Technical specification for earthing and bonding at EART-03-004

primary substations Issue No. 1

1. SCOPE

This technical specification describes SPEN’s requirements for earthing and bonding systems at
primary substations. This Technical specification is applicable to the following installations:
i) 33 kV/11 kV and 33 kV/11/6.6 kV primary substations.
ii) 33 kV switching stations at sites other than those at Grid Supply Points and transmission
substations.
iii) 11 kV and 6.6 kV HV customer substations at SPEN primary substations
iv) 33 kV HV customer substations at sites other than those at Grid Supply Points and
transmission substations.
It is intended for application to new build or existing substations where significant work is carried out
on site (e.g. switchgear replacement or transformer change) and is not retrospective.
This specification allows SPEN to demonstrate compliance with relevant national and international
standards, as well as statutory legislation and licence conditions. This document has been issued to
align with latest releases of the ESQCR, BS EN 50522, ENA TS 41-24 and ENA EREC S34.
This document replaces EART-02-002.

2. ISSUE RECORD

This is a Reference document. The current version is held on the EN Document Library.

It is your responsibility to ensure you work to the current version.

Issue Date Issue No. Author Amendment Details

th
5 Mar 2020 1 Kevin Butter This document replaces EART-02-002.
This document is significantly different
to EART-02-002 to reflect changes to
ESQCR, BSEN Standards and ENA
Technical Specifications

3. ISSUE AUTHORITY

Author Owner Issue Authority

Name: Kevin Butter Name: Fraser Shaw Name: Fraser Ainslie
Title: Lead Engineer Title: Substation Manager Title: Head of Engineering
Substations Group Design and Standards

Name: Fraser Shaw

Title: Substation Manager

Date: 26/03/2020

4. REVIEW

This is a Reference document which has a 5 year retention period after which a reminder will be
issued to review and extend retention or archive.

5. DISTRIBUTION

This document is not part of a Manual maintained by Document Control and does not have a
maintained distribution list.

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6. CONTENTS

1. SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................... 1
2. ISSUE RECORD ........................................................................................................................ 1
3. ISSUE AUTHORITY .................................................................................................................. 1
4. REVIEW ..................................................................................................................................... 1
5. DISTRIBUTION.......................................................................................................................... 1
6. CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 2
7. REFERENCE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS .......................................................................... 5
8. DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................ 6
9. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 8
9.1 General ............................................................................................................................... 8
9.2 System earthing ................................................................................................................. 8
10. DESIGN DATA .......................................................................................................................... 8
10.1 Soil resistivity ............................................................................................................ 8
10.2 Fault Current .............................................................................................................. 8
10.2.1 Fault Current used for conductor sizing ........................................................................ 8
10.2.2 Fault Current used to calculate EPR............................................................................. 9
10.2.3 Earth Fault Current used to calculate ........................................................................... 9
10.3 Earth Fault clearance times ..................................................................................... 9
10.4 Other site specific features to be considered ...................................................... 10
11. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 10
11.1 Touch Potential ....................................................................................................... 10
11.2 Step Potential .......................................................................................................... 10
11.3 Transfer Potential .................................................................................................... 10
11.4 Transfer Potential (Telecommunications – Hot Sites S.36) ................................ 11
11.5 Earthing Conductor thermal ratings ..................................................................... 11
11.6 Earth Electrode surface current density requirements ....................................... 12
11.7 Consideration of livestock ..................................................................................... 12
12. EARTHING DESIGN PROCEDURE ....................................................................................... 12
12.1 Overview .................................................................................................................. 12
12.2 Earth impedance calculation ................................................................................. 13
12.2.1 Substation Earth Electrode Resistance ...................................................................... 13
12.2.2 Parallel earth impedance contributions ....................................................................... 13
12.3 Ground Return Current calculation ....................................................................... 13
12.4 Earth Potential Rise (EPR) calculation ................................................................. 13
12.5 Safety voltage calculations .................................................................................... 15
12.6 Transfer Potential calculations (Hot zones) ......................................................... 15
12.7 Mitigation methods ................................................................................................. 15
12.8 Major works at existing substations ..................................................................... 15

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13. STANDARD EARTHING DESIGN .......................................................................................... 15

14. DESIGN ASPECTS ................................................................................................................. 16
14.1 Transformers ........................................................................................................... 16
14.1.1 Neutral Connections.................................................................................................... 16
14.1.2 Other Connections ...................................................................................................... 16
14.2 Transfer Potential and Hot Site Requirements .................................................... 16
14.2.1 S.36 Reporting Requirements ..................................................................................... 16
14.2.2 Telecommunication line isolation ................................................................................ 17
14.2.3 Third-party impact assessment ................................................................................... 17
14.3 Fence earthing ......................................................................................................... 17
14.3.1 Options ........................................................................................................................ 17
14.3.2 Independently earthed fences ..................................................................................... 17
14.3.3 Fences connected to the substation Earthing System (Bonded system) ................... 18
14.3.4 Gates and gateposts ................................................................................................... 18
14.3.5 Insulated fence sections ............................................................................................. 18
14.3.6 Third-party fences ....................................................................................................... 18
14.3.7 Plastic/powder coated fences ..................................................................................... 18
14.3.8 Environmental fences (steel frame and wood panels) ................................................ 18
14.3.9 Temporary fences ....................................................................................................... 18
14.4 Metallic substation buildings ................................................................................. 19
14.5 Surge arresters ........................................................................................................ 19
14.6 Cable sheath/screens earthing .............................................................................. 19
14.7 Overhead line terminations .................................................................................... 20
14.8 Operator switch handles ........................................................................................ 20
14.9 Portable earth connection points .......................................................................... 21
14.10 Customer HV supplies ............................................................................................ 21
14.10.1 SPEN and customer equipment in same compound within one Earthing System 21
14.10.2 SPEN and customer equipment in different compounds with separate Earthing
Systems 21
14.11 LV auxiliary supplies .............................................................................................. 21
14.12 Other substation services ...................................................................................... 22
14.13 Reactive compensation compounds..................................................................... 22
15. INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................... 22
15.1 Bonding (main and supplementary) ...................................................................... 22
15.2 Use of equipment structures ................................................................................. 22
15.3 Joints ........................................................................................................................ 23
15.4 Earth Electrodes ...................................................................................................... 23
15.5 Use of structural steelwork .................................................................................... 24
15.6 Theft prevention measures .................................................................................... 24
16. COMMISSIONING ................................................................................................................... 24
16.1 Inspection and testing requirements .................................................................... 24
16.2 Records .................................................................................................................... 25
17. SPECIAL SITUATIONS ........................................................................................................... 25

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17.1 Primary substation co-located with a Transmission substation ....................... 25

17.2 Sites Involving pipelines ........................................................................................ 25
17.3 Lightning protection systems ................................................................................ 25
18. MEASUREMENTS................................................................................................................... 26
18.1 Safety ........................................................................................................................ 26
18.2 Instrumentation and equipment ............................................................................ 26
18.3 Soil resistivity measurements ............................................................................... 26
18.4 Earth resistance measurements using the fall-of-potential method ................. 26
18.5 Comparative method of measuring Earth Resistance ........................................ 27
18.6 Earth Connection Resistance Measurements (Equipment Bonding Tests) ..... 27
18.7 Earthing conductor joint resistance measurements ........................................... 27
18.8 Earth potential measurements ............................................................................... 27
19. EARTHING DESIGN DOCUMENTATION .............................................................................. 27
20. ASSESSMENT OF THIRD-PARTY DESIGNS ....................................................................... 28
21. EARTH POTENTIAL RISE DATABASE ................................................................................. 28

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7. REFERENCE AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

This specification makes reference to, or implies reference to, the following documents. This
document is intended to amplify and/or clarify the requirements of those documents where alternative
arrangements are permitted by those documents and/or where further information is required.

It is important that users of all standards, specifications and other listed documents ensure that they
are applying the most recent editions together with any amendments. For dated references, only the
edition cited applies. For undated references, the edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) valid at the date of issue of this specification applies.

ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations

BS EN 50522 Earthing of power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.

BSEN 62305-1. Protection against lightning

BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations

ENATS 41-24 Guidelines for the design, installation, testing and maintenance of main earthing
systems in substations.

ENA EREC S34 A guide for assessing the rise of earth potential at electrical installations

ENA EREC S36 Identification and recording of 'hot' sites - joint procedure for Electricity Industry
and Communications Network Providers.

ENA ER C55/4 Insulated sheath power cable systems

EART-03-002 Technical Specification for Earthing 132kV S/S and above

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8. DEFINITIONS

Backup Protection Protection set to operate following failure or slow operation of primary
protection. (See Normal Protection also).
Bonding Conductor A protective conductor providing equipotential bonding.
Earth The conductive mass of earth whose electric potential at any point is
conventionally taken as zero.
Earth Electrode A bare conductor or group of bare conductors buried directly in the
Earth to provide a direct electrical connection with the general mass of
Earth. This includes earth rods driven into the ground, bare stranded
conductors, bare earth tape and mesh.
Earth Electrode Resistance The resistance of an Earth Electrode with respect to Earth.
Earth Fault A fault causing current to flow in one or more earth-return paths.
Typically, a single-phase to Earth Fault, but this term may also be
used to describe two-phase and three-phase faults involving Earth.
Earth Fault Current (IF) The worst-case steady state RMS current to earth, resulting from a
single-phase to Earth fault. Not to be confused with Ground Return
Current (IGR)
Earth Fault Current (Design) Fault current used to calculate Earthing Conductor size based on
maximum permissible system fault current design limit.
Earth Potential Rise (EPR)) The difference in potential which may exist between a point on the
ground and a remote Earth. Formerly known as RoEP (rise of earth
potential).
Earthing Conductor A protective conductor connecting a main earth terminal of an
installation to an Earth Electrode or to other means of earthing.
Earthing System The complete interconnected assembly of Earthing Conductors and
Earth Electrodes (including cables with uninsulated sheaths).

Global Earthing System An Earthing System of sufficiently dense interconnection such that all
(GES) items are bonded together and rise in voltage together under fault
conditions. No true earth reference exists and therefore safety
voltages are limited.
Ground Return Current (IGR) The proportion of Earth Fault Current returning through soil via the
general mass of Earth.
Hot / Cold Site A Hot Site is defined as one which exceeds ITU limits for EPR.
Typically, these thresholds are 650 V (for reliable fault clearance time
<= 0.2 seconds), or 430 V otherwise.
High EPR High Earth Potential Rise resulting from an Earth Fault. An EPR
greater than twice the permissible Touch Potential limit.
Low EPR Low Earth Potential Rise resulting from an Earth Fault. An EPR less
than twice the permissible Touch Potential
Normal Protection Clearance of a fault under normal (usual) circumstances. The normal
clearance time will include relay operating time and mechanical circuit
breaker delays for all foreseeable faults and may be calculated for
design purposes.
Network Contribution The electrode effect of the wide area HV (and LV) interconnected
network. Large networks provide multiple parallel electrodes which
can provide a relatively low impedance path to Earth.

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Portable Earths An earthing device made up of flexible leads

Primary Substation An installation on the SPEN Distribution System where the highest
operating voltage is 33kV. This includes 33/11kV substations,
33/11/6.6kV substations, 33kV switching stations and 33kV connected
customer substations.
Supplementary Electrode An electrode that improves the performance of an Earthing System,
and may increase resilience, but is not critical to the safety of the
system.
Step Potential (US) Voltage between two points on the ground surface that are 1 m distant
from each other, which is considered to be the stride length of a
person
Stress Voltage Voltage difference between two segregated Earthing Systems, which
may appear across insulators/bushings etc. or cable insulation.
Touch Potential (UT) Voltage between conductive parts when touched simultaneously.
Transfer Potential Potential transferred by means of a conductor between an area with a
significant EPR and an area with little or no EPR and results in a
potential difference between the conductor and earth in both locations
Transmission Substation An installation on the SPEN Transmission System operating at 400
kV, 275 kV or 132 kV.

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9. INTRODUCTION

9.1 General

The Earthing System is safety critical and helps ensure that during Earth Fault conditions, the
following criteria is met:

i. Electric shock hazards are kept within acceptable safe limits

ii. Potential differences across equipment installation is kept below their specified withstand
levels to avoid damage or fire.

A well-designed Earthing System includes a buried Earth Electrode to provide a low resistance
connection to earth and minimise potential gradients in the soil. Bonding Conductors are provided to
connect all metallic items of plant to the Earth Electrode system and to maintain all metalwork at
around the same voltage during fault conditions, minimising potential differences. The Earthing
Conductors must dissipate fault current within their thermal capacity and without excessive heating of
the surrounding soil.

In assessing the safety of an earthing design, it is necessary to consider the risks to operators and
equipment inside the substation and those caused by potentials transferred to areas outside of the
substation, either directly on metallic conductors or via conductive coupling through the soil.

9.2 System earthing

The neutrals of 33 kV, 11 kV and 6.6 kV distribution systems shall be earthed at a single point.
Neutral earth resistance is applied on the 33 kV system and direct (solid) connection to earth on the
11 kV and 6.6 kV systems. Where solid neutral earthing is applied Earth Fault Currents are relatively
high as they are limited only by circuit impedances.

10. DESIGN DATA

10.1 Soil resistivity

A site specific assessment of soil resistivity shall be made including measurements using Wenner
soundings (see section 18.3). A sufficient number of soundings shall be taken as close to the site as
practicable to allow average characteristics to be determined (a minimum of three locations is
recommended). Each sounding shall include readings over a range of Wenner spacings up to
approximately 50m where practicable to allow the resistivity-depth profile to be determined.

Measurement data shall be analysed using suitable computer software and a soil model derived that
includes sufficient layers to reasonably represent site conditions (normally 2 to 5 layers).

Care shall be taken to avoid taking soil resistivity measurements above or near to buried underground
metallic services as these can adversely affect the results. In urban locations or areas of high
congestion of buried services, it may be necessary to take the measurements further away from the
site of interest and determine average conditions over a larger area.

It is good practice to test the soil model against other available sources of information such as
borehole records, resistivity mapping or measurements taken in nearby locations. Deriving a
representative soil model is key to the success of the design and it is important that this task is
awarded sufficient time, effort and competence.

10.2 Fault Current

10.2.1 Fault Current used for conductor sizing

BS EN 50522 requires that “The Earthing System, its components and bonding conductors shall be
capable of distributing and discharging the fault current without exceeding thermal and mechanical

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design limits based on backup protection operating time”. For selecting Earthing Conductor sizes
(thermal capacity) the maximum Earth Fault Current (Design) level of 17.5 kA shall be used for the
33kV system.

10.2.2 Fault Current used to calculate EPR

The Earth Fault Current used to calculate the EPR level for Touch Potentials and Step Potentials is
the maximum symmetrical Earth Fault Current that the installation will experience under fault
conditions. This is the prospective single-phase or three-phase fault current that has been calculated
for faults at the node point applicable to the location of the secondary substation. Consideration shall
be given to future network alterations and alternative running arrangements.

Calculations of EPR shall be undertaken for every operating voltage present at the site based on the
relevant Earth Fault Currents stated in Table 1

Operating Voltage Earth Fault Current (IF)

33 kV RMS Break current calculated at fault point
11 kV RMS Break current calculated at fault point or a
maximum of 13.1kA
6.6 kV RMS Break current calculated at fault point or a
maximum of 13.1kA

Table 1 - Earth Fault Currents for EPR Calculations

For calculation of EPR, the distribution of the Earth Fault Current (IF) shall be assessed and only the
component returning to source via the Earth Electrode, IGR shall be used to calculate the EPR. For
example, current returning to source via earthed underground cable screens will not contribute to
EPR at the faulted substation and may be discounted.

11 kV or 6.6 kV Earth Faults inside a primary substation normally result in a low EPR because current
flows back via the substation Earthing System to the transformer neutrals located at the same site.
However, the maximum fault current at the primary substation may be used to provide a worst-case
upper value of EPR.

A more realistic calculation of EPR at these voltage levels requires consideration of fault conditions on
the network beyond the primary substation. Worst case Ground Return Currents are normally found
on underground cable networks beyond a section of overhead line. This can result in relatively high
faults currents, due to the low fault impedance provided by the underground cable network, and the
overhead line section forcing all of the fault current to return to source via the substation Earth
Electrode.

10.2.3 Earth Fault Current used to calculate

When considering Touch and Step Potentials, consideration shall be given to future network
alterations and alternative running arrangements. A margin should generally be added to allow for
future changes without detailed assessment (e.g. typical 20 % increase, unless more accurate
information is available).

10.3 Earth Fault clearance times

For selecting Earthing Conductor sizes (thermal capacity) a fault duration of 3 s shall be assumed
based upon Backup Protection operation.

For EPR calculation, correct operation of primary protection may be assumed. Unless otherwise
justified the values in Table 2 shall be used.

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Operating voltage Earth Fault clearance times

33 kV 0.3 s
11 kV 1.0 s
6.6 kV 1.0 s

Table 2 - Earth Fault Clearance Times for EPR Calculations

10.4 Other site specific features to be considered

The following information is also required during the design process:

i) Equipment layout drawing.

ii) The available area for Earth Electrode installation, including any cable trenches that may be
available.
iii) The types of incoming and outgoing circuits to allow fault current distribution calculations to
be made, (e.g. whether overhead lines have an aerial earth wire and the material and cross-
sectional area of earthed screens on underground cables).
iv) Details of any structural components, (e.g. reinforcing bars in concrete foundations that may
be used as part of the earthing design).
v) Ground levelling / backfill details that may influence the installation of the Earthing System or
the soil resistivity model.

11. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for Earthing System design at primary substations are as follows.

11.1 Touch Potential

The earthing design shall maintain Touch Potentials within the limits provided in Table 3 based upon
the Earth Fault clearance times specified in Table 2. This shall be demonstrated by calculation using
suitable computer simulation tools.

Operating voltage Touch Potential limits

33 kV 1179 V
11 kV 233 V
6.6 kV 233 V

Table 3 - Touch Potential limits

11.2 Step Potential

Normally Step Potentials will not foreseeably exceed acceptable limits and do not need to be
considered if the design meets Touch Potential limits. Step Potentials shall only be considered where
there is likelihood of people being bare footed combined with Earth Fault clearance times in excess of
1 s.

11.3 Transfer Potential

The design shall prevent voltages being transferred beyond the extent of the primary substation that
may result in Touch Potential limits being exceeded unless suitable management / mitigation
measures are employed. Transfer Potentials may be directly via metallic conductors or via
conductive coupling through the soil.

Where the EPR exceeds Touch Potential limits, Transfer Potentials along metallic conductors (such
as 11 kV cable sheaths or pilot wire armouring) are controlled by insulation of the conductors and

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similar Earthing System design (e.g. potential grading) at the remote end sites as at the primary
substation. Transfer potential on telecommunications circuits is covered in section 14.2.

Transfer Potential onto nearby LV Earthing Systems via conductive coupling in the soil shall be
considered. The worst-case scenario would be an LV Earth Electrode connected to a ‘zero Volt’
remote earth system that enters an area around the primary substation where the ground elevates to
a potential exceeding Touch Potential limits. It is reasonable to assume that 50 % of the local soil
potential will be transferred on to the LV Earthing System.

It is therefore only necessary to consider areas around the substation where the ground potentials
may exceed twice the Touch Potential limit as stated in Table 4. These installations are defined as
High EPR sites.

Operating voltage Transfer Potential limits

33 kV 2358 V
11 kV 430 V*
6.6 kV 430 V*

Table 4 - Transfer Potential Limits for Touch Potentials at High EPR Sites

*Note that although twice the Touch Potential limit of 233 V for 1 s clearance equates to 466 V, a
lower value of 430 V has been used for consistency with the telecommunication Transfer Potential
limit.

If the EPR is below the values stated in Table 4, then transfer potentials onto any surrounding LV
Earthing Systems are deemed to be within safe limits.

If the EPR exceeds the values in Table 4, then the ground surface potential contours shall be
calculated and plotted onto a geographical plan of the area. If there are any parts of the LV Earthing
System enclosed within the applicable contours, then mitigation may be required. Before mitigation is
implemented it is recommended that a detailed study is carried out to model the HV and LV Earthing
Systems so that the actual Transfer Potential can be determined.

At a site with a HV metered supply the EPR calculated for the combined SPEN and Customer
Earthing Systems may be relied upon to satisfy this requirement.

11.4 Transfer Potential (Telecommunications – Hot Sites S.36)

Where reasonably practicable and economic the EPR shall be designed to be below 430 V so that it
may be classified as a ‘Cold Site’.

At Primary Substations where the EPR exceeds 430V, the site shall be classified as a ‘Hot Site’.
Special measures are required to mitigate the effects of Transfer Potentials onto telecommunication
circuits that enter the site. The mitigation required at Hot Sites is described in Section 14.2.

Where the EPR exceeds 1150 V, special measures are required to mitigate the effects of Transfer
Potential onto telecommunication circuits that exist within the 1150 V surface potential contour. This
may include telecommunication equipment in third-party property or dwellings.

At a site with a HV metered supply the EPR calculated for the combined SPEN and Customer
Earthing Systems may be relied upon to satisfy these requirements.

11.5 Earthing Conductor thermal ratings

The Earthing Conductors stated in Table 5 shall be used at primary substations to meet the Earth
Fault Current (Design) level of 17.5 kA.

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Duplicate
Spur / single
Conductor connections and
connections
electrode
Copper Tape 40 x 4 mm 25 x 4 mm
Aluminium Tape 50 x 5 mm 50 x 3 mm

Table 5 - Approved Earthing Conductor Sizes – 17.5 kA /3 s rating

The above conductor sizes are suitable for use with brazed / welded or bolted joints. Only copper
conductors may be used below ground.

Solid tape is preferred but, if used, stranded conductors shall have an equivalent cross-sectional area
to the conductors in Table 5.

11.6 Earth Electrode surface current density requirements

A minimum Earth Electrode surface area is required to allow current to dissipate into the soil without
overheating which can increase the resistance of the Earth Electrode-soil contact area due to drying.
The total surface area of the buried Earth Electrode should be considered and the Ground Return
Current (IGR).

As a guide, Table 6 provides the minimum length required for different copper electrodes over a range
of soil resistivity values.

Required Electrode length for different soil

Conductor resistivity values
50 Ωm 100 Ωm 300 Ωm 500 Ωm
40 x 4 mm copper tape 19 m / kA 26 m / kA 45 m / kA 58 m / kA
25 x 4 mm copper tape 28 m / kA 40 m / kA 69 m / kA 88 m / kA
2
70 mm stranded copper conductor 55 m / kA 77 m / kA 134 m / kA 172 m / kA

Table 6 - Earth Electrode required to meet surface current density requirements

11.7 Consideration of livestock

UK legislation (ESQCR regulations) includes a duty of care to prevent harm to livestock, horses, etc.
International standards do not provide earthing related safety limits for animals, but the available
information suggests that for faults clearing in 1 s, a maximum Step Potential gradient of 25 V/m will
reduce the risk of a fatal electric shock.

If a new primary substation the Earthing System is planned to be installed an area that is frequented
by livestock (farms, stables, etc.), a Step Potential assessment shall be made. If the risk is
considered unacceptable then reasonable mitigation measures shall be considered, (e.g. installing the
Earth Electrode in a different location away from the livestock, insulating electrode as it passes across
a cattle gate, or installing a wooden stock-proof fence to prevent cattle entering areas of excessive
Step Potentials.

12. EARTHING DESIGN PROCEDURE

12.1 Overview

Using the design data described in section 10 the following procedure shall be used to assess the
design and ensure it meets the design requirements set out in section 11. Figure 1 described the
general design procedure that shall be employed.

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12.2 Earth impedance calculation

12.2.1 Substation Earth Electrode Resistance

The proposed substation Earth Electrode Resistance shall be calculated using suitable computer
simulation software including a representative soil resistivity model. Where extended horizontal Earth
Electrodes are used (>50 m) the software must include conductor longitudinal impedance.

12.2.2 Parallel earth impedance contributions

The earth impedance contribution from parallel earthing components may be included where they can
safely be expected to carry fault current and where they are reliable. This includes the following
components:

(a) Earth Electrode effect from PILC / PILCSWA cables with metallic sheaths / armour in direct
contact with the soil.
(b) Contribution from 11 kV distribution substation Earthing Systems and LV Earthing Systems
connected back to the primary substation via the screens of HV cables with an insulating
outer covering.
(c) The chain impedance provided by a steel tower line with an aerial earth wire.
(d) Large structural piles that are have sufficient cross-sectional area to carry fault current whilst
meeting thermal ratings.

The earth impedance contribution provided by the above may be calculated (by computer simulation
or other suitable method, e.g. formulae from ENA EREC S.34) or measured if already existing.

12.3 Ground Return Current calculation

The Ground Return Current (IGR) shall be calculated from the Earth Fault Current (IF) by subtracting
current flowing back to source via metallic paths which do not flow through the Earth Electrode and
thus does not contribute to EPR.

For underground cables with an earthed sheath connected to earth at each end, I GR can be calculated
from knowledge of the substation Earth Resistances at either end, the geometry of the cable phase
and sheath conductors and the cable length. Calculations can be made using suitable computer
software or from formulae / tables available in ENA EREC S.34.

Similar calculations can be made for overhead lines with an aerial earth wire fitted.

12.4 Earth Potential Rise (EPR) calculation

This is calculated by multiplying the Ground Return Current by the Earth Electrode Resistance.

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Obtain basic data – including substation plans, fault levels, protection

settings and supply arrangements.

Select standard earthing

conductor

Existing
site or connected to Assess and measure
Yes existing earthing
existing infrastructure?

No
Carry out soil resistivity measurements

Produce soil model

Design electrode system based including standard features

Use computer simulation to calculate the electrode earth impedance. Include the
effect of parallel contributions to the earth impedance, e.g. tower line chain
impedance. Calculate the overall substation earth impedance.

Obtain the earth fault current at the faulted substation and

calculate the ground return current.

Calculate EPR

Use the computer model to calculate touch voltages and

transfer voltages

Touch,
Modify design or
transfer and surrounding
No apply additional
voltages
measures
acceptable?

Yes
Finalise / Approve detailed design for installation; check consistent with
good engineering practice

Install Earthing System

Carry out commissioning measurements

Yes

Reasonable Review
Differences
agreement with No Design
significant?
design? Calculations

Yes

Installation Complete No

Figure 1– Earthing design procedure flowchart

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12.5 Safety voltage calculations

Touch Potentials shall be calculated across the entire substation area and at 1 m beyond any earthed
metalwork. Calculations shall be made using suitable computer simulations using a representative
soil resistivity model.

12.6 Transfer Potential calculations (Hot zones)

Where the EPR exceeds the limits stated in Table 4, computer simulation shall be used to produce a
plot showing the applicable surface potential contours, i.e. 2358 V (33 kV faults) and 430 V, 1150 V
(11 kV and 6.6 kV faults). The contour plots shall be presented on a scalable geographical drawing
such as an OS map to allow the impact on third-party property or equipment to be identified.

12.7 Mitigation methods

Before any mitigation is installed, the design calculations shall be reassessed, and any overly
conservative assumptions refined.

The most effective way to reduce an excessive EPR is to lower the Earth Electrode Resistance. This
may be achieved by installing deep vertical earth rods, extended horizontal Earth Electrodes or by
achieving interconnection with an existing earthing network.

Where the Earth Electrode Resistance, (and hence the EPR), has been reduced as far as practicable,
excessive Touch Potentials may be controlled by installing additional horizontal Earth Electrodes
installed within the substation perimeter Earthing System to increase mesh density and provide more
equipotential surface voltages.

Transfer Potentials can be mitigated by reducing the EPR or by relocation of the primary substation
Earthing System to areas away from the affected Earthing System.

From the above methods, the most effective option will depend on the site specifics and the local soil
resistivity conditions and shall be optimised via a detailed simulation study.

12.8 Major works at existing substations

Where there is a switchgear and / or transformer replacement / extension works at a substation the
Earthing System shall comply with this document for that site. This will often necessitate an earthing
condition assessment (including site measurements) to ascertain the present values of earth
impedance, EPR, Touch Potentials, etc., so that upgrade works can be designed as part of the
project.

13. STANDARD EARTHING DESIGN

The starting point for a primary substation earthing design will be to develop a basic layout based
upon standard features. Once the basic layout has been produced, the design assessment
procedure described in section 12 may then be followed and the basic layout augmented as required
to meet the design requirements.

The standard features of an earthing design include:

i) A horizontal perimeter Earthing Electrode around all exposed earthed metalwork offset by up
to 1 m.
ii) Vertical earth rod electrodes connected to the perimeter horizontal Earthing Electrode to
reduce the Earth Resistance as necessary.
iii) Internal horizontal Earth Electrodes inside the substation to provide potential grading and
facilitate plant connections.
iv) Duplicate earth connections to main plant items.

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v) Earthing Conductors used on substation fencing.

vi) High frequency earth rods at surge arrester locations.
vii) Horizontal Earthing Electrode installed beneath operator handle stance positions.
viii) Rebar to be connected to the Earth Electrode where provision has been made in the
foundation.

The standard features of the earthing design are illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 2 – Standard earthing design features

14. DESIGN ASPECTS

14.1 Transformers

14.1.1 Neutral Connections

The transformer neutral earth connection at a primary substation is a critical power system conductor
as it is the return path for current for Earth Faults on the associated 11 kV or 6.6 kV system. A fully
rated Earthing Conductor shall be installed between the transformer neutral connection and the main
substation Earth Electrode system. The connection shall not be via the transformer tank or any other
steelwork.

14.1.2 Other Connections

The main transformer tank shall be connected to earth via two independent connections on diagonally
opposite corners.

Where cable box terminations are used the HV cable sheaths shall be effectively connected to earth
terminals provided within the cable box.

14.2 Transfer Potential and Hot Site Requirements

14.2.1 S.36 Reporting Requirements

For Hot Sites, a record shall be kept of the EPR and the hot zone presented on a geographical plan of
scale not less than 1:2500 including the extent of the hot zone along PILC / PILCSWA cables. This
information shall be provided to a telecommunication company if requested.

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14.2.2 Telecommunication line isolation

Line isolation equipment shall be installed on any metallic telecommunication circuits at a Hot Site.
The insulation withstand of this equipment shall be a minimum of 20% more than the EPR.

14.2.3 Third-party impact assessment

Where the EPR exceeds 430 V, an assessment shall be made of the Transfer Potentials onto any LV
Earthing Systems enclosed within the 430 V surface potential contour. The assessment may be
made using computer simulation or measurements.

Where the EPR exceeds 1150 V, an assessment shall be made of the Transfer Potentials onto
telecommunication equipment located within the 1150 V surface potential contour. The assessment
may be made using computer simulation or measurements.

14.3 Fence earthing

The earthing of fences can introduce complexity to an earthing design, especially where an existing
substation is being modified or extended. Care shall be taken when designing the fence earthing
because it can often be legitimately accessed by the public.

14.3.1 Options

Three fence earthing methods can be employed:

(a) Independently earthed fence;

(b) Fence connected to the substation Earthing System.
(c) A hybrid of (a) and (b) separated by ‘floating’ sections.

14.3.2 Independently earthed fences

An independently earthed fence is the preferred option for the perimeter fence because by applying
this practice, only a fraction of the substation EPR appears on the fence and hence lower Touch
Potentials are accessible to the public.

The main features of the arrangement are:

(a) A 2 m separation between the fence and any metalwork connected to the substation Earthing
System. This is to avoid a hand-to-hand Touch Potential hazard between the different
Earthing Systems.
(b) Generally, a 2 m separation between the fence (and its Earth Electrodes) and the substation
Earth Electrode. This separation can be reduced if Touch Potentials on the fence are firstly
confirmed to be within limits by calculation. Bare Earth Electrodes passing under the fence
shall be installed in insulated ducts for 2 m either side of the fence.
(c) The fence shall be fitted with earth rod electrodes (2.4 m long) at each corner, change of
direction and 1 m either side of overhead line crossings. For longer sections of fence a rod
shall be installed every 50 m.

If this fence arrangement is used, care shall be taken to avoid inadvertent connection between the
fence and the substation Earthing System, (e.g. by the supply cable armour to a fence mounted
floodlight or CCTV camera, an automated gate opening mechanism, etc.).

The 2 m separation shall be maintained, and any new plant installed at the site in future must not be
located within the 2 m zone unless the fence earthing arrangement is revised.

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14.3.3 Fences connected to the substation Earthing System (Bonded system)

This is the preferred option for internal substation fences as it is normally difficult to achieve 2 m
separation from substation equipment. It can be used for external fences where it is not practical to
maintain a 2 m separation from the substation equipment. Since the fence is connected to the
substation Earthing System, the full EPR will be transferred onto the fence during fault conditions.

The Touch Potential that may be experienced up to 1 m outside of the fence and must be calculated
using computer simulation. If the Touch Potential on the fence exceeds allowable limits, the EPR
must be reduced or the substation Earth Electrode system extended to 1 m outside the fence.
Additional measures are required to prevent theft of electrodes installed outside of the substation
security fence, such as anchoring with concrete.

The fence shall be connected to the substation Earthing System as a minimum at every corner.

14.3.4 Gates and gateposts

Regardless of the fence earthing arrangement, an earth bond shall be installed between each pair of
fence gateposts and a flexible earth connection between each gatepost and gate.

14.3.5 Insulated fence sections

Where an independently earthed fence abuts a bonded fence, they shall be separated by 2 m to
prevent a person simultaneously touching the different sections. This shall be achieved by mounting
a 2 m fence section on suitable stand-off insulators to create a ‘floating’ section.

14.3.6 Third-party fences

The connection of third-party metallic fences to the substation fence shall only be permitted when
authorised by SPEN who shall assess the risks depending on the substation EPR and fence earthing
arrangement. If there is a risk of dangerous Transfer Potentials, then an insulated fence section shall
be installed between the SPEN and third-party fence as per section14.3.5.

14.3.7 Plastic/powder coated fences

The fence earthing design shall not rely on plastic or powder coating to provide insulation from EPR.
These fences shall be treated as if they are bare metal. Where connections to Earthing Conductors
are made, the plastic/powder coating shall be removed to ensure an effective electrical contact.
Individual fence panels may require bridging connections to be installed if there is poor electrical
continuity (tested) between them.

14.3.8 Environmental fences (steel frame and wood panels)

Environmental fences that have a continuous metal frame upon which wooden panels are mounted
shall be treated as metallic fences.

Wooden panels supported by individual (discrete) steel supports do not require earthing if the steel
posts are 2 m apart or greater. Earthing of gates shall be as in accordance with 14.3.4.

14.3.9 Temporary fences

Where a temporary metallic fence is installed, appropriate measures shall be taken to limit Touch and
Transfer Potentials to safe levels. An internal fence within the immediate area of the substation
Earthing System shall be connected to the substation Earthing System at 50 m intervals, at changes
of direction and where power lines cross overhead. Where a temporary metallic fence is connected to
the substation Earthing System and it abuts an independently earthed fence then they shall be
electrically separated in accordance with ENATS 41-24.

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14.4 Metallic substation buildings

The structural framework and cladding of metallic substation buildings shall be effectively connected
to the substation Earthing System. The main structure shall be connected as a minimum at each
corner and at 20 m intervals in larger buildings. If the metal cladding is bolted directly to the structural
frame, then additional earth bonding will not be required. Otherwise, equipotential bonding of each
cladding panel will be required.

Prefabricated metal enclosures shall be connected to the main Earthing System at a minimum of two
locations, preferable on diagonally opposite corners. This guidance also applies to a metal clad
transformer noise enclosure.

A perimeter buried Earth Electrode shall be installed around the outside of the building or
prefabricated metal enclosure offset from it by 1 m.

A typical arrangement is shown in Figure 3. .

Figure 3 - Typical metal substation building earth connections

14.5 Surge arresters

In addition to a fully rated earth connection, surge arresters shall also have a dedicated HF (high
frequency) Earthing Conductor. This shall be between the base of the surge arrester and a HF earth
rod (nominally 4.8 m long) installed as close as possible to the bottom of the support structure. The
HF Earthing Conductor shall be as short and straight as possible and avoid sharp bends.

14.6 Cable sheath/screens earthing

Generally, 33 kV, 11 kV and 6.6 kV underground cable feeder cable sheaths / screens shall be
earthed at both ends and provide a parallel path for Earth Fault Current, diverting it away from the
Earth Electrode system and hence not contributing to the EPR.

To avoid high circulating currents, the screens of short cable sections, (e.g. 33 kV, 11 kV and 6.6 kV
interplant cables between the transformer and switchgear), are connected to earth only at one end
only. For guidance on cable sheath/screen earthing, refer to document ENA ER C55/4 Insulated
sheath power cable systems.

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14.7 Overhead line terminations

Where a steel tower line fitted with an aerial earth wire terminates at a primary substation, the
terminal tower shall be connected to the substation Earthing System via two independent connections
at diagonally opposite legs. The aerial earth wire shall be effectively connected to the steelwork at
the tower top.

Stays associated with an overhead line wooden termination poles located inside a primary substation
shall be connected to its Earthing System. Stays shall not be located within 2 m of an independently
earthed substation fence.

14.8 Operator switch handles

At all operator switch handle locations, the arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 and described below
shall be applied:

i) An Earthing Conductor shall be provided directly from the high-level switch steelwork to the
buried Earth Electrode i.e. not via the switch handle.
ii) A separate earth connection shall be provided from the buried Earth Electrode to the switch
handle.
iii) The buried Earth Electrode shall be installed directly beneath the location where the operator
would be expected to stand to operate the switch.

Main HV Separate
Equipment Switch
Earthing Handle
Conductor Earthing
Conductor

Ground Surface

Buried Electrode Buried Earth Electrode

Beneath Operator Position

Figure 4 – Typical operator switch handle earthing arrangement

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14.9 Portable earth connection points

In primary substation compounds with outdoor open busbars or terminals, a sufficient number of ‘D’
loops shall be included in the design in suitable locations to allow Portable Earths to be applied where
required for operational safety.

14.10 Customer HV supplies

The following guidance applies to an installation that includes SPEN and Customer HV plant.

14.10.1 SPEN and customer equipment in same compound within one Earthing System

In some cases, SPEN may occupy a very small part of a larger customer owned installation (e.g. an
incoming circuit breaker that is part of a large windfarm substation). It may be impractical to design a
stand-alone Earthing System for the SPEN equipment to meet the requirements of this document in
isolation. It is therefore acceptable that an Earthing System is designed for the whole site, as a single
entity, providing safety for both the SPEN and customer equipment. The Earthing System may be
installed, owned and maintained by the customer. SPEN must therefore receive sufficient
documentation from the customer to confirm that its design and ongoing maintenance meets the
requirements of this document. If the Customer’s Earthing System is modified or removed in future
the Earthing System of the SPEN substation shall be reviewed.

A Cold / Low EPR site status is preferable, but a Hot / High EPR site can be managed in a manner to
be agreed by both parties.

14.10.2 SPEN and customer equipment in different compounds with separate Earthing Systems

This arrangement covers the situation where SPEN equipment is located in a compound that is
distinct from the customer’s equipment or occupies a large part of a joint site where SPEN owns and
is responsible for its part of the Earthing System. SPEN is not responsible for substations beyond its
ownership but has a duty of care to ensure that the customer’s system will not become hazardous to
SPEN staff under fault conditions. The SPEN and customer Earthing Systems are often physically
close to each other and the effect of one on the other cannot be overlooked. Interconnection of the
two Earthing Systems is the preferred option unless the alternative can be justified (i.e. is has been
demonstrated as the safest option).

The SPEN and Customer HV Earthing Systems shall be designed to meet the fundamental
requirements for an Earthing System and shall satisfy the requirements of ENA TS 41-24. These
requirements shall be met independently of each other. The Earthing Systems, their components and
bonding conductors shall be capable of distributing and discharging the fault current without
exceeding thermal and mechanical design limits based on backup protection operating time. If this is
satisfied, then the two Earthing Systems shall be connected together via two designated connections
that are duly labelled. Note that, if the combined Earthing System results in a High EPR then the
associated precautions shall be applied to both the SPEN and Customer sites. (e.g. segregation of
LV Earth/Neutral Earthing System at the customer substation, precautions to control Transfer
Potentials onto other metallic services, etc.).

If uneconomic to achieve an SPEN Cold Site in isolation, the earth impedance contribution from the
Customer installation may be relied upon to meet transfer potential requirements. There shall be two
fully rated Earthing Conductors connecting the SPEN and customer Earthing Systems. These shall
terminate onto a main earth bar and be clearly labelled at each end.

14.11 LV auxiliary supplies

When a LV auxiliary supply from the local network is provided to a primary substation, the design
shall prevent dangerous voltages being transferred onto the LV Earthing System during a HV fault.

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At Low EPR sites (EPR < 2 x Touch Potential Limit), the LV neutral-earth shall be connected to the
primary substation Earthing System.

At High EPR sites (EPR > 2 x Touch Potential Limit), the Primary Substation LV power supply to be
derived from dedicated substation on-site and shall not be connected to the external LV Network.

14.12 Other substation services

At High EPR sites, transfer voltages onto other services shall be assessed and mitigated as required.

Water supplies to a primary substation shall be via plastic pipes where practical. If metallic pipes are
used, then a 2 m long plastic insert shall be installed beyond the relevant voltage contour from Table
4. The section of pipe nearest the substation shall be connected to the substation Earthing System.

Transfer Potentials along the armours of any non-power cables (pilots, telecommunication, control,
etc.) shall be assessed. If there is a risk at the remote end, an Earthing System shall be installed to a
similar level of protection as at the primary or the Transfer Potential must be prevented by breaking
the armour continuity and applying suitable insulation. The continuity break may be most safely
located in the ground away from each of the terminal sites to reduce the risk of an operator
inadvertently bridging the gap.

14.13 Reactive compensation compounds

These may be found at a primary substation (e.g. at wind farm substations) and may include air-cored
reactors which can generate high magnetic fields. These can couple to closed loops of Earthing
Conductor producing high circulating currents that produce heat and associated loses.

To avoid these circulating currents, no closed loop shall be installed within the reactor design
calculated magnetic field contour. A spur earth connection shall be made to the reactor. Care shall
also be taken to prevent magnetic fields creating circulating current in rebar and fences in reactor
compounds.

15. INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

An Earthing System installation must adequately carry fault current without failure and survive over
the lifetime of the substation without being compromised by corrosion.

In general, buried parts of the Earthing System shall be copper and above ground earthing shall be
copper, aluminium or via a suitable structure. Approved joints and corrosion protection shall be
applied. Further guidance is given in this section.

15.1 Bonding (main and supplementary)

All substation equipment that may be subject to HV Earth Fault Current shall be provided with a main
earth connection (fully rated, single or duplicate) as per Table 5.

Other metallic substation equipment ( e.g. control panel enclosures, ladders, steel steps, etc), shall be
provided with a supplementary earth connection. This shall have sufficient mechanical strength for
2
the application and a minimum cross-sectional area of 35mm copper (or equivalent).

Very small (extraneous) metallic items (e.g. single wall brackets, window frames, etc.), do not require
an earth connection.

15.2 Use of equipment structures

When an equipment support structure is used as part of the earth connection it must be able to carry
the fault current without failure. Consideration shall be given to the total cross-sectional areas of the
metal support and the types of joints used. Single section or welded section supports are preferred

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but bolted section supports can also be used if there is good contact area between the different bolted
sections. Where there is insufficient contact area between bolted sections, a copper bridging
conductor may be required.

The base of the structure shall be connected to the Earth Electrode system via a copper connection
using a suitable joint depending on the structure material (see section 15.3). Additional copper
connections may also be required between the structure and the high-level equipment,

The use of the structure as an Earthing Conductor is not permitted on line earth switches, surge
arresters or fault throwers. On these items of equipment, a continuous Earthing Conductor (copper or
aluminium) shall be provided from the high-level equipment to the Earth Electrode system.

15.3 Joints

Joints in Earthing Conductors shall maintain the required level of thermal capacity and have a
reasonable level of corrosion resistance. The approved methods are stated in Table 7.

Joint Type Jointing Method

Tape to tape Brazing, welding or exothermic weld

Circular (stranded) conductor Approved compression tool or exothermic weld

to circular conductor
Copper to steel rebar Exothermic weld or mechanical clamp with moisture
connection ingress protection, e.g. bitumastic tape wrapping.
Horizontal conductor to Exothermic weld
vertical rod
Copper to Aluminium Double bolted connection in the vertical plane a minimum
of 150mm above ground level. Suitable transition washers
to be used. Moisture ingress protection must be applied,
e.g. bitumastic tape wrapping, heat shrink, etc.

Copper to galvanised steel Double bolted connection in the vertical plane. Copper to
structure be tinned where in contact with the galvanised steel.
Suitable transition washers to be used. Moisture ingress
protection must be applied, e.g. painting with bitumastic
paint.

Table 7 - Approved Jointing Methods

15.4 Earth Electrodes

All buried Earth Electrodes shall be made of copper or copper-clad steel for earth rods. Horizontal
Earth Electrodes shall be installed at a minimum of 0.6 m below finished ground level for security and
shall be positioned below the frost line. Deeper burial depth is permitted but the effect on Touch
Potentials in the substation shall be assessed.

Where installed along underground cable routes, the copper Earth Electrode shall be installed a
minimum of 150 mm away from the cables, ideally directly underneath the cables for added security.
The Earth Electrode shall not be installed in sand which can present a high contact resistance.

Bare copper Earth Electrodes shall be surrounded by 150 mm of soil, free of stones. The soil shall
have a pH of between 6 and 10 and shall not contain any contaminants that are corrosive to copper.
Where the native soil does not comply with these requirements imported soil shall be used.

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15.5 Use of structural steelwork

The above-ground structural steel frame of a primary substation building shall be connected to the
Earthing System. In case of a continuous bolted frame structure, a connection at each corner is
required as a minimum and at every 20 m in larger buildings.

The horizontal reinforcing bars (rebar) in large concrete foundations such as switchgear buildings and
transformer plinths, shall be connected to the Earthing System by a minimum of two connections,
ideally on diagonally opposite corners. The intention of these bonding connections is to raise the
voltage on the rebar (and hence concrete surface) during fault conditions to help provide Touch
Potential control. It is not intended that significant amounts of fault current flow through the rebar as
this may cause heating and possible disruption to the integrity of the concrete.

The design shall include a perimeter copper Earth Electrode system with fully rated HV plant
connections to carry the majority of the fault current and the rebar forms a Supplementary Electrode.
For this reason, it is not necessary to ensure robust joints between each horizontal rebar. The high
density of rebar in a typical mesh is considered to be sufficient for the purpose of potential grading
even if loosely connected with twisted wire.

Where multiple layers of rebar are used in a deep foundation it is sufficient to bond the upper layer
which will have the greatest effect in controlling Touch Potentials at the surface. In multi-floor
substation buildings, the rebar in each floor shall be connected.

15.6 Theft prevention measures

Reasonable measures shall be employed to prevent or deter the theft of Earthing Conductors. The
level of security required will vary depending on the perceived risk factors (e.g. remoteness of the site,
past history, general security measures such as electric fencing, etc.). The methods include:

i) The amount of exposed, visible, Earthing Conductor shall be kept to a minimum by design.
ii) Earth tape conductors shall be stamped with “Property of .SP Energy Networks”
iii) Aluminium conductors may be used above ground instead of copper.
iv) Where practicable, Earthing Conductors shall be pinned to the floor or concrete structures
every 200 mm.
v) Steel capping sections may be fixed around Earthing Conductors.
vi) Where buried horizontal Earth Electrode is installed outside of the substation fence, it shall be
anchored via lumps of concrete (approximately 500mm wide) poured over the Earth Electrode
at 10 m intervals to make it more difficult to pull out of the ground.

16. COMMISSIONING

This section sets out the requirements for the actions required during commissioning of an Earthing
System at a new substation or following a significant upgrade to an existing substation.

16.1 Inspection and testing requirements

The following activities shall be carried out during the commissioning of a new Earthing System and
satisfactory outcomes are required before the installation is accepted.

i) A visual inspection of the above-ground Earthing Conductors shall be carried out with
reference to the design drawing. Any defects or omissions shall be investigated and rectified
where necessary.
ii) During construction, the earthing installer shall measure the resistance of each joint and
record the reading. Any high resistance joints (in comparison to others) shall be remade.
Records of this testing shall be available for inspection at the commissioning stage.
iii) At a new substation the earth resistance of the substation Earthing System shall be measured
in isolation (i.e. prior to connection of any cable sheaths). The measurement shall be

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repeated following connection of the HV cable sheaths. Both values shall be recorded and
compared to the design calculations. Any significant differences shall be investigated, and
the design calculations updated / revised as necessary.
iv) For a substation extension it is only necessary to measure the earth resistance with the HV
cable sheaths connected. The value shall be recorded and compared to design calculations
and / or the value measured prior to the extension. Any significant differences shall be
investigated, and the design calculations updated / revised as necessary.
v) At a new substation a sample of Touch Potential measurements shall be taken in the areas
where they are expected to be the highest, as shown in the design report. Where practicable,
a series of surface potential measurements shall also be taken away from each corner of the
substation to determine the extent of the 430 V contour. Any significant differences to the
values calculated during the design shall be investigated and the calculations updated if
required.

16.2 Records

Records of the commissioning tests shall be kept in the site safety manual. Electronic copies of the
test sheets, together with any updated earthing design reports or drawings, shall be saved to the
SPEN Earthing Database, held in SharePoint

17. SPECIAL SITUATIONS

17.1 Primary substation co-located with a Transmission substation

If a primary substation is co-located with a Transmission Substation the Earthing System shall be
designed to meet the requirements of document EART-03-002.

It should be noted that Earth Fault Current from the transmission network may flow through the
primary substation Earthing System on its way to the 11 kV cable network which may provide one of
the lowest impedance paths. Larger Earthing Conductors may be required at the primary substation to
cater for this condition.

17.2 Sites Involving pipelines

If a primary substation is to be built within 50 m of a pipeline, a specialist study is required to assess

the risks. Where present, a pipeline cathodic protection system can remove copper from the
substation Earthing System and degrade its performance over time.

17.3 Lightning protection systems

Lightning protection design is covered in BS EN 62305. An SPEN or customer lightning protection

system on or near to a secondary substation shall be connected to the substation HV Earthing
System providing that:

 The lightning protection system has an independent earth resistance of 10 Ω or lower (before
connection to the SPEN Earthing System).
 The substation is a Low EPR site.

If the above statements are not satisfied, guidance shall be sought from an earthing specialist.
Connecting a lightning system to a High EPR earth might export a dangerous potential around the
building under HV fault conditions and this must be assessed.

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18. MEASUREMENTS

This section provides an overview of the measurement techniques required at design, commissioning
or during maintenance of a primary substation. More detail on the testing methodology may be found
in ENA TS 41-24.

18.1 Safety

The earthing related measurements described in this section are potentially hazardous. They must be
carried out by competent staff using safe procedures following a thorough assessment of the risks.
The risk assessment shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of the following aspects and the
necessary control measures implemented as necessary, e.g. personal protective equipment, special
procedures or other operational controls.

i) Potential differences that may occur during Earth Fault conditions between the substation
Earthing System and test leads connected to remote test probes. The likelihood of an Earth
Fault occurring shall be part of this assessment (e.g. not allowing testing to proceed during
lightning conditions or planned switching operations).
ii) Potential differences that may occur between different Earthing Systems or different parts of
the same Earthing System. In particular, approved safe methods must be used when
disconnecting Earth Electrodes for testing and making or breaking any connections to
Earthing Conductors which have not been proven to be effectively connected to earth.
iii) Potential differences occurring as a result of induced voltage across test leads which are in
parallel with a high-voltage overhead line or underground cable.
iv) Environmental hazards of working in a live substation or a construction site as governed by
SPEN Safety Rules or the CDM regulations as applicable.
v) Injury due to striking a buried service when inserting test spikes into the ground.
vi) Injury when running out test leads for large distances in surrounding land.

18.2 Instrumentation and equipment

All test instruments must have a current calibration certificate, have been regularly serviced and be in
good working order with a charged battery.

18.3 Soil resistivity measurements

Site specific soil resistivity measurements are required during the design of each primary substation.
The Wenner Method shall be used. A minimum of three soundings shall be taken, in different
locations near to the substation. For primary substations it is recommended that each sounding
includes measurements using a minimum of 10 different Wenner spacings up to 50m where
practicable.

18.4 Earth resistance measurements using the fall-of-potential method

The fall-of-potential method shall be used to measure the substation earth resistance where
practicable on commissioning of a new substation. The measurement will include all earthing
components connected at the time of the test. The term ‘earth resistance’ normally refers to
measurements taken using a standard switched-dc earth tester. A true earth impedance may be
obtained if AC test equipment is used. The use of both AC and DC instruments is considered to be
acceptable for primary substations. Recommended distances for the test current and potential
electrodes are provided in Table 8.

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Electrode Under Test Distance C Distance P Interpretation of Electrode

Earth Resistance
Substation Earth Electrode in 200 m 20 m to 80 m in 20 m 61.8% Rule will be reasonably
isolation (smaller than 50 m x 50 m) steps. accurate.
Substation Earth Electrode after HV 400 m 40 m to 320 m in 40 61.8% Rule may return a value
cable sheaths connected. m steps. that is higher than the true value.
Interpretation by an earthing
specialist, using simulation
software may be required.

Table 8 - Recommended fall-of-potential C and P distances

18.5 Comparative method of measuring Earth Resistance

This method is useful to measure the earth resistance of a relatively small Earth Electrode with
reference to a larger interconnected Earthing System, for example a HF earth rod at a primary
substation.

18.6 Earth Connection Resistance Measurements (Equipment Bonding Tests)

This technique shall be used to measure the resistance between a plant item and the main substation
Earth Electrode to check bonding adequacy. This is useful during commissioning of a new substation
to confirm that each item of plant is effectively connected to the Earth Electrode system. It is also
useful as an on-going maintenance check and for operational procedures, e.g. post-theft surveys.

For measurements between points that are no more than 10 m apart the measured resistance shall
not exceed 20 mΩ. Resistances higher than this must be investigated as it may indicate a bad joint or
a disconnected Earthing Conductor.

18.7 Earthing conductor joint resistance measurements

This test shall be used to measure the resistance across an Earthing Conductor joint to check its
electrical integrity. This is normally performed for every joint created at a new substation prior to
backfilling.

The measured resistance shall not significantly exceed that of an equivalent length of conductor
without a joint. Joints which exceed this by more than 50% must be remade.

18.8 Earth potential measurements

Touch, Step and Transfer Potentials (e.g. Hot zones) shall be measured for comparison with
calculated values.

19. EARTHING DESIGN DOCUMENTATION

The following documentation shall be produced and retained for each new primary substation and
existing primary following major works:

i) An earthing layout drawing.

ii) An earthing design report including as a minimum:
i. The results of site specific soil resistivity measurements and the derived soil model.
ii. Calculated earth resistance.
iii. Calculated ground return Earth Fault Current.
iv. Calculated EPR.
v. Calculated Touch Potentials and evidence that they meet the limits.
vi. Calculated Transfer Potentials and determination whether the site is Low EPR/ High
EPR and Hot / Cold, including a plot of the applicable contours (430V, etc.)
superimposed onto an OS Map background.

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 Technical specification for earthing and bonding at EART-03-004
primary substations Issue No. 1

iii) Commissioning inspection / testing report.

The above documentation must be retained on the SPEN Earthing Database. Similar documentation
must be provided by third parties for primary substations that will be adopted by SPEN or joint sites
including SPEN equipment.

20. ASSESSMENT OF THIRD-PARTY DESIGNS

Where a third-party (e.g. ICP or Customer) designs a primary substation that will be adopted by
SPEN (fully or in part), the requirements of this standard shall be met. The design shall be assessed
by an earthing specialist before it is accepted.

This clause also applies to a HV metered supply where SPEN has a limited presence within a larger
substation site.

An IDNO constructing a primary substation within the SPEN operational area will be governed by the
Distribution Code and will therefore be required to design an Earthing System to the applicable ENA
standards. SPEN reserve the right to inspect the IDNO design documentation prior to energisation of
the 33 kV supply.

21. EARTH POTENTIAL RISE DATABASE

The SPEN EPR Database is located in SharePoint

The database contains a summary of key earthing related data together with supporting
documentation. It is intended to provide a central record of safety critical data and shall be updated as
soon as possible when new or updated data is generated.

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