For the conductor geometry shown in Figure 2-2, the magnetic field, which is responsible for the

reactive voltage drop, assumes the character shown in Figure 2-3. Throughout the space between the
two conductors [203 mm (8 in) wide and 60 m (200 ft) long] exists a powerful 60 Hz magnetic field with
a driving magnetomotive force of 5500 A turns. It constitutes a huge electromagnet. That portion of the
total magnetic field that encircles the grounding conductor is considered to be associated with the
reactance of the grounding conductor, while that which encircles the phase conductor is considered to
be associated with the reactance of the phase conductor. Any loop of conducting material (wire, pipe,
messenger cable, steel structure, etc.) through which some fractional portion of this magnetic field
passes will have induced in it a corresponding fractional part of the 60 Hz reactive voltage drop of the
main power circuit loop. There need be no physical contact between the two loops. The mutual coupling
is entirely magnetic. If the loop in which the voltage is mutually coupled is closed, then instead of a
voltage, a circulating current will exist. Table 2-3—Phase conductor voltage drop Spacing IZ drop, phase
A (mm) (in) (V) 51 2 53.9 203 8 86.4 762 30 118.8 Figure 2-3—Magnetic field of wire as grounding
conductor IEEE Std 142-2007 CHAPTER 2 82 Copyright © 2007 IEEE. All rights reserved. Figure 2-4 shows
a possible loop alongside the grounding conductor (not the most intensive field strength location). With
this loop considered to be open at one corner, the generated voltage therein would be 1.65 V for a 51
mm (2 in) grounding conductor spacing, or 5.6 V for a 762 mm (30 in) spacing. If the loop circuit is
closed, the flux linkages through this loop will be reduced to near zero, and the induced current will
assume the value that becomes necessary to oppose the entrance of flux linkages. In the case
illustrated, the induced current might very well be of the order of 500 A. The situation presented by
Figure 2-4 would not be judged to be a dangerous shock voltage exposure, but the possible arcing and
flashing that could occur at a light pressure contact point closing the loop (open-circuit voltage of 2 V to
5 V with a closed-circuit current of 500 A) could be a very real source of ignition of combustible material
(fire) or of flammable gas (explosion). The same size induction loop around a high capacity outdoor
station, where the ground-fault current might be 50 000 A and the spacing between phase and
grounding conductors 1.8 m (6 ft), might well display an open-circuit 60 Hz induced voltage of dangerous
shock-hazard magnitude. By constructing a closed loop with no loose connections, so positioned as to
block the passage of flux linkages responsible for an objectionable reactance, that reactance can be
eliminated. As far as the shock-exposure voltage drop along the grounding conductor is concerned, the
key factors are grounding conductor cross-section area, spacing relative to phase conductors, magnitude
of ground-fault current, and circuit length.