Fault Current-Division Factor of Substation Grounding Grid in Seasonal Frozen Soil

The determination of the maximum ground fault current, which has a close relation to the maximum hazardous step-and-touch voltage, is essential for the safety of a substation. Seasonal frozen soil changes the grounding resistances of the substation grounding grids and the tower footing devices, which seasonally influences the maximum grid current. This paper first introduces the method to calculate the fault current-division factor, and then discusses the influence of the seasonal frozen soil layer on it by using the proposed method. Based on the cases of two substations connected by the transmission lines and without neutrals or other connection paths, the influence of several factors on the fault current-division factor, including the thickness of seasonal frozen soil, and the number of transmission lines with overhead ground wire connected to the substation grounding grid, is analyzed. It is reasonable to consider the influence of the seasonal frozen soil on the fault current-division factor in grounding grid design. According to the analysis, adding vertical grounding rods to the grounding grid and the tower footing grounding device can almost eliminate this seasonal influence.