Ground Potential Distribution in the Neighborhood of the Itaipu Generation Complex

This paper summarizes a study of ground potential distribution during faults to the ground in the neighborhood of Itaipu Power Plant taking into account the influence of the different resistivities of river, river banks, dam and reservoir. This study enables the dimensioning of the cable facilities leaving the power plant. Selection of the critical configuration and fault location are discussed. Ground potential distribution is computed by Kimbark\´s "current ray technique". This method lends itself to the modeling complex horizontal and vertical variations of soil resistivities.