2008 IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-99, No.
5 Sept/Oct 1980
CALCULATION OF SUBSTATION GROUNDING SYSTEM RESISTANCE USING MATRIX TECHNIQUES
D. L. Garrett, Member, IEEE
Southern Company Services
Birmingham, Alabama
Abstract - Recent papers have provided equations
for calculating the self and mutual resistances of the
individual conductors in a grounding system. However,
the overall grid resistance, or input resistance, is
found only after the currents in each component of the
grid are found. Since the input resistance is neces-
sary in order to calculate the grid potential rise, it
appears beneficial to develop a technique for directly
calculating the input resistance from the self and
mutual resistances before solving for the currents.
This paper develops such a technique. This technique
is valid for both uniform or multi-layered soil models.
INTRODUCTION
With continuing increases in the cost of copper
and other conductors commonly used in grounding sys-
tems, it has become necessary to accurately model the
grounding system in order to design the most economical
grounding system that will insure equipment and person-
nel safety. Numerous past papers and texts (1, 2, 3)
have developed simple equations for the resistance of
uniformly shaped grounding systems and usually describ-
ed methods for applying these equations to irregularly
shaped grounding systems. While the accuracy of these
equations has been adequate in most cases for the
uniformly shaped grounding systems, it has been found
that calculated values for irregularly shaped grounding
systems have differed greatly in some cases from the
actual values of resistance.
More recent papers (4, 5, 6) have developed equa-
tions for the self and mutual resistances of the indi-
vidual conductors in a grounding system. These equa-
tions approximate the resistance of each conductor
segment by calculating the average of the potential at
each point along the conductor segment. The grid
potential rise is assumed to be a known quantity, thus
allowing for the calculation of the current in each
conductor segment using the following matrix equation:
I== V (1)
where I is a vector consisting of the currents in each of
the conductor segments, Vis the voltage on each of the
conductor segments, and R is a matrix consisting of
the self and mutual resistances of the conductor
segments which make up the grounding system. Then the
input resistance is found by dividing the grid potential
rise by the sum of the currents in each segment.
In actual practice, however, the grid potential
rise is found as the product of the total maximum fault
current in the grounding system and the input resistance
of the grounding system. Therefore, in order to
calculate the currents in the individual conductor
F 80 255-0 A paper recommended and approved by
IEEE Substations Committee of the IEEE Power
Engineering Society for presentation at the IEEE PES
Winter Meeting, New York,, NY, February 3-8, 1980.
Manuscript submitted August 27, 1979; made available
for printing November 26, 1979.
0018-9510/80/0900-2008$00.75©
Dr. H. J. Holley, Member, IEEE
Al abama Power Company
Birmingham, Alabama
segments from the self and mutual resistance matrix and
the grid potential rise, the input resistance of the
groundi ng system must fi rst be found.
One method of determining the input resistance of
the grounding system from the resistance matrix involves
the use of equation (1) under the assumption that the
grounding system is at the same potential everywhere.
The current vector can be computed from equation (1) by
equating each element of the voltage vector to unity.
The input resistance is then obtained by taking the
reciprocal of the sum of the elements of the current
vector. Once the input resistance is determined, the
grid potential rise can be calculated and used to scale
the elements of the current vector to their correct
values.
In this paper, a direct method of calculating the
input resistance is described. The method does not
require knowledge of either the voltage or the current
on the grounding system, other than making the assump-
tion that the potential on the grounding system is the
same everywhere. The method manipulates the resistance
matrix to reduce the matrix to a single quantity, the
input resistance. In general, manipulating the resist-
ance matrix in this manner is more economical in compu-
ter time than dealing with the complete matrix as
required by the method described above.
BUILDING AND REDUCING THE
RESISTANCE MATRIX
The equations for the self and mutual resistances
of the components of a grounding system, including both
grid conductors and ground rods, can be used to compute
the elements of a resistance matrix of the grounding
system. Since a number of publications present the
equations necessary for computing these self and mutual
resistances (3, 4, 5, 6, 9), the equations are not pre-
sented here.
The dimension of the resistance matrix is equal to
the number of individual components of the grounding
system. For a large substation, the resistance matrix
can be of very high dimension. Therefore, it is bene-
ficial to use techniques which are economical in compu-
ter time and storage when evaluating a number of alter-
nate grounding systems for a large substation. Since
all the components of a grounding system are intercon-
nected, and since the conductivity of earth is much less
than that of the components of the grounding system, the
assumption that the components are all at the same
potential is valid.
A system of four mutually coupled conductors is
used to explain how this assumption can be used to
efficiently determine the input resistance. Equation
(2) gives the relationship between the four conductor
currents and the four conductor voltages of the ground-
ing system. The resistance matrix of equation (2) is
actually symmetrical, but for clarity in the following
analysis, it is dealt with as an unsymmetrical matrix.
the
R12 14 1I
e2R2 R22 R24 (2)
e3 -
R31 ''32
e4 R41 R42 4343
1980 IEEE
 2009
It is helpful to express equation (2) as four individual e1 R11 R12 R13 R14- R13 i1
equations. That is,
2 21 R23 R23 R23 i2 (10)
e = R1 i + R12 i2 +R13 i3 + R14 i4 e3 R31 R32 R33 R34- R33 i3
R21 i1 +R22 i2 0 R41-R31 R42-R32 R43-R33 R44+R33
e2 +R23 i3 R24 i4 (3)
-R34 R43 i4
e3 R31 i1+ R32 i2 +R33 i3 +R34 i4 Note that the resistance matrix of,equation (10) is
obtained by first subtracting the third column of the
original matrix of equation (2) from the fourth column,
e4 R41 i1 R42 i 2 +R43 i3 R44 i 4 and then subtracting the third row of the resulting
matrix from the fourth row. -This is easily programmable
At this point the fact that all the conductors of the on a digital computer. In general, for an n x n matrix,
system are interconnected has not been taken into the (n-1)th column of the original matrix is subtracted
account. Suppose that conductor #4 is connected to from the nth column. Then the (n-1)th row is subtracted
conductor #3 as shown in Figure 1. The connection is from the nth row of the resulting matrix.
accounted for mathematically by equating the voltage e4 Note also that equation (10) is in a suitable form
to the voltage e3 in equations (3). for eliminating the last row and column by Kron's method
for eliminating short-circuited meshes (7, 8). This
procedure is best explained by writing equation (10) in
From Figure 1 it is seen that compound matrix form to obtain
i3 i3 i4 (4) e aa R aa R ab ia

Substituting equation (4) into equations (3), with e4

equated to e3, gives
where ba bb b
e1=R 1i1+R 12 i2+R 13 i3+(R 14 -R13 )4
i ) where

eC,=R,llil+R9,i +R91i z+(R9A-R9')iA (6) F11 R12 R13

Raa = R R22 R23
e3=R31i1+R32i2+R33i3+(R34-R33)i4 (7)
R31
R32 R33

e3=R 41i +R42i2 +R43i 3 (R44 R43)i4 (8)

Rab R14 - R
If equation (7) is subtracted from equation (8), the
result is
R2 - R2
R34 - R33
0=(R41-R31)i1+(R42-R32)i2+(R43-R33)i3 R42-R32 R43-R37
Rba =
41-R31
(R33 R44 R34 R43)i4 (9)

Equations (5), (6), (7), and (9) can be expressed I in

Rbb = LR33 + 44 -
R3 -
R4
matrix form as

#2 \I

#2
#3 3

#4 4
+ + +
L * >
el 2

Figure 1. Circuit with four mutually coupled conductors

with conductors #3 and #4 interconnected.
2010
resistances, the reduction to a single element repre-
Rab R14 R13 sents the reduction of these resistances to the input
resistance of the grounding system.
Let
R34 R33
Rba = [R41-R31 R42-R32 R43-R33] R an 3 8 5 (16)
L4 6 9
Rbb = 33 + R44 R34 R4
Then subtracting the first row and column from the third
row and column, respectively, results in the following:
7 1 -5
ea = [0] la{:]2 lb [i4] 7 1 2-7
3 8 5-3 = 3 8 2 (17)
Equation (11) may be written as L4-7 6-1 9-4-2+7 -3 5 10
ea = Raa ia + Ra b (12) Eliminating the resulting third row and column yields

e Rbai bbib (13) 3) F77 ~(-3)(-5)

(3 5 11 -(5)(5)
1 - 5.5 3.5-(18)
Solving equation (13) for ib and substituting the result -3 (-3)(2) 8 - (2)(5) L 3.6 75]
into equation (12) gives
Repeating the procedure on the resulting matrix of (18)
ea = (Raa Rab Rbb Rba)i a (14) gives
The resistance matrix of equation (14) completely 5.5 3.z-.5+.5 -2.L0
5. 5
represents the system of Figure 1 even though its (19)
dimension is one less than the dimension of the original 3.6-5.5 7-3.6-3.5+5.5 -1.9 5.4
resistance matrix. Since R is a one-dimensional
matrix, no matrix inversion i's required. Furthermore, and
the elimination of the row and column of the resistance
matrix is easy to program on a digital computer. Let R.. [. 5- (-2.0)(-1.9)] = [4. 796] = R input
u
represent any element of the n x n resistance matrix.
Let R'.. represent any element of the (n-1) xt n-1)
resista1n6e matrix obtained by eliminating the n showsrow Comparison of Results
and column of the original matrix. Equation (14)
that It is beyond the scope of this paper to derive equations
for the self and mutual resistances of the components of
R'. = R.. - R.in R A/R nn (15) the grounding system. These equations have been
ij ij nj presented in the literature. However, for comparison
purposes, the technique described in this paper is
where compared to the resistance of various grounding systems
as determined by previous methods, and the results
i= 1, 2, 3, ...n-1 summarized in Table I. These grounding systems are
shown in Figures 2-5.
j = 1, 2, 3, ...n-1
Table I. Comparison of Test Cases - Matrix Technique
After the nth row and column of the original resistance vs. Existing Methods
matrix is eliminated, the procedure is repeated on the
remaining (n-1) x (n-1) matrix to obtain an (n-2) x (n-2)
matrix. This procedure is repeated until the n x n Case Matrix Dwight Schwartz Laurent Gross &
matrix is reduced to a 1 x 1 matrix. The element of this No. Technique (1) (2) (10) Associates (12)
1 x 1 matrix is the input resistance of the grounding
system. 1 2.12Q 2.12Q 1.66Q 1.85Q -
The original resistance matrix of the groundi'
system is symmett'cal. After subtracting e (n-i) 2 2.01Q 2.01Q 1.83Q 2.27Q -

columqhfrom
the n
the n column and then the (n-1) row from
row of the resulting matrix, the result is a 3 .76Q - 0.77Q 0.72Q 0.73Q
symmetrical matrix. Symetry is also maintained in the
elimination of the n row and column. Therefore, 4 0.64Q - 0.68Q 0.63Q 0.62Q
advantage can be taken of this symmetry to reduce the
computer storage requirements to approximately half of
the storage required if symmetry is not considered. 30. 48m diameter = 1.27cm
depth = .457m
Sample Calculation 30. 48m 30.48m p = 100ohm-m
To illustrate the technique described above, a
3 X 3 matrix consisting of random numbers will be 30.48m
reduced to a single element. If a grounding system can
be described by this 3 X 3 matrix of self and mutual Figure 2. Case 1 - Four Point Star

60.96m
A diameter 1.27cm
= tal Calculation of Overhead Transmission - Line -
15.24m depth = .457m
v p = 100ohm-m
Figure 3. Case 2 - Two Parallel Buried Conductors
diameter = 1. 27cm
96.38m depth = .457m
p = 100ohm-m
96.38m
Figure 4. Case 3 - One Mesh Grid
48. 19m diameter = 1. 27cm
dept = .457m
P = 100ohm-m
48. 19m
48.19 m 48.19m
Figure 5. Case 4 - Four Mesh Grid
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
The resistance matrix of a large grounding system
is likely to be of large dimension. Since it can be
assumed (without introducing significant error) that all
the components of the grounding system are at the same
potential, a procedure that is easy to program on a
digital computer can be employed to systematically
reduce the size of the matrix when computing the input
resistance of the grounding system. This systematic
procedure requires less computer time than when working
with the entire matrix and using a matrix inversion
procedure. Since symmetrical matrices are dealt with in
all cases, the property of symmetry further reduces the
computer time and storage requirements.
REFERENCES
1. H. B. Dwight, "Calculation of Resistances to
Ground." AIEE Transactions (Electrical Engineer-
ing), vol. 55, pp. 1319-28, Dec. 1936.
2. S. J. Schwarz, "Analytical Expressions for the
Resistance of Grounding Systems." AIEE Transac-
tions, Vol. 73, pt. III-B, pp. 1011-16, Aug. 1954.
3. E. D. Sunde, Earth Conduction Effects in Trans-
mission Systems, New York, Dover Publications, Inc.
1968.
4. F. Dawalibi and D. Mukhecdkar, "Optimum Design of
Substation Grounding in a Two Layer Earth Struc-
ture, Part I - Analytical Study." IEEE Transac-
tions, PAS-94, pp. 252-259, March/April 1975.
5. R. J. Heppe, "Computation of Potential at Surface
Above an Energized Grid or Other Electrode, Allow-
ing for Non-Uniform Current Distribution." Paper
F79-274-2 presented at IEEE P.E.S. Winter Meeting,
New York, N. Y., Feb. 1979.
6. E. B. Joy, A. P. Meliopoulos, and R. P. Webb, "Touch
and Step Calculation for Substation Grounding
Systems." Paper A 79-052-2 presented at IEEE
P.E.S. Winter Meeting, New York, NY, Feb. 1979.
7. G. Kron, Tensor Analysis of Networks, John Wiley &
Sons, 1939.
2011
8. D. W. Coleman, F. Watts, and R. B. Shipley, "Digi-
Constants." AIEE Transactions (Power Appartus and
Systems), vol. 77, pp. 1266-68, Feb. 1959.
9. G. F. Tagge, Earth Resistances, Pitman Publishing
Corp., N.Y., 1964.
10. IEEE Standard 80 - 1976, IEEE Guide for Safety
in Substation Grounding, June 1976.
11. D. L. Garrett, "The Average Potential Method of
Calculating the Resistance of Power Substation
Grounding Systems," M. S. Thesis, University of
Alabama in Birmingham, 1978.
12. E. T. B. Gross, B. V. Chitnis, and L. J. Stratton,
"Grounding Grids for High-Voltage Stations." AIEE
Transactions, Vol. 72, pt. III, pp. 799-810, Aug.
1953.
David Lane Garrett (S'75-M'76) was born in Birmingham,
AL, on January 10, 1954. He received the B.S. and M.S.
degrees in Engineering from the University of Alabama in
Birmingham (UAB) in 1976 and 1978, respectively.
In 1974 he joined Southern Company Services as a
co-operative education student and as an engineer in
1976. He is presently employed in the Technical Studies
Section of the System Planning Technical Services
Department.
Mr. Garrett is a member of the IEEE Power Engi-
neering Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the UAB
Engineering Honor Society. He is a registered Engineer-
In-Training in the State of Alabama and is presently a
member of the IEEE Working Group to revise the Guide for
Safety in A-C Substations (IEEE 80).
Henry J. Holley was born in Jones Mill, TN, on Au-
gust 1, 1932. He obtained the BSEE degree from the
Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, the MSEE degree
from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the PhD
degree from the University of Tennessee. He worked as an
electrical engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority
from 1959 to 1968. He has taught electrical engineering
at the University of Tennnessee, the University of
Kentucky, Texas A&M University, and the Univirsity of
Alabama in Birmingham. He is presently the Manager of
Economic and Special Studies at the Alabama Power
Company in Birmingham. He is a past member of the IEEE
Working Group on Transient Recovery Voltages and the
Power Circuit Breaker Subcommittee. Mr. Holley is a
registered professional engineer in the State of Alabama
and is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, Phi Kappa
Phi, and Sigma Xi.