Company Directive

STANDARD TECHNIQUE: TP21GG/1

Standard Earthing Designs

Part G
HV Connection Substation In A Freestanding
GRP Or Masonry Housing

Summary
This Standard Technique describes the standard earthing design to be employed on HV
Connection substations accommodated within a freestanding GRP or masonry housings which
are to be owned or adopted by Western Power Distribution.

Author: Graham Brewster

Implementation Date: April 2022

Approved By:

Carl Ketley-Lowe
Engineering Policy Manager

Date: 19th April 2022

Target Staff Group Network Services Teams & ICPs

Impact of Change AMBER - The changes have an impact of current working practices that are
not safety critical – Communication at next team meeting or as part of a
retraining programme
Planned Assurance Checks Policy Compliance Specialists shall confirm whether the requirements have
been complied with during their sample checking of completed jobs

All references to Western Power Distribution or WPD must be read as National Grid Electricity Distribution or NGED

NOTE: The current version of this document is stored in the NGED Corporate Information Database. Any other
copy in electronic or printed format may be out of date. Copyright 2022 National Grid Electricity Distribution

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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Introduction
This Standard Technique describes the standard earthing design to be employed on HV
Connection substations accommodated within freestanding GRP or masonry housings which
are to be owned or adopted by Western Power Distribution.

This Standard Technique applies where the WPD HV switchgear is close-coupled to a WPD
metering unit and WPD’s HV Customer is connected via a cable box on the metering unit, or
to an IDNO metering unit and the IDNO’s HV Customer is connected via a cable box on the
metering unit, or to an IDNO HV cable

Main Changes
 Revised Earthing Design Tool (Version 2)
 Requirements for substations supplying IDNOs aligned with ENA ER G88
 Amendment to definition of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ sites and inclusion of new definitions for
‘high EPR’ and ‘low EPR’ sites. All references to ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ changed to ‘high EPR’
and ‘low EPR’ respectively
 ‘L’ shaped rebar diameter changed to 16mm

Impact of Changes

Target Staff Group Network Services Teams, Engineering Trainers & ICPs involved with
the design and construction of earthing systems for ground mounted
distribution substations
Impact of Change AMBER - The changes have an impact of current working practices
that are not safety critical – Communication at next team meeting or
as part of a retraining programme

Implementation Actions
 Managers to notify relevant staff that this document has been published
 Relevant staff to watch this Policy Update Briefing
 Former versions of the Earthing Design Tool (i.e. Version 1) should no longer be used
 This document, the associated ‘Earthing Design Tool’ and the ‘Policy Update Briefing’
to be made available to ICPs on the www.westernpowertechinfo.co.uk website
 There are no retrospective actions

Implementation Timetable
This ST shall be implemented with immediate effect.

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REVISION HISTORY

Document Revision & Review Table

Date Comments Author

Apr 2022 Issue of Version 1 Graham Brewster

 Revised Earthing Design Tool (Version 2)
 Requirements for substations supplying IDNOs
aligned with ENA ER G88
 Amendment to definition of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ sites
and inclusion of new definitions for ‘high EPR’
and ‘low EPR’ sites in section 2.0. All references
to ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ throughout the document
changed to ‘high EPR’ and ‘low EPR’ respectively
 ‘L’ shaped rebar diameter changed to 16mm in
section 5.5.
 Requirements for bonding rebar clarified in
section 6.2.2.

Aug 2021 Initial issue Graham Brewster

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 Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 6

2.0 DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................... 6

3.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 8

3.1 British Standards ................................................................................................................. 8
3.2 Energy Networks Association ............................................................................................. 8

4.0 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................... 9

4.1 Preamble ............................................................................................................................. 9
4.2 Earthing Design Tool ........................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Principal Requirements For The WPD HV Earth Electrode................................................ 9
4.4 Additional Requirements For The WPD HV Earth Electrode AT ‘High EPR’ Sites ........... 10
4.5 Principal Requirements For The Customer’s HV Earth Electrode ................................... 11
4.6 Additional Requirements For The WPD HV Earth Electrode At Two Interconnected
RMU Sites .......................................................................................................................... 11

5.0 CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS ................................................................................. 12

5.1 HV Earthing Arrangement ................................................................................................ 12
5.2 HV Earthing Arrangement For Two Interconnected RMUs ............................................. 12
5.3 HV Separation Distance .................................................................................................... 12
5.4 HV Separation Distance For Two Interconnected RMUs................................................. 13
5.5 Rebar Earth Point .............................................................................................................. 13
5.6 Rebar Earth Point Connections ........................................................................................ 13
5.7 Earth Rod Connections ..................................................................................................... 13
5.8 Tarmac Apron .................................................................................................................... 13
5.9 Galvanised Steel Apron ..................................................................................................... 13

6.0 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................... 23

6.1 Preamble ........................................................................................................................... 23
6.2 Common Construction Requirements ............................................................................. 23
6.2.1 HV Electrode System......................................................................................... 23
6.2.2 Rebar ................................................................................................................ 25
6.2.3 HV Cables & Cable Boxes .................................................................................. 25
6.2.4 HV Switchgear (RMU) ....................................................................................... 26
6.2.5 HV Metering Unit ............................................................................................. 26
6.2.6 Other Metal Boxes / Cabinets Within The GRP Or Masonry Housing .............. 26

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 6.2.7 Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing ........................................................... 26
6.2.8 Extraneous Conductive Parts Located Outside Of The Housing ....................... 27
6.3 Additional Construction Requirements For ‘Low EPR’ Sites............................................ 27
6.3.1 Substation LV Auxiliary Power Supplies ........................................................... 27
6.4 Additional Construction Requirements For ‘High EPR’ Sites ........................................... 27
6.4.1 Tarmacadam Apron For GRP Housings ............................................................ 27
6.4.2 Galvanised Steel Apron For Masonry Housings ............................................... 28
6.4.3 Substation LV Auxiliary Power Supplies ........................................................... 28
6.4.4 HV Metering ..................................................................................................... 29
6.4.5 HV Customer Interface Cabling ........................................................................ 29
6.4.6 HV Customer’s LV Earth Electrodes .................................................................. 30
6.4.7 Other LV Electrode Systems .............................................................................. 30
6.5 Construction Requirements For The Customer’s HV Electrode ...................................... 30
6.6 Additional Construction Requirements For Two RMU Type Connections ..................... 31

7.0 COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................... 31

8.0 RECORDS.............................................................................................................. 32
8.1 CROWN Records................................................................................................................ 32
8.2 EMU Records ..................................................................................................................... 36

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Standard Technique describes the standard earthing design to be employed on

HV Connection substations accommodated within freestanding GRP or masonry
housings which are to be owned or adopted by Western Power Distribution.

This Standard Technique applies where the WPD HV switchgear is close-coupled to:

 A WPD metering unit and WPD’s HV Customer is connected via a cable box on the
metering unit, or

 An IDNO metering unit and the IDNO’s HV Customer is connected via a cable box
on the metering unit, or

 An IDNO HV cable

The HV earth electrode associated with WPD’s HV switchgear shall be owned and
maintained by WPD.

This Standard Technique does not apply where the WPD HV switchgear is close-coupled
to an IDNO HV/LV transformer & LV Cabinet and the IDNO has responsibility for all of
the customers and LV network fed from the substation. In these instances the HV and
LV earth electrodes shall be owned, designed, installed and maintained by the IDNO. 1

2.0 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this document the following definitions are employed:

TERM DEFINITION
HV Connection substation A HV substation where the WPD HV switchgear is close coupled
to:
 A WPD metering unit and WPD’s HV Customer is
connected via a cable box on the metering unit, or
 An IDNO metering unit and the IDNO’s HV Customer is
connected via a cable box on the metering unit, or
 An IDNO cable

Freestanding GRP Housing A housing which stands on its own foundations, is not attached
to any other building or structure, and whose walls and doors are
constructed of glass fibre reinforced plastic.

1
To align with ENA ER G88

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 TERM DEFINITION
Freestanding Masonry Housing A housing which stands on its own foundations, is not attached
to any other building or structure, and whose walls are
constructed of brick, stone, concrete blockwork (or a
combination of these) and whose doors are constructed of glass-
fibre reinforced plastic or hardwood timber.

Cold Site 2 A site where the potential rise is less than 430V, or less than 650V
where the earth fault causing the potential rise is cleared by fast
acting, high reliability protection which limits the fault duration
to 200ms or less.

Hot Site 1 A site which is not a cold site.

i.e. a site where the potential rise is greater than 430V, or greater
than 650V where the earth fault causing the potential rise is
cleared by fast acting, high reliability protection which limits the
fault duration to 200ms or less.

Low EPR Site 3 A site where the potential rise is less than the permissible touch
voltage limit or telecommunication equipment limit at third-
party LV installations beyond the boundary of the site.

In other words, a site where the potential rise is:

 Less than 1150V, or less than 1700V 4 where the earth
fault causing the potential rise is cleared by fast acting,
high reliability protection which limits the fault
duration to 200ms or less, and
 Less than the touch voltage limit for shoes on soil or
outdoor concrete, except where the LV system neutral
is connected to earth at multiple locations, in which
case the applicable value is less than 2x the touch
voltage limit for shoes on soil or outdoor concrete

2
The 430V and 650V values derive from telecommunication standards relating to voltage withstand on
equipment. These thresholds were also formerly applied as design limits for EPR, however, they no longer
relate directly to safe limits for touch and step potentials
3
This is a WPD definition which differs slightly from that in ENA TS 41-24. It is important to ensure that third-
party LV installations are not adversely affected by the conveyance of potential via combined HV & LV
earthing systems, or by the conveyance of potential via the soil. Mitigating measures are necessary at ‘High
EPR sites’.
4
The 1150V and 1700V values are limits for telecommunication equipment derived from ENA EREC S36 and
ENA EREP 129.

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 TERM DEFINITION
High EPR Site 2 A site which is not a low EPR site.

i.e. a site where the potential rise is greater than the permissible
touch voltage limit or telecommunication equipment limit at
third-party LV installations beyond the boundary of the site.

In other words, a site where the potential rise is:

 Greater than 1150V, or greater than 1700V 3 where
high reliability protection with a fault clearance time
less than 200ms is employed, and
 Greater than the touch voltage limit for shoes on soil or
outdoor concrete, except where the LV system neutral
is connected to earth at multiple locations, in which
case the applicable value is greater than 2x the touch
voltage limit for shoes on soil or outdoor concrete

Secondary Substation An 11kV or 6.6kV substation excluding 11kV or 6.6kV

switchboards directly associated with a 132kV, 66kV or 33kV
transformer

3.0 REFERENCES

This document makes reference to, or should be read in conjunction with, the
documents listed below. The issue and date of the documents listed below shall be
those applicable at the date of issue of this document, unless stated otherwise.

3.1 British Standards

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

3.2 Energy Networks Association

NUMBER TITLE
ENA TS 41-24 Guidelines for the design, installation, testing and maintenance of main
earthing systems in substations

ENA EREC G88 Principles for the planning, connection and operation of electricity distribution
networks at the interface between distribution network operators (DNOs) and
independent distribution network operators (IDNOs)

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4.0 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Preamble

The earthing design is predicated on the exterior walls and doors of the housing
being electrically non-conductive and forming a barrier which prevents anyone
external to the housing from touching any metalwork which is bonded to the
substation HV earth electrode.

In the event that the substation has externally accessible metallic parts then the
design requirements specified in the following document shall additionally apply:

 Standard Technique TP21G-I: Standard Earthing Designs - Part I - Additional

Requirements For Substations With Externally Accessible Metallic Parts

These design requirements are an abridged version pertaining to ‘HV Connection’

substations accommodated within a freestanding GRP or masonry housing.
Comprehensive earthing design requirements are specified in the following
document:

 Standard Technique TP21D-D: Design Of Earthing Systems - Part D - Ground

Mounted Distribution Substations.

4.2 Earthing Design Tool

The following Earthing Design Tool (Microsoft Excel Workbook) shall be employed in
order to design and analyse the performance of a proposed earthing system for a
‘HV Connection’ substation in a freestanding GRP or masonry housing.

Earthing Design Tool (TP21G Version 2)

4.3 Principal Requirements For The WPD HV Earth Electrode

The WPD HV earth electrode shall comply with the following principal requirements:

a) The HV earth electrode shall consist of a ring electrode surrounding the

substation buried at a depth of 600mm, with a 1200mm long, 12.7mm
diameter earth rod at each corner. Where necessary, a horizontal electrode
‘tail’ laid in a radial direction away from the substation shall also be provided
buried at a depth of 600mm (1000mm in arable land).

b) The conductors employed for the HV earth electrode system shall have a
minimum cross sectional area of 70mm2

c) The HV electrode shall have a resistance not greater than 20Ω for 11kV
substations and 15Ω for 6.6kV substations. This resistance shall be determined
solely by the installed electrode system i.e. shall not include any parallel
contribution from the network5.

5
The parallel contribution from the network can be utilised to reduce the resistance of the HV earth electrode
below this 20Ω / 15Ω level.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 9 of 37 -

 d) The surface area of the HV earth electrode in contact with the soil shall be large
enough to prevent the soil around the electrode drying and increasing in
resistance during a fault.

e) All equipment / conductive parts within the GRP or masonry housing, including
rebar and the galvanised steel apron (where installed), shall be bonded to the
HV earth electrode.

f) When the doors to the GRP or masonry housing are closed, there shall be no
metal parts which are bonded to the HV earth electrode which can be touched
from outside the housing. 6 7

g) When the doors to the GRP or masonry housing are open, there shall be an
above ground separation of at least 2.5m between any metallic part which is
bonded to the HV earth electrode and any extraneous conductive part8 located
outside of the housing.

h) The earth potential rise shall be 3kV or less.

4.4 Additional Requirements For The WPD HV Earth Electrode AT ‘High EPR’ Sites

At ‘High EPR’ sites (see Section 2.0 above) the following additional earthing and
bonding requirements will apply:

a) The HV electrode shall be separated by sufficient below-ground distance from

(i) LV earth electrodes, (ii) from buildings and enclosures supplied from LV
systems, and (iii) from other specified installations9, in order to ensure that the
potential impressed on them in the event of a HV fault does not exceed safe
limits, or limits for telecommunication equipment.

b) When required by the earthing design, a tarmac apron shall be laid in front of
the GRP housing or a galvanised steel apron shall be provided inside the
masonry housing around the HV switchgear and HV Metering Unit. The
galvanised steel apron shall be bonded to the HV earth electrode.

6
For example, external handrails on flood resilient designs shall be manufactured from GRP and earthed
telecoms aerials/masts shall be positioned out of reach from ground level i.e. located not less than 2.5m
above ground level
7
The Freestanding GRP or masonry housing is an integral part of the arrangements for ensuring safety i.e.
non-conductive material for the outer walls which prevents earthed metal parts from being touched from
outside and extraneous conductive parts being touched from the inside. The substation must not be
energised with the housing missing or in a compromised state.
8
A conductive part liable to introduce a potential, generally earth potential, for example, metal fences, crash
barriers, etc.
9
Customer TT electrode, railway, tramway, telephone exchange, pipeline with cathodic protection, outdoor
swimming pool, outdoor paddling pool, outdoor shower, zoo, stable, pond/lake used for commercial fishing,
buried metalwork associated with the hazardous zone in a fuel filling station.

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4.5 Principal Requirements For The Customer’s HV Earth Electrode

The Customer’s HV earth electrode shall comply with the following principal
requirements:10

a) The Customer’s HV electrode shall have a resistance not greater than 20Ω for
11kV substations and 15Ω for 6.6kV substations. This resistance shall be
determined solely by the customer’s installed electrode system i.e. shall not
include any parallel contribution from the WPD network. 11

b) The WPD and Customer HV earthing systems shall be interconnected with two
earth bonds, each with a minimum cross sectional area of 70mm2.

The earth bonds shall be laid on diverse routes and connected to different parts of
the Customer’s HV electrode in order to mitigate against accidental disconnection or
severing of both connections concurrently.

The earth bonds shall be insulated and laid in ducts for their entire length. This means
they are clearly identifiable at the WPD substation and that periodic testing can be
undertaken in order to check whether interconnection has been lost.

4.6 Additional Requirements For The WPD HV Earth Electrode At Two Interconnected
RMU Sites

Where the supply to the HV Customer / IDNO is provided via two interconnected
RMUs which are located more than 10m apart, then each RMU installation shall be
treated as a separate standalone substation and the requirements of Sections 4.3,
4.4 and 4.5 shall apply in full to both.

Where the two interconnected RMUs are located 10m or less apart, then both RMU
installations shall be treated as a single integrated substation. The requirements of
Sections 4.3 and 4.4 shall apply in full to the first of the RMU installations, and the
following additional requirements shall apply to the second RMU installation:

a) A ring electrode with a minimum cross sectional area of 70mm2 shall be

provided around the second RMU housing buried at a depth of 600mm, with a
1200mm long, 12.7mm diameter earth rod at each corner.

b) A single insulated earth bond with a minimum cross sectional area of 70mm2
buried at a depth of 600mm shall be provided between the two RMU electrode
systems. 12

10
Strictly speaking the IDNO is responsible for specifying the requirements for an IDNO Customer’s HV
Electrode since the Customer is connected to the IDNO network. However, these requirements shall be
applied given that WPD’s protection systems are required to detect and clear faults between the IDNO
metering unit and the Customer’s HV switchgear.
11
This requirement is necessary in order to ensure that a fault on the Customer’s HV equipment is able to be
detected and cleared by WPD’s protection systems in the event that interconnection between the WPD HV
electrode and the Customer’s HV electrode has been inadvertently lost.
12
A single earth bond is required on the basis that the sheath of the HV cable which interconnects the two
RMUs is solidly bonded at both ends. A second earth bond shall be provided in the event that this cable
sheath is bonded at one end only.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 11 of 37 -

 c) All equipment / conductive parts within the GRP or masonry housing
associated with the second RMU, including rebar, shall be bonded to the HV
earth electrode.

d) When the doors to the GRP or masonry housing associated with the second
RMU are closed, there shall be no metal parts which are bonded to the HV
earth electrode which can be touched from outside the housing13 14.

e) When the doors to the GRP or masonry housing associated with the second
RMU are open, there shall be an above ground separation of at least 2.5m
between any metallic part which is bonded to the HV earth electrode and any
extraneous conductive part15 located outside of the housing.

f) At ‘High EPR’ sites, the HV separation distance requirements in Section 4.4 a)

above shall apply to the ring electrode associated with the second RMU.

g) At ‘High EPR’ sites, a tarmac apron or galvanised steel apron in accordance with
Section 4.4 b) above shall be provided on second RMU installation where
required by the earthing design.

h) The requirements of Section 4.5 above shall apply to the Customer’s HV earth
electrode. One of the two bonds shall be connected to the first RMU
installation, and the other shall be connected to the second RMU installation.

5.0 CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

This section contains the following drawings:

5.1 HV Earthing Arrangement

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1

5.2 HV Earthing Arrangement For Two Interconnected RMUs

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2

5.3 HV Separation Distance

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3

13
Earthed telecoms aerials/masts require special consideration, especially at ‘high EPR’ sites. They shall be
positioned not less than 2.5m above ground level.
14
The Freestanding GRP or masonry housing is an integral part of the arrangements for ensuring safety i.e.
non-conductive material for the outer walls which prevents earthed metal parts from being touched from
outside and extraneous conductive parts being touched from the inside. The HV Connection substation must
not be energised with the housing missing or in a compromised state.
15
A conductive part liable to introduce a potential, generally earth potential, for example, metal fences, crash
barriers, etc.

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5.4 HV Separation Distance For Two Interconnected RMUs

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4

5.5 Rebar Earth Point

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 (Revision 1)

5.6 Rebar Earth Point Connections

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6

5.7 Earth Rod Connections

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7

5.8 Tarmac Apron

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8

5.9 Galvanised Steel Apron

WPD Drawing Number TP21G-A Drg 9

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 KEY
0 0
CABLE BOX = Cable Box - RMU or MU Mounted
1m
2 1 2 MU = HV Metering Unit

3 3 RMU = Ring Main Unit

150mm
A = RMU / HV Switchgear Earth Bar
RMU, MU & CABLE BOXES SHOWN
OUT OF POSITION FOR CLARITY B = HV Customer Earth Bar
150mm 150mm
CABLE BOX
C = HV Earth Bar
9
MU 0 = Bonding Conductor Between WPD HV Electrode and Customer HV Electrode - 70mm2 Insulated Stranded Copper
Conductor – Two Continuous Lengths With Copper Compression Lug at WPD end – Laid On Diverse Routes and
9 9
1 4 B 1 Bonded To Different Parts Of Customer HV Electrode
A C = Perimeter Electrode - 70mm2 Bare Stranded Copper Conductor – One Continuous Length With Copper Compression
CABLE BOX
RMU

CABLE BOX
4 1
Lug On Each End

5 4 5 2 = 1.2m Copperbond Earth Rod With Exothermically Welded 70mm2 Bare Stranded Copper Conductor Tail

3 = 70mm2 Bare Stranded Copper Conductor Tail Exothermically Welded Or C Crimped Onto Perimeter Electrode
8
4 = 70mm2 Bare Stranded Copper Conductor With Copper Compression Lug On Each End

2 150mm 2 5 = Vertical Rebar to 70mm2 Bare Vertical Stranded Conductor Connection

3 3
6 = Additional 70mm2 Bare Stranded Copper Conductor To Achieve Electrode Resistance And/Or Surface Area Requirement
1 1 7 = Conductor (6) Doubled / Trebled Up Where Necessary To Achieve Surface Area Requirement

8 = 16mm2 Green / Yellow Insulated Stranded Copper Conductor To Metallic Fittings

6
9 = 3x25mm2 Copper Tape Connections To Earth Points On Plant Items & Cable Boxes

10 7 10 = No extraneous conductive parts within 2.5m reach of any metalwork bonded to HV Earth bar when doors to GRP
housing are open
NOTES
 Perimeter electrode (1) to be one continuous length and laid in direct contact with the soil 150mm from the outer
edge of the foundations and at a depth of 600mm.  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two interconnected RMUs
 Earth rods (2) to be 1200mm long. Tops of earth rod to be 600mm deep.  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance
 All items of plant to be bonded to the HV Earth bar [C].  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two interconnected RMUs
 Where metallic fittings are employed (for example, ventilation panels, door frames etc), these shall be bonded to  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
the RMU / HV Switchgear Earth bar using 16mm2, green/yellow PVC insulated, stranded copper conductor.  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
 Resistance of HV earth electrode to be less than 20 (11kV) or 15 (6.6kV) before WPD, IDNO & Customer HV  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
cables and bonding conductor between WPD & Customer HV electrodes are connected.
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
 Where necessary, additional electrode (6) & (7) to be laid in direct contact with the soil and at a depth of 600mm.
Conductor to be separated from any cable by not less than 150mm.  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron
 Bonding conductors to Customer HV electrode to be laid in 38mm duct for electric cables for entire length.

ORIGINAL ISSUE Date WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION

Design Department.
Drawn GPB 01/21
Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol BS2 OTB
Checked Tel: 0117 933 2000 Fax: 0117 933 2001.
Approved Title Drg. No. Rev No.
SCALE: HV Earthing Arrangement For HV Connection Substation In A
TP21G-G Drg 1
Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
Rev No. Drawn Chk'd App'd Date Revision

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 14 of 37 -

 0 0

HV earthing arrangement of HV earthing arrangement of

RMU1 shall be as per WPD RMU2 shall be as per WPD
Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1
except as follows:
RMU1 except as follows:
RMU2

(i) Bonding conductor (X) to be (i) Bonding conductor (X) to be

provided between RMU1 & provided between RMU1 &
RMU2
B 1 1 RMU2
B
(ii) Bonding conductors to C (ii) Bonding conductors to C
customer (0) to be customer (0) to be
arranged as shown on this arranged as shown on this
drawing drawing

(iii) If additional electrode (6) is (iii) If additional electrode (6) is

required it shall be required it shall be
connected to one RMU only connected to one RMU only

X X
6

KEY
NOTES
B = HV Customer Earth Bar
Bonding conductors (0) & (X) to be laid at a depth of 600mm and in a  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
38mm duct for electric cables for their entire length. C = HV Earth Bar
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance
Resistance of HV earth electrode to be less than 20 (11kV) or 15  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two
(6.6kV) before any HV cable or the Customer bonding conductors are 0 = Bonding Conductor Between WPD HV
Electrode and Customer HV Electrode interconnected RMUs
connected.
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
1 = Perimeter Electrode  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
6 = Additional HV Electrode
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
X = Bonding Conductor Between The Two  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron
WPD HV Electrodes

ORIGINAL ISSUE Date WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION

Design Department.
Drawn GPB 01/21
Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol BS2 OTB
Checked Tel: 0117 933 2000 Fax: 0117 933 2001.
Approved Title Drg. No. Rev No.
SCALE: HV Earthing Arrangement For Two Interconnected RMUs At TP21G-G Drg 2
HV Connection Substation In Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
Rev No. Drawn Chk'd App'd Date Revision

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 15 of 37 -

 HV SEPARATION DISTANCE 1 (m) HV SEPARATION DISTANCE 2 (m)
SOIL UPPER/
LOWER EPR EPR EPR EPR EPR EPR EPR EPR
D RESISTIVITY UPTO UPTO UPTO UPTO UPTO UPTO UPTO UPTO
RATIO 500V 1000V 2000V 3000V 500V 1000V 2000V 3000V

HV SEPARATION DISTANCES 10:1 2 2 4 6 2 4 8 12

1 & 2 APPLY UNLESS 5:1 2 2 4 6 2 4 8 12
EARTHING DESIGN REPORT 1:1 2 4 8 14 4 8 18 28
INDICATES OTHERWISE 1:2 2 6 14 22 6 14 28 40 *
1:3 2 8 18 28 8 18 36 40 *
1:4 2 8 20 32 8 20 40 * 40 *
1:5 2 10 24 38 10 24 40 * 40 *
40 *
1:6 2 10 26 40 * 10 26 40 * 40 *
The HV separation distance should,
in theory, be greater than 40m, 1:7 2 12 30 40 * 12 28 40 * 40 *
D D however, it is not reasonably 1:8 4 12 32 40 * 12 32 40 * 40 *
practicable to achieve and maintain 1:9 4 14 34 40 * 14 34 40 * 40 *
such distances
1:10 4 14 36 40 * 14 36 40 * 40 *

NOT PERMITTED WITHIN HV NOT PERMITTED WITHIN HV

SEPARATION DISTANCE 1: SEPARATION DISTANCE 2:

(1) PME/CNE/TN-C LV system, along (1) Railway or tramway

with buildings and enclosures
equipped with an electrical system (2) Telephone exchange
1 supplied from this system. This (3) Pipeline
includes any part of bare LV earth
electrode, LV PILC / PILCSWA cable, (4) Zoo, stable or pond/lake used for
D D PME electrodes, LV joint electrodes commercial fishing
(including stop ends) (5) Outdoor swimming pool, outdoor
paddling pool or outdoor shower
D (6) Customer TT electrode
KEY 6
(7) SNE/TN-S LV system, along with
buildings and enclosures equipped
1 = Perimeter Electrode D with an electrical system supplied
from this system. This includes any
6 = Additional HV Electrode part of bare LV earth electrode, LV
PILC / PILCSWA cable, LV joint
D = HV Separation Distance 1 or 2 electrodes (including stop ends)

 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two interconnected RMUs  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two interconnected RMUs  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron

ORIGINAL ISSUE Date WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION

Design Department.
Drawn GPB 01/21
Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol BS2 OTB
Checked Tel: 0117 933 2000 Fax: 0117 933 2001.
Approved Title Drg. No. Rev No.
SCALE: HV Separation Distance For A HV Connection Substation In A
TP21G-G Drg 3
Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
Rev No. Drawn Chk'd App'd Date Revision

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 16 of 37 -

 D D

RMU1 RMU2

D D D D

1 1

D D D
D

D
6

 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two
interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance KEY
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
1 = Perimeter Electrode
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections 6 = Additional HV Electrode
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
D = HV Separation Distance 1 or 2 as per WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron

ORIGINAL ISSUE Date WESTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION

Design Department.
Drawn GPB 01/21
Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol BS2 OTB
Checked Tel: 0117 933 2000 Fax: 0117 933 2001.
Approved Title Drg. No. Rev No.
SCALE: HV Earthing Arrangement For Two Interconnected RMUs At A HV TP21G-G Drg 4
Connection Substation In A Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
Rev No. Drawn Chk'd App'd Date Revision

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 17 of 37 -

 Note 1:
2No. 16mm x 1400mm rebar to BS 8666 Shape Code 11 (L shaped) with dimension A = 200mm
& dimension B = 1200mm.
Rebar to be located 75mm in from the corners of the cable pit
Rebar to protrude 50mm into cable pit to allow connection to earthing system to be made.
Rebar to be wire tied in not less than four places to the underside of the top layer of
reinforcement mesh.

 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two
interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two
interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron

Wire tied to underside of upper reinforcement

mesh in not less than four places

GPB 01/21

1 GPB 11/21 L shaped rebar diameter changed to 16mm Rebar Earth Point For HV Connection Substation In A
TP21G-G Drg 5 1
Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 18 of 37 -

 Vertical Rebar to Vertical Stranded Conductor
1
1st Choice: Exothermically welded connection 3

2nd Choice: Bolted connection (see diagram below)

1 = Rebar

2 = 70mm2 bare stranded copper conductor with tinned copper lug

3 = Single plate U bolt clamp with gunmetal plate

and copper U bolt 1 Connection To
2
3 Galvanised Steel Apron
(Where Applicable)
2

 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance
Connection To  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two interconnected RMUs
HV Earth bar
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron

GPB 01/21

Rebar Earth Point Connections For A HV Connection Substation

TP21G-G Drg 6
In A Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 19 of 37 -

 Connection - Earth Rod to 70mm2 Stranded Copper Tail Connection - 70mm2 Stranded Copper Tail to HV Earth Electrode (70mm2 Stranded Copper)

Only Choice: Exothermically welded connection 1st Choice: Exothermically welded connection

2nd Choice: C Crimped connection (see photograph below)

2
3 2
2

2
4
4

1
1
1 = Earth Rod

2 = 70mm2 bare stranded copper conductor tail

3 = C Crimp

4 = HV earth electrode (70mm2 bare stranded copper conductor)

 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron

GPB 01/21

Earth Rod Connections For A HV Connection Substation In A

TP21G-G Drg 7
Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 20 of 37 -

  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two
interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two
interconnected RMUs
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections

0.99m  See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
 See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 9 for details of galvanised steel apron

1.03m
NOTES

Tarmac apron to be installed only when required by earthing design.

Concrete Edging Excavate total area to required depth and remove all waste from site.

Protect cables with not less than 150mm stone dust.

1m

TARMAC APRON
3 Backfill the recess in the plinth and the area of the apron with MOT Type 1 crushed limestone (minimum depth
150mm) and compact. #

Lay concrete edging around external perimeter on a bed of 100mm concrete and haunch both front and back
3.6m with concrete for additional support. Edging to be laid with falls and cross falls to assist water escape on the
finished surface.

Lay 80mm of 20mm binder course tarmacadam within the area of the apron and compact.#

Lay 20mm of 6mm surface course tarmacadam within the area of the apron and compact.#

Finished level of tarmac to be 50mm below top of concrete plinth.

# It is accepted that mechanical compaction to normal standards may not be possible close to the cables or beneath
overhanging equipment in the recess within the housing.

GPB 01/21

Tarmac Apron For A HV Connection Substation In A

TP21G-G Drg 8
Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 21 of 37 -

 - See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 1 for details of HV earthing arrangement
- See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 2 for details of HV earthing arrangement for two interconnected RMUs
- See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 3 for details of HV separation distance

1.0m x 1.0m 1.0m x 1.0m 1.0m x 1.0m - See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 4 for details of HV separation distance for two interconnected RMUs
- See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 5 for details of rebar earth point
- See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 6 for details of rebar earth point connections
- See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 7 for details of earth rod connections
0.7m x 0.7m x - See WPD Drawing Number TP21G-G Drg 8 for details of tarmac apron
To HV Earth bar
1.0m 1.0m
A

0.7m x 0.7m x
0.6m 0.6m
Welded Steel Grating (Galvanised)
1
1.0m x 0.8m 1.0m x 0.8m 1.0m x 0.8m

NOTES

Galvanised steel apron to be installed only when required by earthing design .

Gratings to be bolted together using five stainless steel fixings per side (comprising nut , bolt, two plain washers & A = ‘U’ Bolt Rebar Earth Clamp
spring washer). Mating surfaces of grating to be smeared with contact grease prior to bolting together .
1 = 70mm2 Bare Stranded Copper Conductor With Copper Compression Lug On Each End
70mm2 bare stranded copper conductor with copper compression lug on each end to be connected between ‘U’ bolt
clamp attached to the rebar and the grating immediately below the HV ring main unit .

Under no circumstances shall the grating be accessible by anyone outside the housing when the housing doors are
closed.

GPB 01/21

Galvanised Steel Apron For HV Connection Substation In A

TP21G-G Drg 9 0
Freestanding Masonry Housing

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 22 of 37 -

6.0 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Preamble

This section should be read in conjunction with the construction drawings in Section
0 and the following documents:

 Standard Technique NC1V: Standard Foundation and Enclosure Details and

Specifications for HV Substation Plant 16

 Engineering Equipment Specification 132: Earthing Materials and Associated

Sundry Items.

6.2 Common Construction Requirements

The earthing system for a HV Connection substation accommodated within a

freestanding GRP or masonry housing shall comply with the following common
construction requirements.

6.2.1 HV Electrode System

The location of the HV electrode system shall comply with the HV Separation
distance requirement.

The HV electrode system shall minimise the number of below ground, and maximise
the number of above ground, joints and connections in order to facilitate joint
resistance measurements during planned routine maintenance of the earthing
system.

6.2.1.1 ‘HV Earth’ Bar

A ‘HV Earth’ bar shall be provided directly above the cable trough for the incoming
WPD HV cables.

The earth bar shall be mounted above floor level on the HV switchgear or supporting
steelwork. Its location shall not restrict access to the HV cables or other equipment,
nor interfere with the opening of any of the equipment doors.

The earth bar shall be manufactured from copper, have a cross section of not less
than 50mm x 6mm, and be provided with six M10 studs at 50mm centres for the
connection of cable lugs associated with the HV electrode system.

16
The earthing arrangements are based around drawings EKV0017, EKV018, EKV0020, EKV021, EKV0091,
EKV0092 and EKV0093.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 23 of 37 -

6.2.1.2 ‘HV Customer’ Earth Bar

A ‘HV Customer’ earth bar shall be provided directly above the cable trough for the
outgoing cable to the HV Customer.

The earth bar shall be mounted above floor level on the HV switchgear or supporting
steelwork. Its location shall not restrict access to the HV cables or other equipment,
nor interfere with the opening of any of the equipment doors.

The earth bar shall be manufactured from copper, have a cross section of not less
than 50mm x 6mm, and be provided with three M10 studs at 50mm centres for the
connection of cable lugs associated with the bonding conductors to the Customer’s
HV electrode system.

6.2.1.3 Ring Electrode

A single continuous length of 70mm2 bare, stranded, hard-drawn copper conductor

shall be laid around the perimeter of the substation foundation and both ends shall
be connected to HV Earth Bar.

The conductor shall be laid in direct contact with soil at a depth of 600mm and
150mm away from the outer edge of the foundations.

6.2.1.4 Earth Rods

A 1.2m long, 12.7mm diameter, copper-bonded earth rod shall be driven into the
ground at each corner of the ring electrode such that the top of the rod is at a depth
of 600mm.

Each earth rod shall be connected to the ring electrode using 70mm2 bare, stranded,
hard-drawn copper conductor. This conductor shall be exothermically welded to the
earth rod and either exothermically welded or ‘C’ crimped to the ring electrode.

6.2.1.5 Additional HV Electrode

When required by the earthing design, a single continuous length of 70mm2 bare,
stranded, hard-drawn copper conductor shall be laid in direct contact with soil at a
depth of 600mm (1000mm in arable land) in a radial direction away from the
substation.

Where the additional HV electrode is laid in the same trench as a cable, the bare
conductor shall be not less than 150mm away from the cable.

At the HV Connection substation end, the conductor shall be connected to HV Earth

Bar.

When required by the earthing design, the additional HV electrode shall be doubled-
up or trebled-up by laying additional lengths of 70mm2 bare, stranded, hard-drawn
copper conductor in parallel with it. These extra conductors shall be laid 100mm
away from the additional HV electrode and be ‘C’ crimped onto it adjacent to the
perimeter electrode.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 24 of 37 -

6.2.2 Rebar

A connection shall be provided between the HV Earth bar and the foundation rebar.

The connection shall be bonded to the rebar at two discrete locations where bolted
connections are employed, and at least one location (preferably two) where
exothermic welded connections are employed.

The following requirements apply where bolted connections are employed:

 The connection shall consist of two lengths of 70mm2 bare, stranded, hard-
drawn copper conductor, each with a copper compression lug at each end.

 One conductor shall be connected between the HV Earth bar and a ‘U’ bolt
clamp attached to the rebar. The second length of conductor shall be loop
connected from the same ‘U’ bolt clamp to a second ‘U’ bolt clamp attached to
the rebar at a different location.

The following requirements apply where exothermically welded connections are

employed:

 The connection shall consist of one length of 70mm2 bare, stranded, hard-
drawn copper conductor with a copper compression lug at one end.

 The lugged end shall be connected to the HV Earth bar and the other end shall
be exothermically welded to the rebar.

6.2.3 HV Cables & Cable Boxes

All HV cable sheaths / screen wires shall be connected to the HV Earth bar, as shown
in Figure 1 below. The bonding conductor shall have a cross sectional area not less
than 70mm2.

Where a HV cable passes through an earth fault passage indicator (EFI) CT, the cable
sheath / screen wires for that cable shall be brought back through the CT before
being connected to the RMU / HV switchgear earth bar.

It is not acceptable for HV cable sheaths / screen wires to be directly connected to

the cable box and rely on a fortuitous connection to the HV earth electrode system.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 25 of 37 -

 Figure 1: HV Cable Sheath Bonding Arrangement

6.2.4 HV Switchgear (RMU)

The RMU / HV switchgear earth bar shall be bonded to the HV Earth Bar. The bonding
conductors shall have a cross sectional area not less than 70mm2.

6.2.5 HV Metering Unit

The HV Metering Unit earth terminal shall be bonded to the HV Earth bar. The
bonding conductors shall have a cross sectional area not less than 70mm2.

6.2.6 Other Metal Boxes / Cabinets Within The GRP Or Masonry Housing

6.2.6.1 Metal Boxes / Cabinets Mounted On HV Switchgear Or Metering Unit

Metal boxes or cabinets which are bolted to the RMU / HV switchgear or Metering
Unit are effectively bonded to the HV earth electrode via the equipment they are
mounted on. Consequently there is no requirement to provide a discrete bonding
cable between the metal box/cabinet and HV Earth Bar.

6.2.6.2 Freestanding Metal Boxes / Cabinets

Metal boxes or cabinets which are freestanding shall be bonded to HV Earth Bar using
a minimum of 16mm2 insulated stranded copper cable.

6.2.7 Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing

The walls and doors of the housing shall be electrically non-conductive.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 26 of 37 -

 Small metallic parts that form part of the GRP or masonry housing do not need to be
bonded to HV Earth Bar.

When the doors to the GRP or masonry housing are closed it shall not be possible,
from a position outside the housing, to touch any metal parts which are bonded to
HV Earth Bar.

6.2.8 Extraneous Conductive Parts Located Outside Of The Housing

When the doors to the GRP or masonry housing are open, there shall be a minimum
above ground separation of at least 2.5m between any metallic part which is bonded
to HV Earth Bar and any extraneous conductive part17 located outside of the housing.

6.3 Additional Construction Requirements For ‘Low EPR’ Sites

The earthing system shall comply with the following additional construction
requirements where the HV Connection substation is a ‘low EPR’ site:

6.3.1 Substation LV Auxiliary Power Supplies

Unless otherwise agreed with WPD, the HV Customer normally provides WPD with a
230V supply from its installation.

At ‘low EPR’ sites the LV auxiliary supply for the HV Connection substation (e.g. for
lighting, sockets, etc.) may be derived directly from the Customer’s LV installation.

6.4 Additional Construction Requirements For ‘High EPR’ Sites

The earthing system shall comply with the following additional construction
requirements where the HV Connection substation is a ‘high EPR’ site:

6.4.1 Tarmacadam Apron For GRP Housings

When required by the earthing design, a 100mm thick tarmacadam ‘apron’ shall be
provided outside of the GRP housing in front of the doors, and inside the GRP housing
in the recess in the concrete plinth. 18

The tarmacadam apron shall extend not less than 1m away from any metalwork
which is bonded to the HV Earth bar, including the HV switchgear and Metering Unit.

17
A conductive part liable to introduce a potential, generally earth potential, for example, metal fences, crash
barriers, etc.
18
GRP housings are very compact and there is less than 1m between the HV switchgear, metering unit and the
housing. A 1m deep apron will extend outside of the housing and consequently must be made from an
insulating material such as tarmacadam.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 27 of 37 -

6.4.2 Galvanised Steel Apron For Masonry Housings

When required by the earthing design, a galvanised steel ‘apron’ shall be provided in
front of the HV switchgear and Metering Unit inside the masonry housing. 19

The apron shall consist of a number of galvanised steel gratings bolted together such
that they extend not less than 1m away from any metalwork which is bonded to the
HV steelwork earth bar.

The gratings shall be bolted together using five stainless steel fixings per side
(comprising nut, bolt, two plain washers & spring washer). Mating surfaces of the
gratings shall be smeared with contact grease prior to bolting together.

A length of 70mm2 bare stranded copper conductor with a copper compression lug
on each end shall be connected between a ‘U’ bolt clamp attached to the rebar and
the grating immediately below the HV ring main unit.

6.4.3 Substation LV Auxiliary Power Supplies

Unless otherwise agreed with WPD, the HV Customer normally provides WPD with a
230V supply from its LV installation.

At ‘high EPR’ sites the LV auxiliary supply for the HV Connection substation (e.g. for
lighting, sockets, etc.) shall not be derived directly from the Customer’s LV
installation where the Customer employs segregated HV & LV earth electrodes, but
indirectly via a 230V/230V isolation transformer, as shown in Figure 3 below.

The isolating transformer shall be capable of providing 7kV galvanic isolation

between its primary and secondary windings in order to ensure HV and LV earthing
systems are segregated.

The isolating transformer shall have a VA rating in excess of the maximum

anticipated LV auxiliary supply load. Standard values used by WPD include 500VA
(2A), 3.7kVA (16A) and 7.4kVA (32A).

The armouring / protective conductor associated with the LV supply cable shall not
be connected to earth at the HV Connection substation end, for example, by the use
of isolation glands or by terminating the cable onto a non-conducting gland plate.
Suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent the armouring / gland from being
touched due to the hazard of transfer potentials.

19
Masonry housings generally have more than 1m between the HV switchgear, metering unit and the housing
(drawings EKV0018). A 1m deep apron will be wholly contained within the housing and consequently may be
made from either an insulating or conductive material. A galvanised steel apron is considered to be the most
practical.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 28 of 37 -

 230V / 230V ISOLATION TRANSFORMER

L L
To load e.g.
LV Supply From
lights, sockets,
Customer
N N automation etc

LV EARTH

Cable armour not

connected at HV
substation end

To ‘HV Earth’

Note: Fuses, Links, RCDs etc not shown for clarity

Figure 2: Isolation Transformer Arrangement

6.4.4 HV Metering

Only non-metallic remote meter cabinets shall be employed.

Where the HV Customer elects to ensure safety on its LV installation by segregating

its HV & LV earth electrodes, the earthing implications of any cabling which
enters/exists the area enclosed by the WPD and Customer HV electrodes needs to
be considered carefully.

Where the HV Customer requires access to meter pulses and the signal cable is to be
taken outside of the area enclosed by the WPD and Customer HV electrode, the
armouring and screen wires associated with the signalling cable shall be connected
to earth at one end only. Suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent the
armouring and screen wires from being touched at the unearthed end due to the
hazard of transfer potentials.

Where the remote meter cabinet is to be located outside the area enclosed by the
WPD or Customer HV electrode, the armouring associated with the cable from the
HV metering unit shall be connected to earth at one end only. Suitable precautions
shall be taken to prevent the armouring from being touched at the unearthed end
due to the hazard of transferred potentials. 20

6.4.5 HV Customer Interface Cabling

Where the HV Customer elects to ensure safety on its LV installation by segregating

its HV & LV earth electrodes, the earthing implications of any cabling which
enters/exists the area enclosed by the WPD and Customer HV electrodes needs to
be considered carefully.

Where the interface cabling connects to plant or apparatus located outside the area
enclosed by the WPD or Customer HV electrode, the armouring associated with the
cable shall be connected to earth at one end only. Suitable precautions shall be taken
to prevent the armouring from being touched at the unearthed end due to the
hazard of transferred potentials.

20
Note that the metering CT and VT secondary circuits will be earthed via the HV earth electrode and hence
there will be a transfer potential hazard whenever the secondary circuits are being worked upon.

ST: TP21GG/1 April 2022 - 29 of 37 -

6.4.6 HV Customer’s LV Earth Electrodes

Where the HV Customer elects to ensure safety on its LV installation by segregating

its HV & LV earth electrodes, then no uninsulated part of the HV Customer’s LV earth
electrode shall be located closer than the HV separation distance to any part of the
HV earth electrode of the HV Connection substation.

In the event the HV Customer employs TT earth electrodes on part of its LV

installation, then no TT earth electrode shall be located closer to any part of the HV
earth electrode than the HV separation distance.

6.4.7 Other LV Electrode Systems

6.4.7.1 Substation LV Electrodes

In the event that another HV/LV substation is located within the neighbourhood of
the HV Connection substation, then no uninsulated part of a separate LV earth
electrode or combined HV & LV electrode shall be located closer than the HV
separation distance to any part of the HV earth electrode of the HV Connection
substation.

6.4.7.2 Network LV Electrodes

In the event that the WPD LV network is located within the neighbourhood of the HV
Connection substation, then no part of the following items shall be located closer
than the HV separation distance to any part of the HV earth electrode of the HV
Connection substation:

 PME electrodes
 LV PILC cable
 LV Joints

Guidance Note
Note that LV joints which do not have an associated earth electrode would be
acceptable within the HV separation distance. However, the option to omit the
earth electrode does not currently feature in WPD LV Jointing Procedures.

6.4.7.3 Other Customer LV Electrodes

In the event that another customer is located in the neighbourhood of the HV

Connection substation, then no LV earth electrodes associated with that other
customer (for example, TT electrodes) shall be located closer than the HV separation
distance to any part of the HV earth electrode of the HV Connection substation.

6.5 Construction Requirements For The Customer’s HV Electrode

The WPD HV electrode and the Customer HV electrode shall be interconnected with
two insulated earth bonds, each with a minimum cross sectional area of 70mm2.

At the WPD substation end, the earth bonds shall be connected to the ‘HV Customer’
earth bar.

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 The insulated conductors shall be laid for their entire length in separate 38mm
diameter, Class 3, general purpose ducts for buried electric cables (see Engineering
Equipment Specification 113 for further details) and at a depth of 600mm.

The earth bonds shall be laid on diverse routes and connected to different parts of
the Customer’s HV electrode in order to mitigate against accidental disconnection or
severing of both connections concurrently.

6.6 Additional Construction Requirements For Two RMU Type Connections

The HV electrodes associated with the two RMUs shall be interconnected with an
insulated earth bond with a minimum cross sectional area of 70mm2.

The earth bond shall be connected to the ‘HV Earth’ bar.

The insulated conductor shall be laid for its entire length in separate 38mm diameter,
Class 3, general purpose ducts for buried electric cables (see Engineering Equipment
Specification 113 for further details) and at a depth of 600mm (1000mm in arable
land).

7.0 COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS

The earthing system associated with HV Connection substation shall be

commissioned in accordance with Standard Technique TP21T-A: Commissioning of
Earthing Systems: Part A: Ground-Mounted Secondary System Substations.

The commissioning tests shall include the following:

a. The resistance of the complete WPD HV electrode shall be measured prior to

the connection of (i) any WPD HV cable, (ii) any Customer/IDNO HV cable, or
(iii) any earth bond between the WPD and Customer HV electrodes. For 11kV
substations the measured resistance shall be 20 ohms or less, and for 6.6kV
substations the measured resistance shall be 15 ohms or less.

b. The resistance of the complete Customer HV electrode shall be measured prior

to the connection of (i) the Customer HV cable, or (ii) any earth bond between
the WPD and Customer HV electrodes. For 11kV substations the measured
resistance shall be 20 ohms or less, and for 6.6kV substations the measured
resistance shall be 15 ohms or less.

c. The resistance of the complete HV electrode shall be measured again once all
HV cables and earth bonds have been connected to the HV Connection
substation. The measured resistance shall be not greater than the calculated
design value for the substation.

Electrode resistance measurements shall be carried out in accordance with Standard

Technique TP21O-B: Earthing System Measurements: Part B: Electrode Resistance.

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8.0 RECORDS

8.1 CROWN Records

A copy of the ‘Earthing Design Report’ for the HV Connection substation shall be
included within ‘DOCS’ against the ‘Commission’ event for the Substation Register,
following the process shown below:

a) In CROWN select ‘Asset Management’ and then ‘Substations’. Click on ‘Action’

and then ‘Find’. Search for the HV Connection substation.

b) On the ‘Substation Register’ for the site and click on the ‘Details’ button.

c) Check the ‘High EPR Site’ and ‘Hot Site’ boxes (where applicable). Click on the
list of values (LOV) adjacent to ‘Earthing type’.

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 d) Select ‘Hv Only (HV Customer)’ from the drop down list and click ‘OK’.

e) Click ‘OK’.

f) Click ‘Action’ and then ‘Save’.

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 g) Click ‘Yes’ to confirm.

h) Click on the ‘events’ tab

i) Select the ‘Commission’ event and click on the ‘Amend’ button

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 j) Click on the ‘Docs’ button

k) Click on the ‘Upload’ button

l) Find the Earthing Design Report in the folder system and click on the ‘Open’
button

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 m) Click ‘OK’ button to acknowledge.

8.2 EMU Records

The route of the HV earth electrode shall be recorded in EMU using the same
methodology employed for cables.

The following information shall be recorded immediately adjacent to the HV earth

electrode:

 The ‘as commissioned’ resistance of the complete HV electrode system prior

to the connection of any HV cable onto the unit substation.

 The HV separation distance.

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 APPENDIX A

SUPERSEDED DOCUMENTATION

This document supersedes ST: TP21GG dated June 2021 which has now been withdrawn.

APPENDIX B

RECORD OF COMMENT DURING CONSULTATION

No comments received.

APPENDIX C

ANCILLARY DOCUMENTATION

POL: TP21 Fixed Earthing Systems

APPENDIX D

KEYWORDS

Design; Standard; Earthing; Distribution; Substation; Ground; Mounted;

GRP; Masonry; HV; Connection; Customer;

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