sonamoa Earhing Caletation- Open Bectical Earthing Calculation From Open Electrical Contents Introduction ‘The earthing system ina plant facility is very important for afew reasons, al of which are related to either the protection of people and equipment and/or ‘he optimal operation of the electrical system. These include: * Equipotential Bonding of conductive objevs (eg. metallic equipment, buildings, piping ete) tothe earthing system prevent the presence of dangerous voltages between objects (and ear, 1 The earthing system provides alow resistance ret path for earth faults within the plant, which protects both persone! and equipment * For cath faults with retur pats o offsite generation sources, alow resistance earthing grid relive to remote earth prevents dangerous ground potential rises (ouch and step potentials) + The earthing system provides a low resistance path (relative to remote cath) for voltage transients such as lightning and surges /overvotages * Equipotential bonding helps prevent electrostatic buildup and discharge, which can cause sparks with enough energy to ignite flammable atmospheres 1 The earthing system provides a reference potential for electronic circuits and helps reduce electrical noise for electronic, instrumentation and ‘communication systems ‘This calculation is based primarily on the guidelines provided by IEEE Std 80 (2000) (tp/'standars.iee.org/indsts/inteps/80-2000.hunl) , "Guide for safety in AC substation grounding”. Lighting protection is excluded from the scope ofthis calculation (refer tothe specifi lightning protection calculation for more doa) Why do the calculation? ‘The earthing calculation ads in the proper design of the earthing syste, Using the results of this calculation, you can ‘Determine the minimum sizeof the earthing conductors required forthe main earth grid {Ensure thatthe earthing design is appropriate to prevent dangerous stp and touch potentials (if this is necessary) ‘When to do the calculation? ‘This calculation shouldbe performed when the earthing system is being designed. It could also be done ater the preliminary design has been completed to confirm thatthe earthing system i adequate or highligh the need for improvement / redesign. Ideally, soil wesistivity test results from the site will be available for use in touch and step potential calculations (if necessary). When is the calculation unnecessary? ‘The sizing of carting conductors should always be performed, but touch and step potetal calculations (per IEEE Std 80 for earth faults with a return path through remote earth) are not always necessary. For example, when all eleticity is generated on-site and the HV/MV/LV earthing systems are interconnected, then there is no need to do a touch and stp ‘potential calculation. In such 8 eas, al earth faults would retum tothe source va the earthing system (notwithstanding some small leskage through earth. However, where there are decoupled networks (eg. long transmission lines to remote areas of the plant), then touch and step potential calculations should be performed for the remote are only. Calculation Methodology ‘This calculation is based on IEEE Std 80 (2000), "Guide for safety in AC substation grounding”. There are two main parts to this caleulation: = Earthing grid conductor sizing ‘Touch and step potential calclations IEEE Std 80 is quite descriptive, dezled and easy to follow, so only an overview will be presented here and IEEE Std 80 shouldbe consulted for further eal (although references will be given herein). Prerequisites The following information is required / desirable before starting the calculation: = A layout ofthe ste = Maximam carth fault current ato the earthing grid {> Maximum Fall clearing time Ambient (or oi) temperature atthe site * Soil resistivity measurements atthe site (for touch and step only) = Resistivity of any surface layers intended tobe lid (for touch and step only) bitpakwww cponelectrcalorgvikindex php ite-Earthing Calettion 0reraaom Earting Caletaton- Open Electrical Earthing Grid Conductor Sizing Determining the minimum size ofthe earthing grid conductors is necessary to ensure thatthe carthing grid willbe able to withstand the maximum earth fait ‘current. Like a normal power cable under fault the earthing grid conductors experience an adiabatic short circuit temperature rise. However unlike «fault on ‘normal eable, where the limiting temperature is that which would cause permanent damage tthe cable's insulation, the temperature limit for earthing grid ‘conductors is the melting point ofthe conductor. In other words, during the worst case earth fault, we don't want the earthing grid conductors to start melting! ‘The minimum conductor size capable of withstanding the adiabatic temporetare rise associated with an earth Sault i given by re-arrangng IEEE Std 80 Equation 37 \" (aeay) ‘Where 4. isthe minimum cross-sectional area of the earthing grid conductor (mm?) {Pt itn nergy oft mania ctf (425) {Th isthe manimnm allowable (sing) fempertire CC) Tithe ambiont temperate CC) {isthe hema coficent of estviy CC") 2 tev euting otic hem Kois (e 20 degC) CAP is te henna capacity of the conductor pe nt volumem" °C!) ‘The material constants Ty, 98d TCAP for common conductor materials ean be found in IEEE Std 80 Table 1, For example. commercial had-drawn, copper has material constants: # Ty~ 1084°C = a, ~0.00381 °C"! = p= 178 Hem = TCAP= 3.42 Jom *C"! ‘As described in IEEE Std 80 Section 113.11, there are alternative methods to formulate this equation, al of which can also be derived from frst, principles) ‘There are also additional Factors that should be considered (cg taking into account future growth in fault levels), as discussed in IEBE Std 80 Section 1133) ‘Touch and Step Potential Calculations ‘When lectcity is generated remotely and there ae no retur paths fr earth faults ter than the ert tse, then there is risk that earth faults ean cause dangerous voltage gradints in the earth around the ste ofthe fault (called ground potential rites). This means tht someone standing near the fault ean receive a dangerous electrical shock due to: = Touch voltages - there isa dangerous potential difference between the earth anda metalic object that a person is touching * Step voltages thee ia dangerous voltage gradient betwoon the fect of a person standing on earth ‘The earthing grid can be used to dissipate fault cuzrens to remote earth snd reduce the voltage gradicats in the earth, The touch and step potential calculations are performed in order to assess whether the earthing grid ean dissipate the fault currents so tht dangerous touch and step voliaes cannot exist. ‘Step 1: Soil Resistivity ‘The resistivity properties of the soil where th earthing grid will be Ind isan important factor in determining the earthing grid’ resistance with respect 10 remote earth, Soils with lower resistivity lead 1 lower overall grid resistances and potentially smaller earthing grid configurations can be designed (i. that ‘comply with saf step and touch potentials) Its good practice to perform soil resistivity tests onthe site. There area few standard methods for measuring sol resistivity (e.g. Wenner four-pin method). ‘A good discassion on the interpretation of sol esistivity test measurements is found in IEEE Std 80 Section 13.4 ‘Sometimes it isn't possible to conduct sol resistivity tests and an estimate must suffice. When estimating soil resistivity, it goes without saying that one should er on the side of caution and selec a higher resistivity. IEEE Std 80 Table 8 gives some guidance on range of soil resistivities based on the general characteristics ofthe soil (.e. wee orgaie soil = 10:2.m, moist soil= 100 Om, dry soil ~ 1,000 €2.1m and bedrock ~ 10,000 Om). Step 2: Surface Layer Materials Applying thin layer (0,08m- 0.15) of high resistivity material (ouch as gravel, blue meal, crushed sock, ec) over the surface ofthe ground is commonly ‘used to help protec aginst dangerous touch and stp voltages. hie is because the surface layer material increases the contact resistance hetween the soil (Gs. cath end the fot of porno standing om i, sheraby lowering the current flsting through the person inthe event of a fall IEEE Std 80 Table 7 gives typical values for surface layer material esistvity in dry and wet conditions (e.g 40mm crushed granite = 4,000 82m (dry) and 1,200 A.m (wer). “The effective resistance ofa person's fet (with raspect to earth) when standing on a surface layer isnot the same as the surface layer resistance because the tpt. openclectrical.orqwikfndex php ite=Earhing Celouation 20saran014 Eating Galouetion- Open Bectical layer isnot thick enough to have uniform resistivity inal directions A surface layer deraing factor needs to be applied inorder to compute the effective ‘oot resistance (with respect to earth) inthe presence ofa inte thickness of surface layer material. This derating factor canbe approximated by an empirical formula. as per IEEE Std 80 Equation 27: 0.09(1- 2) 2h, $0.00 C=1- ‘where C,, isthe surface layer deratng factor Pia the sil resistivity (C.m) (Peis the resistivity ofthe surface layer material (©.m) Th, isthe thickness of the surface layer (rn) “This derating factor wil be used later in Step 5 when calculating the maximum allowable touch and step vollages. Step 3: Earthing Grid Resistance ‘A good carting rid has low resistance (with respect o emote earth) 1 minimise ground potential rise (GPR) and consequently avoid dangerous touch and Step voltages. Caleulatng the earthing grid resistance usually goes hand in hand with earthing grid design - thai, you design the earthing grid to minimise {38 resistance. The earthing grid resistance mainly depends on the area taken up by the earthing grid, the total length of buried earthing conductors and the ‘number of earthing rods / electrodes. TEBE Std 80 offers two alternative options fr calculating the earthing grid resistance (with respect o remote earth)~ 1 the simplified method (Section 14.2) ‘and 2) the Schwarz equation (Section 14.3), both of which are outlined briefly below. IEEE Std 80 also includes methods for reducing sol resistivity (in ‘Section 14.5) and a eatment for eoncrete-encased cathing electrodes (in Section 14.6). ‘Simplitea Metiod IEEE Std 80 Equation 52 gives the simplified method as modified by Sverak to include the effet of earthing grid depth: 1 L R= (1 a * le mal Jal ‘Where Ris the carting gid resistance with repost to remote earth (2) is the soil resistivity (C.m) ‘Leis te total length of buried conductors (m) ‘A i the tal area occupied by te earthing grid (n”) jh is the dopth ofthe earthing pid (rm) Schwarz Equations “The Schwace equations are «series of equations that are more accurate in modelling the effect of earthing rods / electrodes. The equations are found in TEEE Sid 80 Equations 53,54, SS€%t® and 56, as follows: RiRa ~ Rey i Ry + Ry —2Rm Where Ri isthe caring grid resistance with espect to emote earth (0) 2 isthe cath sistance ofthe grid condtors (2) [isthe earth resisane ofthe earthing lerodes (2) ‘Re is the mutual earth resistance between the grid conductors and earthing electrodes (@2) ‘And the grid, earthing electrode and mutual earth resistances are: m= 2 (2h) Ee Range [a )na4 a= Helm) 3 Where 0 is the soil resistivity (2m) Lg isthe ttl length of buried grid conductors (m) a8 V/r-Qh for conductors buried at depth mts and with cross-sectional radius + metres or simply r fr gr conductors onthe surface ‘A isthe total area covered by the grid conductors (n?) ‘Ly is the length of each earthing electrode (m) hips opanctecrical.orgwiklindex py ite=Eartting Calculation 310‘enone Eartirg Calcstion- Open Sectical is numberof eating electrodes in area A {bis the cros-sctional aus of an carting lecrode (x) ‘iy and are constant coeicents depending onthe gecmetry ofthe grid ‘The coefficient ky can be approximated by the following: = (1) For depth fh = 0: by = —0.04L/R + 141 * @ Forint b= EVA 0.05L/R + 1.20 + 0) Forde = EVA: —0.05L)R + 1.18 “The coefficient fy can be approximated by the following: = (1) For depth h, = 0: O.15L/R + 5.50 # @)For depth h = ava 2 ky = O.1OL/R + 4.68 + 0) Fordept f= EVA sy = 0054/R + 4.40 ‘Wherein ba ass, Piste lensti-oovid tio ofthe ching rd Sep 4: Masimam Grid Current ‘The maximum grid curet is the worst acca ft ure tht would low va he eating grid bak to emote eth, To cle the maxim gid uur, you fs ned to ealeulate the wort as symmetrical earth fult cent a the facility that would havea return pth trogh remote cath (al his Thc) This canbe fund from the power stem sie o rom mana calulaton, Generally speaking, he highest relevant cr ft eel wl bon tho primary sie ofthe largest dstibution transfomner(.. either te tril rhe dla windings). Curent Divan Fae ‘otal! ofthe earth fat curen wil fw back trough remote cath. A portion ofthe earth fault current may have lca return paths (local generation) tr ther coal be ltemative rerum pth other tan remot earth 4 ovetead earth tum cele, bre pipes and cables. Terefor a curent ‘ain ate Sy must be applied account for he proportion ofthe aul caret flowing back though emote eth Computing the erent vison factor ia task thats pio each project rte aon ait may incorporate some aujetvy (= ‘gine judgement) In any eas, IEEE Sid 80 Soon 15.9 has a good discasion on calculi the curren vison factor In the mest conservative eos, curren! dvsonfcior of Sj ~ 1 canbe apled meaning that 100% of eat faut cunt flows back through remote earth ‘The symmetrical gril cent [ys clelted by dy = TheSy Decrement Factor ‘The symmetical grid current is not the maximum grid current because of asymmetry in shor circuits, namely a de curent offset. This is captured by the ‘decrement factor, which can be calealated from IEEE Std 80 Equation 79: 0,- fir E 0-8 Where Dy is he decrement factor ‘ty ithe duration of te fault (3) Ty isthe de time offset constant (ee below) “The deine offic constant is derived fom TEBE Std 80 Equation 7 zt Mt R Ont whew * isthe x st ek tin _F isthe system frequency (H2) ‘The maximum grid cumrent [is lastly calculated by: Tq = IgDy Step 5: Touch and Step Potential Criteria pun openclecrical orgwikifndex php ite=Earhing Calculation a0‘erenot Eaxthing Caleustion- Open Bectical One ofthe goals ofa safe carting grid is to protect poople against lethal electric shocks inthe event of en curth ful. The magnitude of ae electri curent (at 50Fz or 60F) that a human body can withstand is typically inthe range of 60 to 100mA, when ventricular fibrillation and hear stoppage can occur. The (2000 4.6 x 0.7207 x 3,000) ET = 5,664.03 V bnipulwww.opaneletrica crghikindex pptite=Earthing Calculationarezors Earhing Caloation- Open Eetical ‘Step 6: Ground Potential Rise (GPR) “The maximum ground potential rise is: GPR=IoRy 559 x 2.9753 =8,007 V “The GPR far exceeds the maximum allowable touch and step potential, and Further analysis of mesh and step voltages need to be performed, ‘Step 7: Earthing Grid Design Verification ‘Mesh Voltage Calculation “The components ofthe geometric factor, My, Te and My for the rectangular grid are: ‘Therefore the goometic factor ris: N= Ne X MX Ne X Ra 57 x 1.022 x 1x1 = 6.1939 The average spacing between parallel grid conductors [) is iG wre Wy and Ly are the width and longth ofthe grid respectively (eg. 50m and 90m) ny. and? isthe mmber of parallel rows and columns respectively (eg, 6nd 7) ‘The geometric spacing factor iy, is ae D (D+ 2h? w= 3¢ (gear BDxd a 125, (2542x06% 06 ay 8 Km = Fa (| 16 x 06 x 0.01236 * 8x 125x 0.01236 4x 0.01236] ~ 1.26 " [zx 6.4930 =0.961 ‘The iegulary factor A is K, ~ 0.644 + 0.L48n = 0.644 4 0.148 x 6.4939 1.605, ‘The effective buried length Ly is: Ly = Det 1.58 41.22 (| | 1, tye [iss va2a( re) tn Ipuhwew cpandecricrgwikiinderphytive-Earting Catctaion a0soraoi Earthing Calculation - Open Electrical 06 = 3904 [1.55 + 1.22 66 ; [ . ( 0 *a)| = 994.65m Finally, the maximum mesh voltage is: 0KmBile bu 300 x 0.961 x 1.605 x 991.65 1,661 ‘The maximum allowable touch potentials 1,720V, which exceeds the mesh voltage calculated above andthe earthing system passes the touch potential criteria although is quite marginal). Step Voltage Catealation “The umm spacing tr Kis fae tpt Go] zlnt pret pos") 1 R506 * ‘The effective buried length Lis: Ls =0.75L, + 085Le 0.75 x 890 + 0.85 x 66 Finally, the maximum allowable step volisge is: 2K Kile Ls __ 300 x 0.814 x 1.605 x 3,559 36 =728V ‘The maximum allowable step potential is 5,664V, which exceods the step voltage calculated above and the earthing system passes the step potential riteria. Having passed both ouch and sep potential ertra, we can conchde that the earthing system is a Computer Based Tools ‘As cam be seen from above, touch and step potential calculations can be quite a tedious and laborious task, and one tht could conceivably be done much quicker by 8 computer. ven IEEE Std 80 recommends the use of computer software to calelat grid resistances, and mesh and step voltages, and also wo create potential gradient visualisations ofthe sit. ‘Computer software packages can be used to assist in earthing rid design by modeling and simulation of | different earthing grid configuration. The tool either come as standalone packages or plug-in modules te power system analysis software (such as PTW's GroundMat (hup:/www.skm.com/products_grownmat shtml) or ETAPs Ground Grid Design Assessment (ipzetap com groun-grid-sytems/ground-grid-systems him) . Examples of standalone packages include SES Autogrid(htp:/www aestech.comproductsSofipackages/antogripro him) and SafeCrid (batpz/orrwclele com auieaegrid hm). What next? ‘The minitnum size forthe earthing grid conductors eaa be used to specify the earthing grid conductor sizes inthe material fk-ofTs and earthing drawings. The touch and step poteatalealelatons (where ‘necessary verify that the earthing grid design is safe forthe worst earth fault to remote earth. The ‘earthing drawings can therefore be approved forthe next stage of reviews Retrieved ftom "htp/www.openelectrcal.orpwik/index.php?title+Earthing Calculation ategory: Caleulations = This page was last modified on 22 January 2014, at 07:02. bipshvwwcpenelectrca orikilindax php ite=Eatting Caltttion Fw 2, PTW GeoundMat software opt (oureny of SKM Systems Ansys ne) 1010