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Technology Training that works
ELECTRICAL
EARTHING
Technology Training that works
Special Note:
• The approach here is based on standard IEEE
80 (Safety in AC substation grounding)
• These discussions are for illustration only
• Grounding practices are subject to local
regulations/codes which will take precedence
Technology Training that works
Objectives of grounding:
• Provides an electrical supply system with a
reference to the groundmass (system grounding)
• Protective grounding of electrical equipment
enclosures
– Makes them safe to persons who may come into contact with
them
– Enables the flow of fault current in the event of a failure
• Provides a low impedance path for accumulated
static charges and surges (lightning protection
grounding)
• Helps in mitigating the generation and
propagation of noise (grounding of shields and
signal reference planes)
Technology Training that works
Earthing System
Shall satisfy Safety, Functional requirements of
electrical installation
Shall ensure
• Protection against indirect contact
• Proper functioning of electrical protective devices
• Protective and functional requirements are met under
expected conditions
• Earth fault, earth leakage currents can be carried safely
• Adequate strength appropriate to external influences
• Adequate value of earthing resistance
Technology Training that works
Benefits (1)
• Fault damage now minimal
– Reduces fire hazard (especially in mines)
• Lower outage times
– Less lost production, less lost revenue
• Touch potentials kept within safe limits
– Protects human life
Technology Training that works
Benefits (2)
• Low Fault Currents reduce possibility of
igniting gases
– Minimizes explosion hazard
• Lower Magnetic or thermal stresses imposed
on plant during fault
• Transient overvoltages limited
– Prevents stressing of insulation, breaker restrikes
Technology Training that works
Fault in an Ungrounded System:
Technology Training that works
System grounding
• Provides reference for the entire power system
to groundmass
• Establishes a path for current to ground during
insulation failure
• Provides protection against equipment damage
due to faults
• Provides protection against high voltage
transients
• Enables detection by circuit protective devices
for isolation
• Reduces maintenance time and expenditure
Technology Training that works
Fault in Ungrounded system
• Single phase ground fault does not result in flow
of high fault currents
• Voltage to ground of other two phases rises by
73% - Causes insulation stress
• Fault current = Vector sum of capacitive currents
in the distributed capacitive reactance of other
two phases
Technology Training that works
Fault in Ungrounded system
• Intermittent first fault causes transient voltages
up to 6 to 8 times nominal system voltage
• Such high transient voltage can initiate a second
fault at weakest insulation point
• Uncleared arcing fault can cause extensive
damage to system
• Early detection of first fault therefore of
paramount importance
Technology Training that works
Effect of neutral (system) grounding:
Technology Training that works
Ground fault current flow:
Technology Training that works
Grounding methods 1
• Ungrounded System
– Neutral connection on Generator/ Transformer is
not connected to earth at all
Technology Training that works
Grounding methods 2
Solid grounding
– Neutral connection on
Generator / Transformer
is connected to earth by a
solid Conductor
– Cost Reductiuons due to
avoidance of sensitive
relays and grounding
device, Grading of
insulation towards neutral
end.
– But Circulation of third
harmonic currents
between neutrals
Technology Training that works
Grounding methods 3
• Resistance grounding
– Neutral connection on
Generator / Transformer
is connected to earth (0V)
through a fixed resistance
to limit the earth fault
current
– Mainly used below 33 KV
– Full line to line insulation
required towards neutral
Technology Training that works
Grounding methods 4
• Reactance grounding
– Neutral connection on
Generator / transformer
is connected to earth
(0V) through a fixed
reactance to limit the
earth fault current
– Can be cheaper
compared to resistance
Technology Training that works
Grounding methods 5
• Petersen Coil grounding
(arc suppression)
– Neutral connection on
transformer is connected to
earth (0V) through a variable
reactance to neutralise the
capacitive earth fault current.
Results in arc extinction
Technology Training that works
Grounding methods 6
• NEC grounding (with and without resistance)
– In HV delta systems no earth connection is available. A
3 phase neutral grounding compensator is connected to
allow earth fault currents to flow - allowing detection of
these faults
Technology Training that works
Protective grounding
• Protects personnel against shocks
• Personnel do not experience dangerous high
voltages when contacting enclosure accidentally
connected to live parts
• Provides a low impedance path for accumulated
static charges and surges (lightning protection
grounding)
• Helps in mitigating the generation and
propagation of noise (grounding of shields and
signal reference planes)
Technology Training that works
Importance for Earthing
An Electrical equipment is considered dead when
• At or about zero potential
• Disconnected/ Isolated from live system
• Disconnection alone not adequate
• Can retain stored charge
• Can acquire a static charge
• Can accidentally be made alive
• Nearby live conductors may induce voltage
Technology Training that works
Importance of Earthing
! Ensure earthing before working on electrical
equipment
Earthing
• Connect apparatus electrically to general mass of earth in such a
manner as will ensure at all times an immediate safe discharge of
electrical energy
• Connect to earthed metal earth bar or spike with good metallic
conductor
Earthing by
• Closing of earthing links
• Attaching of fixed earthing devices
• Affixing of portable earthing straps
Technology Training that works
Importance of Earthing
Ensure before applying earth
• Earthing connection is mechanically, electrically in
good condition
• No broken strands
• Clamps should be rigid and without defect
• Applied properly in intimate contact with conductors
and earth-bar/ spike
• Earthing cable tails as short as possible
• Connect to earth first when installing earthing,
disconnect earth last while removing earthing
Technology Training that works
Hazards of improper Earthing
• Electrocution
• Burns from arcing
• Electric shock leading to falls
Technology Training that works
Bonding
• Connecting of various grounding systems and
non current carrying parts
• To achieve potential equalization between
different accessible conducting surfaces
• Potential difference between different
accessible conducting surfaces, different
grounding systems hazardous
Technology Training that works
Typical Earthing System
Technology Training that works
Touch, Step, Transferred Voltages
Technology Training that works
Touch Voltage
Permissible Touch Voltage
Voltage at any point of contact with
uninsulated metal work
• Within 2.5 mtrs from ground surface and
• Any point on ground surface within
horizontal distance of 1.25 mtrs from
vertical projection of point of contact with
uninsulated metal work
Technology Training that works
Step Voltage
• Difference in surface potential experienced
by a person bridging a distance of 1 mtr
with his feet apart, without contacting any
other earthed object
• Shall not exceed twice the value of Touch
voltage
Technology Training that works
Touch potentials (Reb =1 )
Person
touches
transformer
tank now live
Technology Training that works
Touch potentials (Reb = 10 )
Lower
touch
potential
Technology Training that works
Transferred Potential
Make Allowances for
• Transferred potential during design,
installation
• Voltage drop in conductors (where voltage
rise in earthing system is transferred by
metal work to remote location)
• Otherwise regard Transferred potential as
earthing system voltage rise
Technology Training that works
Transferred Earth Potential Rise
Earthing system shall be designed to
prevent
• Transfer of earth grid potentials to a
remote earth
• Transfer of a remote earth potential into a
station
• Breakdown of cable over-sheaths due to
voltage differences
Technology Training that works
Substation grounding practices-1:
• Grounding design approach depends upon:
• Voltage class of the system
• Type of installation (Utility or consumer)
• LV Systems:
• Usually solidly grounded
• Metallic contact between ground of consumer and
system neutral
• Special cases such as SELV power supplies may be
of ungrounded type
Technology Training that works
Substation grounding practices-2:
• MV Systems:
• Self contained systems (E.g., Turbo generators): High
resistance grounding
• Industrial systems: Low resistance
• Critical systems: Tuned grounding OR Ungrounded
(for small systems)
• Utilities: Solid grounding
• HV/EHV Systems: Solid grounding
Technology Training that works
A typical ground electrode:
Materials
• Copper
• Copper clad steel
• Galvanized steel
• Copper clad stainless
steel
Technology Training that works
A typical chemical electrode:
• Sometimes called a
leach electrode
• Chemical mixtures are
added to lower
resistance of soil
• Needs regular
maintenance
Technology Training that works
Ground Potential Rise-Example:
Technology Training that works
Ground Potential Rise-Example:
Technology Training that works
Voltages in grounding system:
Technology Training that works
Area of ground grid:
• HV (outdoor) substations use a buried ground grid for
dissipation of fault current to the soil
• Lower grid resistance to earth is preferable
• It reduces the ground potential rise with ref. to remote
earth
• Also reduces mesh voltage. Lower mesh voltage is safer
because it lowers touch/step voltages
• Grid of larger area has lower ground resistance and
results in lower grid voltage and mesh voltage
• Further reduction by using vertical electrodes welded to
the grid
Technology Training that works
Soil resistivity:
• Soil resistivity should be based on an average of
measurements done in the substation area
• Simple designs assume uniform soil
• Non uniform soil involves complex design steps
and requires computer programs
• Lower resistivity results in lower ground
resistance of the grid
Technology Training that works
Other issues to be taken note of:
• Soil layers may differ in resistivity
• Two layer soil model to be considered if
variations are found to be high at different
depths
• Transferred potential due to buried services
going to/ from the substation (water mains, cable
metallic sheath)
• Introduce non-conducting sections where
feasible to avoid transfer of Ground potential
Technology Training that works
Special attention to be paid to:
• Operating handles of equipment:
• Most fatalities occur due to high touch potential at these points
• Should be made safe by special arrangements
• Substation fence:
• Decision regarding keeping isolated vs connecting to substation
ground
• Surge arrestors:
• Short, direct and low impedance connections
• GIS extensions
Technology Training that works
Effective substation grounding - 1:
• Size ground conductors adequately
• Use proper bonding and jointing in ground
conductors. Poor joints cause high temperatures
during a fault to ground
• Select appropriate ground electrode system
• Pay attention to soil resistivity. Carry out soil
improvement if resistivity is too high. Use
chemical electrodes if situation warrants
Technology Training that works
Effective substation grounding - 2:
• Pay attention to step and touch potentials
• Building foundations can also be used as
grounding electrodes
• Integrate fence of outdoor substations as far as
possible. Avoid transferred potential from
services entering or leaving a substation
• Pay special attention to operating handles
Technology Training that works
Effective substation grounding - 3:
• Cable trays to be properly grounded
• Surge arrestors to be grounded using short low
impedance connections
• Carry out temporary grounding for safety when
personnel have to work on parts which are
normally live
Technology Training that works
Rings of equal potential on earth fault
Technology Training that works
Recommended maximum grounding
resistance values
Substation Capacity
Maximum Grounding Resistance (Ω)
Below 4.16kV Above 4.16kV
Below 1000kVA 5 10
1000kVA ~ 5000kVA 2 5
More than 5000kVA 1 2
Small Distribution
Transformer Banks
15 25
Technology Training that works
Grounding Methods - Comparison
Characteristics Ungrounded Solid
Grounding
Low
Resistance
Grounding
High
Resistance
Grounding
Personnel Safety Poor Better Good Best
Immunity to
Transient Over
voltages
Poor Good Good Best
Voltage stress
during ground fault
Poor Best Good Poor
Potential flashover
to ground
Poor Worst Good Best
Technology Training that works
Grounding Methods - Comparison
Characteristics Ungrounded Solid
Grounding
Low
Resistance
Grounding
High
Resistance
Grounding
Protection against Arc
Fault damage
Worst Poor Better Best
Ease of providing
Ground fault protection
Worst Good Better Best
Service Reliability Worst Good Better Best
Continuity of Service Better Poor Poor Best
Technology Training that works
Grounding Methods - Comparison
Characteristics Ungrounded Solid
Grounding
Low
Resistance
Grounding
High
Resistance
Grounding
Reduction in Fault
frequency
Worst Better Good Best
Ease of Fault
Location
Worst Good Better Best
Protection device
coordination
Not possible Good Better Best
Maintenance Cost Worst Good Better Best
Technology Training that works
Any questions ?

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earthing (1).ppt

  • 1. Technology Training that works ELECTRICAL EARTHING
  • 2. Technology Training that works Special Note: • The approach here is based on standard IEEE 80 (Safety in AC substation grounding) • These discussions are for illustration only • Grounding practices are subject to local regulations/codes which will take precedence
  • 3. Technology Training that works Objectives of grounding: • Provides an electrical supply system with a reference to the groundmass (system grounding) • Protective grounding of electrical equipment enclosures – Makes them safe to persons who may come into contact with them – Enables the flow of fault current in the event of a failure • Provides a low impedance path for accumulated static charges and surges (lightning protection grounding) • Helps in mitigating the generation and propagation of noise (grounding of shields and signal reference planes)
  • 4. Technology Training that works Earthing System Shall satisfy Safety, Functional requirements of electrical installation Shall ensure • Protection against indirect contact • Proper functioning of electrical protective devices • Protective and functional requirements are met under expected conditions • Earth fault, earth leakage currents can be carried safely • Adequate strength appropriate to external influences • Adequate value of earthing resistance
  • 5. Technology Training that works Benefits (1) • Fault damage now minimal – Reduces fire hazard (especially in mines) • Lower outage times – Less lost production, less lost revenue • Touch potentials kept within safe limits – Protects human life
  • 6. Technology Training that works Benefits (2) • Low Fault Currents reduce possibility of igniting gases – Minimizes explosion hazard • Lower Magnetic or thermal stresses imposed on plant during fault • Transient overvoltages limited – Prevents stressing of insulation, breaker restrikes
  • 7. Technology Training that works Fault in an Ungrounded System:
  • 8. Technology Training that works System grounding • Provides reference for the entire power system to groundmass • Establishes a path for current to ground during insulation failure • Provides protection against equipment damage due to faults • Provides protection against high voltage transients • Enables detection by circuit protective devices for isolation • Reduces maintenance time and expenditure
  • 9. Technology Training that works Fault in Ungrounded system • Single phase ground fault does not result in flow of high fault currents • Voltage to ground of other two phases rises by 73% - Causes insulation stress • Fault current = Vector sum of capacitive currents in the distributed capacitive reactance of other two phases
  • 10. Technology Training that works Fault in Ungrounded system • Intermittent first fault causes transient voltages up to 6 to 8 times nominal system voltage • Such high transient voltage can initiate a second fault at weakest insulation point • Uncleared arcing fault can cause extensive damage to system • Early detection of first fault therefore of paramount importance
  • 11. Technology Training that works Effect of neutral (system) grounding:
  • 12. Technology Training that works Ground fault current flow:
  • 13. Technology Training that works Grounding methods 1 • Ungrounded System – Neutral connection on Generator/ Transformer is not connected to earth at all
  • 14. Technology Training that works Grounding methods 2 Solid grounding – Neutral connection on Generator / Transformer is connected to earth by a solid Conductor – Cost Reductiuons due to avoidance of sensitive relays and grounding device, Grading of insulation towards neutral end. – But Circulation of third harmonic currents between neutrals
  • 15. Technology Training that works Grounding methods 3 • Resistance grounding – Neutral connection on Generator / Transformer is connected to earth (0V) through a fixed resistance to limit the earth fault current – Mainly used below 33 KV – Full line to line insulation required towards neutral
  • 16. Technology Training that works Grounding methods 4 • Reactance grounding – Neutral connection on Generator / transformer is connected to earth (0V) through a fixed reactance to limit the earth fault current – Can be cheaper compared to resistance
  • 17. Technology Training that works Grounding methods 5 • Petersen Coil grounding (arc suppression) – Neutral connection on transformer is connected to earth (0V) through a variable reactance to neutralise the capacitive earth fault current. Results in arc extinction
  • 18. Technology Training that works Grounding methods 6 • NEC grounding (with and without resistance) – In HV delta systems no earth connection is available. A 3 phase neutral grounding compensator is connected to allow earth fault currents to flow - allowing detection of these faults
  • 19. Technology Training that works Protective grounding • Protects personnel against shocks • Personnel do not experience dangerous high voltages when contacting enclosure accidentally connected to live parts • Provides a low impedance path for accumulated static charges and surges (lightning protection grounding) • Helps in mitigating the generation and propagation of noise (grounding of shields and signal reference planes)
  • 20. Technology Training that works Importance for Earthing An Electrical equipment is considered dead when • At or about zero potential • Disconnected/ Isolated from live system • Disconnection alone not adequate • Can retain stored charge • Can acquire a static charge • Can accidentally be made alive • Nearby live conductors may induce voltage
  • 21. Technology Training that works Importance of Earthing ! Ensure earthing before working on electrical equipment Earthing • Connect apparatus electrically to general mass of earth in such a manner as will ensure at all times an immediate safe discharge of electrical energy • Connect to earthed metal earth bar or spike with good metallic conductor Earthing by • Closing of earthing links • Attaching of fixed earthing devices • Affixing of portable earthing straps
  • 22. Technology Training that works Importance of Earthing Ensure before applying earth • Earthing connection is mechanically, electrically in good condition • No broken strands • Clamps should be rigid and without defect • Applied properly in intimate contact with conductors and earth-bar/ spike • Earthing cable tails as short as possible • Connect to earth first when installing earthing, disconnect earth last while removing earthing
  • 23. Technology Training that works Hazards of improper Earthing • Electrocution • Burns from arcing • Electric shock leading to falls
  • 24. Technology Training that works Bonding • Connecting of various grounding systems and non current carrying parts • To achieve potential equalization between different accessible conducting surfaces • Potential difference between different accessible conducting surfaces, different grounding systems hazardous
  • 25. Technology Training that works Typical Earthing System
  • 26. Technology Training that works Touch, Step, Transferred Voltages
  • 27. Technology Training that works Touch Voltage Permissible Touch Voltage Voltage at any point of contact with uninsulated metal work • Within 2.5 mtrs from ground surface and • Any point on ground surface within horizontal distance of 1.25 mtrs from vertical projection of point of contact with uninsulated metal work
  • 28. Technology Training that works Step Voltage • Difference in surface potential experienced by a person bridging a distance of 1 mtr with his feet apart, without contacting any other earthed object • Shall not exceed twice the value of Touch voltage
  • 29. Technology Training that works Touch potentials (Reb =1 ) Person touches transformer tank now live
  • 30. Technology Training that works Touch potentials (Reb = 10 ) Lower touch potential
  • 31. Technology Training that works Transferred Potential Make Allowances for • Transferred potential during design, installation • Voltage drop in conductors (where voltage rise in earthing system is transferred by metal work to remote location) • Otherwise regard Transferred potential as earthing system voltage rise
  • 32. Technology Training that works Transferred Earth Potential Rise Earthing system shall be designed to prevent • Transfer of earth grid potentials to a remote earth • Transfer of a remote earth potential into a station • Breakdown of cable over-sheaths due to voltage differences
  • 33. Technology Training that works Substation grounding practices-1: • Grounding design approach depends upon: • Voltage class of the system • Type of installation (Utility or consumer) • LV Systems: • Usually solidly grounded • Metallic contact between ground of consumer and system neutral • Special cases such as SELV power supplies may be of ungrounded type
  • 34. Technology Training that works Substation grounding practices-2: • MV Systems: • Self contained systems (E.g., Turbo generators): High resistance grounding • Industrial systems: Low resistance • Critical systems: Tuned grounding OR Ungrounded (for small systems) • Utilities: Solid grounding • HV/EHV Systems: Solid grounding
  • 35. Technology Training that works A typical ground electrode: Materials • Copper • Copper clad steel • Galvanized steel • Copper clad stainless steel
  • 36. Technology Training that works A typical chemical electrode: • Sometimes called a leach electrode • Chemical mixtures are added to lower resistance of soil • Needs regular maintenance
  • 37. Technology Training that works Ground Potential Rise-Example:
  • 38. Technology Training that works Ground Potential Rise-Example:
  • 39. Technology Training that works Voltages in grounding system:
  • 40. Technology Training that works Area of ground grid: • HV (outdoor) substations use a buried ground grid for dissipation of fault current to the soil • Lower grid resistance to earth is preferable • It reduces the ground potential rise with ref. to remote earth • Also reduces mesh voltage. Lower mesh voltage is safer because it lowers touch/step voltages • Grid of larger area has lower ground resistance and results in lower grid voltage and mesh voltage • Further reduction by using vertical electrodes welded to the grid
  • 41. Technology Training that works Soil resistivity: • Soil resistivity should be based on an average of measurements done in the substation area • Simple designs assume uniform soil • Non uniform soil involves complex design steps and requires computer programs • Lower resistivity results in lower ground resistance of the grid
  • 42. Technology Training that works Other issues to be taken note of: • Soil layers may differ in resistivity • Two layer soil model to be considered if variations are found to be high at different depths • Transferred potential due to buried services going to/ from the substation (water mains, cable metallic sheath) • Introduce non-conducting sections where feasible to avoid transfer of Ground potential
  • 43. Technology Training that works Special attention to be paid to: • Operating handles of equipment: • Most fatalities occur due to high touch potential at these points • Should be made safe by special arrangements • Substation fence: • Decision regarding keeping isolated vs connecting to substation ground • Surge arrestors: • Short, direct and low impedance connections • GIS extensions
  • 44. Technology Training that works Effective substation grounding - 1: • Size ground conductors adequately • Use proper bonding and jointing in ground conductors. Poor joints cause high temperatures during a fault to ground • Select appropriate ground electrode system • Pay attention to soil resistivity. Carry out soil improvement if resistivity is too high. Use chemical electrodes if situation warrants
  • 45. Technology Training that works Effective substation grounding - 2: • Pay attention to step and touch potentials • Building foundations can also be used as grounding electrodes • Integrate fence of outdoor substations as far as possible. Avoid transferred potential from services entering or leaving a substation • Pay special attention to operating handles
  • 46. Technology Training that works Effective substation grounding - 3: • Cable trays to be properly grounded • Surge arrestors to be grounded using short low impedance connections • Carry out temporary grounding for safety when personnel have to work on parts which are normally live
  • 47. Technology Training that works Rings of equal potential on earth fault
  • 48. Technology Training that works Recommended maximum grounding resistance values Substation Capacity Maximum Grounding Resistance (Ω) Below 4.16kV Above 4.16kV Below 1000kVA 5 10 1000kVA ~ 5000kVA 2 5 More than 5000kVA 1 2 Small Distribution Transformer Banks 15 25
  • 49. Technology Training that works Grounding Methods - Comparison Characteristics Ungrounded Solid Grounding Low Resistance Grounding High Resistance Grounding Personnel Safety Poor Better Good Best Immunity to Transient Over voltages Poor Good Good Best Voltage stress during ground fault Poor Best Good Poor Potential flashover to ground Poor Worst Good Best
  • 50. Technology Training that works Grounding Methods - Comparison Characteristics Ungrounded Solid Grounding Low Resistance Grounding High Resistance Grounding Protection against Arc Fault damage Worst Poor Better Best Ease of providing Ground fault protection Worst Good Better Best Service Reliability Worst Good Better Best Continuity of Service Better Poor Poor Best
  • 51. Technology Training that works Grounding Methods - Comparison Characteristics Ungrounded Solid Grounding Low Resistance Grounding High Resistance Grounding Reduction in Fault frequency Worst Better Good Best Ease of Fault Location Worst Good Better Best Protection device coordination Not possible Good Better Best Maintenance Cost Worst Good Better Best
  • 52. Technology Training that works Any questions ?