Simple Circuit Models for Studying Global Earthing Systems

Abstract

The paper proposes three simple circuit models for the simulation of the behaviour of a global earthing system during different fault events. The models allow one the evaluation of the maximum earth potential rise at every possible fault location and for every possible fault event. The three considered fault events are: single-line-to-earth fault inside a MV/LV substation, double-earth-fault in a MV line, single-line-to-earth fault inside a HV/MV station. After having illustrated the hypotheses at the basis of the study, the circuit models for the three fault events are presented and a numerical example shows how to use them in order to check the "global safety" of the interconnected earthing systems.