See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/320352790

Digital Application for Grouning Grid Design Calculations of Substation

Conference Paper · October 2017

DOI: 10.1109/IPACT.2017.8244947

CITATIONS READS

7 175

2 authors, including:

Keval Velani
Takalkar Power Engineer & Consultants Pvt. Ltd.
13 PUBLICATIONS   12 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Design Engineering Work of Compact 400/220 kV Air Insulated Substation for Goverment through One of the Leading MNC View project

EHV Substation design View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Keval Velani on 12 October 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Conference on Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies [i-PACT2017]

Digital Application for Grouning Grid Design

Calculations of Substation
Ankita B. Patel Keval Velani
Department of Electrical Engineering Design Engineer
Parul University Takalkar Power Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd
Vadodara, Gujarat, INDIA Vadodara, Gujarat, INDIA
patelanky0@gmail.com kevalvelani@yahoo.in

Abstract— This paper presents the design of grounding grid friendly and time consuming. Design of complexity is carried
system for substations. In last past years the design engineers out by computer application and it is also mathematically
follows steps of grounding grid design as per IEEE standard 80- proven software. In this paper substation grounding grid design
2013, which is complicated process. This digital application is problem has been solved by GGD in uniform soil. Results
mainly concerned with development of Standalone software with
using Visual Studio, named by “Grounding Grid Designer”, which
obtained by this software compared with Sample calculation
calculated accurate grounding system as per guidelines given by given by IEEE 80-2000 standard in Annex B. Comparison of
IEEE standard 80-2013. After applying this computer aid table is showing that results obtained by GGD give accurate
application the complexity as well as time will reduces. This paper results for grounding grid design.
mainly conduct three mostly applicable grounding grid design:-
Square Shape, Rectangular Shape, and L-shape. After developed II. THEORETICAL DESIGN AS PER IEEE GUIDELINES
software, the results obtained by standalone software is compared A. Safety Criteria given by IEEE 80-2013
by sample calculation of square grid with ground rods design
which is given into the IEEE 80-2000 standard in Annex B. The safety of a person depends on preventing the critical
amount of shock energy from being absorbed before the fault is
Keywords— Grounding Grid Designer (GGD), Grounding, cleared and maximum driving voltage of any accidental circuit
substation, Safety, software, Visual studio. should not exceed the limits defined as follows. [1] [2]
I. INTRODUCTION The tolerable step voltage criteria [1] [2]
Safe and reliable power system depends on successful .
= [{1000 + 6 * * }* [1]
operation of substations. Electrical power passes through
different types of substations. Grounding provides path for
discharging the fault currents from surge arrestors, neutrals of .
equipment. Grounding system keeps step and touch potential  = [{1000 + 6 * * }* [2]
within tolerable limits. It provide the protection of people 
working in substations and equipment against danger to
electrical shock. So, substations play very vital role in power  The tolerable touch voltage criteria [1] [2]
systems [3].
.
The Grounding system includes ground wire, ground grid = [{1000 + 1.5 * * }* [3]
(mat), neutral conductors, underground cables etc. Grounding
grid consists of horizontal interconnected bare conductors and
.
ground rods. Grounding system provides a low resistance path = [{1000 + 1.5 * * }* [4]
for voltage transients such as lightning and surges [6]. IEEE 80-
2013 standard contains different design of Grounding grid:-
Where,
Rectangular Shape, Square Shape, and L-Shape.
Etouch = the touch voltage in V
This paper present basic three different types of Estep = the step voltage in V
Calculations of grounding grid design. This computer Cs = 1 for no protective layer
application reduce complexity of calculation and This paper ρs = the resistivity of the surface material in Ω·m
describes Development and use of software “Grounding Grid ts = duration of shock circuit in seconds
Designer” (GGD) which device theoretical concepts given in
Estep50 and Estep70 are tolerable step voltages for person weighing
IEEE standard 80-2013 into programming environment [2]. It 50 kg, 70 kg respectively, Estep50 and Estep70 are tolerable step
is designed using Visual Studio as a mathematical computing voltages for person weighing 50 kg, 70 kg respectively.
tool as well as programming platform. This software is user

978-1-5090-5681-1 /17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE

1
 International Conference on Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies [i-PACT2017]

To safe grounding system, equivalent grounding system C. Steps for calculation of Grounding grid Design
impedance should be low enough to assure that fault current
obviate though grounding grid into earth. Step-1 Determination of size of conductor for Grounding
Grid [1][2]
B. Mathematical Design of Grounding Grid System
Algorithm to calculate grounding grid design for substations A = [5]
∗
as per IEEE 80-2013 standard [2]. [( ) ( ) ]^ .

Field Data (A, ρ) Where,

Amm2 = required area for grounding grid
TCAP = thermal capacity per unit volume
Conductor Size tc = duration of current
(3Io, tc, d) αr = thermal coefficient of resistivity at reference
temperature Tr
Tr = reference temperature for material constants
Touch & Step Criteria ρr = resistivity of the ground conductor at reference
(Etouch & Estep) temperature Tr
K0 = 1/ α0
Tm = maximum allowable temperature
Initial Design Ta = ambient temperature
(D, n, Lc, LT, h)
 Diameter of Grounding Conductor [1] [2]:
∗ .
Grid resistance d=[ ] [6]
Modify Design
(D, n, Lc, LT) Where,
Grid current W = width of the grounding strip
T = thickness of the grounding strip

Step-2 Touch and Step Criteria [1] [2]

IG Rg<E touch
. ∗( )
=1- [7]
( ∗ . )

Mesh & Step Voltage

Where,
ρ = soil resistivity
ρs = surface layer resistivity
hs = surface layer thickness
Em < Etouch
.
= [{1000 + 1.5 * * }* [8]

.
Es < Estep = [{1000 + 6 * * }* [9]

.
Detail Design = [{1000 + 1.5 * * }* [10]

Fig – 1 Flow Chart for Calculation of Grounding Grid Design .

= [{1000 + 6 * * }* [11]

Step-3 Determining of Grid Resistance [1, 2]

=ρ[ + (1 + )] [12]
/

2
 International Conference on Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies [i-PACT2017]

Where, ∗ ∗ ∗
= [21]
LT = total length of grid conductor
. . ∗ .
A = total area enclosed by earth grid
h = depth of earth grid conductor
Step-4 Maximum Grid Current [1] [2]: Where,
Nx = No. of grid conductor in X direction
= ∗ ∗ [13] Ny = No. of grid conductor in Y direction
Lx = Length of Grid conductor in X direction
Where, Ly = Length of Grid conductor in Y direction
IG = Maximum grid current that flows between ground grid LR = Total length of ground rods
and surrounding earth
Step-7 Step Voltage [1] [2]
Df = Determent factor for determining IG
Sf = Fault current division factor = ( + + (1 - 0.5( )
)) [22]
Ig = Symmetrical grid current
Step-5 Ground Potential Rise (GPR) [1] [2] ( ∗ ∗ ∗ )
= ) ( . ))
[23]
(( . ∗ ∗

GPR = IG * Rg [14] Step-8 Conclusion

 If calculated touch voltage is less than the Tolerable
Step-6 Mesh Voltage [1] [2] touch voltage, Hence design is Safe.
h 0.5  If calculated step voltage is less than the Tolerable step
k h =(1+ ) [15] voltage, Hence design is Safe.
h0
III. DEVELOPMENT OF GROUNDING GRID DESIGNER (GGD)AS PER
n = na *nb* nc* nd [16] IEEE STANDARD
Where, A. Basic of GGD
na = 2 * (Lc/Lp) [17] The software named “Grounding Grid Designer” has been
developed by using Visual Studio. This software followed all
steps of IEEE standard. It is useful for engineers to solving the
design problems of substation grounding grid. This application
Lp = {(2 * Lx) + (2*Ly)} [18] is ecofriendly, so easy to understand and applicable to all
engineers. Students of electrical engineering can use this
application for educational purpose of power systems.
Lc = {(Lx * Nx) + (Ly * Ny)} [19]
 Easy steps to operate GGD software :-
( ∗ )
1. Enter required input data
= { ln( + + )+ (ln )} 2. Click on required shape
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ( )
. [20] 3. Click on “Calculate” button and Result will
show.
Where, Input data Value
Symmetrical fault current in substation 3180 A
Km = Spacing factor for mesh voltage (Ig)
Kii = Corrective weighting factor Duration of shock for determining 0.5 Sec
allowable body current (ts)
n = number of parallel conductors Duration of fault current for sizing 3 Sec
ground conductor (tc)
D = Spacing between parallel conductors Surface layer resistivity (ρs) 2500 Ω-m
Surface layer Thickness (hs) 0.102 m
Grid reference Depth (h0) 1m
Soil resistivity (ρ) 400 Ω-m

3
 International Conference on Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies [i-PACT2017]

Depth of ground Grid conductors (h) 0.5 m Fig-2 shows input data page of software that allows all basic
Length of Grid conductor in X direction 70 m input data of any type of substations. Main details of particular
(Lx)
Length of Grid conductor in Y direction 70 m
land or surface of substation given in this page. Input data
(LY) including by Substation required area, soil resistivity, size of
Spacing between parallel conductors (D) 7m conductors, surface layer thickness, duration of fault current,
Length of Ground rod at each location 7.5 m symmetrical fault current, etc. Input data of 66 KV substation
(40mm Diameter of Rod) (Lr)
shown in Fig-2.
Number of rods placed in area (40mm 20 Nos.
Diameter of Rod) (nR) After entering the input data, GGD give response that
Decrement factor for determining IG (Df) 1 particular data. Fig-3 shows main three design of substation
No.of Grid conductor in X direction (NX) 11 Nos. which are Rectangular shape, Square shape, L-shape. Select any
No.of Grid conductor in Y direction (NY) 11 Nos. one Shape of design then GGD give solution of grounding grid
Total length of ground rods (40mm 150 m design for that substation. GGD designed to work for uniform
Diameter of Rod) (LR)
Duration of Current (tc) 1 Sec soil.
Resistivity of the ground conductor at 20.1 µΩ.cm
reference temperature Tr (ρr)
Thermal coefficient of resistivity at 0.0032 1/˚C
reference temperature Tr (αr)
RMS Current (I) 25000 V
Maximum Allowable Temperature (Tm) 419 ˚C
Ambient Temperature (Ta) 50 ˚C
Reference Temperature for material 20 ˚C
constants (Tr)
3.93 J/(cm3.˚C)
Thermal capacity per unit volume (TCAP)
Thermal coefficient of resistivity at 0˚C 0.00341 1/˚C
Table: 1 Input data of substation

Fig -3 Calculation Page of Ground ing Grid Design er

B. Comparison of Three Basic Shape Design

After calculation of grounding grid design for three shapes
using different types of input data of substations, Engineers can
compare three shapes of design and conclude which design is
most preferable to that particular surface area that substations.

Fig-4 shows the comparison of grid resistance for three

basic shapes of grounding gird design. Fig-5 shows the
comparison of calculated voltage for Etouch70 and Estep70.

Fig-2 Inpu t Data page in GGD

4
 International Conference on Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies [i-PACT2017]

The authors also significantly acknowledge the IEEE

2.8
Rg Standard 80-2013 paper for their work which helps them to
make this good paper and GGD standalone software application.

2.6
REFERENCES
2.4 [1] IEEE 80-2000 Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding.
Rectangular Square L-shape [2] IEEE 80-2013 Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding.
[3] Kaustubh A. Vyas and J. G. Jamnani,“Optimal Design and Development
Rg of Software for Design of Substation Grounding System’’, NUiCONE –
IEEE 2011.
Fig-4 Grid Resistan ce f or Differen t Shap es [4] M. Usman Aslam, Muh ammad Usman Cheema, Muh ammad Bilal
Cheema, Muh ammad Samran,“Design Analysis and Optimization
of Ground Grid Mesh of Extra High Voltage Substation using an
Intelligent Software’’ IEEE 1st International Conference ICITACEE
Calculated Voltage 2014.
800 [5] Asanka S.Rodrigo, N.M.Akarawita, A.M.P.B.Ambanwala,
D.N.Ariyapala, W.C.Chaminda,“Safety in AC Substation Grounding
600 Systems under Transient Conditions: Development of Design Software’’
400 IEEE 8th International Conference on Industrial and Information
200 Systems,2013.
0 [6] Book- “Electrical Power Substation Engineering” McDonald. by John.
Rectangular Square Shape L-Shape
Shape

Em Es

Fig-5 Calculated Etouch50 & Estep50 for Different Shapes

Where,
Em = Calculated Etouch50 voltage
Es = Calculated Estep50 voltage
C. Comparison of Results
As per IEEE 80-2013 standard, grounding grid design
calculation results are compared with results obtained by GGD
software. Both results are Equivalent.

Square grid Results obtained form

Description Sample calculation of IEEE
GGD 80-2000 std (Annex B)
Rg 2.75 Ω 2.75 Ω
GPR 5247 V 5247 V
Estep70 2686.58 V 2686.6 V
Etouch70 838.17 V 838.2 V
Em 747.4 V 747.4 V
Es 548.9 V 548.9 V
Table: 3 Comparison of results

IV. CONCLUSION
This digital application will help to easy calculation of
grounding grid design for substations with including three
shapes of grounding grid. This software is time consuming and
user-friendly, so design engineers and students can use easily.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Authors gratefully acknowledgement the contributions
of S.M.Takalakar , Keval Velani for their work on the original
version of this document as well as technical support given by
Takalkar Power Engineers & Consults Pvt. Ltd.

5
 International Conference on Innovations in Power and Advanced Computing Technologies [i-PACT2017]

Fig-6 GGD Standalone Software

View publication stats