1 11 FR 01 Substation Earthing
1 11 FR 01 Substation Earthing
This document is published in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 5 of the National Electricity
Rules (NER). It is a functional requirement document only and is not intended to contain any
comprehensive or project specific designs, specifications or other information. Whilst care has been taken
to ensure that the contents of this document are accurate, ElectraNet Pty Limited (ElectraNet) does not
represent or warrant that the information contained in this document is complete, accurate or adequate in
any respect. ElectraNet reserves the right to amend this document at any time without notice to any person.
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Contents
1. Definitions .................................................................................................................. 4
2. Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 6
3. Scope.......................................................................................................................... 6
4. Referenced Documents ............................................................................................ 7
5. Functional Requirements ......................................................................................... 8
5.1 Safety Requirements .................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Design Requirements ................................................................................................... 8
5.3 Design Deliverables .....................................................................................................11
5.3.1 Design Model ..........................................................................................................12
5.4 Constructability Requirements ...................................................................................12
5.5 Operability Requirements ...........................................................................................13
5.6 Commissioning Maintainability and Testing Requirements .....................................13
5.7 Soil Resistivity Testing................................................................................................14
6. SAP Data Capture Requirements ........................................................................... 15
1. Definitions
In this document the following words and expressions will have the following
meanings:
Item Meaning
Brownfield Sites Brownfield sites are those where a bench or a portion of the
bench exists and there is already a form of earthing system
which requires assessment and augmentation.
earth grid riser Insulated conductor installed from the earth grid underground to
surface equipment.
earth rod Earth electrode consisting of a metal rod installed into the
ground, commonly vertically.
EGVR Earth Grid Voltage Rise is calculated by multiplying the earth grid
resistance by the fault current.
Item Meaning
Maximum Fault The current highest fault level of a substation at system normal
Level excluding uncommitted generators.
Template Drawing
A drawing developed by ElectraNet as the basis for design.
Template Drawings are intended to be revised and renumbered
as required to complete the design.
third party IUSA Has the same meaning as defined in the National Electricity
Rules.
Touch Potential The potential difference between the ground potential rise and
the surface potential at the point where a person is standing
while at the same time having a hand in contact with an earthed
structure.
Ultimate Fault The highest fault level expected in the future after all planned
Level network augmentations have taken place.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to describe the functional requirements for
Substation Earthing and Bonding and their integration into a substation and the
potential impacts on third party owned assets in the immediate vicinity of the
Substation.
3. Scope
This document states the functional requirements with regard to Substation
Earthing and Bonding, and integration into a substation, as well as items that
need to be considered in the area surrounding the substation to ensure the
safety of personnel and the general public. The scope includes all items in the
field such as electrodes, risers, connectors. The scope of this document does
not consider the earthing and bonding inside substation buildings.
4. Referenced Documents
The table below lists applicable legislations, standards, referenced documents.
Legislation
Standards
IEEE Std 81:2012 IEEE Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground
Impedance, and Earth Surface Potentials of a Grounding
System
AS/ISO 1000:1998 The international system of units (SI) and its applications.
IEC/TS 60479-1:Ed 4.1 Effect of current on human beings and livestock Part 1
(English 2016) General aspects
IEC/TR 60479-5:Ed 1.0 Effect of current on human beings and livestock - Part 5
(Bilingual 2007) Touch Voltage threshold values for physiological effects
5. Functional Requirements
The functional requirements of an earthing and bonding system must ensure the
following:
a) Safety of people;
b) Protection of equipment; and
c) Operational security.
The functional requirements must satisfy the requirements of the latest edition of
AS 2067.
The final earth grid design for a specific project is to be detailed in an earth grid
layout drawing showing the following details as a minimum:
a) Conductor type, size and depth of burial;
b) Gravel/ bitumen thickness and design resistivity (if applicable);
c) Ground rod detail including location, depth and length;
d) Earthing risers to the equipment and operator loops;
e) Earth grid design impedance;
f) Fault current (Both design fault level and Ultimate Fault Level in which the
earthing system is deemed safe and functional for its purpose);
g) Fence relocation and connections (if applicable); and
h) Material list.
All calculations and supporting documentation for the earthing system must be
submitted to ElectraNet for approval/validation as detailed in this document.
The Designer must submit a design report that must include as a minimum the
following information:
(i) Calculation and plot of soil resistivity and test method;
(ii) Determination of the worst case fault current value;
(iii) Calculation of minimum conductor size;
(iv) Tolerable voltage limits (50 kg and 70 kg step and touch limits);
(v) Main earth grid design;
(vi) Access gates touch voltages;
(vii) Design Touch voltages (within substation and 1 metre outside);
(viii) Design Step voltages (within and outside substation);
(ix) Maximum earth grid voltage rise (EPR);
(x) 1500 V, 1000 V and 430 V voltage gradients;
The Designer must submit a design report along with the electronic version of
the CDEGS design model to ElectraNet for review and records.
must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Clauses 8.6, 8.7 and
8.8 of the latest edition of AS 2067.