Proc.

of 24-th International Conference on Lightning protection

(ICLP'98), Birmingham, U.K., 14-18 Sept. 1998, Vol. 1, pp. 524-529.

COMPARISON BETWEEN SIMULATION AND MEASUREMENT OF

FREQUENCY DEPENDENT AND TRANSIENT CHARACTERISTICS
OF POWER TRANSMISSION LINE GROUNDING
Leonid Grcev and Vesna Arnautovski
University "St. Kiril and Metodij"
Republic of Macedonia

Abstract – This paper describes application of tions based on antenna theory, which are derived
three different theoretical models for high fre- from the full set of the Maxwell’s equations, has
quency and transient analysis of grounding sys- been used [13]–[17]. The exact and quasi-static
tems depending on their complexity. The first two methods, applied to vertical rod electrodes, have
are based on transmission line and the third one been compared in [28], analyzing the limitations
on rigorous electromagnetic field theory. The first of the validity of quasi-static methods.
one is suitable for the simplest single horizontal
and vertical ground electrodes, the second one is The dynamical behavior of grounding systems
suitable for more complex arrangements of depends on two different physical processes:
grounding electrodes, typical for transmission • non-linear behavior of soil due to soil ioniza-
line grounding, and the third one is suitable for tion in the immediate proximity of the
arbitrary complex grounding systems. Paper then grounding electrodes, and
presents comparison between rigorous and simpli- • propagation of electromagnetic waves along
fied theoretical and experimental results by EDF. grounding electrodes and in soil.
Soil ionization was not considered since only low
currents were used in the considered experiments. Soil ionization occurs for large enough currents
when the electric fields at the ground electrode
surface may become greater than the ionization
threshold of approximately 300 kV/m [30]. As a
1 INTRODUCTION result of this phenomenon, when smaller elec-
trodes are subjected to high current impulses,
The operational safety and proper functioning of their ground impedance may be reduced for a fac-
electric power systems is influenced by the proper tor of 2 or 3 from their low current value, after a
design of their earth terminations. The design of short period of time (approximately 5 µs).
grounding circuits becomes particularly important
in case of power system abnormal operation or The propagation effects are effectively analyzed
lightning. In such cases the grounding systems in frequency domain. Such effects become more
must be able to discharge impulse currents into dominant in electrically larger and more compli-
the earth without causing any danger to people or cated structures. Buried structures are electrically
damage to installations [1]. larger at higher frequencies and in better conduct-
ing soil. Therefore, these effects are more impor-
In contrast to the grounding systems behavior at tant when steep impulses, with higher frequency
low frequencies [2], the high frequency and tran- content, are considered.
sient behavior is considerably more complex.
This problem has been approached from both This paper firstly describes three different models
theoretical [3]–[17] and experimental [19]–[26] for high frequency and transient analysis of
points of view. grounding systems depending on their complex-
ity. The first one is suitable for the simplest: sin-
Regarding the experimental work, it can be seen gle horizontal and vertical ground electrodes. The
that the most systematic measurements have been second one is suitable for more complex arrange-
performed by the Électricité de France (EDF), ments of grounding electrodes, typical for trans-
[21], [23]–[26]. However, only smaller and sim- mission line grounding. The third one is suitable
pler grounding structures, typical for power line for arbitrary complex grounding systems. Paper
transmission line grounding, were investigated. then presents comparison between rigorous and
simplified theoretical and experimental results by
Most of the previous theoretical work is based on EDF Soil ionization was not considered since
simplified quasi-static approximation and circuit only low currents were used in the considered
theory [3]–[12]. More recently, rigorous formula- experiments.
2 SIMULATION OF SINGLE Here v(t) is the response to arbitrary excitation
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL i(t), Z(j ω ) is the impedance to ground (7), and F
GROUND ELECTRODES and F –1 are Fourier and inverse Fourier transform,
respectively.
The complex valued, frequency dependent longi-
tudinal impedance and transversal admittance per
unit length are solved in the well-known refer- 3 SIMULATION OF TRANSMISSION
ence book by Sunde [3]: LINE GROUNDING SYSTEMS
′ jωµ 0 .
185 (1) WITHIN EMTP
Z (ω ) ≈ ln
2π a γ +Γ
2 2
Once the characteristic impedance and the trans-
fer function of linear earth conductors are known,
′
Y (ω ) ≈
b
π 1 + jωρε g (2) more complex arrangements of grounding elec-
112
. trodes can be modeled by a network of transmis-
ρ ln
γ 2ah sion line segments, provided that coupling be-
tween the different grounding electrodes seg-
where A and a are length and radius of the elec- ments can be neglected. At first sight, it is not
trode, and h is depth of the electrode. Here, the evident that this assumption is permissible, but it
internal impedance of the electrode is neglected. has been shown [ 12 ] that the resulting error is
bg b
Also here Γ ω = jωµ 0 1 / ρ + jωε describes the g within acceptable limits. This approach has great
advantage in simultaneous modeling of the
propagation of a TEM-wave in homogeneous
grounding system together with live parts of the
earth with resistivity ρ, permittivity ε and perme-
power electric system components. It is also ca-
ability µ 0 . pable of modeling soil ionization effects. Inter-
ested reader may find all details on the model, its
The characteristic impedance Z C and the propaga- implementation within widely used ATP version
tion coefficient γ are given by: of Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP),
bg bg bg
′ ′
ZC ω = Z ω / Y ω (3) its validation by comparison with experimental
data and its application in practical lightning pro-
tection studies in [ 12 ]. However, application of
γ bω g = Z ′ bω g ⋅ Y ′ bω g (4) this method for more extended and complex sub-
station meshed grounding systems, may lead to
The solution of the nonlinear equation (4) for the
erroneous results [ 18 ].
propagation coefficient leads to the solution of
the characteristic impedance (3).
4 SIMULATION OF ARBITRARY
Simple formulas for the characteristic impedance COMPLEX GROUNDING SYSTEMS
Z C and the propagation coefficient γ of vertical
rod electrodes are [26]: The computational methodology is based on the
ρ FG ln 4A − 1IJ jωµ 0
general method of moments [33]. This methodol-
ZC =
2π H a K ρ (1 + jωερ )
ogy is first developed for antennas near to and
penetrating the earth, and later it is applied to
grounding systems [13]–[15]. More details on
γ = jωµ 0 (1 / ρ + jωε ) (5)
modifications of antenna solutions for grounding
Corresponding simple formulas for linear hori- systems can be found in [32].
zontal electrodes are:
The grounding system is assumed to be a network
ZC =
ρ FG
2A
−1
IJ jωµ 0 of connected straight cylindrical metallic conduc-
π
ln
H
2ah K 2 ρ (1 + jωερ ) tors with arbitrary orientation [15]. The first step
is to compute the current distribution, as a re-
γ = jωµ 0 (1 / ρ + jωε ) / 2 (6) sponse to injected current at arbitrary points on
Then, the grounding impedance of the electrode Z the conductor network. First, the conductor net-
work is divided into a number of fictitious
with length A is obtained by:
smaller segments. Then axial current distribution
Z = Z C coth γ A (7) in the conductor network I(A) is approximated by
The time domain response is then obtained by a linear combination of M expansions functions
application of inverse Fourier transform: F k (A) [15]:
m
v (t ) = F −1 Z ( jω ) ⋅ F i (t ) (8) r
 Resistive divider 150
Adaptation
Surge resistance 60 m
generator
120
Voltage

Module (Z) in Ω
Current measurement
measurement
(coax. shunt)
80

Auxiliary Auxiliary 40
electrode Studied electrode
(current return) electrode (potential reference)

Figure 1: Measuring set-up (adapted from [ 21 ]). 0

45

Phase (Z) in deg

bg bg
M
I A = ∑ I k Fk A (9)
k =0
0
where I k are unknown current samples. Longitu- 0.001 0.01 0.1 1
dinal current distribution (A1) may be evaluated Frequency (MHz)
from the system of equations:
(10) Figure 2: Measurement and simulation of fre-
Z ⋅ I = V
quency dependent impedance of 16 me-
where the elements of the column matrix [I] are ters vertical rod electrode.
unknown current samples, elements of [Z] express
all mutual electromagnetic interactions between avoid stationary waves generated on high fre-
parts of the conductor network, and elements of quencies, the investigated electrode was con-
[V] are related to the excitation. Ref. [15] pro- nected to the potential reference auxiliary elec-
vides all details on evaluation of the elements of trode by a voltage divider with high voltage (HV)
[Z], and [12] give complete derivation of the for- arm of sufficient length (60 m). The HV arm was
mulas for the electric field. composed of a series of ceramic resistances con-
nected to very short connectors. By employing
When current distribution in the conductor net- this measuring arrangement a constant transfer
work is known, it is a simple task to evaluate: function in the measuring bandwidth could be
electric field [12], voltage [15] and impedance realized. Interested reader is referred to numerous
[14]. Integration of this method with the EMTP is publications by the EDF (for example [21], [23]–
described in [ 17 ]. [26]) for more details on the measurements.

The advantage of this method in the analysis of

larger and more complex substation grounding 6 COMPARISON OF SIMULATION AND
systems has been demonstrated in [ 18 ]. MEASUREMENT RESULTS

Figure 2 illustrate computed and measured fre-

5 FIELD MEASUREMENTS BY EDF quency dependent impedance of a vertical rod
electrode with length 16 m. The studied earth
Recordings from extensive field measurements of electrode was constructed of a 50 mm2 copper
transient voltages to remote ground performed by cable inserted in holes 62 mm in diameter filled
the Electricite de France (EDF) are used to verify with a mixture of bentonite and water. The semi-
above described models. Impulse currents have liquid mixture coating of the earth electrodes had
been fed into single- and multi-conductor ground- a resistivity about 1 Ω⋅m, while the resistivity of
ing arrangements and resulting transient voltage the surrounding soil was 1300 Ω⋅m. However, an
to remote ground has been measured by means of average resistivity of equivalent homogeneous
a 60 m long ohmic divider with measuring band- medium is set for the simulations to 450 Ω⋅m to
width of 3 MHz [ 21 ]. match low current low frequency rod resistance to
earth. Also, the soil relative permittivity has not
Figure 1 provides only a simple illustration of the been measured and is set to 10.
measuring set-up. Surge generator with a peak
value of 20 kV was connected to the investigated The simulations were made using the rigorous
electrode with a conductor, which was insulated electromagnetic field approach (denoted by EMF
from ground and adapted to the surge generator’s in Fig. 2) and using the formulas (5). The results
characteristic impedance (Z c ≅ 500 Ω). The result- show good agreement with the measurements per-
ing current impulses had peak values about 30 A formed by EDF in the whole observed frequency
and rise times adjustable from 0.2 to 3 µs. To range.
 i

i
u

Figure 3: Measurement and simulation of tran- Figure 4: Measurement and simulation of tran-
sient voltages to remote ground at the sient voltages to remote ground at the
beginning point of 15m long horizontal beginning point of 8m long horizontal
wire. wire.

Figure 3 shows the oscillograms of recorded cur-

rent impulse injected in the beginning point of 15
meters long horizontal ground wire and transient
voltage to remote ground at the same point on the
wire. The electrode was constructed of a 116 mm2
copper wire buried at 0.6 m depth. The character-
istics of the soil were not separately measured at
the time of the recording of the oscillograms.
Therefore, the soil resistivity was set to 70 Ω⋅m
and the relative permittivity to 15 in [ 27 ] and
[ 24 ], to match low frequency ground resistance.
The simulations were made using the rigorous
electromagnetic field approach, and using the
Sunde’s approach (eqs. (1)–(4) and (8)). The re-
sults are compared with the EMTP simulation Figure 5: Measurement and simulation of tran-
results [ 12 ] and with the measurements performed sient voltages to remote ground of dou-
by EDF [ 27 ] and [ 24 ]. The simulation results ble-loop power transmission line tower
show good consistency with the measurements. grounding.

Figure 4 shows similar comparison between simu- urements and simulation of transient voltages to
lations and measurement for shorter horizontal remote ground of a double-loop grounding. The
grounding electrode. The electrode was con- loops were of 116 mm 2 copper wire with dimen-
structed of a 116 mm 2 copper wire, with 8 m sions 1 × 1.5 m 2 . The upper loop was buried at 1
length buried at 0.6 m depth. The characteristics m and the lower loop at 2 m depth. Loops were
of the soil were not separately measured. The soil connected with vertical ground conductor at the
resistivity was set to 65 Ω⋅m and the relative middle point of the larger loop side. The charac-
permittivity to 15, to match the low frequency teristics of the soil were not separately measured.
resistance to ground of the electrode. Transient The soil resistivity was set to 68 Ω⋅m and the
voltages to remote ground were computed using relative permittivity to 15, to match the low fre-
the rigorous electromagnetic field approach, and quency resistance to ground. Again, there is an
the results are compared with the EMTP simula- agreement between the simulation results except
tion results and with the measurements performed during the current rise when the measured voltage
by EDF. Figure 4 shows that there is an agree- is higher than the corresponding values of the
ment between the simulation results except during computation.
the current rise when the measured voltage is
higher than the corresponding values of the com- The higher measured than computed voltages dur-
putation. ing the current rise were also observed during
validation of the simulation and measurement
Figures 5 illustrate comparison between meas- results at EDF at Paris, France [ 27 ] and [ 24 ]. It
was concluded in [ 24 ] that the measured voltages from the Diploma Thesis by Mrs. Britta Heim-
are likely to be amplified by some remaining in- bach (formerly at Technical University of
ductive voltage drop during the wave front along Aachen). Her help during preparation of the simu-
the divider that is added to the actual potential lations is gratefully appreciated.
rise at the clamp of the ground conductors. It
should be noted that the presented results of the The work was partially supported by the Ministry
computations are only voltages to neutral ground of Science of the Republic of Macedonia.
of points at the surface of the buried conductor.
The connecting conductors and the measurement
circuit with the 60 m long voltage divider were REFERENCES
not included in the simulation.
[1] A. P. Meliopoulos, Power System Grounding
7 CONCLUSIONS and Transients, New York and Basel: Marsel
Dekker, Inc., 1988.
The comparison between different theoretical [2] IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation
methods show that the most adequate for simula- Grounding, New York: IEEE, 1986,
tion of high frequency and transient performance (ANSI/IEEE Std. 80-1986).
of power transmission line grounding is method [3] E. D. Sunde, Earth Conduction Effects in
based on transmission line theory. That is espe- Transmission Systems, New York: Dover Publi-
cially true for the method that is integrated within cations, Inc., 1968.
EMTP [ 12 ], since it is also capable for simulation [4] A. C. Liew, M. Darveniza, “Dynamic Model of
of the soil ionization effects. Impulse Characteristics of Concentrated
Earths,” Proceedings on IEE, Vol. 121, No. 2,
The rigorous method based on the electromag- February 1974, pp. 123-135.
netic field theory does not have any advantage [5] C. Mazzetti, G. M. Veca, “Impulse Behavior of
over more simplified methods for analysis of Grounded Electrodes,” IEEE Transactions on
grounding electrode arrangements typical for Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-102,
power transmission line grounding. This method September 1983, pp. 3148-3156.
has clear advantage in the analysis of larger and
[6] B. R. Gupta and B. Thapar, “Impulse Imped-
more complex substation grounding systems [ 18 ]. ance of Grounding Grids,” IEEE Transactions
on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-
Knowledge of the soil characteristics is critical 99, Nov./Dec. 1980, pp. 2357-2362.
for successful simulation of the high frequency
[7] R. Verma and D. Mukhedkar, “Fundamental
and transient behavior of grounding systems.
Considerations and Impulse Impedance of
However, the necessary soil characteristics are Grounding Grids,” IEEE Transactions on
not always measured and have to be estimated, Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-100,
which introduce uncertainty in the comparison. March 1981, pp. 1023-1030.
[8] M. Ramamoorty, M. M. B. Narayanan, S. Pa-
In some of the analyzed cases, simulated results
rameswaran, and D. Mukhedkar, “Transient
tend to underestimate the peak values of transient
Performance of Grounding Grids,” IEEE
voltages. Further research is necessary to investi- Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. PWRD-
gate the influence of simplified modeling of the 4, Oct. 1989, pp. 2053-2059.
equivalent homogeneous soil at higher frequen-
[9] A. Geri, “Behavior of Grounding Systems Ex-
cies and the influence of the measuring circuit on
cited by High Impulse Currents: the Model and
the measured and simulated results.
Its Validation”, Proceedings of the 14 th
IEEE/PES Transmission and Distribution
In spite of uncertainties in the estimation of the Conference, Los Angeles, 1996.
soil parameters, simulations lead to results gener-
[10] A. P. Meliopoulos and M. G. Moharam, “Tran-
ally consistent with measured ones.
sient Analysis of Grounding Systems,” IEEE
Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems,
Vol. PAS-102, Feb. 1983, pp. 389-399.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
[11] A. D. Papalexopoulos and A. P. Meliopoulos,
“Frequency Dependent Characteristics of
The first author acknowledges helpful and con-
Grounding Systems,” IEEE Transactions on
structive discussions with Dr. Frank Menter and
Power Delivery, Vol. PWRD-2, October 1987,
Dr. Marcus Heimbach (both formerly at the Insti- pp. 1073-1081.
tute of High Voltage Engineering at the Technical
University of Aachen, Germany) during his visits [12] F. Menter and L. Grcev, “EMTP-Based Model
for Grounding System Analysis,” IEEE Trans-
to the Institute. Results of comparison between
actions on Power Delivery, Vol. 9, October
measurement and simulation based on EMTP are
 1994, pp. 1838-1849; also in in “Computer Modelisation of Grounding Systems in High
Analysis of Electric Power System Transients: Frequency Range”, Collection de notes internes
Selected Readings”, Juan A. Martinez-Velasco, de la Direction des Etudes et Recherches,
Ed., New York: IEEE Press, 1996, pp. 461-472. 93NR00059, 1993, p.21.
[13] L. Grcev, Computation of Grounding Systems [26] S. Bourg, B. Sacepe, T. Debu, “Deep Earth
Transient Impedance, Ph. D. Thesis, University Electrodes in Highly Resistive Ground: Fre-
of Zagreb, Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia), quency Behavior”, Proceedings of the IEEE
1986. 1995 International Symposium on Electromag-
[14] L. Grcev and F. Dawalibi, “An Electromagnetic netic Compatibility, pp. 584-588.
Model for Transients in Grounding Systems,” [27] B. Merheim, "Comparison between Modeling
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. and Measurement of Power System Grounding
PWRD-5, No. 4, October 1990, pp. 1773-1781. Dynamic Characteristics", Diploma Thesis,
[15] L. Grcev, “Computer Analysis of Transient Technical University of Aachen, Germany,
Voltages in Large Grounding Systems,” IEEE 1992.
Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 11, No. [28] R. G. Olsen and M. C. Willis, “A Comparison
2, April 1996, pp. 815-823. of Exact and Quasi-Static Methods for Evaluat-
[16] L. Grcev and M. Heimbach, “Frequency De- ing Grounding Systems at High Frequencies,”
pendent and Transient Characteristics of Sub- IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 11,
station Grounding Systems,” IEEE Transac- No. 2, April 1996, pp. 1071-1081.
tions on Power Delivery, Vol. 12, No. 1, Janu- [29] S. Ramo, J.H. Whinnery, and T. Van Duzer,
ary 1997, pp. 172-178. Fields and Waves in Communication Electron-
[17] M. Heimbach and L. Grcev, “Grounding Sys- ics, New York: Wiley, 1965.
tem Analysis in Transients Programs Applying [30] A. M. Mousa, “The Soil Ionization Gradient
Electromagnetic Field Approach,” IEEE Trans- Associated with Discharge of High Currents
actions on Power Delivery, Vol. 12, No. 1, into Concentrated Electrodes”, IEEE/PES 1994
January 1997, pp. 186-193. Winter Meeting, IEEE Paper 94 WM 078-6
[18] M. Heimbach and L. Grcev, “Simulation of PWRD
Grounding Structures within EMTP”, in Pro- [31] L. Grcev, “Analysis of the Possibility of Soil
ceedings of the 10 th International Symposium Breakdown due to Lightning in Complex and
on High Voltage Engineering (ISH), Montreal, Spacious Grounding Systems,” Proceedings of
August 1997. 22nd International Conference on Lightning
[19] K. Berger, “The Behavior of Earth Connections Protection (ICLP), Budapest, Hungary, 1994,
Under High Intensity Impulse Currents”, CI- Paper R 3a-07.
GRE Session, Paris, France, 1946, Report 215. [32] L. Grcev, “Computation of Transient Voltages
[20] A. L. Vainer, “Impulse Characteristics of Com- Near Complex Grounding Systems Caused by
plex Groundings,” Electrical Technology in Lightning Currents”, Proceedings of the IEEE
URSS, Vol. 1, 1966, pp. 107-117 (Electrich- 1992 International Symposium on Electromag-
estvo, No. 3, 1966, pp. 23-27). netic Compatibility, 92CH3169-0, pp. 393-400.
[21] R. Fieux, P. Kouteynikoff, and F. Villefranque, [33] R. F. Harrington, Field Computation by Mo-
“Measurement of the Impulse Response of ment Methods, New York: IEEE Press, 1993.
Groundings to Lightning Currents”, Proceed-
ings of 15th International Conference on Address
Lightning Protection (ICLP), Uppsala, Sweden, Prof. Leonid Grcev
1979. Elektrotehnicki fakultet
[22] R. Kosztaluk, M. Loboda, D. Mukhedkar, “Ex- Karpos II bb, P.O. Box 574
perimental Study of Transient Ground Imped- 91000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
ances”, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus Phone: +389-2-362224, Fax: +389-2-364262
and Systems, Vol. PAS-100, No. 11, November Email: leonid.grcev@ieee.org
1981, pp. 4653-4660.
[23] Saint-Privat-d’Allier Research Group, “Eight
Years of Lightning Experiments at Saint-
Privat-d’Allier,” Review Generale de
l’Electricite (RGE), Vol. 91, September 1982,
pp. 561-582.
[24] H. Rochereau, “Response of Earth Electrodes
when Fast Fronted Currents are Flowing Out”,
EDF Bulletin de la Direction des Etudes et Re-
cherches, serie B, no. 2, 1988, pp. 13-22.
[25] H. Rochereau, “Application of the Transmis-
sion Lines Theory and EMTP Program for