Earthing System

Design & Calculations

PLEASE GO THROUGH THE FOLLOWING

PLEAS E CHECK METHOD 1( IS 3043) AND METHOD 2( IEEE 80), I HAVE

SPECIFIED. WHICH IS TO BE USED?
CHECK THE POINTS I HAVE MARKED WITH GREY. THOSE ARE THE POINTS
I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE VALUES CAME FROM AND IF ASSUMED
HOW??
PLEASE CHECK PAGE 9 & 10

NO NEED

TO CHECK SUBSTATION STEP AND MESH VOLTAGE

DESIGNING EXCEPT THE POINTS I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED IN GREY, AS I
HAVE COPIED IT FROM ANOTHER SOURCE AND I FOUND IT IN PAR WITH
ALL SIMILAR DOCUMENTS I HAVE GONE THROUGH FOR STEP AND TOUCH
POTENTIALS AND I THINK ARE RIGHT

Page | 2

1.

Introduction

This Guide gives an overview of the requirements of the earthing system and discusses the need for a
systematic approach to its design by providing practical guidance on the design and calculation of
ground electrodes. The earthing system, sometimes simply called earthing, is the total set of
measures used to connect an electrically conductive part to earth. The earthing system is an essential
part of power networks at both high- and low-voltage levels.
A single earthing system has to be designed to fulfil all the requirements. Some elements of
an earthing system may be provided to fulfil a specific purpose, but are nevertheless part of one single
earthing system. Standards require all earthing measures within an installation to be bonded together,
forming one system.

2.

Basic definitions

Earthing or earthing system is the total of all means and measures by which part of an electrical
circuit, accessible conductive parts of electrical equipment (exposed conductive parts) or conductive
parts in the vicinity of an electrical installation (extraneous conductive parts) are connected to earth.
Earth electrode is a metal conductor, or a system of interconnected metal conductors, or other metal
parts acting in the same manner, embedded in the ground and electrically connected to it, or
embedded in the concrete, which is in contact with the earth over a large area (e.g. foundation of a
building).
Earthing conductor is a conductor which connects a part of an electrical installation, exposed
conductive parts or extraneous conductive parts to an earth electrode or which interconnects earth
electrodes. The earthing conductor is laid above the soil or, if it is buried in the soil, is insulated from
it.
Reference earth is that part of the ground, particularly on the earth surface, located outside the sphere
of influence of the considered earth electrode, i.e. between two random points at which there is no
perceptible voltages resulting from the earthing current flow through this electrode. The potential of
reference earth is always assumed to be zero.
Earthing voltage (earthing potential) VE is the voltage occurring between the earthing system and
reference earth at a given value of the earth current flowing through this earthing system.
Earth resistivity (specific earth resistance) is the resistance, measured between two opposite
faces, of a one-metre cube of earth (Figure 1). The earth resistivity is expressed in m.
Earth surface potential Vx is the voltage between a point x on the earths surface and reference
earth.

Page | 3

3.

Why Earthing?

Earthing is the process of creating an alternative path for the flow of fault/excessive currents safely
into the ground in the presence of minimal resistance or impedance.
The primary purpose of earthing is to reduce the risk of serious electric shock from leakage
current in metallic structures of the electrical devices. Earthing provides protection from large
electrical disturbances like lightning strikes and power surges and aids in the dissipation of hazardous
static electrical charges.
Earthing system includes
Safe Earthing Electrode
It is a metal electrode which goes into the ground near the building. It helps in the efficient discharge
of all the fault currents/ surge currents present in the electrical system. It also helps in dissipating the
high voltages which are passed on through the lightning arrestors atop buildings.
Back Fill Compounds
These are earth enhancement compounds which have different properties depending on soil and other
atmospheric conditions. Essentially, an ideal BFC has high electrical conductivity, moisture capture
and retention abilities and anti corrosive properties. It works in tandem with the Safe Earthing
Electrode. Together both form the efficient earthing system.

4. Electrical properties of the

ground
The electrical properties of the ground are characterised by the earth resistivity . Resistivity varies
with difference of soil properties, such as soil moisture, composition of soil etcetera. Various values of
earth resistivity on the basis of soil composition is given below.

Page | 4

4.1 Values of Earth resistance for different places

Primary requirements: Impendence to ground (resistance of earthing system)
Small substations 2 Ohms
EHV substations up to 220 kV 1 Ohm
Power stations and 400 kV substations 0.5 Ohms
Distribution transformer - 5 Ohms.
In order to avoid abnormal shift of the neutral potential, earth resistance of the station earthing system
shall be normally less than or equal to 1ohm.

4.2 Lowering of earth impedance

In places where soil resistivity is high steps have to be taken to reduce earth impedance by one or
combination of the following:

Connection of substation grid with a remote ground grid and adjacent grounding facilities.
Use of deep driven ground rods or longer ground rods or maximum number of ground rods
along the perimeter of the earth grid.
Use of foundation rods as auxiliary grids where feasible
Formation of auxiliary grids if soil of low earth resistivity is available close by
Max. touch potential occurs in the corner of mesh of the grid. No equipment is to be kept in
such areas. higher values of touch potential than the tolerable limit can be accepted if step
potential are within permissible limits
If equipment is to be kept at corners of the mesh. Auxiliary grids are to be created at those
corners to limit touch potential.

As it's a safety factor, earthing is essential and mandatory. IS 3043 code for earthing is to be
practiced for designing of an earthing system in India.

Page | 5

6 Design methodology
The purpose is to provide project specific basic design calculation for a given plot of power plant.

6.1 Input/Given parameters

Area of the earthing plot

Sq. m

Voltage at DC side

Voltage at AC side

Fault Current, If

Length of the plot

Width of the plot

Time of fault

sec

Resistivity of soil

Ohm-m

Distance of separation between

electrodes
Depth of burial of electrodes
Ambient Temperature (Ta)
Tm = Max. Allowable Temp. Rise
(for Welded joints)
(Zinc coated steel rods)
TcaP = Thermal Capacity Factor
r = Thermal Coefficient of resistivity at Tr
Tr = Reference Temp. for Material Constant
Ko = (1/r)-Tr
r = Resistivity of Ground Conductor at Tr
Length of Switchyard (LI)
Breadth of Switchyard (BI)

m
50 C
419 C

3.931
0.0032
20
293
20.1
46.25 Mtrs.
28 Mtrs.

Page | 6

METHOD

FOR

DIAMETER

CALCULATIONS
6.2 Calculation of Main Earth Strip Size:
The Earthing conductor size can be calculated by
(If/ S)=K (1 / t)

(As per IS 3043)

Therefore,
S (Cross Sectional Area) = (If * t) / K
Where
S=

Cross Sectional Area in Sq.mm

If =

Fault Current in Amps

50000A

t=

Withstand time in sec

1 sec

K=

Material Factor

80 for GI (As per IS 3043)

(50000 * 1) / 80 =

625 Sq.mm

Form Min. Conductor size (Sq.mm) to Equivalent MS Rod Sizing (D)

Diameter (D)=

(4 x S / )

(4 x 625 / (22/7))

28 mm

Considering Corrosion factor of 4.5mm for 28 ohm-m (Soil Resistivity),

=

28+10

38 mm

So Considered 40 mm Diameter MS rod.

METHOD

II

FOR

DIAMETER

CALCULATIONS
6.2 Calculation of Main Earth Strip Size:
A = Minimum Area of Ground Conductor in Sq.mm.
1

A mm2 = I
TCAP . 10 -4 In

Ko + Tm

Page | 7

Tcr r

Ko + Ta

=374.00 Sq.mm
The Actual size of earthing conductor Selected is (D) 25 mm TT D2/4 = 491 Sq.mm. Hence it
will suffice.

But considering Corrosion factor of 4.5mm for 28 ohm-m (Soil Resistivity),

=

25+10

35 mm

So Considered 40 mm Diameter MS rod.

METHOD

FOR

RESISTANCE

CALCULATIONS
6.3 Resistance of Earth Pit:
Considered 40mm diameter, 3 M long GI Electrode rod
Resistance per pit is given by

(As per IS: 3043)

R = 100 x loge 4 x l
2xxl

Where
R = Resistance of earth electrode
l = length of the rod or pipe (in cm)

= 300 cm.

d = diameter of the rod or pipe (in cm)

= 4 cm.

= Resistivity of soil (in Ohm-m)

= 28 m

100 x 28

loge 4 x 300

2 x x 300
R

= 8.472 .
Current density J = 7.571000/ (*t) A/m2
=7.57*1000/(28*1) = 1430.59553 A/m2

Surface are of a single electrode= 2*3.14*2*300

=0.376991118

Page | 8

Maximum current dissipated by =J* surface

*0.376991118= 539.321809 A single electrode

area=1430.59553

No. Of electrodes required = 50000/539.321809 = 92.71 =

93(approx.)
Resistance of single electrode= 8.472/93=0.091104

6.4 Resistance of Earth Strip:

Rs

= 100 Log
2 L

2L2

(As per IS 3043)

wt

Where

Resistivity of soil (in Ohm-m)

Length of the conductor in cm

depth of the burial of the electrode in cm

width (for strip) or twice the diameter (for conductor)

in cm.
Assumed Length Strip (L)

: 2,96,500 cm

Width of strip (t)

: 2*4 cm

Depth of the Buried Strip (w)

: 100 cm

= Resistivity of soil (in Ohm-m)

: 28 -m

Rs

= 100 x 500

Log

2 x 296,5002

2x3.14x296,500 100 x 2*4

=

0.26

6.5 Overall effective resistance in Ohms

After attaining the effective resistance of Earth Pit (Total Nos) and Earth
Strip (Total length) the effective resistance of the total grid is obtained by
(Effective combined resistance of earth pits) x (Effective combined
resistance of strip)

eff
=
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Effective combined resistance of earth pits) + (Effective combined
resistance of strip)

R eff should be less than 1.

Page | 9

For the above case

R eff = ((8.473/93) x 0.26) / ((8.473 /93)+ 0.26)
= 0.067 (which is less than 1) ergo the design is safe.

6.6 Resistance of no. Of earth with n pits in parallel

The total resistance of group of electrodes with 10 pits in parallel as per
BS 7430:

Ra=R ((1+a)/n);
a=/2X3.14xRxS
a = 28/(2*3.14*0.067*4)
=16.5188

Ra=0.067*((1+3.81*16.5188)/10)
=0.43 ohm
Where:
S = Distance between adjustment rod (meter)=4m
= Factor given in table below,
n = Number of electrodes,
= Resistivity of soil ( meter),
R = Resistance of single rod in isolation ()
Factors for parallel electrodes in
line (BS 7430)
Number of
Factor ()
electrodes (n)
2
1.0
3
1.66
4
2.15
5
2.54
6
2.87
7
3.15
3.39
8
9
10

3.61
3.8

Factors for electrodes in a hollow square (BS

7430)
Number of
Factor ()
electrodes (n)
2
2.71
3
4.51
4
5.48
5
6.13
6
6.63
7
7.03
8
7.36
9
7.65
10
7.9
12
8.3
14
8.6
16
8.9
18
9.2
20
9.4
Page | 10

Overall resistance Rn = Ra/10(no. of rows)

=0.04ohm
PLEASE CHECK IF THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO
IT. NO. OF ROWS IS TAKEN AS 10 SINCE 10 ARE
TOTAL RODS IN A ROW AND SO NO. OF ROWS TO
GET 93 I\RODS IS APPROX 10

METHOD

II

FOR

RESISTANCE

CALCULATIONS
Calculation of Sub Station grid resistance
Total System resistance (Rg) =

R1R2-R2m
R1+R2-2Rm

Where
R1

Resistance of Grid Conductors in ohms

R2

Resistance of all ground rods in ohms

Rm

=
of

Mutual resistance between the group of grid conductors R1 and group

ground rods R2 in ohms.

R1

(p/Lc) (In (2Lc/a)+K1 (Lc/A)-K2)

R2

(p/2nRLR) (In (4LR/b)-1+2K1 (Lr/A)(nR-1)2

Rm

(p/Lc) (In (2Lc/Lr)+K1 (Lc/A)-K2+1

Where
Lc = (((nx*(L1+2))+(ny*(B1+2))+L3)-((nx1*L2)+(ny1*B2)))
Total Length of Grid Conductor in Mtr (Lc) = 932.5 Mtr.

Page | 11

LR= (Lr*nR) = 101.75 Mtr.

Lr = Length of Each Ground rod in mtr.
No. of Ground Rods (nR) = 37 Nos.

No. of Grid Conductor in X-Axis (nx1) = 0 No.

No. of Grid Conductor in Y-Axis (ny1) = 0 No.
No. of Grid Conductor in X-Axis (nx)

10

Nos.

No. of Grid Conductor in Y-Axis (ny)

15

Nos.

A = Area of the grid in Sq.mtrs = L1 x B1 = 1447.5 Sq.mtrs.

K1 K2 =

Constants related to the geometry of the system

K1

1.15

K2

4.75

a*2h =

0.12

Radius of the conductor

0.0125

Radius of rod

0.0375

R1

0.39 Ohm

R2

0.02 Ohm

Rm =

0.36 Ohm

Rg

0.40 Ohm

The substation grounding resistance is less than 1 ohm. Hence, Design is safe.

Page | 12

7 Substation Earthing
Step potential - Difference in surface potentials experienced by a man bridging a distance of 1 mt
with his feet, without contracting any other grounded object.
Touch potential- potential difference between the earth potential raise and the surface potential at the
point where a person is standing touching an earthed structure.
Tolerable touch potential of human body is less than tolerable step potential.
In any switch yard, a chance of exposure to Touch potential is higher than that to step
potential. Resistance offered by the feet of a person against Touch potential is much less compared
to that against Step potential. Hence Touch potential is more critical for design while Step
potential is usually academic.

7.1

Resistance of Earth Strip:

No. of Grid Conductor in X-Axis (nx) = 10 Nos.

No. of Grid Conductor in Y-Axis (ny) = 15 Nos.
Length of Additional Conductor, if any L3
Less Uncovered Area (if any)
Length of Switchyard in Y-Axis(L2) = 0 Mtr.
Length of Switchyard in X-Axis(B2) = 0 Mtr.
No. of Grid Conductor in X-Axis (nx1) = 0 No.
No. of Grid Conductor in Y-Axis (ny1) = 0 No.
Lc = (((nx*(L1+2))+(ny*(B1+2))+L3)-((nx1*L2)+(ny1*B2)))
Total Length of Grid Conductor in Mtr (Lc) = 932.5 Mtr.
Lm= (LC+LR)
Where
Lm= Effective Buried Length
Lc= Total Length of Grid Conductor

Page | 13

LR= Total Length of Grounding Rods

Lx = Maximum Length of Grid in X Direction = 48.25 Mtrs.
Ly = Maximum Length of Grid In Y Direction = 30 Mtrs.
LR= (Lr*nR) = 101.75 Mtr.
Lm= (Lc+((1.55+1.22(Lr/((Lx2+Ly2))) * LR) = 1096 Mtr.
Lr = Length of Each Ground rod in mtr.
No. of Ground Rods (nR) = 37 Nos.

7.2 Calculation for Mesh and step potential

7.2.1Tolerable Mesh Potential

Em50 = ((1000+(1.5*Cs* s))*(0.116)/sqrt(ts)
Cs = (1-a1*(((1-(p/ s))/(2*hs+a1))))
Where

s = Resistivity of Crushed Rock = 3000 Ohm- Meter

Cs = Surface layer resistivity de-rating factor = 0.772
= -1 for crushed stone resistivity equal
to soil resistivity
= 1-a1 (1-(p/ps)/(2*hs+a1))

a1 = 0.09 Mtr
hs = Thickness of crushed rock surface layer in Mtr = 0.15Mtr

ts = Duration of shock current = 1 sec.

Tolerable Mesh Potential in Volts (Em50) = 518.94 Volts
7.2.2 Tolerable Step Potential
Es50 = (1000+(6*Cs*ps))*(0.116)/sqrt (ts)

Page | 14

Es50 = 1727.75 Volts

Tolerable step potential in Volts (Es50) = 1727.75 Volts
Grid current Ig = Sf * If
Where
Ig = rms value of symmetrical grid current
If = Design fault current (25KA)
Sf = Current Division Factor
= 0.6
Ig = 15 kA
IG = Df * Ig
Df = Decrement Factor for the entire duration of
fault trin seconds = 1
IG = 15 kA
7.2.3 Mesh voltage (Em) = (p*IG*1000Km*Ki)/ (Lm)
Where
Em = Mesh voltage in Volts
Lm = 1096 Mtr
Km = Spacing factor for mesh voltage
=(In(((D*D)/(16*h*d))+((D+2*h))/(8*D*d)- (h/4*d))))+(Kii/Kh)*In(8/ (2n11))))*(2*)
= 0.388
Ki = Corrected Factor for Grid Geometry
= ( (0.644+0.148*n) = 2.480
n = na x nb x nc x nd = 12.41
n = Effective no. of parallel conductor in the grid
na = 2xLc/Lp = 12.56

Page | 15

Lp = Peripherial Length of the grid in Mtrs=2xL1+1xB1 = 148.5 Mtrs.

nb= Lp/(4*A)) = 0.99
A = Area of the grid in Sq.mtrs = L1 x B1 = 1447.5 Sq.mtrs.
nc = 1
nd =1
Kii = Corrected Weighting factor
= 1 for grids with ground rods

1.0

Kh = Corrective weighting factor that emphasizes

the effects of grid depth
= sqrt (1+(h/ho))
1.26
ho = (Reference depth of grid)
1.0

Mtr.

h = Depth of ground grid conductor

0.6

Mtr.

d = Diameter of the conductor

0.025 Mtr.

Mesh Voltage in volts (Em): 459.72 Volts

7.2.4 Step Voltage (Es) = (p*IG*1000*Ks*Ki)/Ls)
Where
IG =15 kA
Es = Step Voltage
LS = .75Lc + 8.5 LR = 786
Ks = Spacing factor for step voltage
((1/2*h))+(I/D+h))+(I+D)*(1-0.5Power n-2)/(1/3.14)
Step Voltage in volts (Es) : 716.38

0.434

Volts

Tolerable Step Potential: 1727.75 Volts

Tolerable Mesh Potential: 518.94 Volts
Actual Step Potential: 716.38 Volts
Actual Mesh Potential: 459.72 Volts
Design is safe

Page | 16

8 Summary of design
Sl.N
o.

Particulars

Material/Connection

1
2
3
4

Page | 17