IEEE T r a n s a c t i o n s on Power Apparatus and Systems, vol. PAS-94, no.

4 , July/August 1975

GROUNDING OF GAS INSULATED SUBSTATIONS

Thomas H. Dodds

Harvey E. Spindle

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Trafford, Pennsylvania

ABSTRACT

end supports and a single ground strap goes from the top of the end
support to the substation ground mat as shown. The first step in the
sounding analysis of this system involves the calculationofthe
inductance.

TheGroundingof
Gas InsulatedSubstations
(GIS) presents
several unique
problems
not encountered
in
the
grounding<
of
paper,
Gas
conventional
substations.
Forthe
purposes of fhis
Insulated
Substations
are defined as high-voltage, compact,
metal-enclosed minisubstations which are compressed g a s insulated at
maximum rated voltages of 72.5 kV and above. The metal enclosureis
grounded
and
consists
of theoutersheathforthe
substation
equipment and the coaxial gas insulated bus. The maximum voltage
developed on thegrounded outersheath during faultconditions is
calculatedusing
couplingtechniquesandatransformerequivalent
voltage to
circuit. By settinglimits on themaximumoutersheath
station ground, the maximum distance between grounding points can
be determinedfor
thesafety
ofpersonnel
in a Gas Insulated
Substation.

INDUCTANCE
Outer Sheath
The inductance per unit length of the outer sheath with respect
to ground (assuming an infinite ground plane) can be calculated from
the following equation1 :

P = 4.61 x
where

INTRODUCTION

Gas Insulated Substations have several unique properties which

require different grounding practices than conventional equipment.
Gas
Insulated Substations have a grounded outer sheath enclosing the high
voltage inner conductor unlike conventional equipment whose closest
ground is the earthssurface. Further GasInsulated
Substations
generally
have
shorterlengths,
closer
phase
spacing,
and larger
conductorradiithantheirconventionalcounterpart.
Allof these
characteristics combine to giveGas InsulatedSubstationsa
lower
inductivereactance than conventionalequipment. Since the voltage
developed on the grounded outer sheath is directly proportional to the
inductive reactance (the effectof resistance is insignificant), maximum
sheath potentials are less as a resultof the smaller inductance.

and
Now

&= inductance/length
(henrys/m)

(1)

h = heightof outersheath above ground = 3.96 m

GMR = Geometric Mean Radius (outer sheath) = 15.7 cm

P =henrys/m
7.84
x
XP = 2nfP = inductivereactance(ohms/m)

where

f = 60Hz

Thus

Xp =ohms/m
2.96
x

(2)

Ground Strap
The inductance per unit length of the horizontal ground straps
withrespect to ground (assuming an infinite groundplane) can be
calculated in the same manner:

Guidelines and standards are fairly well established for grounding

of conventionalequipment (seeIEEE Guide No. 80). However,in
order to establish standard grounding techniques and procedures for
Gas Insulated Substations it is necessary to determine the inductance
of the gas hsulated bus, the mutual inductances of the system, and
theinductance of theoutersheath
withrespect to ground. Such
inductance calculations are entirely a function of what is in most cases
this paper several
arathercomplicatedgeometricconfiguration.In
simplifying assumptions are made to determine the required inductance and then the maximum outer sheath voltage is calculated using
induced voltages and currents determined via a transformer equivalent
maximum sheathvoltage,themaximum
circuit. By limitingthe
distance
between
ground
points
and
the
grounding
criteria
are
established for Gas Insulated Substations.

-7

Ilg = 4.61 x 10 loglo

where
nus

ag

= inductive reactance
(henrys/m)

(3)

GMR = Geometric Mean Radius (ground strap) = 2.27 cm

g

Pg = 1.17
henrys/m
x
= 21rfpg = 4.41 x

And

ANALYSIS

ohms/m

It is assumed that the 3.96 m vertical ground strap has the same
inductive reactance per meter as the two 2.13 m horizontal ground
straps.

In this investigation, the grounding techniques and methods for

Gas InsulatedSubstations willbe illustrated by means of atypical
kV substation installed at Southern
example.Inthispaper,a242
California Edison will be analyzed. The appropriate dimensions such
asdistancebetween
phases, distance above ground,lengthofbus
sections, and conductor radii are shown in Figures 1,2, and 3.

MUTUAL INDUCTANCE
Themutualinductanceperunitlengthbetweentheinner
three phases can be calculated
conductorandoutersheathforthe
from the following equationsz:

TheinstallationatSouthern
CalirorniaEdisonconsists
ofa
center cablefeed, two circuit breakerpositions,and two overhead
transmissionline
connections(one at each end). Thethreeouter
sheaths of the system are connected together at the top of each set of

m = 4.61
where

Paper T 75169-8 recommendedandapproved

bythe IEEE Substations
Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society for presentation attheIEEE
PES Winter Meeting, New York, N.Y., January 26-31,1975. Manuscript submitted
September 3,1974; made available for printing Nov. 21, 1974.

loglo

-7
GMD
10loglO==
mutualinductance/length
(henrys/m)

(4)

GMD = Geometric Mean Distance (m)

The method for determining the maximum voltage developed on

theoutersheath
or thedistancebetweengroundpoints
can be
summarized as follows:

1183

1.Determinetheapproximateinductivereactance
equations ( I ) , (21, and (3).

per meter using

Location of
Maximum Voltage

Breaker
Circuit

Center Cable Feed

Fig. 1. Southem Colifomia Edison Installation Profile

Now the Geometric Mean Distance between phases is defmed by

the following:

GMD=
where

- d,.,

dab=distancebetween4Aandq5B=2.13m

GroundStraos

/&Circuit

dk= distance between 4 B and $I C = 2.13 m

Thus GhfD = 2.69 m

m = 5.68 x l d 7 henrys/m

And

Breaker

3.96m

Center Cable Feed

Now

X,.,,= 27rfm = mutualinductivereactance(ohms/m)

And

,,X
.,

= 2.14 x

-k

4.27m

2.1 3m

ohms/m

The impedance of the outer sheath during bothnormal and fault

conditions is primarily inductive and the resistance (3.16 p ohm/m)is
insignificant by comparison. Both the resistance and the inductance
are solely a function of the geometry of the system. Itis assumed that
theentireSF6insulatedportion
of the GIS installation(including
breakers, isolators, junction boxes, etc.) has the same resistance and
inductance per lengthas a straight sectionof horizontal bus.

Fig. 2. Half of Southern Colifomia Edison Installation

b-

dac

dac = distance between Q, A and 4 C = 4.27 m

/ J

9.75m

Tab

4-

8.89cm

0.953cm
Fig. 3. 242 k V bus dimensions.

1184

7-

External Fault

FAULT CONDITIONS
The outer sheath of the system can be exposed to two types of
fault conditions: 1. An internal fault within the SF6-insulated system;
2 A fault external to the SF6-insulated system in which fault current
flows through the CIS systemandinducescurrents
in theouter
sheaths. The internal faultw
libe investigated first.
Internal Fault

will divide according tothe

For an internalfaultthecurrent
impedance to ground which it sees. Since the impedance is considered
entirely inductive throughout the GIS system, the way in which the
current divides during an internal fault is a direct function of fault
lbcation and length of outer sheath and ground strap to ground. Since
the GIS system is grounded in three places (center and both ends), the
maximum outersheath voltage will occuratsomefaultlocation
between the center cable feed and end supports. Since the maximum
fault current capability of the system is 50 k A , the maximum voltage
is calculated using the circuit of Figure 4 (which is the electricalequivalent of Figure 2).

For an external fault it is necessary to develop a circuit which

representstheinduced
voltage ontheouter
sheath. Considerthe
circuit shown in Figure 5.
Current I1 is flowing in the inner conductorof the faulted phase
(50 kA for maximum fault condition capability of system) and 12 is
the current induced in the outer sheath by 11. Treating 11 and I2 as
the primary and secondary currents of a transformer andreplacing the
circuit given in Figure 5withatransfonnerequivalent3
yields the
F
w 6.
circuit (upon rearrangement) shown in

Z m u =~mutual impedance

follows:

where

Zoutenheath = 9.75

3.96 m ) x ~= 4.06 x

ohms

sheath
of outer
r2 = inner radius

r 1 = outer radius of inner conductor = 4.44 cm

Therefore
Zher
and

It can be. shown that the maximum outer sheath voltage is developed when the internal fault current divides such that 25 kA flows in
each direction in the outer sheath on either side of the fault location.
Such conditions exist whenever the internal fault is located approximately at the top of the outer breaker tank. Since the distance from
the center cable feed to the top of the outer breaker tank is approximately 10.1 meters, the impedance and maximum
voltage to station
ground developed are as follows:
(XQ)x(length) = (2.96xohms/m)(10.lm)

v,

= (25 k ~ (2.99
)
x

= 2.99 x

= 15.2 cm

ohms

ohms) = 75 volts ms

conductor = 1.27 x

ohms

ZmUtual=(9.75 m + 3.96 m ) X , = 2.93xohms

Solving the circuit given in Figure 6 for 12 (asa function of 11 =

50 kA) yields a value of I
24.5 kA. This B the valueof12 for a
fault in eitherof the outer &ses. A similar approach yields a value of
28.8 kA for the outer sheath current in the center phase when 50 kA
flows in the inner conductor of the center phase. Thus the individual
currentsinduced in theoutersheaths
byfaultcurrentsineach
respective innerconductortakenindependently
(i.e. three independent single line-to-ground external faults) are known. Since the
are known, themaximum voltage
inducedoutersheathcurrents
developed on the outer sheath (with respectto the station ground) for
a single line-to-gound fault in anyone phase can be calculated by
sohmgthecircuit
given in Figure 5. Such an analysis yields a
maximum voltageof 73 volts r m s to stationground on theouter
sheath (of the faulted phase) for a single line-to-gmund fault in either
the center phase or one of the outer phases.

50kA

outer sheath

z ground strap horizontal

outer sheath

ground strap
vertical
outer sheath

--

--

&

Fig.4. Internal fault.

1185

.
outer sheath

ground strap horizontal

outer sheath

z ground strap
vertical

outer sheath

---

-Rg.5. External fault.

outer sheath

- Z mutual

- Z mutual

ground strap horizontal

0
outer sheath

t
ground
strap
horizontal

outer sheath

z ground strap
vertical

Fig. 6. Equivalent circuit.

Also since the induced outer sheath currents are known for the
three respective independent single line-to-gmund faults, superposition
can be used to determine the net current flowing in the outer sheath
of each phase during a phase-tephase or a three-phase fault. It should
be kept inmind that the fault currents are 180' out ofphasein a
phase-to-phase fault and 120' out of phase in a three-phase fault. The
net currents flowing in the system can then be used to calculate the
maximum voltagedeveloped on theoutersheathforthe
phase-tophase and three-phase faults. Such an analysis of the circuit given in
Figure 5 yields some very interestingresultsforphase-tephaseand
three-phase external faults of50 kA magnitude. The maximum voltage
developed on the outer sheath for all combinations of phase-to-phase
and for three-phase faults is 73 volts rms in each case - the same as
forthe singleline-to-ground
externalfault. Hence the maximum
voltage developed on the outer sheath for an external fault is 73 volts
r m s to station ground and furthermore the same 73 volts is obtained
regardless of the type of external fault (line-to-ground, phase-tephase,
or three-phase).
FIELD AND LABORATORY TESTS
In orderto verify thetheory developed fortheinternaland
external fault conditions, a series of experimental tests on both the
Southern California Edison installation and an electrical scale model
werecarried out.The field testsonthe GIS installation were conducted as outlined in the following procedure. A primary current (11)
of 1080 amperes was injected into the inner conductor of the center
phase of the system with no current in the inner conductors of the
two outer phases. Thesecondarycurrent (12) induced in the outer
sheath of the center phase as well as the outer sheath currents of the
twoouter phasesweremeasuredusing
a clampontypeammeter.
Ground straps and jumpers between breaker tanks and
across epoxy

support insulators were used to obtain the clampon current measurements.The field testmeasurements made on the GIS installation
yielded the results shown in Table I which also shows the theoretical
current values.
Table I - Field Tests
11= 1080amperes (primary current ininner conductorof center phase)

622
Theory
Test

Outer
Sheath
Outer
Sheath
Outer
Center Phase
(12)

Outer Phase

Sheath
Outer Phase

amperes
amperes
129
475 amperes

130 amperes

129 amperes
173 amperes

The significance of the field test data is the fact that the induced
currentontheoutersheath
of thecurrent carrying phase (475
amperes) is verifiid to be on the order of 50% of the inner conductor
current (1080 amperes) rather than the 9 0 7 ~ 9 5 %usually predicted
(see IEEE Guide for Calculating Losses in Isolated - Phase Bus, ANSI
C37.23).Thenext
stepinthe
f i l d tests was to make voltage
mekurementsonthe
GISsystem; however,becauseof
induced
voltages and currents from the overhead power transmission lines in
thesubstation,it
provedimpossible to obtain meaningfulvoltage
measurements
despite
several attempts which employed various
measuring techniques. Therefore it was deemed necessary to build an
electrical scale model of theGIS installation in ordertoobtain
meaningfulvoltage measurements for verificationof thepredicted
voltagevalues. Figure 7 shows a photograph of the test model and
Table I1 compares it with the actual GIS system.

1186

In obtaining voltage measurements for the model, Once again

several methods which employed various measuring techniques were
attempted. The voltages induced in the closed loop formed by the
voltmeter leads madeaccurate voltage measurementsparticularly
difficult. The voltmeter read the algebraic sum of the desired outer
sheath voltage and the voltage induced in the meter leads rather than
the outer sheath voltage alone. It was finally decided that the model
would be isolated (i.e. insulated) from the station ground plane and
that a loop would be formed from the voltmeter leads outlining the
exact contour of the outer sheath and ground straps. In this manner,
the voltmeter leads would form a tightly coupled loop which would
measure the voltage induced on any desired outer sheath and ground
straploop. This method insured thatthe voltage inducedinthe
voltmeter leadswas precisely the voltage measurement whichwas
desired. The voltage measurementaboutthecomplete
closed loops
was then divided by two in order to obtain the maximum voltage fp
stationgrounddeveloped
on theoutersheath
of themodel.The
results are given in Table IV forcurrent T i t throughtheinner
conductor of thecenter phase andthenthroughone
of the outer
phases.
Table IV - Laboratory Voltage Tests

Fig. 7. Laboratory test setup.

in inner conductor of center phase)

I1 = 470 amperes (primary current
Outer SheathMaximum Voltage (Center Phase)

Table I1 Model Comparison

Electrical Scale Model

Actual
System
h
GMR

XP
GMRg

%
GMD
Xam
2
1
overall length
dab
dac
dbc

3.96 m (13 ft)

15.7 cm (6.18 in)
296 p ohms/m
(90.2 1.1 ohms/ft)
2.27 cm (0.894 in)
44 1 p ohms/m
( 134 p ohms/ft)
2.69 m (8.83 ft)
2 14 p ohms/m
(65.2 p ohms/ft)
15.2 cm (6 in)
4.44 cm (1.75 in)
9.75 m (32 ft)
2.13 m (7 ft)
4.27 m (14 ft)
2.13 m(7 ft)

0.305 m (1 ft)
4.32 cm (1.7 in)
200 p ohms/m
(60.9 p ohms/ft)
0.635 cm (0.25 in)
345 pohms/m
(105 p ohmslft)
0.768 m (2.52 ft)
218pohms/m
(66.4 p ohms/ft)
4.51 cm(1.78in)
1.33 cm (0.524 in)
1.52 m (5 ft)
0.610 m (2 ft)
1.22 m(4 ft)
0.610 m(2 ft)

Theory
Test

I1 = 467 amperes (primary current in inner conductor of outer phase)

Outer Sheath Maximum Voltage (Outer Phase)
Theory
Test

Thefirst stepinthelaboratorytest
using theelectrical scale
model involved themeasurementofcurrentsinduced
on the outer
sheath due to current flowing in one of the inner conductors. The
same procedure was followed in the laboratory current test as in the
GIS system. However, inthelaboratorytest,the
field testofthe
current was first applied to the inner conductorof the center phase of
the model and then to one of the outer phases. The results are given m
Table In.

CONCLUSIONS

I1 = 467 amperes (primary currentin inner conductor of centerphase)

amperes
57 327
Theory
Test

Outer Phase

amperes
amperes
amperes
67275

Outer P h a ~
amperes
57
1 13 amperes

I1 = 471 amperes (primary current in inner conductor of outer phase)

Outer
Sheath
Outer
Sheath
Outer
Sheath
Outer Phase
(12)
194
Theory
Test

amperes
amperes
amperes
amperes
37
146
61

20.1 mV
25.3 mV

In calculating the theoretical maximum outer sheath voltage on

the outer phase (i.e. 20.1 mv), the contribution due to the horizontal
ground strap was neglected because of the relatively short length and
the small end effects when compared to the longer length and larger
diameter of the models outer sheath. Neglecting the effect of the
horizontal
ground
strap
helps somewhat to explain
the
lower
predicted value of 20.1 mV for the outer phase. Of course there are no
horizontal ground strap contributions to the voltage developed on the
outer sheath of the center phase. Also since the vertical ground straps
are insulated from the ground plane, they offer no contribution
to the
voltage developed in either the center or outer phase. The theoretical
(33.8 mv) and laboratory test values (34.5 mv) for the center phase
show excellentagreement. And despite neglecting thehorizontal
groundstrapeffects,theouter
phase theoreticalandexperimental
values also show very good agreement. It is felt that the current tests
on the GIS systemandthe
current-voltage measurementsonthe
electrical scale modelestablishthe
validity of thetheoryand
grounding practices presented in this paper.

Table 111 Laboratory Current Tests

Outer
Sheath
Outer
Sheath
Outer
Sheath
Center phase (12)

33.8mV
34.5 mV

Center Phase

Outer Phase

60.8 amperes

28.2 amperes

In the Southern California Edison installation, the ground points

was the
had already been established andtheprimaryconcern
maximum voltage developed on theoutersheath
of thesystem.
However, the method can be easily adapted to determine the number
and location of grounding points for agiven system to limit the outer
sheath voltage to a desired level. Theoutersheathcurrentforan
internalandexternalfaultcan
be determined as outlined in the
section on fault conditions. Since the impedance per meter is known,
the voltage drop per meter for the outer sheath can be calculated. If
themaximumoutersheath
voltageallowed is then dividedby the
voltage per meter, the distance from the pointof maximum voltage to
ground is established. This distance is thendoubled to obtainthe
desired distance between ground points.

1187

2. Determinethemutualinductance
per meter using equation(4).
Resistancevalues arealmost alwaysnegligible compared to the
inductive reactance.
3. UseFigure 4 to determinethe outersheathcurrentandthen
voltage per meter for an internal
fault.
4. Use thetransfomer
equivalentcircuit
given in Figure 6 to
determinethe outersheathcurrent
asafunction
of theinner
conductor, current for an external fault. The voltage per meter on
the outer sheath can then
be calculated for an external fault.
5. Compare the outer sheath voltage per meter for the internal and
external fault to determine the worst

case.

6.Based uponthedistance
between ground points, themaximum
voltage on the outer sheath can be determined. Conversely if the
distancebetweengroundpoints
is desired, the maximum outer
sheath voltage allowed is divided by the voltage per meter.
Currently there are no standards or limits for maximum allowable outersheath voltage on Gas Insulated Substations.The limits
presently used Seem to be as numerous and widespread as the utilities
employing them. The IEEE Guide for Safety in AlternatingCurrent
Substation Grounding stated: Some utilities establish more or less
arbitrary voltage limits, e.g. 150 volts . . . due to faultgradients . . . for
duration of shock not exceeding1.2 seconds.Althoughthe maximum value of 150 volts rms is not a recommended level (but just a
limit used bysomeutilities), the maximumvalue ontheSouthern
California Edison installation of 75 volts rms Seems to be within the
limits of establishing a safe system.

Thus a method has beendeveloped fordetermining the maximum outer sheath voltage and the maximum distance between ground
points for SF6-insulatedsystems. This information is then used to
determine the location ofthe ground points in the CISsystem. Several
simplifying assumptionsaremade
to enable calculation ofthe
inductances which areafunctionofrathercomplicatedgeometric
configurations. Field tests on an actual, GIS
installation and laboratory tests onan electrical scale model have proved that the simplifying
assumptionsare permissible and thatthe resulting theoretical apis valid. Thusa simplified,
proach to theGISgroundingproblem
for GISsystems hasbeenprovided
practicalgroundingprocedure
which will insure the
safety
of personnel
in
a Gas
Insulated
Substation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Theauthors wish to thank Mr. P.E.
Martin, Westinghouse
ElectricCorporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., for his assistance inthe
Mr. D. Craghead, Southern
laboratory
setup
and
testing,
and
CaliforniaEdison
Companyand Mr. W. J. Melilli,Westinghouse
ElectricCorporation,Trafford,
Pa. fortheir assistancein the field
testing.
9

REFERENCES
D.
Evans,
Symmetrical
Components,
1. C. F. Wagner and R.
McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc. New York, 1933, p. 144.
2. CentralStation
Engineers,Westinghouse
Electric corporation,
ElectricalTransmission
andDistributionReferenceBook,
East
Pittsburgh, Pa., 1950, p. 71.

Discussion

D.0. Craghead and A. Mateuchev (Southern CaliforniaEdisonCompany,Rosemead, Calif.): Theauthors havedeveloped in this paper
methods that provide valuable and timely guidance for the grounding of
Gas-Insulated Substations. Their efforts in verifying the adequacy of
the grounding scheme employedat ourVista 220 kV SF6 installation is
very much appreciated. Nevertheless, the usefulness of this papercan be
increased bydirect discussion of maximum touch voltages, which
provide a better measure of safety forpersonnel.
It should be noted,that
considerationoftheground
grid
potential rise., with due regard to polarities, may result in a higher touch
potential. As the workonstandards
for Gas-Insulated Substations
continue through the efforts of the IEEE Substation Committee WorkingGroup70.1,thelimitsoftouchpotentials
will eventually be
derived. Until a voltage level is agreed to for Gas-Insulated Substations,
the IEEE Guide for Safety in AlternatingCurrent Substation Grounding appears to be theacceptablesource
forthe150 voltlevel. A
subsequent investigation to determine the actual potentialvalue may be
proposed; however, it is not expected that the 150
volt level will be
exceeded at Vista.
In the text of the authors discussion, in the section pertaining to
10.1
internal faults, it is not specifically shown how the distance of
meters to the internal fault providing maximum outer sheath voltage
was derived. It should be remembered that a 14 - ground fault is being
considered. Thus, the current
divides in accordance with the
various
combinations of parallel paths available to the station ground. Therefore, 2.99 X 10-3 ohms equals 10.1 meters of sheath or is equivalent to
3.61 metersof sheath, a parallel combination of impedances in the
other two phase sheaths, horizontal ground straps and the single vertical
ground strap. Calculations confirm the authors figures reasonably well.
It does, however, seem that the ground straps which connect the center
cable feed to the station ground system have been neglected. From the
common sheath tie, there are three connections
to the station ground
mat. One exists through approximately 10 meters of strap and two are
throughthetwo
breakerframegrounds.Thelatterincludes
ap
proximately three or four meters of ground strap.
For simplicity, it may be assumed that these three parallel paths
couldaddpproximateiy
one third of (4.41 X l e ) X (10 meters) or
1.47 X 10- ohms. Recalculating, using the added impedance, relocates
the fault within the sheath toa point where the impedance to ground is
equal to 3.63 X 10-3 ohms. Therefore,the
voltagedeveloped
is
(3.63 X 10-3) X (25 kA) or 90.7 volts.

Manuscript received February 12,1975.

M. W. El Menschawi(BrownBoveri
& Cie AG,Mannheim,West
Germany):Theauthors
havediscussed grounding in a gas insulated
substation and shown a method of
calculating the maximum voltage
developed on the outer sheath of the system as well as a method to
derive the grounding points of a system. It is essential today with GIs,
high voltage subwhich is compactingconsiderablythelayoutof
stations, to take into consideration the voltage drop in case of faults
which could lead to new considerations of fencing. The question arises
if the earth mesh should not be extended outside of the fencedarea. In
case of indoor substationsbecause of the better earthshield possibilities
this problem can be coped with.
Theauthors have calculatedthecurrent
flowing ontheouter
enclosure in a range between 41-70% of theinner conductor current and
the test shows values between 30 and 60% which is approximately the
value expected in such stations.
Our tests show also values in the range of approximately 50% of
the inner conductor current. We are also of the opinion that the IEEE
Guide for calculating losses in isolated phase bus, ANSI C37.23, do not
apply for the compact GIS. We have made successful measurements in
indoor installations andit would be useful to continue the investigations
helping to clarify the matter and lead to suitable standards in the near
future.
Manuscript received February 18,1975.

3. Norman Balabanian, Fundamentals of Circuit Theory, Allyn and

Bacon, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, 1961, p. 375.

4. CentralStation
Engineers,Westinghouse
ElectricalTransmission
andDistribution
Pittsburgh, Pa.,
paper
524.1950,
p.

ElectricCorporation,
Reference Book, East

J. G.Sverak (United Engineers & Constructors, Inc.,Phila.,Pa.):

This
well illustratesmany
the
grounding peculiarities, typical of Gas
Insulated Substations.
DODI&I
.~ As the GIS are eettine more and more
with the industry, much of this information H
s been badly neehid for
5. WEE GuideforSafetyinAlternatingCurrentSubstationGround-sometime.
ing, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York,
N. Y . , March, 1961, p. 10.
Manuscript received February 19,1975.
~~

1188

~~

that
However, I cannotfully agree withtheAuthorsopinion
currently there is no guidance established for determining the permissible sheath voltage to ground.
When deciding how good or bad it is to have the reported 73volts
between the enclosure and the station ground, it isuseful to recall that
not the contact voltage itself, but the amount of current perceived by
thehumanbodyduringthecontact
is whatcounts physiologically.
IEEEGuide No. 80 indicatesthatthetreshold
ofcurrent perception is about lmA, and a lack of muscular control may occur in the
9-25mA current range.
When the danger of loss of human life is considered solely as a
consequence of heart fibrillation, the Guide presently provides us with
a time dependent limit of body current, equal to the value of 165mA/
f l w i t h the time t in seconds.
No. 80, the well-known
In thecontemplated revisionofIEEE
Dalziels equation for the permissible electric shock energey constant
will be set equal t o the value

Consider the case of a man inside the GIS area, standing on some
thin ground surface layer, which can be a concrete floor, or anything
from a gassfrichsoil combination t o crushed stone, overlaying both the
foundations and the surrounding earth. Touching a groundedenclosure
or structure, heestablisheshimselfas
an alternate grounding system
consisthg of two series components;
1. Resistance of a human body, for hand-to-foot contact, assumed
to be

k = 12t = 0.0135, [Amperesecond; Ampere, second],

As the safety of the man during fault depends on not exceeding

a critical amount of shock energy absorbed before the fault is cleared
and the systemis deenergized, the maximumpermissible driving voltage
of his body circuit, for a given fault clearing time is

which will result in a somewhat lower limit of body current for a given
time, approximately 1 1 6 m A w
Incident y, this lowervalue has already been implemented in a
recent report prepared by the
Working Group on Electrostatic Effects
of Transmission Lines. As the report also includes detailed reasoning for
such a change, it is advisable to follow this reference for the meantime.

RBody =

Ohms

2.Resistance
of an unprotectedfoot
surface, approximated by

standing atthe

ground

Rfoot = 3 X numerical value of Ps, in ohms

where Psis the resistivity of the ground medium,in ohm-meters.

The practical approach to groundingsafety is alwaysaimed at

balancing theinteraction of two groundingsystems:Thepermanent
one, consisting of ground electrodes buried at some depth below the
surfaceandtheaccidentialone,temporarilyestablishedbyaperson.
touching a grounded object, when standing or walking in the exposed
area.

measured between the touched enclosure andthe level of ground underneath the thin surface layer.
This last point deserves a bit of attention: In IEEE No. 80, the
resistanceofa
single unprotectedhumanfoot
is assumed as the
resistanceof ametallic circular plate of approximately 5 diameter
(r = 7 to 8 cm), buried at zero depth in homogeneous ground. If the
surface is covered by a layer of different material, the resistivity Ps is
equal t o the resistivity of that surface material. According to P. Lament,
the resistance of such aplate is

Ps
(0.28 to 0.32)

P 3

x (Ps)ohms

Based onsucha
premise, thecalculated
touch voltage limit
rise
implicitly represents the difference between the ground potential
UF, as carried by the contacted enclosure, and some average value Uo
of potentials beneath the first layer, which would be indicative of the
body circuit current flow through the boundary between the surface
layer and the earth.
As the earth becomessimultaneouslysaturated by thecurrents
emanating
from
the
other, permanent
grounding
electrodes,
the
resulting gradient field has aprimaryeffect
onthe value of Uo.
Typically, if the permanent electrode system forms a grid of few
conductors horizontally buriedin the earth, the saturation
is uneven
thepotentialsattheboundary
vary withdistance, as shown below,
Fig. 3.
Then, in this interpretation, the Guide considers the design of a
permanent grounding system adequate,if the formula (5) is satisfied for
the worst boundary potential EB-,
which is usually found above the
center of theperipheral mesh,i.e.
Etouch-hit = UF - uo; for u o = EBmin

Fig. 2

error.
includes
point,
certain

Because of the geometry offields around the anticipated foot plate

electrodes, the criterion which utilizes a single earth surface potential of
a

EB ( e
(kV)

distance (m)

(6)

Fig. 3
1189

Fig. 4a

Fig. 4b

In a case ofa highlyresistivesurface layer, like crushedstone

(usually with an averageresistivity much higher than most soils), the
current dissipation through the boundary is restricted
to a relatively
small area, Fig. 4a, and the formula (6) is an adequate approximation.
However, should the first layer consist of a concrete slab with an
average
of 25 to 50 ohm-meters, overlaying a 200 to 300
ohm-met& soil, the
currents tend.to spread over a larger area, Fig. 4b.
A relative increase in theapparent resistance ofthefoot electrode,
andmore equalized potentialgradientsaround
the. electrode result.

Surface material
Resistivity

Body Current
Criterion

Ps

IB

For thisreason,theformula
( 6 ) may prove to be overly conservative. Furthermore, grounding of the reinforcing steel contained in
concrete foundations represents another, significant factor to consider.
Therefore, in my opinion, we must look into this matter in more
detail,
preferably
within the frarmw~rkof W.G. 69.2, aiming to
the
Of IEEE No. 8o in the next few ye**
At present, the typical touch voltagelimitscalculated for 30 ohmmeter, or for 3000 ohm-metersurface layers, are:

@ Touch Voltage L i m i t

1 sec.

0 . 2 sec.

0 . 1 sec.

3000 ohm-meter

Let-go l i m i t 16mA

88.0 V

196.9 V

278.5 V

(crushed stone)

F i b r i l l . lim.1169

638.0 V

1,427.0 V

2,619.0 V

30 ohm-meter

Let-go l i m i t

fl*)

16mR

F i b r i l l . lim.116*

REFERENCE
[ 6 ] IEEE Working Group Report, Electrostatic Effects ofOverhead
Transmission Lines, IEEE Trans.,
Vol. PAS-91,No.2, pp. 422426, March/April 1972.

Il~omasH. Dodds and Harvey E. Spindle: The authors would like to

thank each ofthe discussors fortheircommentsandcontributions.
Messrs. Craghead and Mateuchev have asked how the distance of 10.1
meters for the maximum outer sheath voltage (internal fault) was deManuscript received April 4,1975.

16.72 V
121.2 V

37.4 V

52.9 V

383.6 V

271.2

rived. The distance was determined by solving the electrical circuit for
the specific fault location
whichcaused the internal fault current t o
divide equally as shown inFigure 4 of thepaper. When the current
divides equally (i.e., 25 kA in each direction), the maximum voltage is
developed on the outer sheath. The 10.1 meters is measured from the
center cablefeed to theouter breakertank (location ofmaximum
voltage) as shown in Figure 1 of the paper. The ground straps from the
center cable feed to the station ground were neglected by the authors
and the recalculation including these ground strapsby Messrs. Craghead
and Mateuchev is appreciatedandrepresentsamoreaccuratedetermination of the maximum outer sheathvoltage. Although the voltage of
these ground straps increases the maximum outer sheath voltage from
75 volts rms to 90.7 volts rms, the latter value remains well below the
150 volts rms level discussed in IEEE Guide No. 80.

1190

Since the bus runs in GIS normally have a height above ground of
several meters, a phase separation on the orderof a meter or more, and
overall lengths which are relatively short compared to isolated phase
bus; the authors agree with Dr. El Menschawi that ANSI C 37.23 on
Isolated Phase Bus should not apply t o compact GIs. It is the recommendation of the authors that the station ground should be extended
beyond the fenced area of the substation. Of greater importance is the
fact that all personnel within the substation area and
in contact with the
fence itself should be isolated (i.e., insulated) from the actual
earth
ground in order to prevent excessive voltages during an internal fault.
Mr. Sverak has stated thatguidance for determiningthe permissible
outer sheathvoltage is available. If Mr. Sverak is referring to themethod
ofdeterminingsuch
levels (i.e., IEEE Guide No. 80 or Dalziels
equation), the authors agree. However, if Mr. Sverak is referring to an
actual recommended voltage level, the authors disagree. Although the
methods of IEEEGuide No. 80 and Dalziels equation are generally
accepted, in order to determine a permissible body current the duration
&e., time or 2) of the electrical shock must be established. Further
the permissible touch voltagelevel isdependentonthisestablished

current as well as the body resistance and soil resistivity. It is upon this
voltagelevel
that uniformagreement
can notbe
established. Mr.
Sveraks tables illustrate the dependence of the touch voltage limit on
time and resistivity as no less than twelve voltages are given for various
shock durations and surfaceresistivities.
As a general worst case calculation of themaximum touch
voltage, a surface resistivity of zero ohm-meters and a body resistance
of 1000 ohms will be assumed. Using the body current equation given
in IEEE Guide No. 80 (165 mANT) and assuming a shock duration of
1 second yields:

Therefore, in general, amaximum permissible touch voltage of

approximately165 volts appears to be a reasonable limit to insure the
safety of personnelin or near a Gas Insulated Substation.

1191