2008 International Conference on High Voltage Engineering and Application, Chongqing, China, November 9-13, 2008

New Method for Calculating Ground Resistance of

Grounding Grids Buried in Horizon Two-Layer Soil
Xiaobin Cao, Guangning Wu, Weiming Zhou, Ruifang Li
School of Electrical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University
Chengdu 610031
Sichuan Province, China

Abstract- With the development of ultra high voltage AC and

DC power system, fault current of power plants, substations and II. SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS
convertor station are great than before. Larger grounding grids In this section, simulations are carried out to calculate
are needed to meet the safety regulation. Grounding grids usually
located in horizon multilayer or vertical multilayer soil structure resistances of grounding grids buried in horizon two-layer soil.
which parameters such as thickness, resistivity of each layer can Simulation results were analyzed and a formula is obtained to
be estimated. This paper presents a new method for calculating fit the curve of relationship between resistance and the
ground resistance of grounding grid buried in horizon two-layer parameters of soil and grid.
soil. It is consisting of three chapters. In the first part, simulations
were done to obtain ground resistance of grounding grid in A. Parameters of simulation model
horizon two-layer soil and uniform soil. Then, results were The parameters of grounding grid and soil model are shown
preprocessed to two variables, one is the ratio of resistance of grid in Fig.1: the broken line is the boundary of horizon two-layer
in horizon two-layer soil to uniform soil, the other is the ratio of
soil resistivity about the top layer to the borrow layer. The
soil; the soil resistivity of top is ρ1 and the bottom is ρ2; the
relationship curve between the two ratios was plotted out. In the thickness of top layer is a; the size of the grid is L1×L2 and its
second part, an engineering estimation formula was simplified for area is A; its buried depth is h. The ground resistance of it is
calculating ground resistance in horizon two-layer soil. Results of defined as R.
the formula proposed are compared with results of simulation
software and its error is acceptable. In the last part, examples of
how to use this formula are illustrated. a h air
I. INTRODUCTION L2
ρ1

Tground
HE grounding system is used to dissipate current into the
and kept person safe and electric equipment in good L1
ρ2
condition. Therefore, the grounding systems resistance must be
low enough to dissipate fault currents. Fig. 1 Soil form and grid location
Many Ultra High Voltage (UHV) 1,000kV AC and ±800kV
DC transmission systems are built in Power Transmission from Let L1 and L2 be equal to 100m, Simulations were performed
West to East Project of China. Fault current of these power with different ρ1 and ρ2. Results were shown in Tab. Ⅰ.
plants, substations and convertor station is more serious than
before. Grounding grids usually located in horizon multilayer Table Ⅰ
or vertical multilayer soil which parameters such as thickness, GROUND RESISTANCE OF GROUNDING GRID (Ω)
resistivity of each layer can be estimated [1-2]. Though
resistance of those grids can be measured and reduced after ρ1/ρ2
a/(m)
construction [3-5], estimation of these parameters is an 150/500 300/1000 600/2000
important step in determining the size and basic layout of a 5 1.727357 3.453862 6.906878
grounding system. 10 1.523723 3.046592 6.092338
Resistance of two-layer soil structure or multi-layer can be 20 1.293746 2.586641 5.172438
calculated by mirror method or Finite elements method (FEM) 40 1.073784 2.146717 4.293593
[6-9]. But it needs professional software and long period to get 80 0.9019408 1.803029 3.605216
the final result. Simple formulas were given by author for grid 100 0.862347 1.72384 3.446839
in vertical two-layer soils [10]. Formulas for calculating
ground resistance which without vertical ground rods and A new parameter is defined R1, a reference ground resistance,
buried in uniform soils were given by Salama and Chow. as that: the grounding grid is locates in uniform soil, the size
Author gives formulas for grid in vertical two-layer soils. They and buried depth is same as Fig. 1 and the soil resistivity is ρ1.
also give a formula for grids in horizon two-layer soils [11-12]. Two new parameters—— X, Y are defined as below.

978-1-4244-2810-6/08/$25.00 ©2008 IEEE 241

 X = ρ 2 ρ1 (1) C. Determination of the coefficient A and B
When Z equal to zero, in other words, the grid is buried in
uniform soil which resistivity is ρ2, the ground resistance was
Y = R R1 (2)
defined as assistant resistance R2 and Y equal to R2/R1, (6) can
The Variable r is the equivalent radius of ground grid, it is be regarded as:
defined as (3), and Z is defined as (4). R2
A= (6)
r= Aπ (3) R1
Substitute (6) into (5), (7) can be gotten as follow:
Z =a r (4) A −Y
B= (7)
(Y − 1) Z
Relationships between Z and Y are show as Fig. 2. A result
can be provesd that when X does not change, Y does not And B is a function of X and Z, the relationship of them is
change with ρ1 and ρ2. show as Fig. 3 and Fig 4.

50 Z=0.01418
0.012
Z=0.01773
0.011 40 Z=0.02659
0.010 Z=0.03545
30 Z=0.08862
0.009
Z=0.14180

B
0.008 ρ1=150Ω.m Z=0.17725
Y

20
0.007 ρ1=300Ω.m Z=0.35449
ρ1=600Ω.m 10 Z=3.54490
0.006
Z=17.7245
0.005
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Z
X
Fig. 2 The relationship between Z and Y with same X
(a)

B. Analysis of simulation results

More simulations were done and results were show in Fig. 3. X=0.16667
50
X=0.83333
X=1.33333
40
20 X=0.167 X=2.33333
X=0.833 X=6.66667
30 X=16.6667
15 X=1
X=33.3333
X=2.33
B

20
10 X=6.67
Y

X=16.67 10
5 X=33.33
0
0 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

(b) Z
-2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Z Fig. 4 The relationship among B, X and Z

Fig. 3 The relationship of Z and Y with different X It can be fitted as (8)

Since X of each curve is different, all of them can be fitted as ⎧B = 0 (ρ2 < ρ1, a < h)
⎪B = (23.16ln( X + 31.9) − 78)
the formula (5). ⎪
⎪ (8)
A + BZ ⎨ × (1+1.95e−20Z − 0.3e−0.5Z ) (ρ2 < ρ1, a ≥ h)
Y= (5) ⎪B = (23.16ln( X + 31.9) − 78)
1 + BZ ⎪
⎪⎩ × (1+1.55e−15Z − 0.1e−0.25Z + 0.2e−Z ) (ρ2 ≥ ρ1)

242
 III. ENGINEERING FORMULAS has been compared with simulation of CDEGS and formula
Substituting (1) (2) (4) (6) and (8) into (5), (9) can be presented by Salama and Chow.
obtained as below: A. Example 1
⎧R = R2 (ρ2 < ρ1, a < h) The grid model of this example is shown as Fig.7, the
⎪ ρ2 −20
a
−0.5
a
broken line is the boundary of horizon two-layer, ρ1 is 150Ω.m
⎪ R r + (23.16ln( + 31.9) − 78) × (1 + 1.95 e r
− 0.3e r
)R1a
⎪R =
2
ρ 1
and ρ2 is 750Ω.m:
⎪ ρ −20
a
−0.5
a

⎪ r + (23.16ln( 2 + 31.9) − 78) × (1+1.95e r − 0.3e r )a

⎪ ρ1 0.7m
⎪⎪ (ρ2 < ρ1, a ≥ h) (9)
⎛ ρ2 ⎞ 300m ρ1
⎨
⎪ ⎜ R2r + (23.16ln( ρ + 31.9) − 78) ⎟
⎜ 1
⎟ 50m ρ2
⎪ a a a
⎜ −15 −0.25
+ 0.2e )R1a ⎟⎠
− 500m
⎪ ⎝ ×(1+1.55e − 0.1e
r r r

⎪R = (ρ2 ≥ ρ1 )
⎪ ⎛ ρ2 ⎞ Fig. 5 Grounding grid of example 1
⎪ ⎜ r + (23.16ln( ρ + 31.9) − 78) ⎟
⎪ ⎜ a
1
a a ⎟
⎜ ×(1+1.55e r − 0.1e r + 0.2e r )a ⎟
−15 −0.25 − Results of calculation are shown in Tab. 2:
⎪⎩ ⎝ ⎠
The reference ground resistance R1 and assistant resistance Table Ⅱ
R2 in (9) can calculate by the formula in IEEE guide for safety GROUND RESISTANCE OF GROUNDING GRID (Ω)
in AC substation grounding (IEEE std. 80-1986) as (13).
Simulation Salama and Chow’s
ρ π (10)
formula (11)
of CDEGS formula
R=
4 A 0.455305 0.457934 0.32915
R1 and R2 can be obtained as follow:

ρ1 π ρ2 π B. Example 2
R1 = R2 = This example is a practical application for calculating
4 A 4 A
ground resistance of a 500kV substation, the boundary of
Substituting R1 and R2 into (10), the formulas of engineering horizonl two-layer is the broken line. The size and parameters
application can be obtained as (11). of the grounding grid and the structure of soil are shown as
⎧R = ρ2 4 π A (ρ2 < ρ1, a < h) Fig.9. ρ1=3000Ω.m and ρ2=200Ω.m.
⎪ ⎛ ρ2 ⎞
⎪ ⎜ ρ2 π A + aρ1π (23.16ln( ρ + 31.9) − 78) ⎟
⎪ ⎜ 1
⎟ 0.7m
⎪ ⎜ −20
a π
−0.5
a π
⎟ ρ1
160m

50m 60m

⎪ ⎝×(1+1.95e − 0.3e )
A A
R = ⎠
⎪ ρ2 ρ1
30m

⎛ ⎞
⎪ ⎜ 4A + 4a π A(23.16ln( ρ + 31.9) − 78) ⎟
⎪ ⎜ 1
⎟ 70m 100m
⎪ ⎜ −20
a π
−0.5
a π
⎟
⎪⎪ ⎝×(1+1.95e − 0.3e )
A A
⎠
⎨ (ρ2 < ρ1, a ≥ h) Fig. 6 Grounding grid of a 500kV substation
⎪ ⎛ ρ2 ⎞
⎪ ⎜ ρ2 π A + aρ1π (23.16ln( ρ + 31.9) − 78) ⎟ Results are shown in Tab. 3:
⎪ ⎜ a π
1
a π a π ⎟
⎪ ⎜ −15 −0.25 −
A ⎟ Table Ⅲ
⎪R = ⎝ ×(1 + 1.55e A
− 0.1e A
+ 0.2e )⎠ GROUND RESISTANCE OF GROUNDING GRID (Ω)
⎪ ⎛ ρ2 ⎞
⎪ ⎜ 4A + 4a π A(23.16ln( ρ + 31.9) − 78) ⎟ Simulation Salama and Chow’s
⎪ ⎜ a π
1
a π a π ⎟ formula (11)
⎪ ⎜ −15 −0.25 −
⎟ of CDEGS formula
⎝×(1+1.55e − 0.1e + 0.2e A ) ⎠
A A
⎪ 4.528217 4.361167 8.337682
⎪⎩ (ρ2 ≥ ρ1 ) (11)
IV. EXAMPLE OF ENGINEERING APPLICATION The resistance of simulation is 0.457934Ω in example 1, the
result of formula (11) is 0.455305Ω and is more close to the
In this section, two examples are used to express the
result of simulation than the formula of Salama and Chow.
application of the method presented in this paper, and the result
This phenomenon also happened in example 2. Form these

243
examples; formula (11) is precise enough for engineering using. C p = ( K − 1) 2 K
V. CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
This paper presents a new method for calculating the ground
[1] I. F. Gonos and I. A. Stathopulos, "Estimation of multilayer soil
resistance of grounding grid buried in horizon two-layer soil. It parameters using genetic algorithms," IEEE Transactions on Power
is obtained by comparing the resistance with a ground Delivery, vol.20, pp. 100-106, 2005.
resistance of a reference grounding grid. The reference grid is [2] T. Takahashi and T. Kawase, "Analysis of apparent resistivity in a multi-
layer earth structure," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.5, pp.
the same grid buried in a uniform soil; the resistivity of it is 604-612, 1990.
equal to the resistivity of top layer in horizon two-layer soil. [3] M. Jinxi and F. P. Dawalibi, "Extended analysis of ground impedance
The curve of their relationship was fitted with a formula with measurement using the fall-of-potential method," IEEE Transactions on
Power Delivery, vol.17, pp. 881-885, 2002.
two unknown coefficients. After analyzing their mathematical [4] J. Ma and F. P. Dawalibi, "Influence of inductive coupling between
and physical significance, a new formula (9) was gotten which leads on ground impedance measurements using the fall-of-potential
depend on reference resistance, assistant resistance and soil method," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.16, pp. 739-743,
resistivity of horizon two-layer soil. For reference resistance 2001.
[5] M. Qingbo, H. Jinliang, F. P. Dawalibi and J. Ma, "A new method to
and assistant resistance can be calculated by formulas of IEEE decrease ground resistances of substation grounding systems in high
STD. 80-1986, a new formula (11) was obtained which just resistivity regions," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.14, pp.
related with parameters of grounding grid and soil structure. 911-916, 1999.
[6] B. Nekhoul, C. Guerin, P. Labie, G. Meunier, R. Feuillet and X.
Results of ground resistance obtained by this formula were Brunotte, et al., "A finite element method for calculating the
compared with results calculated by professional simulation electromagnetic fields generated by substation grounding systems,"
software and other formula; it is more precise than other IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol.31, pp. 2150-2153, 1995.
[7] A. G. J, E. H. F, R. B. F and M. R. J, "A practical approach for
formula. determining the ground resistance of grounding grids," IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.21, pp. 1261-1266, 2006.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT [8] J. A. Guemes and F. E. Hernando, "Method for calculating the ground
The formula of Salama and Chow is following: resistance of grounding grids using FEM," IEEE Transactions on Power
Delivery, vol.19, pp. 595-600, 2004.
Rbtm1 2 = Rm1 2Cb − Rp [9] J. Ma and F. P. Dawalibi, "Analysis of Grounding Systems in Soils with
Finite Volumes of Different Resistivities," IEEE Power Engineering
Rbtm1/2 earth resistance due to a buried grid(Ω) Review, vol.22, pp. 63-64, 2002.
Rm1/2 resistance of the grid on top if a uniform soil of [10] C. Xiaobin, W. Guangning, L. Shenglin, Z. Weiming and L. RuiFang,
resistivity ρ "A simple formula of grounding grid resistance in vertical two-Layer
soil," in Proc. 2008 Transmission and Distribution Conference and
Rp correction term due to the second layer Exposition, 2008. T&D. IEEE/PES, pp. 1-5.
⎛ 1 π 1 ⎛ 1 ⎛ 0.165Δl ⎞ ⎞ ⎞ [11] M. M. Salama, M. M. Sherbiny and Y. L. Chow, "A formula for
Rm1 2 = ρ ⎜ + ln
⎜ 4 A L ⎜ 2π ⎜⎝ d c ⎟⎠ ⎟ ⎟⎟
resistance of substation grounding grid in two-layer soil," IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.10, pp. 1255-1262, 1995.
⎝ ⎝ ⎠⎠ [12] Y. L. Chow, M. M. Elsherbiny and M. M. Salama, "Resistance formulas
Δl = ( Δlx Δl y ) with Δlx and Δl y of grid meshes
12 of grounding systems in two-layer earth," IEEE Transactions on Power
Delivery, vol.11, pp. 1330-1336, 1996.

L = 2Δl N +( )
N =total conductor length (m)
Xiaobin Cao was born in Hunan province, China, on Nov. 23, 1974. He
N the number of meshes received the B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering in the School of Electrical
h the depth at which the grid is buried (m) Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University in 1996. He is currently pursuing
the Ph.D. degree in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Southwest
dc the conductor diameter (m) Jiaotong University. His research interests include grounding technology and
ρ the resistivity of the homogenous soil (Ω.m) lightning protection.
A the overall area of the grid (m2) Guangning Wu (M'97-SM'07) was born in Nanjing, China, on Jul. 26, 1969.
He received the B.Sc. degree, M.Sc. degree and Ph.D. in the School of
⎛ 2h ⎞
Cb = ⎜1 − 1.128 ⎟ Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University respectively in 1991, 1994
⎝ A ⎠ and 1997. Currently, he is a Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering,
Southwest Jiaotong University. His research interests include condition
ρ1 ln(1 − K ) monitoring, fault diagnosis and insulation life-span evaluation for electric
RP =
2π ( h1 + hc ) power equipment, lightning protection and grounding technology.
Weiming Zhou was born in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, on May
Cp the conductor diameter (m) 5th ,1984. He received the B.Sc. degree in the School of Electrical Engineering,
Sichuan Industrial Institute in 2006. He is currently pursuing the M.Sc. degree
K the reflection coefficient in the School of Electrical Engineering at Southwest Jiaotong University. At
h1 the height of the upper layer present, he is doing research work about lightning protection and grounding
cf the shape factor(it is 0.9 for a square) technology.
RuiFang Li was born in Shanxi province, China, on Dec.12,1980. She
ρ 2 − ρ1
K= received the B.Sc degree and M.Sc degree in School Electrical Engineering,
ρ 2 + ρ1 Southwest Jiaotong University respectively in 2002 and 2005. She is currently
pursuing the Ph.D degree in the School of Electrical Engineering at Southwest
A
hc = c f ( ln (1 − K ) ) C p Jiaotong University. At present, she is doing research work about lightning
protection and grounding technology.
2π

244