International Journal of Computer Applications in Engineering Sciences
[VOL I, ISSUE III, SEPTEMBER 2011] [ISSN: 2231-4946]
CYMGRID Based Effective Earthing Design
Model for Substation
K. Nithiyanathan#, Elavenil+
#
Department Of Electrical And Electronics Engineering
Bits Pilani, Dubai Campus
International Academic City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+
Twinvey Electric Consultancy
Al Qusais, Dubai,United Arab Emirates
1 2
nithi@[Link], elamani_8@[Link]
Abstract - The main objective of this paper is to develop an The earth resistance to any electrode is influenced by
effective substation earthing system model to ensure that step the resistivity of the surrounding soil. This will depend
and touch potentials are within the acceptable levels using to a large extent on the nature of the soil and it‟s
effective design implementation steps with real time data based moisture content. Resistivity may change with depth,
on the IEEE 80-2000. In this proposed method measurement of
soil resistibility has been achieved using four probe wenner
temperature, moisture content and can vary from place to
methods. The two layer soil resistivity model has been place depending on the strata of the soil and rock
developed and CYMGRD based soil resistivity computations formation. The soil resistivity figure will have a direct
has been implemented. Overall impedance to earth has been impact on the overall substation resistance and how
calculated and grid potential rise limits has been obtained. Step much electrode is required to achieve the desired values.
and Touch potentials has been obtained and identified that the It will also influence separation distances between two
values are lower than allowable step and touch potentials, adjacent earth systems (e.g. HV and LV earths at hot
hence satisfies the design requirements of the substation. distribution sites). The lower the resistivity, the less
electrodes is required to achieve the desired earth
Keywords – Soil resistivity, Earth fault current, Wenner
resistance value. It is an advantage to know the
method, touch voltage, grid potential.
resistivity value at the planning stage as this gives a
I. INTRODUCTION good indication of how much electrode is required The
Wenner (four terminal) test is the common method for
Earthing in a substation is essential for personnel
determining soil resistivity at Primary/Grid sites. The
safety and for reliable power system operation. Earthing
soil resistivity data can influence the chosen site location
is the total set of measures used to connect an
as well as the decision on the best type of earthing
electrically conductive part to earth. It is an essential part
electrode system to be installed.
of power networks at both high- and low-voltage levels.
For example, it helps to decide if it‟s an advantage to
A good earthing system is required to, adhere safety of
drive rods to a greater depth or whether to increase the
human and animal life by limiting touch and step
surface area by installing more buried tape. The survey
voltages to safe values, enable protective system
can produce considerable savings in electrode and
operation, ensures that no thermal or mechanical damage
installation costs when trying to achieve the required
occurs on the equipment within the substation,
resistance.
electromagnetic compatibility, and proper function of the
If the results gained from the soil resistivity survey are
electricity supply network and to ensure good power
unclear then soil modeling can be undertaken. With up-
quality
to-date techniques a fairly good and accurate soil model
II. IDENTIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL SOIL RESISTIVITY can be produced.
Also core drilling usually associated with a Geo-
The earthing system for 132/11 kV substation is
Technical survey will give an accurate soil model and
designed to withstand an earth fault on the 132kV
can be used to check measured soil resistivity results.
system of 40kA with a maximum fault clearance time of
3 sec and on the 11kV system of 40kA with a maximum
1) Two Layer Soil Resistivity Model:
fault clearance time of 5ec.
One of the main objectives of an earthing study is to
obtain a realistic estimation of the soil characteristics in
A. Measurement of Soil Resistivity using 4-probe the vicinity of the concerned substation. Multiple soil
Wenner method: [2] layers of widely varying resistivity are involved in the
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Nithiyanathan et. al.
ground current return paths. The complex stratification In this software, data from the field measurement
patterns often encountered, dictate that a realistic soil will be the input and the output will be resistivity curves,
model should involve more than one layer for properly calculation and of soil resistivity.
representing the conductivity profile of the ground. The resistivity curve shows the relationship between
Today, generally accepted model is a two-layer model, the distance of probes and the resistivity as shown in fig
one of the finite depth from the ground surface and 2. As the distance and depth of probe increases the
second of infinite depth but of different resistivity. resistivity decreases because the moisture content of soil
Field measurement of soil resistivity is normally increases with increase in depth.
carried out which are then used to obtain an equivalent
two layer model as shown in fig 1.
Fig.2 – Resistivity Curve
Fig.1 - Two Layer model for Resistivity calculation
III. SELECTION OF CONDUCTORS AND JOINTS
For the interpretation of the measurement of soil
resistivity CYME software is used. A. Conductors: [5]
Program is associated with one input file (data The most common metallic conductors include copper
from field measurements) and two output files and aluminium. Of the metals copper is commonly used
(Calculations results and resistivity curve). as conductors because it has high conductivity.
Aluminium is also used as a conductor in housing
Based on the field measurements the following is applications, it is more conductive than copper but it has
calculated. problems related to heat and thermal expansion which
ρ1 - Resistivity in upper layer ultimately tends to loose connections. Still copper is the
ρ2 - Resistivity in lower layer most common choice due to its ease connection by
h - Thickness of upper layer. soldering or clamping.
Conductors shall be of high conductivity copper in the
Table 1:
MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATED VALUES OF ELECTRICAL SOIL form of circular conductors trapped to solid bars. The
RESISTIVITY USING TWO LAYER SOIL RESISTIVITY MODEL conductor sheath can be of yellow-green coloured PVC
Measured Values Calculated values
B. Calculation of Electrical soil Resistivity using Electrode Soil H Ρ1(Ωm)- Ρ2
software tool CYMGRD [4] Spacing Resistivity (m) Upper (Ωm)-
CYMGRD is the software used for calculating the (m) ρ(Ω m) layer Lower
layer
earth resistivity. CYME‟S substation grounding grid
1 41.42
design which is exclusively designed to help for the 2 31.30
formation of new grids and reinforce the existing grids 3 23.00
of any shape .The program conforms to IEEE standard 4 22.12 01.80 50.08 02.96
80-2000, 81-1983 and 837-2002. The use of this 5 21.99
software allows us to analyse various design alternatives 6 03.77
to select an economical solution for a particular 12 04.52
installation. CYMGRD software has user friendly data (Polyvinyl Chloride) to meet the requirements with the
entry, efficient analysis, and powerful graphical facilities. minimum thickness of 1.5 mm.
It also helps us to arrive at technically sound and
economical designs.
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CYMGRID Based Effective Earthing Design Model for Substation
Buried conductors which are not part of earth calculated from the formula given below and Table 1 of
electrode system will be PVC sheathed circular stranded IEEE 80-2000: [1]
cable. Bare strip conductors will be used for earth
electrodes or voltage control meshes. A = I √ ((T c.ρr.αr.10^4/TCAP) / ln [Tm-Ta/K +Ta])--- (1)
B. Joints: [5]
Permanent joints are made up of Brazing, Exothermic
Welding or by Crimping. When the reinforcing in
concrete is used as a part of the earthing system the
fittings used to provide a connection point at the surface
of the concrete should be exothermically welded to a
reinforcing bar. This fitting shall be provided with a
bolted connection for an earthing conductor. The main
bars in the reinforcing shall be welded together at
intervals to ensure electrical continuity throughout the
reinforcing.
Fig.3 - Overlap joint between conductors at 90 degree [2]
Fig.4 - Joint welding process [2]
IV. CONDUCTOR SIZE
The conductor size for the earthing system shall be
determined by conductor cross section which can be
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Nithiyanathan et. al.
TABLE II The above is the minimum cross section of the
copper conductor required and therefore the next
Selection of copper to attain the pvc conductor size [6] available standard of 300mm^2 are adapted for the
earthing conductors.
11kV 132kV 11kV 132kV V. RESISTANCE CALCULATIONS
Buried Buried Riser Riser
A copper copper copper copper A. General: [1]
conductor conduct conduct conduct conducto
cross section or or or r (PVC) A good grounding system offers low resistance to
in mm^2 (PVC) (PVC) (PVC) insulated remote earth in order to minimize the GPR (Ground
insulate insulate insulate
I rms d d d
Potential Rise). For large substations as we have
Current in considered the ground resistance is usually about 1 Ω or
KA 15kA 24kA 25kA 40KA less. This resistance calculation include,
Mesh resistance
Division
factor Resistance of Earth Rods
Grid Grid Resistance
current of the Impedance of neighbouring Substations
specified
fault current Overall Impedance to Earth
tc time of 5sec 3sec 5sec 3sec
current flow B. Mesh Resistance: [1]
in seconds The Mesh Resistance of horizontal earth electrode and
αo thermal 242 242 242 242 shallow buried copper earth rod is calculated from
coefficient of IEEE80-2000 equation given below,
resistivity at Rm= ρ [(1/Lt) + ( 1/√20*A) [1 + (1/(1+h √20*A) )] ]
0 degree C –(2)
K1/ αo
Rm = 0.449 Ω
Αr thermal 0.00381 0.00381 0.00381 0.00381
coefficient of C. Resistance of Earth Rod: [1]
resistivity at The Resistance of each rod is given by IEEE80-2000
reference
temperature equation as shown below,
Tr Rrod= ρ / 2 ∏ Lr [ ln (8*Lr/d) -1] ------- (3)
We use 12 deep copper earth rods. In order to find the
ρr the 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.78 resistance for these rods
resistivity of
the ground Rrod = 19.019 Ω
conductor at For 12 rods = 1.585 Ω
reference
temperature D. Grid resistance [1]
Tr in μΩ/cm3
Grid Resistance is obtained from the Mesh resistance
TCAP 3.42 3.42 3.42 3.42 and Earth Rod resistance which are in parallel,
thermal Rg = [ (1/ Rm) + (1/ Rr) ]^-1 --------- (4)
capacity Rg = 0.349 Ω
factor in
J/cm3/C E. Impedance [1]
Tm 250C 250C 160C 160C
Maximum The earthing system of the main substation is
allowable connected with the earthing system of the neighboring
temperature substations. So the total parallel Impedance of the main
in C substation is,
Ta ambient 35C 35C 50C 50C
temperature Zc = Z1Z2 / Z1+Z2 ------------ (5)
in C Z1= (Rc*l1/n) + R1 ------------ (6)
Calculated 197 244 195 241 mm2 Z2 = (Rc*l2 / n) + R2 ------------ (7)
Conductor mm2 mm2 mm2 R1&R2= 0.125 Ω (assumed values for safety calculation)
Size, A=
Selected 1x300 1x300 1x300 1x300
copper mm2 mm2 mm2 mm2
conductor
size as per
contract
specification
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CYMGRID Based Effective Earthing Design Model for Substation
VIII. SAFETY ASSESSMENT
A. Step and touch potential [2]
The risk of serious injury caused by electric shock to
persons who may come into contact with metalwork,
fittings and structures during times of system earth fault
is guarded against by compliance with the relevant
sections of IEEE 80-2000.
When an earth fault occurs, the substation earth will
rise in voltage above that of the gentle mass of earth for
the duration of the fault, and a person who happens at
that time to be standing in the vicinity of the substation,
Fig.5 – Earth Fault Current Distribution may experience a difference in potential between his feet.
This is said to be step potential.
Z1 = 0.13 Ω During the period of the fault, a person whose feet are
Z2 = 0.22 Ω at some potential determined by his position on the site,
Zc = 0.08 Ω touches some exposed metal work which is directly
F. Overall impedance to earth [1] connected to the substation „earth‟, he may experience a
difference in potential hands and feet.
The overall Impedance to Earth is given by IEEE80
– 2000 – equation as shown below,
Zoverall = [ (1/Rm) +(1/Rr) + (1/Zc) ]^-1 -------- (8)
Zoverall=0.065 Ω
VI. DISTRIBUTION OF EARTH FAULT CURRENT
Fault current is an abnormal current in a substation
due to a short circuit or low impedance path .If the
substation is to be protected properly; the fault current
must able to operate the protective device within a short
period of time as possible. The protective device must
also be able to withstand the fault current and extinguish
the resulting arcs without any significant length of time
[5].
The total earth fault current is given by, Fig 6 - Step voltage at a Grounded structure [1]
If = If1 + If2 --------- (9)
The Earth Fault currents which has been referred from
the safety calculations is as follows,
If = 36.2 kA – Maximum earth fault current
If1= 0.3 kA – Current runs through substation neutral
If2= 35.9 kA – Current runs through network system
neutrals
The Earth Fault current through the Earthing system is
Ie = Df* β * If2 ---------- (10)
Ie = 17787 A
Fig 7 - Touch voltage at a Grounded structure [1]
VII. GRID POTENTIAL RISE This difference in potential is known as touch potential.
The Grid Potential Rise occurs when the current Potential rise above remote earth is shown in Fig 6 & 7
flows to earth through earth grid impedance. The for step and touch voltage cases respectively.
potential on the earth is highest at the point where
B. Allowable Step and Touch Potential [2]
current enters the ground and declines when it is away
from the source. The ground potential is concern in the Allowable values of touch and step voltages inside
substation because of high potential which may cause substation for persons weighing 50kg are given by
hazardous to people or equipment [6]. IEEE80 equation as given below,
Ugpr = Zoverall * Ie --------- (11) Estep = [(1000+6Cs* ρs) 0.157/√ts] ------ (12)
Ugpr=1156.155 V Etouch = [(1000+1.5Cs*ρs) 0.157/√ts ] ------ (13)
Estep = 1649.128 V
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Nithiyanathan et. al.
Etouch= 530.032 V IX. CONCLUSION
TABLE 3 SURFACE LAYER FACTORS
The safe and reliable earthing system for 132/11 KV
substation has been obtained with use of IEEE Standard
[Link] Surface Surface Thicknes Reduct 80 – 2000, the main parameters of the earthing system
Layer layer s ion
such as the soil resistivity has been obtained from the
resistivity H (mm) Factor
ρs (Ωm) Cs CYMGRD software.
Earthing conductors has been selected according to
1 Interlock 3000 100 0.528
tiles IEEE standards. The type and size of conductors has
2 Concrete 100000 300 0.8514 been identified from table 01 of IEEE 80-2000. Overall
impedance to earth has been calculated by using mesh
C. Actual Step and Touch Potential [2] resistances, resistance of earth rods, grid resistance,
impedance of neighbouring substations and overall
1) Step Potentials: impedance to earth, which is found to be within the
limits.
Estep = (ρKsKiIe / Ls) -------- (14) The earth fault current through the earthing system has
n= na x nb x nc -------- (15) been calculated according to the IEEE standards, we
na = 2Lc/Lp -------- (16) have to make sure that the protective device is designed
nb = √Lp/4√A -------- (17) to withstand the fault current of 17KA. Grid potential
Ki = 0.644+0.148n -------- (18) rise has been identified to verify the potential rise in the
Estep=157.80V ground is below the danger level.
All resistance are found satisfactory and no danger
2) Touch Potential potentials identified with in the Substation. With the help
of IEEE equations Step and Touch potentials has been
E touch =ρKmKiIe/Lm --------- (19) obtained and identified that the values are lower than
Lm= Lc+[1.55+1.22*Lr/√Lx2+Ly2 ]LR ------ (20) allowable step and touch potentials, hence satisfies the
E touch=48.86*0.8*0.652*17787/988.47 design requirements of the substation.
=462.96V.
REFERENCES
TABLE 4 TOUCH VOLTAGE VALUES [1] Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, “Amman
street 132/11kv Substation Earthing Calculations “
[2] Twinvey Electric Consultancy – For field
Allowable Actual
Values Values measurements and CYMGRD software for
E Step 1649.128 V 157.8 V computations.
530.032 V 462.96 V [3] Prof HenryK Marklewicz & Dr Antoni klajin,
E Touch
“Earthing systems – Fundamentals of calculation
It is found that Actual calculated step and touch and design”, Copper Development association.
potentials are found to be lower than Allowable step [4] [Link] – Information about
and touch potentials which satisfy the design CYMGRD softwares.
requirement of the substation. [5] IEEE Std. 80-2000 “IEEE Guide for safety in
Substation Grounding”.
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