert Aiello Robert Hoerauf Charles Rogers

Curtis Ashton Peter Kelly Christian Sanchez
James Babcock Boris Kogan Bartien Sayogo
Michael Bayer Jim Kulchisky Robert Schaerer
W.J.(Bill) Bergman Chung-Yiu Lam Robert Seitz
Bryan Beske Andrew Leon Gary Smullin
Derek Brown David Lewis Wayne Stec
Paul Cardinal Shuhui Li Andrew Steffen
Michael Dana Carlson Jon Martin Brian Story
Robert Christman Dennis Neitzel David Tepen
Randy Clelland Rajesh Nighot James Van De Ligt
William Dietzman Joe Nims Gerald Vaughn
Thomas Dunmore II Michael Novev John Vergis
Sudipta Dutta Gearold O. H. Eidhin Karl Weber
Kevin Fellhoelter Sivaraman P Kenneth White
Rostyslaw Fostiak Bansi Patel Richard Keil
David Garrett Howard Penrose Percy Pool
Jalal Gohari Branimir Petosic Malcolm Thaden
Brady Hansen Christopher Petrola Donald Wengerter
Jeffrey Helzer Prasad Pmsvvsv Darren Woodhouse
Lee Herron Allan Powers Terry Woodyard
Werner Hoelzl Thomas Proios Nicholas Zagrodnik
When the IEEE-SA Standards Board approved this guide on 24 September 2020, it had the following
membership:
Gary Hoffman, Chair

Jon Walter Rosdahl, Vice Chair
John D. Kulick, Past Chair
Konstantinos Karachalios, Secretary
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Ted Burse David J. Law Mehmet Ulema

Doug Edwards Howard Li Lei Wang
J.Travis Griffith Dong Liu Sha Wei
Grace Gu Kevin Lu Philip B. Winston
Guido R. Hiertz Paul Nikolich Daidi Zhong
Joseph L. Koepfinger* Damir Novosel Jingyi Zhou
Dorothy Stanley
*Member Emeritus
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Introduction
This introduction is not part of 2760-2020, Guide for Wind Power Plant Grounding System Design for Personnel Safety.
Wind Power Plants (WPPs) present unique grounding challenges when compared to other generation facilities.
This is primarily due to their large interconnected nature—often over several square kilometers—and the fact
that the plant is not fenced from the public. This guide addresses those aspects and provides guidance on the
design and analysis of grounding systems for these large facilities.
The inaugural version of this document has been prepared by the Wind and Solar Plant Collector Design
Working Group and the associated task force on grounding for personnel protection over the last several years.
This document assumes the user is designing using a grounded-wye secondary on the main power transformer.
While this grounded-wye arrangement is by far the most common electrical collector system used in WPPs
across the United States (US) and most countries in the Americas, many other countries commonly use an
ungrounded delta connection. The guidance in this document may not apply to countries that are not using a
wye-grounded collector system.
In the US, the most common main power transformer design used in WPPs is a three-winding transformer,
as many utilities require a wye grounded high voltage (HV) primary and the WPP desires a wye-grounded
medium voltage (MV) secondary. A third delta connected winding (to suppress three phase harmonics) is often
added into one transformer case. Occasionally a utility will accept a delta connected HV winding; therefore,
a two-winding transformer is used with a delta HV connection and wye-grounded MV connection. In some
locations around the world, the three winding transformer is built as two separate transformers; a two-winding
transformer with a wye-connected HV side and a delta-connected MV side, and then a separate grounding or
ground reference transformer (often of a zig-zag design) is added to create the system ground, or effective
ground, on the MV side. Regardless of whether a single transformer or two separate transformers are used, the
result is that ground faults on these systems will flow through multiple ground paths back to the wye-ground.
In systems that utilize a grounded-wye collection system, the guidance found in this document will apply.
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Contents
1. Overview�� 10
1.1 Scope�� 10
1.2 Purpose�� 10
1.3 Word usage�� 11
2. Normative references�� 11
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3. Definitions�� 11
3.1 Definitions�� 11
3.2 Acronyms and abbreviations�� 12
4. Safety issues in WPPs�� 12

4.1 Unintentional ground �� 12
4.2 Intentional ground �� 13
5. Description of a WPP grounding system�� 13

5.1 General�� 13
5.2 Underground collection system grounding�� 14
5.3 Overhead collection system grounding�� 15
5.4 Redundancy of the ground conductor�� 16
5.5 Local WTG grounding�� 16
6. Design approach�� 16

6.1 General�� 16
6.2 Main grounding system design steps�� 17
6.3 Grounding design tools �� 17
6.4 Environment and geotechnical data�� 18
6.5 Soil electrical resistivity models�� 19
6.6 Safety design criteria�� 20
6.7 Ground fault current and split factor�� 20
6.8 Ground conductor �� 22
6.9 Ground electrode system impedance to remote earth calculations�� 24
6.10 Ground potentials calculations�� 24
6.11 Effects of interconnected substation ground grid on WPP�� 25
Annex A (informative) Bibliography�� 26
9
1. Overview
1.1 Scope
This guide is primarily concerned with the collector system grounding for onshore wind power plants (WPPs).
This guide is not intended for the WPP substation; however, since the substation is typically interconnected
with the collector system, its design might affect or be affected by the collector system. With proper
consideration, the methods described herein could be used in determining the impact of the collector system
on substation safety and vice versa.
Quantitative analysis of the effects of overvoltage transients (switching and lightning) is beyond the scope
of this document. Similarly, this guide does not cover offshore WPPs, battery energy storage facilities, solar
power plants, or substation grounding.
1.2 Purpose
The intent of this guide is to provide guidance and information pertinent to the grounding practices in WPP
collector system for personal safety.
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The specific purpose of this guide is as follows:
— Identify differences between substation grounding (covered under IEEE Std 80™) and WPP collector
system grounding.
— Establish, as a basis for design, safety limits of potential differences that can exist in a WPP collection
system under fault conditions between points that can be contacted by the human body.
— Review WPP grounding practices with reference to safety criteria for the design, and provide a
procedure for the design of practical grounding systems based on these criteria.
— Develop analytical methods as an aid in the understanding and solution of typical voltage gradient
problems within a WPP.
This guide is primarily concerned with grounding practices within WPPs for 50 Hz or 60 Hz systems.
DC systems are beyond the scope of this guide. A grounding system designed as described herein does,
nonetheless, provide some degree of protection against steep wave front surges (such as lightning) entering the
wind turbine generator (WTG) and passing to earth through its grounding system electrodes.
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
IEEE Guide for Wind Power Plant Grounding System Design for Personnel Safety
1.3 Word usage

The word shall indicates mandatory requirements strictly to be followed in order to conform to the standard
and from which no deviation is permitted (shall equals is required to).1,2
The word should indicates that among several possibilities one is recommended as particularly suitable,
without mentioning or excluding others; or that a certain course of action is preferred but not necessarily
required (should equals is recommended that).
The word may is used to indicate a course of action permissible within the limits of the standard (may equals
is permitted to).
The word can is used for statements of possibility and capability, whether material, physical, or causal (can
equals is able to).
2. Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document (i.e., they must
be understood and used, so each referenced document is cited in text and its relationship to this document is
explained). For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments or corrigenda) applies.
IEEE Std 80™, IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding.3,4
IEEE Std 81™, IEEE Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground Impedance, and Earth Surface Potentials
of a Grounding System.
3. Definitions
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. The IEEE Standards Dictionary
Online should be consulted for terms not defined in this clause.5
collector system: All underground cables and/or overhead lines and sectionalizing cabinets from wind turbine
generator (WTG) sites to the wind power plant (WPP) substation.
electrical resistivity: The property of a material that determines the electrical resistance (impedes current
flow) of a conductive object of given dimensions. Soil electrical resistivity (Ω·m) is used for grounding grid
design.
point of interconnection (POI): The location where the wind power plant (WPP) connects to the transmission
or distribution systems.
sectionalizing cabinet: A padmounted device used as a junction for two or more collector system circuits
(feeders). Syn: sectionalizing enclosure.
1
The use of the word must is deprecated and cannot be used when stating mandatory requirements, must is used only to describe
unavoidable situations.
2
The use of will is deprecated and cannot be used when stating mandatory requirements, will is only used in statements of fact.
3
The IEEE standards or products referred to in Clause 2 are trademarks owned by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
Incorporated.
4
IEEE publications are available from The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (https://standards.ieee.org/).
5
IEEE Standards Dictionary Online is available at: http://dictionary.ieee.org. An IEEE Account is required for access to the dictionary,
and one can be created at no charge on the dictionary sign-in page.
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
split factor: A factor representing the portion of the remotely-sourced symmetrical ground fault current that
flows through the grounding system and earth compared to the total current. Syn: fault current division
factor.
wind power plant (WPP): A group of electrically interconnected wind turbine generators (WTGs) having
one or more points of interconnection to the utility electric system.
WPP grounding system: The combination of all below-grade grounded objects and individual grounding
systems at each wind turbine generators (WTG) and the interconnection of grounding through the wind power
plant (WPP).
zone of influence (ZOI): An area around a ground electrode bounded by points of specified equal potential
resulting from the voltage drop through the earth between the ground electrode and remote earth.
3.2 Acronyms and abbreviations
GPR ground potential rise

GSU generator step-up
HV high voltage
LV low voltage
MV medium voltage
OHGW overhead ground wire
OPGW optical ground wire
POI point of interconnection
WPP wind power plant
WTG wind turbine generator
ZOI zone of influence
4. Safety issues in WPPs

Considerations for practical design situations for WPP grounding system design include the following:
— The unintentional ground, inadvertently established by a piece of equipment or a person in the vicinity
of a grounded facility (e.g., substation, WTG, junction box, meteorological mast, etc.).
— The intentional ground, consisting of ground electrodes buried at some depth below the earth’s surface
at the WTGs, in the underground collection system cable trench, or at overhead collector line poles.
These grounds are intended to control the fault current and development of voltage gradients such that
the likelihood of personnel injury is reduced.
4.1 Unintentional ground

Unintentional or accidental grounds in a WPP may expose a person to touch voltage, step voltage, and
transferred voltages throughout the WPP, similar to those described in IEEE Std 80. For example, a person
touching the WTG tower wall while there is simultaneously a ground fault on the MV side on the tower may
be subject to touch voltages. Similarly, a person walking in the vicinity of WTG foundations may be subject
to step voltage under the same fault conditions. A person touching a given WTG tower or walking by the same
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
given WTG while there is a MV short-circuit to ground at a nearby WTG may be subjected to transferred
voltages.
4.2 Intentional ground

The intentional ground is designed to reduce the dangers to personnel and equipment damage during ground
fault conditions. For a WPP, and as described in Clause 5, this generally consists of a designed grounding
electrode system at the base of each WTG, interconnected to the adjacent WTGs, and ultimately connected
to the collector substation. Various grounds along the underground cables or pole grounds on the overhead
collector circuits are part of the intentional grounding system. Clause 6 discusses the design approach provided
by this guide.
5. Description of a WPP grounding system

5.1 General
A WPP grounding system consists of many individual grounding systems distributed throughout a large
area, which may consist of different soil types and characteristics. The individual grounding systems are
interconnected through the collection system to form a wide network spread across the WPP. Figure 1 shows
an example of what a layout for a WPP may look like, with multiple collector circuits connecting the WTGs
back to the substation through junction boxes and MV cables.
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Figure 1—Example WPP layout diagram
Figure 2 shows an electrical equivalent of the same example WPP grounding system, consisting of individual
local ground electrode systems at each WTG, junction box, meteorological mast, and the substation. These are
all usually interconnected via a bare ground continuity conductor, concentric neutral, or cable shields.
13
IEEE Std 2760-2020
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Figure 2—Example WPP grounding system one-line drawing
Subclauses 5.2 through 5.5 discuss the collector system grounding and local WTG grounding.
5.2 Underground collection system grounding

An example underground collection system cable trench, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, consists of the
power cable (MV cable with shield or concentric neutral, often in trefoil or flat formation), a bare ground cable,
and a communication cable (optical fiber cable). While only WTG connections are shown in Figure 4, the bare
ground cable provides bonding of all local grounding systems (WTG, junction cabinets, meteorological masts,
etc.) back to the substation, and an optical fiber or metallic cable provides the communication function. The
depths of the cables and separation between cables are determined in part by appropriate local codes.
If sized properly, the concentric neutral or a shield of a power cable can play the role of the grounding and
bonding conductor in some instances, allowing omission of the additional bare ground conductor for some
sections or the entire collection system. If no additional bare ground conductor is used, the concentric neutral
of the power cable needs to be sized for the expected fault current that may return on this concentric neutral to
protect the cable. Additional discussion on this topic is included in 6.8.4.
14
IEEE Std 2760-2020
Figure 3—Example underground cable trench
Figure 4—Example underground cable connection
5.3 Overhead collection system grounding

Figure 5 shows a typical overhead collection system where all the equipment is connected through to the main
substation using phase conductors, a grounding conductor/neutral wire, and an optical fiber communication
cable. The grounding conductor/neutral wire and the optical fiber cable can be separate items, such as an
overhead ground wire (OHGW) and a self-supporting optical fiber cable or a simple optical fiber cable with
a lashed support conductor used as the ground/neutral wire. They can also be combined as a single optical
ground wire (OPGW).
In addition to the WTG grounds shown in Figure 5, the grounding conductor/neutral wire for overhead lines
is often grounded at specific intervals, such as each pole, or a certain number of grounds per kilometer with a
pole grounding system having a resistance designed to meet the requirements for equipment protection. Lower
structure ground impedances improve the split factor and generally reduce touch and step voltages at WTGs.
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
Figure 5—Example overhead collector connection
5.4 Redundancy of the ground conductor

In many instances, a single ground conductor, connecting each part of the WPP together, is sufficient to
meet design requirements. Redundancy of the ground conductor may be desired to improve reliability of the
bonding system. Ground conductor redundancy allows the remaining conductor to meet the requirements
when one of the two redundant ground conductors is severed. However, if a portion of the grounding system
(e.g. a WTG’s local grounding system) meets the performance requirements without being interconnected, or
the interconnecting conductors are monitored, a redundant ground conductor may not be necessary.
5.5 Local WTG grounding

The area surrounding each WTG has a grounding electrode system. This system may consist of the WTG
foundation and/or an additional grounding conductor, often in loops around the WTG tower and/or foundation.
This local grounding electrode system provides local touch and step voltage reduction at the WTG tower and
auxiliary equipment, such as a GSU transformer. This local grounding electrode system is interconnected into
the overall WPP grounding system via the collector system grounding.
While outside the scope of this guide, some WTG manufacturers may specify a stand-alone resistance
requirement for the local WTG grounding, typically for lightning protection purposes.
6. Design approach

6.1 General
This section describes a design approach related to a WPP grounding system. Main design goals are as follows:
— Provide the means to dissipate electric currents into the earth without exceeding any operating and
equipment limits.
— Limit exposure to critical electric shock for a person in the vicinity of grounded facilities under fault
conditions.
— Achieve design criteria with an economical design.
The following major factors that influence grounding system design include:
— Soil resistivity (varies through the WPP).

— Fault clearing time.
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
— Ground fault current magnitude (at different locations in the collector system and at the POI), including
considerations for the number of WTGs operating at the time of the fault, as well as how this current
splits through return paths (see 6.7).
6.2 Main grounding system design steps

There are a number of ways of achieving an economical design that meets safety criteria; however, they
generally include the following actions:
a) Site plan design

b) Soil resistivity measurements (per IEEE Std 81)
c) Computation of soil model parameters (i.e., number of layers, depth of each layer, and its electrical
resistivity)
d) Ground fault current determination and ground conductor sizing calculations (per IEEE Std 80)
e) Computation of touch and step voltage criteria (per IEEE Std 80)
f) Standalone ground grid design at each location (WTG, etc.)
g) Interconnected ground grid design
h) Calculation of maximum ground currents
i) Calculation of ground potentials (GPR (per IEEE Std 367 [B12]) and touch and step voltages)
j) Personnel protection assessment (comparing actual ground potentials to IEEE Std 80 criteria)
k) Determination of the ZOI of ground potentials (per IEEE Std 367 [B12])
l) Field testing of WPP grounding systems
6.3 Grounding design tools

Two common methods exist for the analysis of WPP grounding systems. The most accurate method is to use
commercially available grounding design software (see 6.3.1). However, where software is unavailable, some
approximate methods for hand calculations based in part on IEEE Std 80 or IEEE Std 142™ [B11] may be
used.
6.3.1 Grounding design software
Computer simulation as opposed to hand calculation is the most convenient method for designing or analyzing
the WPP grounding system. Sophisticated computer software is available that can handle the model of a
very large grounding network with a large number of conductors and soils with various characteristics. This
software would generally have the following capability or characteristics:
— Analysis of soil resistivity measurements

• Determination and modeling of multi-layer soil structures
— Frequency domain analysis of buried conductor networks
• Three-dimensional modeling of large complex ground electrode systems, allowing full
consideration of the series, shunt, and mutual impedances (not just resistance) of the actual ground
electrodes, within a multi-layer soil structure and capable of evaluating independent electrodes
connected only through the earth
— Fault split factors
17
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
• Determination of the distribution of fault current between ground return current and neutral/
grounding conductor/shield return currents (see 6.7).
6.3.2 Hand calculations methods/tools
Hand calculations for grounding design may be performed in compliance with IEEE Std 80, confirming that the
assumptions as stated in IEEE Std 80 are still applicable. For large WPPs, the assumption of an equipotential
grounding electrode system across the WPP is not accurate, but that assumption may or may not be reasonable
for a stand-alone WTG grounding system.
6.4 Environment and geotechnical data

Soil electrical resistivity is affected by climate, local seasonal weather conditions as well as underlying
geotechnical conditions such as salinity, pH, local stratigraphy, etc. Design of the grounding systems must
therefore consider the impacts to soil resistivity.
6.4.1 Climate and other factors impacting grounding design
Operation of power system equipment is affected by climate conditions such as temperature, humidity, acidity,
seismic hazard, etc.
The following climate data is often collected as a minimum basis for the electrical design of the grounding
collection system:
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— Temperature (minimum, average, and maximum)—soil resistivity increases with temperature

— Humidity (soil moisture)
— Seasonal conditions and precipitation
The following other factors affect the ground design:
— Site location (resistance of the grounding system varies throughout the different seasons of the year)
— Soil pH profile (indication of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil)—High alkalinity (pH >7) lowers soil
resistivity and increases soil corrosivity. Acidic soils (pH<7) are corrosive, while neutral soils (pH=7)
are optimal
NOTE—Soil temperature and moisture content become more stable at greater distances below the surface of
the earth (particularly deeper than 1m to 2 m); therefore, the grounding system is often constructed with ground
electrodes driven a considerable distance below the earth surface with longer electrodes being more effective
than shorter ones. While this type of design may not always be practical other alternatives such as the use of
low resistivity materials, such as bentonite and low resistance cement, may help obtain the needed resistance
objectives. The use of soluble chemicals or salt treatments is not recommended due to environmental concerns.
Also, when employed, it is necessary to use ground conductors and rods that are resistant to chemical corrosion.
Further, grounding systems that used salt treatment will need to be monitored and maintained over time to ensure
they remain effective.
6.4.2 Soil electrical resistivity data
Measurement of soil electrical resistivity is typically used both for the control of corrosion of buried structures
and for WPP grounding grid design. Each test consists of the determination of soil electrical resistivity
measurements described in IEEE Std 81. Traverse length and probe spacings need to consider the size of the
local grounding system design.
18
IEEE Std 2760-2020
Native or imported soil (or material) and electrical resistivity (or measured apparent resistance) are design
parameters for the grounding system design that are collected using one of the various available electrical soil
resistivity tests found in IEEE Std 81. Data may be collected at every point of interest (such as each WTG site),
or a limited subset of locations. The subset needs to be sufficiently large to capture variation across the WPP.
The following list describes these two options:
— Soil resistivity data collection at all grounding locations

• The electrical resistivity test can be carried out throughout the WPP at those locations which are
subjected to touch and step voltages including, but not limited to:
o Each WTG location
o Each junction box location: If a set of junction boxes are located in a close proximity to each
other, one test can be made and used for all in the immediate vicinity
o Each switchgear location
o Each grounding transformer location (if outside the substation)
o At the main (collector) substation
o At the interconnection substation (if any)
o At the operation and maintenance building (if applicable)
o At each meteorological tower location (if applicable)
o Any other desired location
• This approach may result in higher testing cost, but it allows a customized grounding design for
each location, which may result in an optimized system cost. Considerable savings may occur in
cases where diverse terrains exist throughout the WPP.
— Soil resistivity data collection at a reduced number of grounding points
• The electrical resistivity test is carried out throughout the WPP only at a selected number of
locations:
o It is recommended that the number of measurements are increased when electrical resistivity
deviates significantly from one WTG site to the next
o Any area where significant geological variation exists (e.g. ridgetop versus plateau versus
hillside versus plains)
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• This process results in lower testing cost; however, this may not capture all variation in resistivity
across the WPP. For the untested locations, a common soil resistivity is applied and may result in
higher system cost if the expected worst-case soil profile is applied. When using a reduced number
of soil resistivity test points, one may want to be more conservative and apply the maximum soil
resistivity profile from the reduced set of data to ground grid calculations (impedance, GPR, step
and touch voltage), but use the lowest measured top layer resistivity for touch, and step voltage
limit calculations.
6.5 Soil electrical resistivity models

The site soil resistivity data collected is analyzed to find soil models for the following processes:
— Personnel protection criteria calculations (touch and step voltage limits) for each location of interest
(WTG, junction point, substation, etc.)
— Local soil model for the calculations of the ground resistance of each location of interest
19
IEEE Std 2760-2020
— Equivalent soil model for the overall site and for the calculation of the ground grid resistance of each
interconnected ground grid
6.5.1 Collected data at each grounding point
If the soil resistance/resistivity data is measured at each grounding point, then it is recommended to:
— Use each local soil model for each local ground grid impedance and for touch and step voltage criteria
calculations
— Use a median soil resistivity model or a more conservative soil model for the overall site and
interconnected ground grid impedance and ground potentials calculations
6.5.2 Collected data at a reduced number of locations

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If the collected soil resistance/resistivity data is at reduced locations, then it is recommended to:
— Use the maximum nearby soil resistivity profile data for each local ground grid impedance calculations
for all untested locations
— Use the maximum nearby soil resistivity profile for interconnected ground grid impedance and ground
potentials calculations
— Use the minimum nearby soil resistivity profile data for touch and step voltage criteria calculations for
all nearby untested locations
Note that the data defined above as "maximum and minimum" soil resistivity profile of the reduced set may
not be the true maximum or true minimum of the site and it may be reasonable to consider additional design
margin.
6.5.3 Seasonal variations of soil electrical resistivity
The performance of the grounding system depends primarily on the electrical resistivity of the soils at the
grounding locations. Large seasonal variation in the electrical resistivities of soils is possible, particularly in
areas where the ground can freeze. IEEE Std 80 and IEEE Std 81 discusses these effects.
6.6 Safety design criteria

Step and touch voltage criteria are developed in accordance with IEEE Std 80, using appropriate clearing
times, X/R ratios, soil resistivity, and surfacing material at each location analyzed.
6.7 Ground fault current and split factor

All short circuit phase-to-ground fault current calculations are determined utilizing a power system analysis
tool or hand calculations. These calculations are based upon the entire WPP electrical installation.
6.7.1 HV ground fault current
The HV winding of the WPP main transformer may be solidly grounded through the transformer HV neutral
and may provide a ground current return path back to the POI. The following data is typically considered for
the design:
— Transmission line phase and shield conductors’ parameters

— Transmission line pole geometry and design footing resistance
20
IEEE Std 2760-2020
— Transmission line length, number of poles, and average span length

— POI or remote substation grounding grid impedance
As a result, a HV ground fault split factor may be determined and applied to HV system GPR calculations.
6.7.2 MV ground fault current
The MV system is often solidly grounded or grounded through a neutral grounding reactor or resistor.
The main substation grounding system is often interconnected to each of the WTG grounding via both shields
or concentric neutrals of MV power cables and a bare trench ground conductor.
Where projects include MV overhead lines, each section of overhead line often has an aerial neutral/grounding
conductor, grounded at regular pole intervals, to provide good continuity of the MV neutral/grounding
conductor system throughout the WPP collection system to the main substation.
The MV cable shields or concentric neutrals and bare horizontal ground conductors are usually connected in
parallel, bonded to each other and to the associated bare metalwork at the main substation, to each junction
box, and to each WTG and to each meteorological mast. This allows the distribution of MV fault current to
split between ground (soil) return current, cable shield or concentric neutral return current, and bare ground
conductor return current.
An associated ground fault current split factor is determined and used in GPR calculations at each grounding
point.
6.7.3 LV ground fault current
The LV system is located in the direct vicinity of its associated WTG with all local metal objects solidly
bonded to the LV neutral of the WTG transformer. This results in a negligible part of LV phase-to-ground fault
current flowing into the grounding system and contributing to GPR.
6.7.4 Split factor
If analysis of an individual stand-alone WTG is performed by hand or software, a realistic determination of

the current split is a requirement to calculate the GPR and resulting touch and step voltages. The split factor
is defined as the ratio of the current in the ground (soil) return path to the total available fault current at the
location of the fault.
Where possible, it is recommended to use software analysis to determine the split factor. To do this, an
equivalent resistance of the entire WPP is developed, and the equivalent resistance as “seen” from each WTG
connected to the WPP is evaluated. Simulating a fault at a specific WTG provides the current split between the
ground (soil) return and the remainder of the collector grounding system.
--`,,,,,,,,``,`,````,,`````,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
If software analysis is not possible, simplified hand calculations methods are presented below. To determine the
equivalent impedance of the collector grounding system at an individual WTG location, either Equation (1) or
Equation (2) respectively may be used, depending on if the collector system has a bare continuous grounding
conductor or not.[B3]
-1
ZSpan 1 1
Z Col = + ZSpan (1)
n RWTG Z Con
21
IEEE Std 2760-2020
ZSpan
Z Col = + ZSpan × RWTG (2)
n
where
Z Col is the equivalent grounding impedance of the collector circuit at the point of a single WTG
ZSpan is the self-impedance of the neutral/grounding conductor(s) between WTGs
n is 1 for the last WTG on a string, or 2 a WTG connected in at least two directions to additional
WTG(s) respectively
RWTG is the stand-alone resistance of the WTG ground electrode system under analysis
Z Con is the impedance of the bare grounding conductor(s) to remote earth for the section to the
next WTG
These equations use typical impedances of conductor between WTGs, therefore a conservative (higher
--`,,,,,,,,``,`,````,,`````,,``-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
impedance) approximation can be used when the distances/impedances vary through the WPP. The impedance
of a buried bare conductor to remote earth can be calculated by different methods, including the equations in
IEEE Std 142 [B11]. The resistance of a WTG ground electrode system is discussed in 6.9.
Using the results from Equation (1) for collector circuits with a continuous bare buried ground conductor
between WTGs, or Equation (2) for collector circuits without a continuous bare buried ground conductor
between WTGs, the resulting split factor can be calculated using Equation (3).
Z Col
SF = (3)
RWTG +Z Col
where
SF is the split factor for a given WTG location
This split factor can then be used in any stand-alone analysis of a single WTG grounding system. Note that
in some scenarios, the split factor calculation may produce very low values which may not be realistic due to
some approximations in the calculation methodology. It is rare to have split factors below 5%. Values below
10% may be inaccurate with these simplifications; therefore, using a minimum split factor of 10% (even if
calculated lower) may provide more realistic results.
6.8 Ground conductor

The trench ground conductor for underground collection systems may be required as a bonding conductor
between individual WTGs or other grounding systems and also to carry part of the short-circuit current to the
source (the main substation). This reduces the amount of current returning through the earth which reduces the
GPR and thus reduces touch and step voltages. Further considerations are included in 6.8.4.
6.8.1 Grounding conductor materials
WPP grounding is extensive and uses a considerable amount of conductor for interconnecting the system.
Series and shunt impedances of the actual ground electrodes, within a multi-layer soil structure and mutual
impedance in the complex conductor configurations, affects the ground potentials. In addition, the bare
grounding conductor, if used, is in contact with the soil during the project lifetime and may be subject to
corrosion. The ground conductor material can help to reduce the ground potentials as much as possible and be
resistant to corrosion accordingly.
22
IEEE Std 2760-2020
Copper, copper-clad steel, and galvanized or stainless steel are used in WPP grounding. Because of the long
runs of conductor, often as a single conductor, the conductivity (low resistance) and corrosion resistance is
more important than in a typical substation grounding system that has more of a mesh.
— Copper: Is the preferred and the most common material used for WPP grounding, because of the
following properties.
• High conductivity
• Resistant to most underground cathodic corrosion (tinned copper conductors are even more
resistant to corrosion)
• Resistant to corrosion in acidic soils with pH down to 4.0
— Copper-clad steel: Copper-clad steel is used for underground rods and occasionally for grounding
grids. It is a very good alternative to copper for WPP trench grounding conductor when adequately
sized, carefully handled and installed (no damage) and when the soil is not highly corrosive. Copper-
clad steel bears the following properties in relationship to copper:
• Theft “resistant,” as it has relatively little commercial value
• Resistant to most underground corrosion because of the copper cladding (as long as the copper is
not compromised)
• Less conductive than copper
o In addition, copper clad steel has a larger surge impedance compared to copper of the same
cross section, reducing lightning performance
• Less cost than copper for the same size
— Galvanized or stainless steel: Rarely used in the United States due to the concern of galvanized steel
having a limited life in contact with earth and may require replacement before the life of the facility
6.8.2 Grounding conductor connections
Grounding connectors and requirements are described in IEEE Std 837™ [B16]. For below-grade WPP
applications, welded joints or irreversible compression joints are acceptable connections provided that
additional considerations such as corrosion resistance, compatibility with ground conductors, current
conduction and withstand capability, and melting temperature are included in the design.
6.8.3 Ground conductor sizing
The methodology presented in IEEE Std 80 is used to determine the minimum ground conductor cross-
sectional area. In addition, the bare ground conductor may be in permanent proximity with the jackets/sheaths
of MV, LV, or communication cables and therefore temperature limitations of those cable materials may need
consideration; ground conductors may have to be sized to limit the ground conductor temperature rise during
ground faults.
6.8.4 Trench ground conductor consideration
The bare ground conductor in the trench serves as an effective counterpoise ground since it provides a lower
and more consistent ground reference throughout the site, particularly with varying soil resistivities. This
counterpoise ground lowers voltages as it is an additional path for current return to the source during a fault
and hence reduces the current in the other return paths, including the soil. In certain soils, the fault current
through soil can be very low due to the much higher impedance that the soil represents when compared to a
bare conductor or other intentional metallic ground fault return paths.
--`,,,,,,,,``,`,````,,`````,,``-`-`
23
IEEE Std 2760-2020
Where the MV power cables are provided with a concentric neutral or a shield that can play the role of neutral/
ground and bonding conductor, the additional bare ground conductor in the cable trench may be omitted for
some sections, or for the entire collection system, as long as engineering calculations and/or field tests of
the grounding systems show that all safety and performance criteria are met for personnel and equipment.
This demands that the concentric neutral or metallic shield of the MV power cable is properly sized and the
grounding study shows compliance with the criteria upon removal of the bare ground conductor. Most MV
power cable manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of concentric neutrals, but the cross-sectional area
of metallic shields, such as a 5-mil helically wrapped copper tape, is small compared to concentric neutrals.
Thus, the use of MV power cables with thin tape shields in large collector fields usually requires supplemental
ground fault return paths, such as a bare ground conductor in the trench. Consideration of maintenance on the
power cable shield or concentric neutral also may impact the choice to have another continuous ground path.
If there is not a separate bare ground conductor, temporary jumpers may be required across the maintenance
location.
6.9 Ground electrode system impedance to remote earth calculations

The grounding system for a WPP consists of many of the following primary components, typically fully
interconnected into a single comprehensive grounding system:
— Ground grid gradient control conductors and associated ground rods for the main substation
— Extended horizontal conductor network, installed at the base of all site cable trenches
— Lightning protection grounding and ground grid gradient control conductors and ground rods,
surrounding each WTG and its associated transformer
NOTE—Lightning protection is not in the scope of this guide, but WTG manufacturers often provide guidance or
requirements that may need to be incorporated into the grounding design.
— Lightning protection grounding and ground grid gradient control conductors and ground rods,
surrounding each meteorological mast
— Grounding and ground grid gradient control conductors and ground rods, surrounding each MV
junction box/switchgear
— Grounding and ground grid gradient control conductors and ground rods, surrounding the operations
and maintenance building
The local and interconnected ground resistances and ground resistance with respect to remote earth are
calculated as required. The local ground resistance of a WTG is compared to the WTG requirement, if
applicable. The interconnected ground resistance is used with ground fault current to determine ground
potentials.
One example of a requirement for the standalone/local ground grid resistance for the WTG (measured or
calculated) would be when the WTG ground grid, if disconnected from the rest of the WPP grounding system,
is less than 10 Ω for WTG lightning protection [B10]. However, this value is often specified by the WTG
manufacturer, and is not a recommended value per this guide. Additionally, a lower or higher value may be
necessary to meet touch and step voltage criteria.
6.10 Ground potentials calculations

6.10.1 GPR, transfer, touch and step voltages
Calculations for determining the GPR due to both HV and MV ground fault currents is necessary to meet
the criteria per IEEE Std 80. Based on the various ground return currents and ground electrode impedances
24
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
determined in 6.7 and 6.9 respectively, the resultant local and transfer values of GPR, touch and step voltage,
are determined for the given location and reported.
6.10.2 Zone of influence contour
The contour limits of the ZOI of ground fault potential may be determined as per IEEE Std 367 [B12] and/or
local specific standards or codes and based on the ground fault duration given in 6.6 and the calculated GPR
values. Each site can then be classified based on a 300 V ZOI contour limit.
6.11 Effects of interconnected substation ground grid on WPP

The substation is typically interconnected with the collector system, and hence its design both affects and is
affected by the collector system. The substation design is excluded from the scope of this guide; however, there
are some specifics to WPP that may be considered when designing the collector substation. The substation
ground grid is typically designed according to IEEE Std 80, IEEE Std 81, and IEEE Std 998 [B17].
The substation ground resistance affects the collection system interconnected ground resistance and ground
potentials, especially at those locations closer to the substation. The design is based on the following additional
considerations:
— Ground grid interconnection:

Because the ground grid of the WPP is interconnected to the substation ground grid (via the MV cable
shield or concentric neutral and/or the bare grounding conductor if provided), the nearby WTG or
junction box benefits from reduced grounding system impedance and ground potentials due to the
lower substation ground resistance. However, some coordination is still required between collection
system grounding and substation grounding design. In addition, the transferred voltage between the
substation (during a ground fault at the substation) and the nearby WTGs, junction boxes, etc., can
elevate voltages at the object and thus need evaluation.
— Fault level schedule:
Local sources (the WTGs) and a remote source (the utility system), contribute to the short-circuit
current at the substation and inside the WPP. In most cases, the utility contribution to fault is the
strongest because of its relative strength compared to the WPP.
A ground fault at the WTG MV side sees the substation as the remote source and as discussed in
6.7, the return current splits between many paths (MV cable shield or concentric neutral, bare ground
conductor and the ground), which impacts how the ground return current contributes to GPR.
— Consideration for the WPP and substation grounding interconnection:
The WPP requires the substation to exist in order to produce fault currents, but the same is not true
in reverse. The substation may be constructed and energized prior to interconnection with the WPP
grounding system, or the WPP may be removed and the substation remain in use. Therefore, while the
WPP can consider the benefits of the interconnected substation grounding system, the substation may
not be able to consider the benefits of the interconnected WPP grounding system. Additionally, the
impacts of adding a WPP to an existing substation may require reanalysis of the substation.
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25
IEEE Std 2760-2020
Annex A
(informative)
Bibliography
Bibliographical references are resources that provide additional or helpful material but do not need to be
understood or used to implement this standard. Reference to these resources is made for informational use
only.
[B1] Accredited Standards Committee C2, National Electric Safety Code® (NESC®).
[B2] After Hoekstra & McNeil 1973, cited in “Electrical grounding in cold regions” by Karen Henry, Cold
Region Technical Digest, No. 87-1, March 1987.
[B3] Brown, J. and R. Schaerer, “Parametric analysis and simplified calculations of fault current split for wind
power plant grounding system safety design,” 2014 IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition, Chicago, IL,
pp. 1-5, Apr 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TDC.2014.6863391.
[B4] Cadmore, A. and A. Sana, “Comparison of Copper and Copper Clad Steel Conductors for WPP Grounding
Application” Panel Session on Challenges in Design of Wind and Solar Power Plant Grounding System for
Personal Safety, 2016 IEEE PES General Meeting, Boston, MA, USA. July 17-22, 2016.
[B5] CSA C22.1, Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), Safety Standard for Electrical Installations.
[B6] Goree, T. and A. Sana, “Applicability of Electrical Code to WPP & Solar Power Plant Grounding,” Panel
Session on Challenges in Design of Wind and Solar Power Plant Grounding System for Personal Safety, 2016
IEEE PES General meeting, Boston, MA, USA. July 17-22, 2016.
[B7] ICEA P-32-382, Short Circuit Characteristics of Insulated Cables.
[B8] ICEA P-45-482, Short Circuit Performance of Metallic Shields and Sheaths on Insulated Cable.
[B9] IEC Standard 62305 series, Protection Against Lightning.
[B10] IEC 61400-24, Wind Turbines, Part 24: Lightning Protection.
[B11] IEEE Std 142™, IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power
Systems (IEEE Green Book).
[B12] IEEE Std 367™, IEEE Recommended Practice for Determining the Electric Power Station Ground
Potential Rise and Induced Voltage from a Power Fault.
[B13] IEEE Std 386™, IEEE Standard for Separable Insulated Connector Systems for Power Distribution
Systems Above 600 V.
[B14] IEEE Std 487™, IEEE Standard for the Electrical Protection of Communications Facilities Serving
Electric Supply Locations – General Considerations.
[B15] IEEE Std 575™, IEEE Guide for the Application of Sheath-Bonding Methods for Single-Conductor
Cables and the Calculation of Induced Voltages and Currents in Cable Sheaths.
[B16] IEEE Std 837™, IEEE Standard for Qualifying Permanent Connections Used in Substation Grounding.
26
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IEEE Std 2760-2020
[B17] IEEE Std 998™, IEEE Guide for Direct Lightning Stroke Shielding of Substations.
[B18] NFPA 70®, National Electric Code (NEC®).
[B19] Sana, A., A. Cadmore, T. Goree, and R. Schaerer, “Wind Power Plant Grounding System Design for
Personal Safety” Tutorial No 02, IEEE Power Engineering Society (PES) Transmission and Distribution
Conference and Exhibition, Orlando, Fl, USA, May 2-5, 2016.
[B20] Sana, A., “National Electrical Code (NEC) Applicability to Wind Power Plant (WPP) Collection
Systems and Grounding Design,” Panel Session on “How to Apply Electrical Code Requirements for Large
Wind Power Plants,” American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2011 Conference and
Exhibition, Anaheim, CA, USA, May 22-25, 2011.
[B21] Sana, A., “Wind Power Plant Grounding System Design for Personal Safety,” Tutorial 01, IEEE Power
Engineering Society (PES) Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exhibition, Orlando, Fl, USA,
May 7-10, 2012.
[B22] Sana, A., “Wind Turbine Foundation Grounding Considerations,” IEEE Power Engineering Society
(PES) Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exhibition, Chicago, USA, April 14-17, 2014.
27
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IEEE 2760 - Guide For Wind Power Plant Grounding System Design For Personnel Safety

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IEEE Guide for Wind Power

IEEE Power and Energy Society

IEEE Std 2760™-2020

Copyright The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

IEEE Guide for Wind Power

Energy Development and Power Generation Committee

Approved 24 September 2020

IEEE SA Standards Board

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Loren Powers, Chair

Chris Brooks Andy Leon Doug Price

Robert Aiello Robert Hoerauf Charles Rogers

Gary Hoffman, Chair

Ted Burse David J. Law Mehmet Ulema

The specific purpose of this guide is as follows:

1.3 Word usage

2. Normative references

IEEE Std 80™, IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding.3,4

3.2 Acronyms and abbreviations

GPR ground potential rise

4. Safety issues in WPPs

4.1 Unintentional ground

Copyright The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

4.2 Intentional ground

5. Description of a WPP grounding system

Figure 1—Example WPP layout diagram

5.2 Underground collection system grounding

Figure 3—Example underground cable trench

Figure 4—Example underground cable connection

5.3 Overhead collection system grounding

Copyright The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

Figure 5—Example overhead collector connection

5.4 Redundancy of the ground conductor

5.5 Local WTG grounding

6. Design approach

— Soil resistivity (varies through the WPP).

6.2 Main grounding system design steps

a) Site plan design

6.3 Grounding design tools

6.3.1 Grounding design software

— Analysis of soil resistivity measurements

Copyright The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

6.3.2 Hand calculations methods/tools

6.4 Environment and geotechnical data

6.4.1 Climate and other factors impacting grounding design

— Temperature (minimum, average, and maximum)—soil resistivity increases with temperature

The following other factors affect the ground design:

6.4.2 Soil electrical resistivity data

— Soil resistivity data collection at all grounding locations

6.5 Soil electrical resistivity models

6.5.1 Collected data at each grounding point

6.5.2 Collected data at a reduced number of locations

6.5.3 Seasonal variations of soil electrical resistivity