TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
a. Importance of Substation Grounding
b. Typical Shock Situations
II. Design Equations
a. Tolerable Voltage Limits
b. Conductor Sizing
c. Ground Grid Resistance
d. Maximum Grid Current
e. Ground Potential Rise
f. Mesh Voltage
g. Step Voltage
h. Evaluation of Calculated Parameters
i. Use of Design Equations
III. Special Danger Points
a. Substation Fence
b. Operating Handles
c. Metallic Cable Sheaths
d. Surge Arrester Grounding
e. Grounding of Lightning Shield
IV. Working Example
Annex A
References
I. Introduction
a. Importance of Substation Grounding
The substation grounding system is an essential part of the overall electrical system. The
proper grounding of a substation is important for the following two reasons:
1. It provides a means of dissipating electric current into the earth without
exceeding the operating limits of the equipment.
2. It provides a safe environment to protect personnel in the vicinity of grounded
facilities from the dangers of electric shock under fault conditions.
The grounding system includes all of the interconnected grounding facilities in the substation
area, including the ground grid, overhead ground wires, neutral conductors, underground
cables, foundations, deep well, etc. The ground grid consists of horizontal interconnected
bare conductors (mat) and ground rods. The design of the ground grid to control voltage
levels to safe values should consider the total grounding system to provide a safe system at
an economical cost.
b. Typical Shock Situations
Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the five voltages a person can be exposed to in a substation.
The following definitions describe the voltages.
Figure 1. Shock Situations
Figure 2. Situation of transferred potential.
Ground potential rise (GPR):
The maximum electrical potential that a substation grounding grid may attain relative to a distant
grounding point assumed to be at the potential of remote earth. GPR is the product of the
magnitude of the grid current, the portion of the fault current conducted to earth by the
grounding system, and the ground grid resistance.
Mesh voltage:
The maximum touch voltage within a mesh of a ground grid.
Metal-to-metal touch voltage:
The difference in potential between metallic objects or structures within the substation site that
can be bridged by direct hand-to-hand or hand-to-feet contact.
Step voltage:
The difference in surface potential experienced by a person bridging a distance of 1 m with the
feet without contacting any other grounded object.
Touch voltage:
The potential difference between the ground potential rise (GPR) and the surface potential at
the point where a person is standing while at the same time having a hand in contact with a
grounded structure.
Transferred voltage:
A special case of the touch voltage where a voltage is transferred into or out of the substation,
from or to a remote point external to the substation site. The maximum voltage of any accidental
circuit must not exceed the limit that would produce a current flow through the body that could
cause fibrillation.
II. Design Equations
a. Tolerable Voltage Limits
( )
( )
s
s s touch
s
s s step
t
C E
t
C E
116 . 0
5 . 1 1000
FORMULA VOLTAGE TOUCH
116 . 0
6 1000
FORMULA VOLTAGE STEP
50
50

+
+
where;
s = resistivity of surfacing layer
ts = duration of shock in seconds
Cs = reduction factor
hs = crushed rock layer thickness, meters
= earth resistivity, ohm-meter
Estep50 = the limit of step voltage for a 50 Kg person
Etouch50 = the limit of touch voltage for a 50 Kg person
09 . 0 2
1 09 . 0
1
+

,
_

s
s
s
h
C

b. Conductor Sizing
The size of grid wire is determined as follows:
a
m
r r c
T K
T K
x
t
TCAPx
A I
+
+

0
0
4
ln
10

where;
I = current in kA
A = conductor current in sq mm
Tm = maximum allowable temperature in degrees Celsius
Ta = allowable temperature in degrees Celsius
Tr = ref temperature for material constant, degrees C
0 = thermal coefficient at 0 degrees C
r = thermal coefficient at Tr, degrees C
r = conductor resistivity at Tr, /cm
3
K0 = 1/ 0
tS = duration of current flow
TCAP = thermal capacity factor. J/cm
3
/
0
C
c. Ground Grid Resistance
By Sveraks equation;
1
]
1

,
_

+
+ +
A h A L
R
g
/ 20 1
1
1
20
1 1

where;
Rg = resistance of ground grid
= soil resistivity
L = total length of buried conductor
A = area of the grid
h = depth of buried conductor, meters
d. Maximum Grid Current
Ig = (If) (Sf) (Df)
Where;
) 1 ( 1
2
a
f
T
t
f
a
f
e
t
T
D

+
Sf = fault division factor (Refer to IEEE Std 80-2000 Table C.1)
Ig = grid current
If = maximum line to ground fault current
Df =decrement factor
tf =fault clearing time
Ta =X/(120 R)
e. Ground Potential Rise
GPR = (Rg)(Ig)
If GPR is less than the touch voltage no further calculations are required.
f. Mesh Voltage
The general equation for mesh voltage can be expressed as follows:
m
G i m
m
L
I K K
E

Where;
Em = mesh voltage, volts
= soil resistivity, ohm-meter
Km = geometric factor
IG =Grid current
Ki =Spacing factor for mesh voltage
Lm =Effective length for mesh voltage

2
) 1 2 (
8
ln
4 8
) 2 (
16
ln
2 2

+
1
]
1

+
+

n K
K
d
h
Dd
h D
hd
D
K
h
ii
m
where;
D = spacing between parallel conductors, meters
h = depth of ground grid conductors in meters
d = diameter of ground grid conductor in meters
Kii = 1 for grids with ground rods along the perimeter, or for grids with ground rods in
the grid corners, as well as both, both along the perimeter and throughout the grid area
n =effective number of parallel rods
ho
h
K
h
+ 1 Where; h0 = 1 m (reference depth of grid)
n=nanbncnd where; 1 ; 1 ;
4
;
2

d c
p
b
p
c
a
n n
A
L
n
L
L
n
Ki = 0.664 + 0.148n
Since the grounding is a combination of grid wires and rods, the effective length of
grounding conductor is:
R
y x
r
c m
L
L L
L
L L
1
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
+ +
2 2
22 . 1 55 . 1
Where;
Lr =Length of each ground rod
Lx =Total length of conductors along the X-axis
Ly =Total length of conductors along the Y-axis
LR =Total length of ground rods
Lc =Total length of conductors w/o ground rods
g. Touch Voltage
s
G i s
L
I K K
Es

Where;
Es = step voltage, volts
= soil resistivity; equal to 100 ohm-m
Ks = geometric factor; equal to 2.33
Ki = corrective factor
IG = maximum grid current; equal to 6837.4A
Ls = Effective length of buried conductor, m
1
]
1

+
+
+

) 5 . 0 1 (
1 1
2
1 1
) 2 (n
s
D h D h
K

Ls = 0.75LC+0.85LR
h. Evaluation of Calculated Parameters
A safe and effective grounding grid design has been achieved if the following are met:
1. Rg<5 ohms for distribution substation and <1 ohm for transmission substation
2. The calculated design mesh voltage of the grid should be less than the
calculated tolerable step voltage.
3. The calculated design touch voltage of the grid should be less than the
calculated tolerable touch voltage.
Revisions to the design of the grounding grid should be done if the three items are not
complied.
i. Use of Design Equations
The design equations above are limited to a uniform soil resistivity, equal grid spacing,
specific buried depths, and relatively simple geometric layouts of the grid system. It may
be necessary to use more sophisticated computer techniques to design a substation
ground grid system for non-uniform soils or complex geometric layouts.
III. Special Danger Points
a. Substation Fence Grounding
The grounding of the substation fence is critical because the fence is generally
accessible to the public. The substation grounding design should be such that
the touch potential on both sides of the fence is within the calculated tolerable
limit of touch potential.
The substation fence should be connected to the main ground grid by means of
an outer grid conductor installed a minimum of 0.91 meter (3 feet) (approximately
one arms length) outside the substation fence. Connections to the outer grid
conductor should be made at all corner posts and at line post every 12.92 to
15.24 meters (40 to 50 feet). The gateposts should be securely bonded to the
adjacent fence. It is recommended that all gates swing inward and be designed
and installed to prevent an outward swing. If gates are installed with an outward
swing, then the ground grid should extend a minimum of 0.91 meter (3 feet) past
the maximum swing of the gate.
b. Operating Handles
Equipment operating handles are a special circumstance because of the higher
probability for coincidence of adverse factors, namely, the presence of a person
contacting grounded equipment and performing an operation that can lead to
electrical breakdown.
If the grounding system is designed conservatively for safe mesh potentials, then
the operator should not be exposed to unsafe voltages. However, because of the
uncertainty inherent in substation grounding design, a metal grounding platform
(mat), connected to the operating handle should be placed where the operator
should stand on it to operate the device regardless of whether the operating
handle is insulated.
Considerations involved in the switch grounding platform ground conductor
include the following:
1. Proper grounding calculations and grid design should result in acceptable
touch and step potential voltages without the additional grounding
platform grounding. However, since the operation of the switch places the
operator directly at risk when a substation fault occurs, additional
precautions are needed. This includes adding switch grounding platforms
and a 3 to 6-inch layer of clean crushed rock that covers the entire area
inside the substation fence and extends 3 to 4 feet outside the substation
fence to reduce the risk of electric shock.
2. Switch grounding platform grounding is added to minimize the voltage
between the switch operators hands and feet in the event of a fault at the
switch during manual operation. The grounding platform should be
connected to the operating handle by a copper cable that connects to the
operating handle and the grounding platform as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Typical switch grounding.
c. Metallic Cable Sheaths
Metallic cable sheaths in power cable have to be effectively grounded to prevent
dangerous voltages resulting from insulation failure, electrostatic and
electromagnetic induction, flow of fault current in the sheath, and voltage rise
during fault current flow in the substation ground system to which the sheaths are
connected. Cable sheaths should be grounded at two or more locations: at cable
terminations and at splices and taps. Control cable shields are not intended to
carry significant current and thus should only be grounded at one end. Where
any cable sheath may be exposed to excessive ground current flow, a parallel
ground cable should be run and connected to both ends.
d. Surge Arrester Grounding
Surge arresters are designed to pass surge energy from lightning and switching
transients to ground and so are frequently subjected to abnormal current flow to
ground. They have to be reliably grounded to ensure protection of the equipment
they are protecting and to minimize high potential gradients during operation.
The surge arrester grounds should be connected as close as possible to the
ground terminals of the apparatus to be protected and have as short and direct a
path to earth as practical. Arrester leads should be as free from sharp bends as
practical. The tanks of transformers and steel or aluminum structures may be
considered as the path for grounding arresters, provided effective connections
can be made and secure multiple paths are available.
e. Grounding of Lightning Shield
A shielding system cannot effectively protect substation equipment unless
adequately grounded. Multiple low impedance connections from the shielding
system to the substation ground grid are essential. It is beneficial to use at least
two separate connections to ensure continuity and reliability. Whenever non-
conducting masts or supports are used, install separate ground cables to
establish a direct connection from the shield system to the substation ground
system.
IV. Working Example
Technical data of the substation:
Lot dimension:Length = 24 meters
Width = 18 meters
Maximum ground fault current = 6837.4 Amps at the low side
X/R Ratio = 40
Number of incoming lines: 1 69 KV line
Number of distribution neutrals: 4
Data gathered for the design computation:
Soil resistivity = 100 ohm-m
Resistivity of gravel surfacing = 5000 ohm-meter
Thickness of crushed rock surfacing = 0.1 m
Fault duration = 0.3 second
The grounding design is based on the effect of shock on a 50 Kg person.
The grid wires will be buried at 1.5 meters below the surface of the earth fill
DESIGN COMPUTATIONS
1. The area to be occupied by the grid
Area = 24 m x 18 m
= 432 sq. m.
2. Determination of minimum grid-wire size
Maximum ground fault current is a single line to ground fault = 6837.4 A
From the formula of minimum conductor size, the size of grid wire is determined
as follows:
a
m
r r c
T K
T K
x
t
TCAPx
A I
+
+

0
0
4
ln
10

where;
I = current in kA
A = conductor current in sq mm
Tm = maximum allowable temperature in degrees Celsius
Ta = allowable temperature in degrees Celsius
Tr = ref temperature for material constant, degrees C
0 = thermal coefficient at 0 degrees C
r = thermal coefficient at Tr, degrees C
r = conductor resistivity at Tr, /cm
3
K0 = 1/ 0
tS = duration of current flow
TCAP = thermal capacity factor. J/cm
3
/
0
C
For a hard drawn copper with 97% conductivity.
Tm = 1084
0
C
Ta = 30
0
C
Tr = 20
0
C
r = 0.00381 @20
0
C
r = 1.7774 /cm
3
K0 = 242
ts = 0.3 sec (assumed shock duration)
TCAP = 3.422 J/cm
3
/
0
C
Solution:
( )
( )( )( ) 30 242
1084 242
ln
7774 . 1 00381 . 0 3 . 0
10 42 . 3
837 . 6
4
+
+

A
A = 25.64 sq mm
Wire size to be used is 100 sq mm or 4/0 AWG hard drawn copper for added ruggedness.
3. Touch and step potential
( )
( )
s
s s step
s
s s step
t
C E
t
C E
116 . 0
5 . 1 1000
FORMULA VOLTAGE TOUCH
116 . 0
6 1000
FORMULA VOLTAGE STEP
50
50

+
+
where;
s = resistivity of surfacing layer
ts = duration of shock in seconds
Cs = reduction factor
hs = crushed rock layer thickness, meters
= earth resistivity, ohm-meter
Estep50 = the limit of step voltage for a 50 Kg person
Etouch50 = the limit of touch voltage for a 50 Kg person
696 . 0
09 . 0 2
1 09 . 0
1
+

,
_

s
s
s
h
C

According to IEEE Std 80-2000

The step and touch voltages are calculated based on the effect of shock on a 50-Kg
person, hence,
Estep50 = 4633 Volts
Etouch50 = 1317 Volts
4. Initial design of grid
In the initial design of grounding, it will be assumed that the grid wires will be equally
spaced at 6 meters both ways. Thus, the number of parallel conductors along the lot
length is;
NL = (18/6) +1
= 4
The number of parallel wires along the lot width is;
NW = (24/6) +1
= 5
The design thus becomes a 4 x 5 grid. Assuming that the total number of ground rods is
31, each, 3 meters long, the total length of the buried conductor is;
L = (4 x 18) + (5 x 24) + (31 x 3)
= 285 meters
5. Determination of grid resistance
By Sveraks equation;
1
]
1

,
_

+
+ +
A h A L
R
g
/ 20 1
1
1
20
1 1

where;
Rg = resistance of ground grid
= soil resistivity
L = total length of buried conductor
A = area of the grid
h = depth of buried conductor, meters
The computed grid resistance is;
Rg = 2.4 ohms
6. Maximum grid current
Ig = (If) (Sf) (Df)
Where;
Sf = fault division factor (Refer to IEEE Std 80-2000 Table C.1)
Ig = grid current
If = maximum line to ground fault current
Df =decrement factor
For a 1 incoming transmission line and 4 feeder neutrals, the fault division factor is (See
Table 1 of Annex A for IEEE Std 80-2000 Table C.1):
272 . 0
20 . 0 295 . 0 1
20 . 0 295 . 0

+ +
+

j
j
S
f
The decrement factor is:
) 1 ( 1
2
a
f
T
t
f
a
f
e
t
T
D

+
;
0.106103
) 1416 . 3 ( 120
40

a
T
163 . 1
f
D
Where;
tf =fault clearing time
Ta =X/(120 R)
Therefore;
Ig = (If) (Sf) (Df)
= (6837.4) (0.272) (1.163)
=2,162.85A
7. The ground potential rise
The ground potential rise is the product of symmetrical grid current and the grid
resistance.
GPR = (Rg)(Ig)
= (2,162.85) x(2.4)
= 5,190.84 volts
From the above result, the GPR exceeds the touch voltage. Therefore, some design
corrections have to be made.
8. The mesh voltage
The general equation for mesh voltage can be expressed as follows:
m
G i m
m
L
I K K
E

Where;
Em = mesh voltage, volts
= soil resistivity, ohm-meter
Km = geometric factor
IG =Grid current
Ki =Spacing factor for mesh voltage
Lm =Effective length for mesh voltage

2
) 1 2 (
8
ln
4 8
) 2 (
16
ln
2 2

+
1
]
1

+
+

n K
K
d
h
Dd
h D
hd
D
K
h
ii
m
where;
D = spacing between parallel conductors, meters
h = depth of ground grid conductors in meters
d = diameter of ground grid conductor in meters
Kii = 1 for grids with ground rods along the perimeter, or for grids
with ground rods in the grid corners, as well as both, both along the
perimeter and throughout the grid area
n =effective number of parallel rods
ho
h
K
h
+ 1 Where; h0 = 1 m (reference depth of grid)
Kh = 1.2247
n=nanbncnd =4.5950 where; 1 ; 1 ;
4
;
2

d c
p
b
p
c
a
n n
A
L
n
L
L
n
Therefore,
Km = 0.79769
Ki = 0.664 + 0.148n
=1.344
Since the grounding is a combination of grid wires and rods, the effective length of
grounding conductor is:
R
y x
r
c m
L
L L
L
L L
1
1
1
]
1

,
_

+
+ +
2 2
22 . 1 55 . 1
Where;
Lr =Length of each ground rod
Lx =Total length of conductors along the X-axis
Ly =Total length of conductors along the Y-axis
LR =Total length of ground rods
Lc =Total length of conductors w/o ground rods
Therefore;
Lm =347.496 meters
Therefore, the mesh voltage is;
Em = 657.386 Volts
9. Touch voltage criterion
The calculated mesh voltage, which is 657.386 volts, is lower than the touch voltage,
which is 1317 volts.
10. Step voltage
s
G i s
L
I K K
Es

Where;
Es = step voltage, volts
= soil resistivity; equal to 100 ohm-m
Ks = geometric factor; equal to 2.33
Ki = corrective factor
IG = maximum grid current; equal to 6837.4A
Ls = Effective length of buried conductor, m
1
]
1

+
+
+

) 5 . 0 1 (
1 1
2
1 1
) 2 (n
s
D h D h
K

= 0.41155
Ls = 0.75LC+0.85LR
=223.05 meters
Es = 528.395Volts
11. Step Voltage Criterion
The calculated step voltage of 528.395 volts is lower than the Estep50 which is 4633 volts
limit.
12. Conclusion
A safe substation grounding design has been achieved.
Annex A
Table 1. IEEE Std 80-2000 Table C.1 Approximate equivalent impedances of transmission line
overhead shield wires and distribution feeder neutrals
Table 1. IEEE Std 80-2000 Table C.1 Approximate equivalent impedances of transmission line
overhead shield wires and distribution feeder neutrals (continued)
References
1. IEEE Std 80-2000. IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding (Body
Part 1).
2. IEEE Std 80-2000. IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding (Body
Part 2).
3. IEEE Std 80-2000. IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding (Annexes
Part 1).
4. IEEE Std 80-2000. IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding (Annexes
Part 2).
5. RUS Bulletin 1724E-300. Design Guide for Rural Substations