How to inspect the condition of substation ground grid using high currents
There is a lot of methods and instruments for inspection of the groundings and connections in the substation, but how to choose a proper one?
DV Power GGT instrument is a powerful micro ohmmeter, but it is also a much more. It is intended for inspection of connections in the ground grid beneath the substation, and between ground grid and all apparatuses in substations.
To learn more about ground grid test method, that has been developed based on practical testing experience collected from end users in the field, read our application note. It gives you a detailed explanation how to test and interpret results obtained with the instrument.
Introduction
Beneath every substation, there is a ground grid that provides proper grounding of all apparatuses in substations. The purpose of this grid is to improve the safety of both personnel and apparatuses in the substation.
Over time, this grid can deteriorate due to corrosion, ground movements, grid fatigue, high energy conductance (lightning) and construction damage. All of this can cause various safety problems.
Testing Procedures
There are various test procedures to inspect the state of grounding systems. The most relevant standard is IEEE 81 which refers to practical test methods and techniques for measuring the electrical characteristics of grounding systems. The test method explained in this application note has been developed based on practical testing experience collected from end-users in the field.
The ground grid testing method described here can be performed quickly and easily in order to obtain information about the condition of the grounding system. This test method is completely different compared to the “ground resistance measurement test” which requires the use of an AC source.
When performing a test with GGT500, a single pair of current cables should be used. One cable (black) is connected to the reference grounding point in the substation. The ideal reference grounding point is usually near the center of the substation, next to major apparatus like a transformer or a circuit breaker that usually have multiple ground connections. The second current cable (red) is connected to the ground point of the substation under test. See Figure 1.
The test is performed by injecting continuous DC current between the desired measurement point and reference point. In the Ground Grid menu of the GGT500 instrument, test parameters can be predefined. Test current is by default set to 300 A with a duration of 60 s. If necessary, all test parameters could be manually changed.
During the test, two current values should be measured by external current clamp meter(s) – current through the grounding cable above (“UP” current) and current below (“DOWN” current) the point where the red cable/clamp is connected. Test duration depends on how much time the user needs to measure these two currents. If the measurements are completed before the selected test time expires, the test can be stopped. Based on the measured current values a conclusion about the condition of the grounding grid can be made.
Conclusions
In most cases “DOWN” current must be higher than the “UP” current. If the “UP” current is lower compared to the “DOWN” current, it is concluded that grounding is in good condition and it is a good “ground path”. If the “UP” current is higher, that grounding point should be inspected in order to check if there is any deterioration or damage that must be repaired.
In special cases when we are testing grounding of apparatus that have multiple ground connections, “UP” current can be higher than “DOWN” current. In those cases, we can say that the grounding path is OK if on more than half of the grounding points of that apparatus “DOWN” current is higher than the “UP” current.
All grounding points in the substation should be tested that way.
Also, it is very important to measure the voltage drop during the test. Criteria for determining the condition of the tested grounding depend on what are we testing. As a reference we can use values from Table 1, for copper-based groundings:
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