Safety remains a key concern for utilities, specifically in terms of protecting human life, and ensuring reliable network operation. Both public and substation equipment are protected by comprehensive grounding infrastructures, but the story does not stop there. Grounding systems are subject to weathering, corrosion, damage and general wear. System integrity must be inspected and tested on a regular basis. Another critical issue is the ongoing need to transfer more power through an existing infrastructure. Utility engineers must accurately assess the condition of grounding systems to ensure they are capable of dissipating additional fault current.
This course covers the theory behind the substation grounding system design, and demonstrates mathematical models of the grounding system. This course describes test methods and numerical models to characterize soil resistivity into a two layer soil model. Participants learn test methods to measure other important grounding system parameters, such as interconnected grounding impedance, neutral and overhead ground wire current splits. Then, functional requirements of temporary working grounds are discussed followed by their installation configuration, maintenance and testing.
