Improved Design of Square Grounding Grids

Vertical ground rods are the simplest and commonly used means for earth termination of electrical and lightning protection systems. It plays an important role when adding to the grounding grid to improve the performance of it by reducing not only the grid resistance but also the step and touch voltages to values that safe for human. A boundary element approach uses to get the numerical computation of grounding system analysis such as the equivalent resistance and the distribution of potential on the earth surface due to fault currents. The paper investigates the effect of vertical rods location on the value of the grid resistance, step and touch voltage. It presents some cases of square grids to explain the best case that satisfies the best grid performance and economical cost.