ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM

GROUNDING
By
Steve Blume
[email protected]
(760) 612-8488
 Electric Power System
Grounding
Presentation
▪ 3-PhaseOutline
Power Systems
▪ Reasons for Grounding and Bonding
▪ Substation, Transmission, and Distribution
Grounding
▪ Power Faults and Lightning Strikes
▪ Fault current distribution
▪ Ground Potential Rise (GPR)
Touch and Step Potentials
▪ Safety

2
 3-Phase Power Systems
Single Phase Generation
Faraday’s Law:
Voltage is produced on any conductor in
a changing magnetic field!

+ Volts

N
- Volts
S

3
 3-Phase Power Systems
Three Phase Generation

+ Volts

N - Volts
S

4
 3-Phase Generator
3-Phase AC Generator

Controls
AC Voltage Out
Exciter

Field/Rotor

N
S
Stator

Slip Rings
5
 3-Phase Power Systems
Symmetrical Connections

Winding 1

Winding 3 Winding 1 Winding 2

To To
Load Load
Winding 2 Neutral

Winding 3

Delta WYE 6
 3-Phase Power Systems
Neutral vs. Ground vs. Bond
L
Neutral
Winding
1 Winding 2
WYE L To the load
N
Neutral Bond
Winding 3
Ground
L

▪ Grounding: the neutral is connected to earth via ▪ Bonding: electrical connections

ground rods, grids, or conductors. Unbalanced between equipment and
neutral currents flow through the earth connection. grounded conductors to provide
equipotential during faults. 7
 3-Phase Power Systems
Reasons for Grounding and Bonding
▪ Control power fault and Lightning strike
currents
▪ Protect equipment and trip energizing equipment
▪ Equipotential Grounding
▪ Effects of Ground Potential Rise
▪ Touch
Detect and Step
minimize unbalanced currents
Potentials

8
 3-Phase Power Systems
System Grounding

9
 3-Phase Power Systems
Substation Grounding
Ground grids

Equipment

Structures Fence
10
 3-Phase Power Systems
Transmission Line Shielding and Grounding
Shield Wires and
Optical Ground Wires
Lightning Protection through Grounding

60º

60º

Rod Line

60º shield angle is typical

11
 3-Phase Power Systems
Distribution Lines: Wye Configuration

Multi-grounded Neutral: At
least four times per mile per the
National Electric Safety Code

Multi-Grounded
Neutral

A
N
B
Grounded neutral

12
 3-Phase Power Systems
Distribution Lines: Delta Configuration
Delta three-phase distribution lines use three wires, no neutral. Transformer
tanks and lightning arresters are connected to ground rods at each pole.

C
B

A No grounded neutral!

13
 3-Phase Power Systems
Balanced Conditions

Source Balanced 3-Phase Currents

Load
Generator Transformer

Grid
Grid

NO Earth Return Current!

14
 Power System
Substation Fault Fault
Power Fault
Lightning Rods
or Lightning Strike

Ground Grid Wires Ground Rods

15
 Power System Fault
Ground Potential Rise (GPR) – unbalanced
current
Phase Currents

G GPRs XFMR

Grid
Grid

Earth Return Current

Assumptions
• Homogenous Soil (i.e., round contours)
• Power Fault at substation transformer bushing 16
 Power System
Fault
Multiple Ground Paths and GPR’s
Un-Balanced 3-Phase Current
Neutral Currents
Shield Wire Currents

G GPRs XFMR

Grid
Grid

Earth Return Current 17

 Power System
Metropolitan GridsFault

Un-Balanced 3-Phase Current

G XFMR

NO Earth Return Currents!!!

NO GPR!!!
Current flow through grid: YES
Voltage drop on grid: YES
18
 Power System
Fault
GPR - Zone of Influence

x
Substation
Gnd Grid 300 volt point

GPR
“Zone of Influence”

Homogeneous Soil 19
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Touch &Structures
Step Potentials Substations

Ground Grid

Ground Potential Rise

Touch Step

Distance From Fault

20
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Human
NOTE:Characteristics
Current path through body is a critical factor!

The average 155-lb man takes the following currents:

▪ 1.2ma to produce a slight tingling feeling, called perception threshold
▪ 9ma can produce a painful shock, but still below lock-on conditions
▪ 16ma can cause the loss of muscle control
▪ 23ma can cause difficulty breathing
▪ 50ma approximately can cause burning
▪ 100ma for 3 seconds can cause heart fibrillation
▪ 1 amp for 30ms can cause heart fibrillation

21
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
2-Ways to be Safe!
CONDUCTION – Equipotential Grounding
The use of materials in situations where good conduction (low resistance) will result in small potential
differences and high current flow. (Ground Jumpers)

ISOLATION – Personal Protective Equipment

The use of materials in situations where good insulation (high resistance) will result in large voltage
differences and low current flow. (Rubber Insulation)

22
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Conduction - Ground
1. Substation Source
Ground Grid Preferences
2. Multi-Grounded Neutral
(MGN)
3. Steel Tower or Steel Pole
4. Driven or Screw-in Ground
Rods
5. Anchor Rods

23
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Conduction - Jumper Voltage Drop Protection
FAULT CURRENT

YOUR
YOU
JUMPERS

Earth

"TRUE" GROUND

24
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Conduction - Transmission Structure Safety

Example:
Single Point
Grounding a
metal lattice
tower

Steel Towers Wood Structures 25

 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Conduction - Distribution Structure Safety
Example: Worker minimizing
exposure to touch potential by
operating equipment controls
from a conductive mat

Single Point Grounding Vehicle Arrangement 26

 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Conduction - Underground Equipment

Neutrals and Lightning Arresters are Grounded.

27
 Electrical Grounding
Safety
Isolation - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

28
Electric Power System
Grounding
Any Questions?

Thank you!
By
Steve Blume
[email protected]
(760) 612-8488