M. Grounding Systems

1. Properties and Types

Identify properties, types, and applications ^{2, 3, 4}

Essential Reading

• Getting Down to Earth A practical guide to earth resistance testing ^2 3 4
• Special Considerations for Lightning Grounding - NETAWORLD Winter 2013 ³
• Resistance Grounding System Basics ⁴

Grounding Principles

• The Importance of Grounding Renewables
• Medium-Voltage Grounding Principles
• The Differences Between Grounding and Bonding (12 Part Series)
• Good grounding practices
• Some Basics of System Grounding
• Principles of Electrical Grounding
• A Look at Concrete Encased Electrodes
• Step and Touch Potentials
• System Grounding for Mission-Critical Power Systems
• Five of the most frequently asked questions on grounding and ground-fault current
• Substation Grounding Tutorial
• Understanding lightning protection systems

2. Inspection and Test Procedures

Apply visual and mechanical inspections ^{2, 3, 4}

Important Standards

• IEEE 142 Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems ⁴
• IEEE Standard 142: Foundation for Grounding
• NFPA 70 2017: Article 250 Grounding ^2 3 4

Grounding System Inspections

• The Dirt On Ground Rods
• Guidelines to properly designed substation grounding system
• Why Test Grounding?
• Maintaining Your Grounding System
• Eleven practical tips for grounding substations

Employ methods and procedures for electrical tests ^{2, 3, 4}

Important Standards

• IEEE 81 Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground Impedance, and Earth Surface Potentials of a Grounding System ^2 3
• IEEE 80 Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding ^3 4
• NFPA 70B: Chapter 11.13 Grounding Systems ^2 3 4

Fall-of-Potential (3-point)

• Ground Testing | Secrets of the Soil
• Ground Testing on Large Systems
• Fall of Potential Test - Voltage/Resistance Rises Dramatically
• Fall-of-potential C2 distance

Soil Resisivity (4-point)

• Earth Resistivity Test Methods and Evaluations
• Understanding Soil Resistivity Testing
• Soil Types and Resisivity
• Determining the soil resistivity to design a good substation grounding system
• 4 Things Soil Resistivity Depends On

Clamp-On Testing

• Tracing Ground Leakage with a Clamp-Meter
• Clamp-On Ground Testing - MEGGER Handbook
• Clamp-On vs. Fall-of-Potential Testing Comparison

Ground Testing - General

• Computer-Based Technology for Ground Testing
• Ground Testing Procedures
• Understanding Ground Resistance Testing
• 4 Important Methods of Ground Resistance Testing
• Ground Resistance Testing: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
• Ground Testing Techniques
• The most common methods of measuring the resistance of an earth electrode
• Testing Challenges in Large Ground Systems
• Ground Testing on Asphalt

3. Interpretation of Test Results

Evaluate results of electrical tests ^{2, 3, 4}

Important Standards

• NETA-ATS 2017: Section 7.13 Grounding Systems ^2 3 4
• NETA-MTS 2019: Section 7.13 Grounding Systems ^2 3 4

Employ methods of enhancing effectiveness of grounding systems ³

Important Standards

• NFPA 70B: Chapter 14 Grounding ^2 3 4
• How to determine the best location for earth electrode

Last Update: Aug 21, 2023