Before 1960s the design criterion of substation earthing system was “low earth resistance.” (Earth Resistance< 0.5 ohms for High Voltage installations).
During 1960s, the new criteria for the design and evaluation of Substation Earthing System were evolved particularly for EHV AC and HVDC Substations.
The new criteria are :
- Low Step Potential
- Low Touch Potential
- Low Earth Resistance.
The conventional “Low earth resistance criterion” and Low Current Earth Resistance Measurement continues to be in practice for Substations and Power Station upto and including 220 kV.
The parts of the Earthing System include the entire solid metallic conductor system between various earthed points and the underground earth-mat.
The earthed points are held near-earth potential by low resistance conductor connections with earth-mat.
The earthed points are held near-earth potential by low resistance conductor connections with earth-mat.
Substation Earthing System Design
Underground Horizontal Earth Mesh (Mat/Grid)
The mesh is formed by placing mild steel bars placed in X and Y directions in mesh formation in the soil at a depth of about 0.5 m below the surface of substation floor in the entire substation area except the foundations.
The crossings of the horizontal bars in X and Y directions are welded.
The earthing rods are also placed the border of the fence, surrounding building foundations, surrounding the transformer foundations, inside fenced areas etc.
The mesh ensures uniform and zero potential distribution on horizontal surface of the floor of the substation hence low “step potential” in the event of flow of earth fault current.
Earthing Electrodes (Spikes)
Several identical earth electrode are driven vertically into the soil and are welded to the earthing rods of the underground Mesh. Larger number of earth electrodes gives lower earth resistance.
- The number of Earth-Electrodes (Spikes) Ns for soil resistivity 500 ohm meter and earth fault current Is is :
Ns = Is / 250 Amperes
i.e., approximately 250 Amp per spike, for soil resistivity of 500 ohm-meter.
- The number of Earth-Electrodes (Spikes) Ns for soil resistivity 5000 ohm meter is
Ns = Is / 500 Amperes
i.e., approximately 500 Amp per spike, for soil resistivity of < 5000 ohm-meter.
Is = Short Circuit level of the substation, A
Example:
33 kV sub stations : 25000 to 31000 A
400 kV Substations : 40000 A
Earthing Risers
These are generally mild steel rods bent in vertical and horizontal shapes and welded to the earthing mesh at one end and brought directly upto equipment / structure foundation.
Earthing Connection
Galvanized Steel Strips or Electrolytic Copper Flats or Strips/Stranded Wires (Cables) /Flexibles :
These are used for final connection (bolted/welded/clamped) between the Earthing Riser and the points to be earthed.
These are used for final connection (bolted/welded/clamped) between the Earthing Riser and the points to be earthed.
For Transformer Neutral/High Current Discharge paths copper strips/stranded wires are preferred.
Galvanised Iron Strips/stranded wires are more common for all other earthing connections.
The earthing strips are finally welded or bolted or clamped to the Earthed Point.
The earthing strips are finally welded or bolted or clamped to the Earthed Point.
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