NEEC National Electrical Engineering Consultancy

Design

Management

6 14 Bringelly Road
Kingswood, Australia
NSW, 2747
ACN: 132586675

Construction
www.NeecGroup.com
Info@neecgroup.com
Phone: 0415 77 55 75
ABN: 86132586675

Fault and Split Current for Earthing Design

One of the main rationales for earthing design is to discover a low resistance pass for the fault
current to guarantee the safety of the people and the integrity of the machines.
According to many researchers and IEEE standards, the fault current can be calculated using the
following equation:
If =

3V f
Z s + 3Z g

(1)

Where Zs is the sequence impedance and Zg is the earth grid impedance. Usually the fault current
are calculated with the earth grid impedance is zero. By using the new grid resistance the new fault
current is equal to:
I f new =

3V f

R s + 3R g + j ( X s + 3 X g )

(2)

When the angle of Zs and Zg is too small and for practical if it is less then 10 is zero or too small
the fault current can be calculated using the following equation
I f new =

3V f
3V f
If

(3)

+ 3Z g

Taking into consideration the (over head earth wire) OHEW bonded at both ends, allowing the
fault current to go back to the source. Figure 1 shows the single line diagram of the OHEW with
phase and grid circuits

Figure (1) current splits in OHEW

NEEC National Electrical Engineering Consultancy

Design

Management

Construction

6 14 Bringelly Road
Kingswood, Australia
NSW, 2747
ACN: 132586675

www.NeecGroup.com
Info@neecgroup.com
Phone: 0415 77 55 75
ABN: 86132586675
I g = I f Ie

(4)

Where;
Ig
Is the ground current
Ie

Is the current that return in the OHEW

Ie
is the current that return in the OHEW Figure 1 shows Ie and Ig can be determined using
the following equation :
Z m Rg Z gm

I e = I f
(5)
Z I f
Z
R
g
e
gw

Where
Zm
mutual impedance between phase conductors and OHEW in Ohms
Ze

input impedance of the OHEW in Ohms

Rg

resistance of the earth grid in Ohms

Z gw

self impedance of the OHEW in Ohms/m

Z gm

mutual impedance per meter between OHEW and phase conductors in Ohms/m

Z gw = Rgw + 9.88 10 7 f +
D
j 28.938 10 7 f log10 e
RGM
De = 658.4
RGM
f

(6)

(7)

is the geometric mean radius of the OHEW in m

is the frequency
Ig = Df S f I f

(8)

Z gm

S f = 1

Z
gw

(9)

Using equations 25, 26 and 29

NEEC National Electrical Engineering Consultancy

Design

Management

Construction

6 14 Bringelly Road
Kingswood, Australia
NSW, 2747
ACN: 132586675

www.NeecGroup.com
Info@neecgroup.com
Phone: 0415 77 55 75
ABN: 86132586675

Z gm = 9 . 88 10 7 f +
De
j 28 .938 10 7 f log 10
D GM

DGM

is the geometric mean distance between OHEW and phase conductors

Sf

is the current division factor

(10)

For more information in regard to the calculation process and definitions refer to the Australian
and IEEE Standards AS/NZS 4853:2000, IEEE 80-2000
The OHEW characteristics such as its resistivity in ohm/km and its Geometric Mean Ration
(GMR) and the separation between the OHEW and HV conductor will determine S f which
determine the current that will be fed into the ground.
The fault current will have as a load the total impedance as it shows below, usually this wont have
a huge impact as the total impedance is too small in most cases but in some other cases will play a
major role in dropping the fault current
Z total = 0.5Z gw + Z gw Rtower

(11)

The magnitude of the total impedance can also be found using the following equation:
Z total =

S f Rg
1 Sf

(12)

After the determination of the ground current it is possible to calculate the mesh voltage using the
following equations:
.K m .K i .I g
Vmesh =
(13)
LM
Where LM can be calculated using equation 14, when the grid has electrodes on the corner:
LM = LC + .LR
Where

(14)

NEEC National Electrical Engineering Consultancy

Design

Management

6 14 Bringelly Road
Kingswood, Australia
NSW, 2747
ACN: 132586675

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www.NeecGroup.com
Info@neecgroup.com
Phone: 0415 77 55 75
ABN: 86132586675

LC

total length of the horizontal conductor

LR

total length of ground rod

Km = +
2
D2
(
D + 2h )
h
= 0.1ln
+

8dD
4d
16hd

(15)

(16)

K ii
8
ln
K h (2n 1)

(17)

Kh = 1 + h

(18)

K ii =

(2n)

2
n

(19)

n will depend on the shape of the grid and can be found in IEEE 80-2000 standards.

The paper is supported by the following publication:

M Nassereddine 'How to design an effective earthing system to ensure the safety of the people JulyACTEA 2009