Application of Advanced Grounding Design Techniques to Plant Grounding Systems

Advanced grounding simulation methods and design techniques, used to model a large plant grounding network that includes multiple interconnected grounding systems located near a lake, are presented in this paper. The grounding simulations were conducted in order to analyze the multiple interconnected ground systems subjected to AC power frequency fault currents discharged into the soil. The performance of the grounding systems in soil structures containing heterogeneous soil volumes has been studied, in terms of ground resistance, ground potential rise (GPR), touch voltages, and step voltages. Furthermore, a practical counterpoise arrangement is simulated with the grounding systems in order to improve the performance of the grounding systems