THE 10th LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2013
3D Electric Field Mapping in High Voltage
Substation Using the Finite Elements Method
R. M. R. Barros, E. G. da Costa, Member, IEEE and T. V. Ferreira, Member, IEEE
Abstract--This paper aims to study the behavior of electric
field and its influence within and in the vicinity of a high voltage
substation, since the presence of intense electric fields can
produce harmful interactions with living organisms by long-term
exposure. The study was performed by means of computer
simulation, which is based on Finite Element Method. The
simulation results allowed to evaluate if the electric field values
obtained meet the legislation recommended levels. It was also
possible to determine the voltage induced in a metallic tube, in
humans, the touch and step potentials on the level of the
substations floor. The results of simulations are coherent, and
they may serve as an aid in the evaluation process of electric field
of complex structures, and also in new projects designs.
Index Terms--Electric Power Substations, Finite Element
Method, Electric Field Mapping, High Voltage, Human
Exposure.
I. INTRODUCTION
T HE exposure to electric and magnetic fields of extremely
low frequency (band between 3 Hz and 3 kHz) and its
effects in the human health have generated a growing concern
of public opinion in recent years [1]. It is already accepted that
exaggerated exposures to sources of electric and magnetic
fields can be harmful to health [2], however, the studies are not
yet conclusive regarding the determination of a safe level of
exposure, nor as to the actual severity of the effects on living
organisms.
In Brazil, with the objective of regulating the exposure to
such fields, the recommended limits were defined by Article 4
of Law nº 11.934, of May 5, 2009. This Law adopted the
limits recommended by the World Health Organization
(WHO) for occupational exposure and the general population
to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields generated by
systems operating in the range up to 300 GHz. The limits
recommended by WHO are shown in Table 1 [3].
Since such law went into effect, many companies are
already passing, or will pass in the near future, trough a
process of adapting to the legislation. In this context, it is of
This work was supported in part by the Brazilian National Counsel of
Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq).
R. M. R. Barros is undergraduate student in the Department of Electrical
Engineering (DEE), Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG),
Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, 58109-900 (e-mail:
rafael.barros@ee.ufcg.edu.br).
E. G. da Costa and T. V. Ferreira are both professors in DEE/UFCG,
Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, 58109-900 (e-mail: edson@dee.ufcg.edu.br;
tarso@dee.ufcg.edu.br).
1
great importance that efficient techniques can be applied to
assess the intensity and distribution of electric fields,
establishing safe zones near energized electrical facilities, such
as substations. The assessment can be performed both
experimentally via measurements in loco, more common
today, or via computer simulations.
TABLE 1
EXPOSURE LIMITS RECOMMENDED BY WHO [3]
Electric Field Magnetic Field
(V/m) (µT)
General public 4,17 83,33
Occupational population 8,33 416,67
Thus, the objective of this work is the application of a
computational method for evaluating the distribution of the
electric field of a high voltage substation. The computational
simulations are based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). It
is intended, from simulations, evaluate the distribution of the
electric field inside and in the vicinity of the substation, aiming
to ascertain whether the values obtained meets the levels of
electric field recommended by the Law. The work also aims to
investigate the potential induced in metallic pipes in the soil
and in human bodies located in the substation. Starting from
the simulation results, it will be also possible to determinate
touch potential (between the metal pipe and the ground) and
step potential in the substation.
II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Exposure to Electric Fields
Substation is a high power electrical installation containing
equipment responsible for transmission, distribution,
protection and control of electrical energy. They operate as a
control and transfer point in electrical transmission system,
directing and controlling the energy flow, transforming the
voltage levels and working like delivery points to industrial
users [4].
Electrical instalations like substations generate electric and
magnetic fields that are irradiated in its vicinity [5]. The
presence of such fields produces interactions with living
organisms, and eventually may cause adverse effects on
biological systems by long-term exposure. Cases of leukemia
on children populations that lives near to power lines and
electric installations are described by literature, which also
cites hormonal disorders, genetic and cellular effects, among
 THE 10th LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2013 2

others. III. DEVELOPMENT OF 3D MODEL

The Field intensities decrease in function from square of
distance between the source and the point where the field is
measured [6]. So, it is important to know the electric field
configuration, and consequently determine the safe region
between living organisms and field sources.
B. Finite Element Method
The Finite Element Method is a numerical method
originally developed by Alexander Hrennikoff (1941) and
Richard Courant (1942), and is used to obtain approximate
solutions of partial differential equations and integral
equations in situations where it is impossible or extremely
difficult to obtain an exact analytical solution [7].
The approximate solutions are obtained for the complete
elimination of differential equations, or the transformation of
partial differential equations into a system of ordinary
differential equations, i.e., there is a subdivision of problem
into several smaller problems and correlates [8], a process
known as discretization. The common points between the
elements are the nodes, where the results of the analysis must
be computed. In Figure 1 we can observe the steps from
discretization of a glass insulator.
The first step for performing the simulation is to build the
graphical model of the topology to be simulated. The modeling
was done directly on the platform simulation. The software has
limited 3D modeling tools and it is relatively difficult to work
with complex geometry, which led the model to produce a very
large computational effort, forcing the realization of some
simplification in simulated topology.
For calculation purposes, equipment as isolators, circuit
breakers, PTs and CTs were modeled as cylinders with same
length and the same cross section of the real equipment, and
the transformer was represented as a parallelepiped. It is
important to note that such simplifications do not cause
significant error, since it is not necessary the exact
determination of the electric field on the equipment surfaces.
The interest of the study is the electric field distribution nearby
the equipment, i.e., inside and around the substation, so the
simplifications can be performed.
The simulated model represents a substation of 69/13.8 kV,
with one transformer and single bus. The physical topology of
the substation is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 - Steps from discretization of a ceramic insulator [9].

The FEM is indicated for obtaining the solution of (a)

equations with a domain of high complexity, and equations
whose solution changes according to domain variation, since
the method divides the overall problem in several smaller
problems. Due to the reduction the computational cost, the
FEM has become widely used and has shown very accurate
results, and reaches the objectives to which is applied [10].
In this work, the software employed to implement the
(b)
scenarios and solve the differential equations was the
Figure 2 - Substation from 69/13,8 kV simulated;
COMSOL Multphysics®1. (a) side sectional view and (b) top view.
The main advantages the software is its robustness and
possibility to directly build the object to be studied. After In Figure 3, it is shown the results of the 3D model inside
drawing, the model are directly allocated to the regions of the the simulation platform, representing the substation
same constants and physical quantities, is not necessary the computationally.
construction of the FEM equations or the creation of solution
algorithms. The results can be represented in varied ways, such IV. ATTRIBUTION OF PHYSICAL FEATURES AND SIMULATION
as color maps and equipotential lines.
Once the geometrical modeling was done, the physical
The problem characterization is the most laborious step in
constants that characterize each material in the simulation
the simulation execution, since is necessary to define the
should be attributed to its respective regions. Most values are
region geometry where the problem should be resolved,
present in the simulators library, however some values were
indicating the electrical characteristics of each sub-region and
taken from literature. All the constants used are shown in
the boundary conditions.
Table 2.

1
COMSOL Multiphysics is a trademark of COMSOL AB.
 THE 10th LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2013 3

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The results were prepared in an adequate graphic
representation, and the necessary analysis to meet the interests
of the study was executed.
The Figure 4 shows the simulation result in the form of
electric field distribution in a plane situated at a height of 1.5
meters in relation to substation floor. The points of maximum
exposure are highlighted.

(a)

(b)
Figure 3 - Graphic model constructed and used in the simulation, (a) side
sectional view and (b) top view.

The human body model used was taken from [13] where it
is considered as a cylinder with the following dimension and
electrical constants:
• Height = 1,75 m;
• Base radius = 0,14 m;
• Conductivity (σ) = 0,5 S/m;
• Relative permittivity (εr) = 60.
The electrical constants aim to represent the characteristics
of the saline fluid that permeates the body. Furthermore, is
also considered that the potential induced within the cell and
into the nucleus is the same in the body outside the cell.

TABLE 2
CONSTANTS ASSIGNED TO MATERIALS PRESENT AT SIMULATION
Material εr σ (S/m)
Air 1,00 0,00
Aluminum 1,00 × 105 3,77 × 107 Figure 4 - Distribution of the electric field on a plane situated at a height of
Concrete 5,50 1,00 × 10-3 1,5 m in relation to substation patio; (a) top view; (b) perspective view.
Soil 50,00 A 1,00 × 10-3 B
Glass 7,50 1,00 × 10-14 In the point of highest exposure, the value of the electric
Human 60,00 C 0,50 C field was 4,3 kV/m, exceeding the limit imposed by legislation
Iron 1,00 × 105 1,12 × 107 for the general population which is of 4,17 kV/m. However,
Steel 1,00 × 105 4,03 × 106
A
for a substation, the exposure limit for occupational population
[11], B [12], C [13]. The others were taken from COMSOL Multiphysics®.
of 8,33 kV/m. Therefore, the substation in question meets the
limits imposed by legislation with respect to exposure to
After this step, is necessary to define the differential
electric fields.
equations and the boundary conditions that describe the
The graphs in Figure 5 represent the electric field along
problem and finally, run the simulation. At this stage, the
axes located at 1,5 m above the ground, located in particular
software uses the FEM to find approximate solutions of the
regions of the substation: on the bus, near to the transformer
equations at the nodes of a mesh that was previously generated
and outside, under the transmission lines.
(this process is known as discretization).
 THE 10th LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2013 4

four different scenarios:

• In the human body;
• Step potential;
• Touch potential;
• Potential in a cylindrical steel pipe.
The steel pipe radius is 10 cm, and it is placed 1.5 m under
the floor. All the scenarios took place in Region of Maximum
Exposure, shown in Figure 4a. All the results, presented in
Table 4, were taken from the point of highest potential in each
situation.

TABLE 4
INDUCED POTENTIAL OBTAINED EACH OF THE 4 SCENARIOS
Maximum Value
Results
(V)
Potential induced in steel pipe 35.40
Potential induced in human 2248.60
Step potential 10.60
Touch potential 169.70

The results represent admissible values, and are close to the

real typical values of potentials induced by electrical facilities
operating in the simulated voltage range.

VI. CONCLUSIONS
The results show that, for the simulated substation
topology, the electric field values are in accordance with the
requirements of Brazilian legislation. However, the signaling
of the regions of maximum exposure would be an excellent
measure, since it is a simple and low cost procedure that would
avoid the prolonged stay of workers in these regions, thus
mitigating the cumulative effects of exposure to the field.
The simulation method developed in this work can be used
as a valuable aid in the evaluation process of the electric field
of complex structures. Simulations can be performed to guide
concessionaries in the estimation of the electric field of future
Figure 5 - Electric field along axes located at 1,5 m above the floor, located in installations even before they are built.
specific paths of substation indicated by respective axes. Different scenarios of equipment topology can be proposed,
aiming to reduce, as much as possible, the value of the electric
The RMS values of the electric field were calculated for the field. Furthermore, the method makes it possible to evaluate
major point of intensity in three distinct axes and are presented the electromagnetic interference produced by substation in
in Table 3. Note that in none of the paths the value of the neighboring utilities, such as gas or water piping.
electric field exceeds the allowed limits, and that the path that
has the highest exposure to the field is that one under the bus. VII. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This is expected, since this region is where the equipment has The authors gratefully acknowledge to the Brazilian
lowest height to the ground. National Counsel of Technological and Scientific
Development, for maintenance of research grants for
TABLE 3
RMS VALUES OF ELECTRIC FIELD OBTAINED IN SIMULATION
undergraduates and for research productivity.
Maximum Value Limit
Local VIII. REFERENCES
(kV/m) (kV/m)
Inside Substation 4,30 [1] Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Exposure to Extremely Low
Frequency Fields, WHO Fact Sheet, 2007.
Axis 1 - Under the bus 4,00
8,33 [2] T. D. Monteiro. (2008). Linhas de Transmissão de Energia Elétrica de
Axis 2 - Vicinity of transformer 1,30 Alta Tensão e os Efeitos dos Campos Eletromagnéticos - CEM - na
Axis 3 – Substation Periphery 0,91 saúde. [Online]. Available: http://radiacoes.quercus.pt/scid/subquercus/
Additionally, values of induced potential were calculated in defaultarticleViewOne.asp?categorySiteID=375&articleSiteID=1562
 THE 10th LATIN-AMERICAN CONGRESS ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION - CLAGTEE 2013
[3] Resolução Normativa nº 398, ANEEL, 2010. [Online]. Available:
http://www.aneel.gov.br/cedoc/ren2010398.pdf
[4] J. Mamed, Manual de Equipamentos Elétricos, 2nd, vol. I. Rio de
Janeiro: LTC - Livros Técnicos e Científicos Ltda, 1994.
[5] R. F. Moreno and L. C. Moreno, "Possíveis Efeitos Sobre a Saúde
Humana Decorrentes da Exposição a Campos Elétricos e Magnéticos de
Baixa Frequência Revisão Comentada da Literatura," in XVI Seminário
Nacional de Produção e Transmissão de Energia Elétrica, São Paulo,
2001, pp. 2-5.
[6] P. A. Tipler and G. Mosca, Física para Cientistas e Engenheiros:
Eletricidade e Magnetismo - Ótica, vol. II. Rio de Janeiro: LTC - Livros
Técnicos e Cinentíficos Ltda, 2006.
[7] D. H. Norrie and G. Vries, An Introduction to Finite Element Analysis.
Waltham: Massachusetts Academic Press, 1978.
[8] M. Morie, The Finite Element Method and Its Applications. London:
Macmillan Publishing Company, 1983.
[9] T. V. Ferreira, “Estudo do Trilhamento de Núcleo em Isoladores
Poliméricos,” M. Sc. dissertation, Dept. Electrical. Eng., Federal Univ.
of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, 2007.
[10] P. J. Waterman, “Meshing the Critical Bridge,” Desktop Engineering
Magazine, 2008.
[11] E. T. Tuma, “Proposta de um Novo Modelo para análise dos
Comportamentos Transitórios e Estacionários de Sistemas de
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[12] C. V. Cavalcanti, “Uma Rotina Computacional para Estratificação:
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[13] R. W. King, "Electric Fields Induced in Cell in the Bodies of Amateur
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5
IX. BIOGRAPHIES
Rafael Mendonça Rocha Barros was born in Palmeira
dos Índios, Alagoas, Brazil, on April 27, 1992. He
formed from the Federal Institute of Education, Science
and Technology of Alagoas (2009), on electrotechnical.
Currently is undergraduate student in the
Department of Electrical Engineering of Campina
Grande Federal University and research of scientific
initiation to CNPq. His areas of interest included the
Mapping of Electric Fields, Finite Elements Method,
Insulation Systems and Computer Simulations.
Edson Guedes da Costa was born in Ribeirão,
Pernambuco, Brazil, on 1954. Began his academic
career in Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. Obtained the titles of
Bachelor, Master and Doctor in Electrical Engineering
respectively in 1978, 1981 and 1999 (Federal University
of Paraíba).
Since 1978 works as a professor at the Federal
University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraíba, Brazil.
His professional interests include High Voltage
Equipment, Electric Field Mapping, Partial Discharge, Finite Element
Method, Lightning Rod and Insulation Systems. Dr. Guedes is a member of
IEEE, CIGRE, ABENGE and SBA.
Tarso Vilela Ferreira was born in Aracaju, Sergipe,
Brazil, in July 1980. Graduated (2005), Master (2007)
and Doctor (2011) in Electrical Engineering, all
obtained at the Federal University of Campina Grande,
where he is currently professor and researcher.
Has developed works involving, among other
themes: monitoring of electrical equipment based on
ultrasound, radio interference, partial discharges,
infrared and ultraviolet, data acquisition; artificial
intelligence; grounding and computer simulations of electromagnetic fields.