Is Your Power Installation Safely Earthed?

Trevor Charlton and Dr. Matthew Taylor, Strategy & Solutions Ltd, UK Dr. Mark Davies, Earthing Measurements Ltd, UK Author Biographical Notes Trevor Charlton is the Managing Director of Strategy & Solutions and Earthing Measurements Ltd. These companies supply earthing design, research, training and measurement services to most of the UK electricity companies and their contractors. Via S&S, he has written the earthing policy documentation for most of the UK electricity companies and is the named earthing consultant for several large companies. Via EA Services Ltd., he was the UK representative on earthing related issues on the IEC group preparing IEC 61936-1 (concerned with electrical power installations). He has published and presented numerous technical papers on power system earthing and electric interference, one of which won the IEE Power Engineering Journal Premium Award. He is an experienced lecturer on the subject and is involved in this role in earthing courses in the UK, Europe, the Middle and Far East. His previous engineering experience has been gained via WPD (SWALEC), National Power, the Seychelles Electricity Corporation and Coopers Deloitte. In addition to his engineering qualifications, he has an MBA (distinction) from Warwick Business School and has provided business consultancy services (Strategic and Business Planning) to a number of UK companies. Mark Davies has carried out numerous measurements at substations throughout the UK using standard equipment and a purpose built earth impedance measurement system. Before working for Strategy & Solutions, he completed a three year industry-linked PhD at Cardiff University, specialising in the high frequency performance of earthing systems. This was via the EPSRC Total Technology Scheme sponsored by Strategy & Solutions Ltd. In addition to his studies, he was involved with numerous earthing investigations and has assisted in presenting several earthing courses. He is also currently a director of Earthing Measurements Ltd, who offer a range of measurements services for high-voltage substation earthing systems. His special responsibilities include site measurements, earthing system assessments, analysis of the performance of electrode systems under lightning and impulses and interference studies. Matthew Taylor graduated from a four-year Electrical and Electronic degree at Cardiff University in 1995, which included a sandwich training year with SWALEC (now WPD). Continuing at Cardiff University, he completed an industry-linked PhD (sponsored by EPSRC and Strategy & Solutions Ltd), developing soil resistivity measurement and analysis techniques and the condition monitoring of earthing systems at substations up to 132kV. Now at Strategy & Solutions Limited, he has tutored on several earthing courses, contributed to industry policy documentation, R&D and conducted numerous substation earthing assessments. His areas of responsibility include soil resistivity analysis and earthing design for transmission lines and tower-based mobile phone/radio installations.

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.1

Abstract The earthing system of a power installation plays a pivotal role in providing a safe environment for personnel and avoiding damage to equipment, particularly during fault conditions. Interest in earthing has been rekindled in recent years due to injuries, equipment damage and factors that have increased the external environmental effect of power faults. This has led to changes in design, revised standards and greater control of installation practices. Integration of power and telecommunication equipment at electricity company sites has highlighted the difference between installation standards and led to the introduction of new codes of practice [1]. The paper summarises the procedure undertaken to ensure the safety of an installation where power and telecommunication equipment are combined. Some examples of earthing related defects and previous poor practices are included. Importantly, because of the interest in earthing, supported by research and development, there is a full portfolio of test equipment, test procedures and design tools to ensure that the earthing system performs correctly and limits its external impact during faults. 1. Introduction The electricity network is mature and has a large distributed array of assets through which electricity is transmitted and distributed to end customers. Whilst extension of these assets (by installing new, extending or re-organising existing assets) does occur, much of the recent emphasis is on making the most effective use of existing assets. These form an attractive base on which to add new technology and, in many cases, this has been telecommunication equipment added to transmission line towers or substations with relative ease in terms of planning and other general requirements. The technical requirements have however proven to be much more demanding and have served to highlight the difference in earthing construction standards between electricity (higher fault current) and telecommunication bodies. This has helped serve as a catalyst into a deeper investigation of the earthing issues because the design requirements were so demanding. At the same time there has been a maturing in the application of earthing analysis skills, such that when diagnosing incidents, earthing is now more quickly established as a cause and efforts have moved from the analysis area towards being able to take the measurements which either prove the designs compliance with technical limits or as the cause of an incident. Measurement of safety voltages is especially important as these are both the basis of the design and the quantities to be measured in the case of an incident. Earth faults on power networks cause an Earth Potential Rise (EPR). This appears on all the connected metalwork at the point of fault, including the electrode system within the soil. Voltages occur on the soil surface (Surface Potentials) and within the soil surrounding the electrode system. If the EPR magnitude was high enough, these voltages may damage equipment or cause an electrical shock to humans or livestock. The voltage differences around a faulted installation are characterised using the terminology transfer, touch and step potentials. Electricity power installation (Substation) earthing systems within the UK are designed to restrict touch and step potentials such that they are lower than the limits set out in EA TS 41-24 [2]. Best endeavours are used to reduce the EPR and design the earthing system such that the voltage differences created are all within safe limits or special procedures are implemented. The EPR, the electrode size, its geometric shape, the soil resistivity and its structure influence the area affected by these voltages. When a telecommunication installation is added, this may extend the affected area and the design must ensure that no new zones of hazardous surface potentials are created.

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.2

2. Defining the Environment/Characteristics Typically, the environment is defined through measurements of soil resistivity and (particularly when an existing asset is being used) the earth resistance. The Wenner sounding method [3] is generally used to measure soil resistivity and the fall of potential technique [3] for measuring the existing earth resistance. Figure 1 shows a Wenner electrode array, which is characterised by four electrodes, with equal separation a, driven into the soil in a straight line. Current is circulated between electrodes C1 and C2. The resulting surface potential is measured between electrodes P1 and P2. Figure 2 shows an example data set from a Wenner sounding, with maximum spacing a of 200m. The corresponding three-layer soil model, derived using a computer software package, is shown on the right of Figure 2. The soil structure and the resistivity of the various layers will influence the earthing design used and its impact upon safety and surface potentials.
Array centre X 3a 2 a a a 2 a Soil surface

C1

P1

P2

C2

Figure 1:

Wenner Sounding Array

10000

Apparent resistivity ( m) 100 1000

10 Depth (m) 100

10

10

100 Wenner spacing (m)

1000

100 1000 10000 Layer resistivity (m)

Figure 2:

Example Soil Resistivity Data and Corresponding Soil Model

An analysis of services and other equipment in the area of interest is also necessary, assessing susceptibility to the potentials produced and impact on the local environment. For example, if
Strategy & Solutions Limited 2.3

equipment such as gas pipelines or telecommunication/signalling cables are involved an investigation of the possible damage and ways of avoiding this must be carried out. If the land has public access or is grazed by cattle or horses, then stricter design criteria are used. 3. Site Assessments and Examples of Typical Defects Where existing assets are being used, an examination of their earthing system is necessary. The first test (where practicable) would be to measure the earth resistance using the fall of potential method, as illustrated in Figure 3. The procedure for carrying out this type of measurement was explained in an earlier paper [4]. Where drawings are missing or suspect, the location and depth of the installed earth electrode may also need to be located using surface tracing techniques, as illustrated in Figure 4.
5 to 10 times dimensions of earth grid
Earthing System Under Test Voltage Probe

Current Probe

Fuses

P2

C2 Four Terminal Earth Tester

C1

P1

P2

C2

Figure 3:

Fall-of-Potential Measurement Method

Figure 4:
Strategy & Solutions Limited

Surface Tracing Technique

2.4

Examples of some earthing defects found on telecommunication equipment are shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7. In Figure 5, the joint used for bonding the telecommunication equipment would not be capable of carrying even a small proportion of the power system current without failing. Examples have been found where such connections have been made without even removing the tower paintwork. The insulated conductor and single, short earth rod of the telecommunication installation shown in Figure 6 ensure that it is not safe when a fault occurs as this type of arrangement increases prospective touch voltages. The earth connections at the base of the telecommunication tower shown in Figure 7 will ensure problems in the event of a lightning strike. To perform adequately, the earth connections must be as short and straight as possible something to which great attention is paid to in new power system installations. Of course defects are found in the power installations as well. These include old designs based on plates or single electrodes with no consideration of safety voltages (the arrangement of Figure 8 only has earth rods in the centre), incorrect maintenance or installation which has led to corrosion of the electrode systems (see Figure 9), theft (see Figure 10, circled) and failure to bond the earthwire to transmission line structures (this was not required in old standards). The last defect is the most common reason for finding a much higher earth resistance during resistance measurements than anticipated. Once the useful parts of the existing earthing system and any important defects have been identified, the design process will start.

Figure 5:

Earthing Defect - Inadequate Bolted Connection

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.5

Figure 6:

Earthing Defect - Unsuitable Earthing Design

Figure 7:
Strategy & Solutions Limited

Earthing Defect - Poor Quality Telecoms Tower Connection

2.6

Figure 8:

Earthing Defect Only Single Rods Used

Figure 9:

Earthing Defect Corrosion

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.7

Figure 10: Earthing Defect - Theft 4. Typical Designs Proposed and Installed An integrated design is generally the most desirable, but where there is significant physical separation between electricity and telecommunication equipment, they may be treated as separate entities and have their own earthing systems. This does of course require that there is no significant impact from one to another, via transferred potentials through the soil for example. We will assume, for this paper, that the design will integrate the electrode system of each into one overall earthing system. Where the equipment is in close proximity to one another, this is the only option available. This does mean that the telecommunication installation will see the same voltage rise during faults as the power installation and its electrode system will need to carry part of the power system fault current. The design must ensure that transfer voltages, touch, step and external surface potentials are controlled [2]. Typical examples of completed designs include:

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.8

Telecom Tower

Electricity Terminal Tower

Telecoms Equipment Plinth

Electricity Substation Compound

Figure 11: Typical Earthing Design for a Telecom Installation within an Electricity Substation

12
Telecoms equipment plinth

-4
Tower legs

-8 -8

-4

12

Top View of Conductors

Figure 12: Typical Earthing Design for a Telecom Installation adjacent to a Transmission Tower As part of the design process, touch, step and transferred potentials are calculated (normally using computer software [5]) and the design optimised until such time that the calculated voltages are lower that the limits set out in the applicable standards. Figure 12 shows an earthing design developed for a mobile phone base station (MPBS) with antennae mounted on a 132kV transmission tower. Earthing was provided around the tower footing and MPBS, including the provision of a safe area to be used during temporary generator
Strategy & Solutions Limited 2.9

connection. This design and others are covered in greater detail in an earlier paper [6]. Figure 13 shows an example of this type of earthing design being installed adjacent to a transmission tower footing.

Figure 13:

Earthing Design Being Installed at a Transmission Tower Site

5. Post Installation Tests Once the earthing installation is complete, there is usually a need to confirm that the design values have been achieved. The fall of potential resistance measurement carried out previously to measure the existing earth resistance may be repeated and a lower overall resistance should be one factor indicating a satisfactory outcome. However, as the designs are based on touch, step and external surface potentials, in cases where there is any doubt about the design, these quantities must be measured. In the past this has been difficult to achieve at live power installations. This has mainly been due to the fact that small potentials must be measured against significant levels of background electrical noise. Following a number of developments in this area, equipment and procedures are now available to carry this out and give a much more precise audit of the installed arrangement. Figure 14 shows some potential measurements being taken on the gravel surface within a live electricity substation. Figure 15 shows a high degree of correlation between the calculated and measured values. Discrepancies that were found, such as that shown on the right of the graph, identified the presence of buried metallic sheathed cables that had not be included in the computer model that was used to generate the calculated curve. Where the potential contours external to the site need to be investigated in order to establish the degree of impact on third party equipment, again measurements are now possible to compare against the calculated value. Figure 16 shows a contour plot as measured around a power installation and this proved that further mitigation action was required in order to avoid damage to a gas installation. The advantage of the measured values is that they account for any local anomalies in the soil, together with any buried metal structures which may not have been known about at the design
Strategy & Solutions Limited 2.10

stage. Once this information is made available to the designer, an assessment can be made of which contour to use for the present and into the future.

Figure 14:
100 90 80 Surface potential as %age of EPR 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -20 -10

Surface Potential Measurements within a Substation

Tower footing Earth electrode

Vertical earth rods

Difference due to metallic sheath cables

CDEGS calculated Measured

10

20

30

40

50

Distance with reference to 33kV tower footing (m)

Figure 15:

Calculated and Measured Results

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.11

390m
N-NW route

300m
NW route

Required surface potential contour

Substation

225m

370m Residence
SW route (FOP) Figure 16: 6. Conclusions The renewed interest in earthing has enabled the development and re-evaluation of testing and design methods to predict the performance of earthing systems during normal and fault conditions. The process of integrating the design and installation practices of telecommunication and power providers has now gone past the initial culture difference phase and with the introduction of a new code of practice, the past problems should now be behind us and good quality earthing installations are something which should now be expected. An important gap has also now been closed, i.e. the previous inability to accurately measure the design parameters (in particular safety voltages and external potential contours) in an electrically noisy environment. So we now have the full portfolio of design tools and procedures together with the test procedures to carry out a post installation audit. This enables the safety voltages to be checked and the impact on external plant and equipment measured. 7. References 1. E.A. Engineering Recommendation G78: Recommendations for low voltage connections to mobile telephone base stations with antennae on high voltage structures, Electricity Association Services Ltd, London, 2003. E.A. Technical specification 41-24: Guidelines for the design, installation, testing and maintenance of main earthing systems in substations, Electricity Association, London, 1992. TAGG, G.F: Earth resistances, (George Newnes, London, 1964).
2.12

Gas installation

SE route

Surface Potentials Measured Around a 132kV Substation

2.

3.

Strategy & Solutions Limited

4.

DAVIES. M, QUEENAN. J, CHARLTON. T and GRIFFITHS. H: Measurements For Testing Earthing System Integrity, ERA Technology Earthing 2000 Conference Proceedings, June 2000. CHARLTON, T. and GAGLANI, M.: Designing the earthing system of a power installation using computer software, ERA Technology Earthing 2000 Conference Proceedings, June 2000. CHARLTON. T, TAYLOR. M and DAVIES. M: Technical Issues, Design Approach and Typical Solutions When Co-locating Telecommunication Equipment On Electrical Power Installations or Towers, ERA Technology Conference Proceedings Earthing and Bonding of Telecommunications Installations, 2002.

5.

6.

Strategy & Solutions Limited

2.13