General Equations for Fault Currents in Transmission Line Ground Wires

General equations are presented and derived which enable the accurate calculation of fault currents in overhead transmission line ground wires at any point along the ground wire to either side of the point of fault, given the fault current contribution from both terminals of the line. The equations are based on uniform tower footing resistance, which is treated as uniformly distributed conductance between ground wire and ground. The results, easily and inexpensively calculated by digital computer, are compared with test measurements previously published and excellent agreement is indicated.