Distribution system grounding fundamentals

Author

Thomas, Edward S. ; Dagenhart, John B. ; Barber, Richard A. ; Clapp, Allen L.

Author_Institution

Utility Electr. Consultants, Raleigh, NC, USA

Volume

11

Issue

5

fYear

2005

Firstpage

67

Lastpage

76

Abstract

This article is an overview of the various relationships between neutral currents, ground currents, electrode impedances, and voltage potentials that are encountered in the operation of multi-grounded wye distribution systems. This system continuation is the most commonly used configuration among U.S. domestic utilities. Voltages range from 4.16/2.4 kV to 34.5/19.9 kV. The most common system voltages are 15- and 25-kV class systems with nominal operating voltages on rural systems generally being 12.47/7.2 kV and 24.9/14.4 kV. The article aims to review the relationships that might be encountered due to system grounding and provide an overview of common installations and their relative effectiveness.

Keywords

earthing; electric impedance; installation; power distribution protection; power utilisation; 15 kV; 19.9 kV; 2.4 kV; 25 kV; 34.5 kV; 4.16 kV; US domestic utilities; distribution system grounding; electrode impedances; ground currents; grounding fundamentals; installations; multigrounded wye distribution systems; neutral currents; voltage potentials; Bonding; Conductivity; Conductors; Earth; Electrodes; Grounding; Integrated circuit interconnections; Power system interconnection; Soil; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Industry Applications Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-2618

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MIA.2005.1502475

Filename

1502475