USER GUIDE

EARTHING DESIGN TOOL

FOR GROUND-MOUNTED DISTRIBUTION SUBSTATIONS

Author: Graham Brewster

Date: March 2021

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 Document Revision & Review Table

Date Comments Author

Mar 2021 Version 1 of User Guide issued Graham Brewster

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 Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 5

2.0 SETTING UP MICROSOFT EXCEL .............................................................................. 5

3.0 USER INTERFACE .................................................................................................... 6

3.1 ‘Read Me’ Tab.......................................................................................................................6
3.2 ‘Disclaimer’ Tab ....................................................................................................................7
3.3 ‘User Guide’ Tab ...................................................................................................................7
3.4 ‘Job Input’ and ‘Design Input’ Tabs......................................................................................7
3.5 ‘Publish Report’ Tab ...........................................................................................................10

4.0 ENTERING JOB / PROJECT DETAILS ........................................................................ 13

5.0 UNDERTAKING AN EARTHING DESIGN .................................................................. 15

5.1 Design Input 0.....................................................................................................................16
5.2 Design Input 1.....................................................................................................................16
5.3 Design Input 2.....................................................................................................................17
5.4 Design Input 3.....................................................................................................................17
5.5 Design Input 4.....................................................................................................................18
5.6 Design Inputs 5 & 6 ............................................................................................................18
5.7 Design Inputs 7 & 7A ..........................................................................................................19
5.8 Design Input 8 & 8A............................................................................................................20
5.9 Design Input 9 & 9A............................................................................................................20
5.10 Design Input 10...................................................................................................................21
5.11 Design Input 11...................................................................................................................22
5.12 Design Input 12...................................................................................................................23
5.13 Design Input 13...................................................................................................................25
5.14 Design Input 14...................................................................................................................25
5.15 Design Inputs 14A & 14B....................................................................................................26
5.16 Design Inputs 15 & 16 ........................................................................................................27
5.17 Design Inputs 17, 18 & 18A ................................................................................................28
5.18 Design Input 19A ................................................................................................................29
5.19 Design Input 19...................................................................................................................30
5.20 Design Inputs 20 & 20A ......................................................................................................30
5.21 Design Input 21...................................................................................................................31
5.22 Design Inputs 22 & 22A ......................................................................................................32

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5.23 Design Input 23...................................................................................................................33
5.24 Design Input 24...................................................................................................................34
5.25 Design Inputs 25 & 25A ......................................................................................................35
5.26 Design Input 26...................................................................................................................36
5.27 Final Review ........................................................................................................................37

6.0 INTERPRETING THE EARTHING REPORT ................................................................. 38

7.0 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE.......................................................................................... 40

7.1 Design Input 14A & 14B .....................................................................................................40
7.2 Design Inputs 17, 18 & 18A ................................................................................................41
7.3 Design Input 24...................................................................................................................44

8.0 USER SUPPORT ..................................................................................................... 45

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This is a User Guide for the Earthing Design Tool (i.e. Microsoft Excel Workbook) incorporated within
WPD Standard Techniques TP21G-A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H relating to ground-mounted distribution
substation earthing design.

2.0 SETTING UP MICROSOFT EXCEL

The Earthing Design Tool employs visual basic (VBA) programming language. Microsoft Excel
determines whether to allow or disallow VBA codes to run based on the “macro” setting selected in
the Trust Center, which is the place where all the security settings for Excel are configured.

Excel’s default setting is to disable all macros with notification, which means when you first open
the Earthing Design Tool a yellow security warning bar may appear at the top of the worksheet.

Click ‘Enable Content’. This will turn on the macros and make the file a ‘trusted document’. The next
time you open the workbook, the security warning shouldn’t appear.

The following actions are also required in order to ensure that any changes to your inputs are
instantly incorporated into the answers:
 Select ‘File’
 Select ‘Options’
 Select ‘Formulas’
 In the ‘Calculations option’ section, select the ‘Automatic’ radio button and check the ‘Enable
iterative calculations’ checkbox.
 Select ‘OK’

Earthing Design Reports are published in pdf format in the same folder as the Earthing Design Tool.
In order to ensure the reports are subsequently easy to find, it is recommended that the Earthing
Design Tool is saved to a known folder location prior to using it, rather than running it directly from
an email attachment or internet download folder.

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3.0 USER INTERFACE

The ‘Earthing Design Tool’ (EDT) is a Microsoft Excel workbook where Planners key-in planning
information and the EDT generates an earthing design. All calculations are done by the tool and no
specialist earthing knowledge is required by the Planners.

The EDT has six tabs, namely:

 Read Me
 Disclaimer
 User Guide
 Job Input
 Design Input
 Publish Report

3.1 ‘Read Me’ Tab

The ‘Read Me’ tab explains how to use the EDT.

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3.2 ‘Disclaimer’ Tab

The ‘Disclaimer’ tab explains that the EDT is only suitable for designing earthing systems for WPD o
wned or adopted ground mounted distribution substations.

3.3 ‘User Guide’ Tab

An embedded pdf document providing step-by-step instructions on using the EDT can be found on
the ‘User Guide’ tab. The guide is opened by clicking on the pdf icon.

3.4 ‘Job Input’ and ‘Design Input’ Tabs

Job / project details are entered on the ‘Job Input’ tab and earthing design details are entered on
the ‘Design Input’ tab.

The ‘Job Input’ and ‘Design Input’ tabs have the same user interface.

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Information is displayed in white shaded cells.

Data is entered into blue shaded cells.

Markers in the left margin indicate where data entry is required. You can, if you wish, scroll from
one marker to the next and ignore everything to the right (apart from error messages). Note that
the markers may not be in numerical order as some data entry points & markers are hidden /
revealed depending on some of the user selections.

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Warnings and error messages are displayed in red font

Where a warning message suggests a potential course of action, a hyperlink will transport you to
the relevant data entry point.

‘Help’ buttons provide additional information or guidance

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 Where dropdown boxes are provided the User should select values from the list and not type the
information in. Typing is likely to result in the data not being recognized or a ‘run-time error’ being
generated. In the event of the latter, click on ‘End’ and select the appropriate value from the
dropdown list.

3.5 ‘Publish Report’ Tab

An ‘Earthing Design Report’ for the ground-mounted distribution substation in question can be
published in pdf format via the ‘Publish Report’ tab.

The report cannot be published until there are no unresolved issues present. Any unresolved issues
are listed in the error message box

The ‘Publish Report’ button is hidden until all these issues have been remedied

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The hyperlink transports you to the data entry point, where the error can be remedied

The ‘Publish Report’ button is visible once all issues have been resolved.

Earthing Design Reports are published in pdf format by clicking on the ‘Publish Report’ button. The
report is automatically saved in the same folder as the Earthing Design Tool.

The filename of the report will be “ER_WPD_[Distribution Licence Area]_[Crown Enquiry or Job Reference
Number]_[dd-mm-yyyy-hh-mm-ss].pdf”.

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4.0 ENTERING JOB / PROJECT DETAILS

Job / project details are entered on the ‘Job Input’ tab.

A different question set is employed depending on whether a “WPD” or “ICP” designed job is
selected at Job Input 1.

The question set for a WPD designed job is as follows:

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The question set for an ICP designed job is as follows:

Only alphanumeric characters (i.e. a to z and 0 to 9) can be used for the WPD Crown Enquiry Number
/ ICP Job Reference Number (as appropriate) at Job Input 4. Slashes, hyphens, underscores and
other special characters cannot be used.

The WPD distribution licence area selection at Job Input 5 determines the source substation (i.e.
Grid and Primary) list that appears on the ‘Design Input’ tab and consequently must be correct.

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5.0 UNDERTAKING AN EARTHING DESIGN

Earthing design is undertaken on the ‘Design Input’ tab.

Users should have a general understanding of distribution substation earthing systems, however,
no specialist earthing knowledge is required.

Users are required to key-in planning type information and propose electrode arrangements, and
the EDT generates an earthing design using the data entered. All calculations are done by the tool.
Users are prompted to adjust the electrode arrangement where the earthing design is
unsatisfactory.

Earthing designs can be undertaken using four different methodologies, namely:

 Basic
 Intermediate
 Advanced – Fault Level Study
 Advanced – Arc Suppression Coils (ASC) Earthing

The requisite methodology is selected at Design Input 3. The selection determines which Design
Inputs are applicable (i.e. are visible to the User) and which are not applicable (i.e. are hidden from
view).

Ordinarily, the ‘basic’ methodology should be employed. This is the default option when the EDT is
opened and is expected to produce an efficient earthing design in the majority of cases.

The ‘basic’ methodology makes a number of assumptions, for example, about the maximum earth
fault current at the source substation and the fault clearance times. Where this results in an earthing
design which is less than ideal, or the assumptions are unsound, then the ‘intermediate’
methodology allows the User to adjust these assumed values once more accurate data has been
obtained.

The ‘Advanced – Fault Level Study’ methodology is essentially the same as the ‘intermediate’
methodology except that system impedance information, obtained from power system analysis
software such as DINIS, is employed.

The ‘Advanced – ASC Earthing’ methodology should only be employed where the ground mounted
distribution substation is supplied exclusively from an ASC earthed network i.e. where the ASC is
never shorted to solid or impedance earth, or the distribution substation is never alternatively
supplied from an adjacent source substation with more conventional neutral earthing arrangement.
This means this methodology is unlikely to ever be appropriate for the WPD distribution network.

In order to avoid repetition, the Design Inputs are described in numerical order and a marker is
placed at the start of each one to indicate which methodologies apply.

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

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5.1 Design Input 0

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The EDT incorporates the ability to generate an earthing design for the seven WPD ‘standard’
ground-mounted distribution substation formats, namely:
 Unit Substation In Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
 Unit Substation Integrated Within Larger Building
 Padmount Substation
 LV Connection Substation In A Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
 LV Connection Substation Integrated Within A Larger Building
 HV Connection Substation In Freestanding GRP Or Masonry Housing
 HV Connection Substation Integrated Within Larger Building

Each format employs a slightly different dataset in the background and consequently it is
important to select the correct arrangement at Design Input 0.

The EDT also signposts the WPD Standard Technique containing the earthing construction
drawings upon which the earthing design is based.

5.2 Design Input 1

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Design Input 1 allows the User to indicate whether the site requires a special earthing design, for
example, because it supplies:
 A mobile phone base station mounted on a 132kV / 275kV / 400kV tower line
 A substation or power station where the maximum operating voltage is in excess of 20kV
 An electrified railway or tramway

The EDT is not appropriate for a special earthing design and a warning message is displayed. Note
that the User is not prevented from entering relevant data into the EDT, however, they are
prevented from publishing an Earthing Report.

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5.3 Design Input 2

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The User should indicate at Design Input 2 whether the substation site is within 20 metres of a
potentially problematic location, such as:
 An outdoor swimming pool, paddling pool or shower
 A zoo, stable or pond/lake used for commercial fishing
 A telephone exchange
 A railway, tramway, or metallic pipeline
 A bulk storage tank for petroleum or other flammable liquid
 A steel tower or pole operating at 132kV, 275kV or 400kV

Where a problematic location is involved, the User is permitted to enter relevant data and to publish
an Earthing Report. However, given the susceptible nature of these locations to earth potential rise
it is strongly recommended that an Earthing Specialist is employed to carry out the design, especially
where the actual separation distance does not exceed the minimum permitted by a substantial
margin.

5.4 Design Input 3

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Earthing designs can be undertaken using four different methodologies, namely:

 Basic
 Intermediate

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  Advanced – Fault Level Study
 Advanced – Arc Suppression Coils (ASC) Earthing

The methodology is selected at Design Input 3.

5.5 Design Input 4

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The voltage of the ground-mounted distribution substation should be selected at Design Input 4.
The selection is used to calculate the total earth fault current and must be correct.

5.6 Design Inputs 5 & 6

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The source substation (i.e. grid or primary) should be selected at Design Input 6, with Design Input
5 providing the option of identifying the substation by name or by number.

Note: The selection should be made from the dropdown box and not by typing in the value!

Note: The list only includes grid and primary substation pertaining to the WPD distribution
licence area selected at Job Input 5.

Note: The list is only updated periodically and therefore may not contain recently
constructed grid or primary substations. Please contact WPD Engineering Policy for
guidance where this situation arises – see Section 0 below.

The source substation electrode resistance, earth potential rise and fault clearance time for a 33kV,
66kV, 132kV, 275kV or 400kV earth fault (as appropriate) are displayed. The EDT indicates where an
assumed value has been employed.

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5.7 Design Inputs 7 & 7A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The source substation earth electrode resistance can be modified at Design Inputs 7 & 7A. This
should only be done where there is evidence to support the proposed change.

The User should indicate whether they wish to modify the source substation earthing system
impedance at Design Input 7. The default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 7A
becomes visible, where the User can enter the revised resistance.

Note: The default value for Design Input 7A is the original electrode resistance value

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original value simply re-select ‘No’ at Design Input 7.

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5.8 Design Input 8 & 8A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The source substation earth potential rise can be modified at Design Inputs 8 & 8A. This should only
be done where there is evidence to support the proposed change.

The User should indicate whether they wish to modify the source substation earth potential rise at
Design Input 8. The default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 8A becomes visible,
where the User can enter the revised EPR.

Note: The default value for Design Input 8A is the original EPR value

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original value simply re-select ‘No’ at Design Input 8.

5.9 Design Input 9 & 9A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The fault clearance time for a 33kV, 66kV, 132kV, 275kV or 400kV earth fault at the source
substation (as appropriate) can be modified at Design Inputs 9 & 9A. This should only be done where
there is evidence to support the proposed change.

The User should indicate whether they wish to modify the EHV fault clearance time at Design Input
9. The default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 9A becomes visible, where the User
can enter the revised time.

Note: The default value for Design Input 9A is the original fault clearance time value

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original value simply re-select ‘No’ at Design Input 9.

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5.10 Design Input 10

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Design Input 10 allows the User to enter the network impedance up to the HV terminals of the
ground-mounted distribution substation. The impedance values must be in percent on a 100MVA
base.

The network impedance must include both the source impedance (i.e. the system impedance up to
the HV busbars at the source substation) and the HV circuit impedance (i.e. the impedance between
the HV busbars at the source substation and the HV terminals of the ground-mounted distribution
substation).

Note: ICPs will normally be provided with the network impedance up to the Point of
Connection (POC). Consequently this data must be amended to include the
impedance of the HV circuit between the POC and the HV terminals of the ground-
mounted distribution substation. This is dependent upon the length and type of
conductors the ICP elects to employ.

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5.11 Design Input 11

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The 11kV / 6.6kV neutral earthing arrangement at the source substation should be selected at
Design Input 11. The data entry requirements differ depending upon whether a ‘basic’ or
‘intermediate’ methodology is being employed.

Note: Where neutral earthing is by arc suppression coil the selection should be the neutral
earthing arrangement applicable when the ASC has been shorted.

5.11.1 ‘Basic’ Methodology

Where the selected value is “Resistor” the EDT assumes that the maximum 11kV / 6.6kV earth
fault current at the source substation is 2000A. This is typical of a twin transformer substation site
employing a 1000A neutral earthing resistor per transformer.

Where the selected value is “Reactor” the EDT assumes that the maximum 11kV / 6.6kV earth
fault current at the source substation is 2400A. This is typical of a twin transformer substation site
employing a 1200A neutral earthing reactor per transformer.

Where the selected value is “Solid” the EDT assumes that the maximum 11kV / 6.6kV earth fault
current at the source substation is 3500A. This is typical of a single transformer substation site
where the 11kV / 6.6kV neutral is solidly earthed.1

5.11.2 ‘Intermediate’ Methodology

Where an ‘intermediate’ methodology is employed the User is required to select the 6.6kV/11kV
neutral earthing arrangements at the source substation.

Where at all possible the User should select the exact arrangements that are applied at the source
substation in question. However, there are a couple of acceptable workarounds where this is not
possible.

1
POL: TP4 requires the available earth fault current on the 11kV and 6.6kV systems to be limited in order to
minimise system damage under fault conditions and to reduce the earth potential rise. Earth fault current must be
limited to less than 3000A, with the following two exceptions: (i) Solid earthing may be used for single 5MVA
transformers (or smaller), where the earth fault level is below 3500A, and (ii) Solid earthing may be used for
star/star transformers where the earth fault level is less than 3500A.

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 (i) In the event the requisite current rating is not listed, the User could select the closest
value greater than this. For example, if an 1100A rating is required the User could
select 1200A.
(ii) It does not matter whether the number of neutral earthing devices is correct, only that
the total current rating and type of earthing (i.e. resistance, reactance, solid) is correct.
Therefore the User could select an artificial number of devices provided the current
ratings summate to the requisite value. For example, consider a source substation with
two 1600A neutral earthing resistors i.e. 3200A in total. The User could specify two
1200A resistors and one 800A resistor to achieve the same 3200A total.

5.12 Design Input 12

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The HV circuit details should be entered at Design Input 12, starting from the source substation at
the top and ending at the ground mounted distribution at the bottom.

Note: It is not necessary to enter data into all 15 rows.

Note: The EDT expects the bottommost entry to be a cable i.e. the cable which terminates
at the ground mounted distribution substation in question. A warning message will
be displayed where this is not the case.

Note: Lengths are in km NOT metres i.e. a 162m length should be keyed in as 0.162km.

Note: A warning message is displayed where a conductor is entered without an

accompanying length, or vice-versa.

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Where the HV circuit is particularly convoluted it is possible to fill all fifteen rows. Should this
situation arise then there are a couple of acceptable workarounds:
 In a continuous run of overhead line or in a continuous run of underground cable, as the
case may be, it is acceptable to enter separate sections of identical conductor as a single
summated value.
For example, if in a continuous run of cable there was 0.12km of 300mm 2 underground
copper, followed by 0.10km of 185mm2 underground copper, followed by 0.40m of
300mm2 underground copper, then it is acceptable to enter the 300mm2 conductor as a
single 0.52km entry (i.e. 0.12km + 0.40km).

 It is also acceptable to enter separate sections of identical conductor which are not in a
continuous run as a single summated value PROVIDED this does not include the
underground cable section between the pole termination and the ground mounted
distribution substation in question.
For example, if the HV circuit from the source to the ground mounted distribution
substation consists of cable (A) followed by line (B) followed by cable (C) followed by line
(D) followed by cable (E) then it is acceptable to enter separate sections of identical
conductor in A, B, C or D as a single summated value. However, this must NOT include
identical conductor in E and there must be an ‘overhead’ row immediately prior to the E
data. In other words, the length of HV cable directly connected to the ground mounted
distribution substation must be correct

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5.13 Design Input 13

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The User is required to identify whether there is a cable connection all the way between the
source substation and the ground mounted distribution substation at Design Input 13.

5.14 Design Input 14

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The predominant cable type between the ground mounted distribution substation and the source
substation (if cable fed) or the pole termination (if overhead line fed) should be entered at Design
Input 14.

Where this cable comprises a number of different types and/or conductor sizes then the
predominant cable type should be selected.

Note: Where this is new cable then WPD standard EPR cable employs a 35mm2 copper
wire sheath.

The data entry requirements differ if an ‘advanced’ methodology is being employed.

5.14.1 ‘Advanced – Fault Level Study’ & ‘Advanced – ASC Earthing’ Methodologies

Where an advanced methodology is being employed the User is also required to enter the cable
length between the ground-mounted distribution substation and the source substation or pole
termination, as appropriate.

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5.15 Design Inputs 14A & 14B

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Where the distribution substation is overhead fed, the EDT assumes the substation and the pole
termination have a common earth electrode when the HV cable between them is less than 200m
long, and separate earth electrodes when the cable is longer than 200m. This results in a
conservative rather than optimistic design. Further details can be found in Section 7.1 below.

Where the pole termination has a separate earth electrode, the EDT assumes the pole earth has a
resistance of 20 ohms.

The data entry requirements differ depending upon whether a ‘basic’ or ‘intermediate’
methodology is being employed.

5.15.1 ‘Basic’ Methodology

There are no further data entry requirements where a ‘basic’ methodology is employed i.e. it is
not possible to alter the aforementioned assumptions.

5.15.2 ‘Intermediate’ Methodology

The User should indicate at Design Input 14A whether they wish to modify the assumed values. The
default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 14B becomes visible and the User can
identify whether the pole termination and distribution substation earths are combined or separate.
Where separate earths are selected, the User can also specify the pole termination earth resistance.

Note: The default values for Design Input 14B are the original assumed values

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original values simply re-select ‘No’ at Design Input
14A.

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5.16 Design Inputs 15 & 16

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The purpose of Design Inputs 15 & 16 is to gauge the contribution the local HV & LV networks will
make to the overall resistance of the distribution substation HV earth electrode.

The built up area covered by the local HV & LV networks should be entered at Design Input 15.
There is the option to enter the data in either m2 or km2 depending on whether the area is
measures using EMU or Google Maps respectively.

Details of how to measure the area of the networks can be found in Standard Technique TP21A-I.
As a very rough rule of thumb, a large city is likely to be greater than 13km2, a large town 4-12km2,
a small town or large village 0.75-4km2 and a small village or hamlet 0-0.75km2.

The type of cables predominantly employed on the local HV & LV networks should be entered at
Design Input 16. Where there is any uncertainty “predominantly polymeric cable network” should
be selected.

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5.17 Design Inputs 17, 18 & 18A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The EDT requires details of the soil resisivity at the distribution substation in order to compute the
resistance of the HV and LV (where relevant) earth electrodes. The EDT uses a two-layer soil model
and the soil resistivities for the two layers should be entered into Design Inputs 17, 18 & 18A.

Ordinarily it is expected that the soil resistivity will be determined from the soil data in EMU,
rather than by on-site measurement. Further details on how to obtain this data from EMU can be
found in Section 0 below.

The soil data in EMU is a three layer model and the EDT incorporates a ‘Soil Resisitivity Assistant’
which converts this three-layer soil model into a two-layer model that the EDT requires. The values
recommended by the ‘assistant’ should be employed unless there are strong and technically
justifiable grounds for not doing so.

The values recommended by the ‘assistant’ are automatically populated in to Design Inputs 17, 18
& 18A, however, other values can be selected from the dropdown lists.

Note: The auto-population stops working once a value has been manually selected. In
order to re-instigate it it is necessary to start again using a blank spreadsheet. For
this reason it is recommended that a blank spreadsheet is used for any new study,
rather than copying and editing an earlier study.

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 Note: The resistivity of the lower layer is determined using the resistivity ratio of the
upper to lower soil layers. This approach (i.e. a limited range of fixed ratios) means
that the dataset used by the EDT can be kept to a manageable size, something that
cannot be achieved if the User is able to select a lower layer resitivity value directly.
The EDT displays the resisivity of the lower layer of soil in order that the User can
corroborate the selected ratio is correct.

If the soil resistivity is obtained by on-site measurement then the approach to be taken depends
upon whether a one-layer, two-layer or three-layer soil model has been derived:
 In the case of a three-layer model, the soil resisitvity assistant should be used to convert
this to a two-layer model
 In the case of a two-layer model, the relavant values should be selected at Design Inputs
17, 18 & 18A
 In the case of a one-layer model, the resistivity value should be entered at Design Input 17
and a 1:1 ratio selected at Design Input 18

Note: If the depth of the soil layers is not known then a 2m depth should be assumed

5.18 Design Input 19A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

This input is only visible for substations where a perimeter electrode is a policy requirement (i.e. it
is not visible for substations integrated within a larger building).

Where an earthing study is being carried out at an existing distribution substation which lacks a
perimeter electrode and where it is not reasonably practicable for one to be retrofitted then “YES”
should be selected at Design Input 19A. In all other instances “NO” should be selected.

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5.19 Design Input 19

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The User is required to select the length of the horizontal bare electrode ‘tail’ to be employed at
Design Input 19.

Note: In the case of a distribution substation where a perimeter electrode is a policy

requirement, this is the length of bare electrode that is required in addition to the
bare perimeter electrode.

The recommended approach is for the shortest length which satisfies the policy requirements for
HV electrode resistance (i.e. 20Ω max) and surface area to be selected. A warning message is
displayed where the maximum resistance is exceeded.

Note: A warning message is displayed elsewhere on in the EDT where the surface area
criteria is not satisfied.

Where the recommended approach results in a ‘hot’ substation, the User may wish to explore
whether the substation can be made ‘cold’ by increasing the length of the electrode ‘tail’.

5.20 Design Inputs 20 & 20A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The proportion of current that returns through the ground depends on the cable type, cable length,
and the resistance of the earth electrode at both ends of the cable network. Details of how to
determine the percentage can be found in Standard Technique TP21A-H, however, the EDT makes
an evaluation which is sufficiently accurate in the vast majority of instances. The proportion of
current should only be modified where there is evidence to support the proposed change.

The User should indicate whether they wish to modify the percentage at Design Input 20. The
default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 20A becomes visible, where the User can
enter the revised percentage.

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 Note: The default value for Design Input 20A is the original electrode resistance value

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original value simply re-select ‘No’ at Design Input
20.

The value of ground return current as a percentage of the total earth fault current can be assessed
using a ‘Ground Return Current Calculator’ or by selection from tables - See TP21A-H for details.

5.21 Design Input 21

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The subsequent parts of the EDT show the calculated values for the following:
 The local HV & LV network contribution to the HV electrode resistance
 The overall HV earthing system impedance of the distribution substation
 The total earth fault current for a HV fault at the distribution substation
 The portion of that fault current which flows into the ground via the HV earth electrode
(thereby generating EPR) rather than returning to the source via the HV cable sheath
 The minimum surface area of the HV electrode

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 The HV electrode must have a surface area that is large enough to transfer fault current into the
ground without drying out the soil (which would impede that passage of fault current, increase the
electrode resistance, and increase the EPR).

The User is required to select the number of parallel conductors used for the horizontal bare
electrode ‘tail’ at Design Input 21. A warning message is displayed where the surface area criteria
is not met and the User has the option to increase the length of the electrode tail and/or increase
the number of parallel conductors.

Note: Increasing the number of parallel conductors has no effect on the HV electrode
resistance, it simply increases the surface area. This approach may mitigate the
amount of excavation required for the construction of the HV earth electrode.

5.22 Design Inputs 22 & 22A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The overall fault clearance time depends on the HV feeder protection settings and circuit breaker
operating time at the source substation, plus a 400ms margin. The EDT assumes that the former
two are 3-seconds in total, resulting in an assumed overall fault clearance time of 3.4 seconds.

An earthing design based on this assumed fault clearance time is preferred since it provides the
greatest flexibility should the HV feeder protection settings need altering in the future. However, an
earthing design based on the actual fault clearance time (plus a 400ms margin) is acceptable in order

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 to achieve a safe design. Further details of how to determine the operating time can be found in
Standard Technique TP21A-E.

The User should indicate whether they wish to modify the fault clearance time at Design Input 22.
The default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 22A becomes visible, where the User
can enter the protection settings for the HV feeder at the source substation.

The current setting can be entered in a range of ways, including in primary amps, secondary amps,
percentage or xIn. Irrespective of which method is chosen, the EDT also displays the current setting
in primary amps in order that the User can corroborate that the proper setting has been entered.

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original assumed fault clearance time value simply
re-select ‘No’ at Design Input 22.

5.23 Design Input 23

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

The subsequent parts of the EDT show the values for the following:
 The calculated EPR and the value used for design purposes
 The calculated fault clearance time and the value used for design purposes
 The applicable touch voltage safety limit for surfaces a substation operator is likely to be
stood upon

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  The maximum touch voltage at the distribution substation as a percentage of the design
EPR
 The calculated touch voltage at the distribution substation

The surface a substation operator is likely to be stood upon must be such that the calculated touch
voltage is not greater than the safety limit applicable for the fault clearance time.

The EDT indicates whether the touch voltage is less than the safety limit for the standing surfaces
applicable to the substation format. The User is required to select a standing surface that is safe at
Design Input 23, and a warning message is displayed if the selection is inappropriate. The selection
should be ‘soil or outdoor concrete’ where at all possible.

If neither of the selections are safe then the HV earth electrode resistance will need to be reduced
(by increasing the length of the electrode ‘tail’) in order to lower the EPR and hence lower the
touch voltage.

5.24 Design Input 24

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Design Input 24 is only visible for substation formats with an LV system.

A voltage is transferred onto the LV electrode, and hence onto the LV system, during an EPR event
on the HV electrode, or during an EPR event on the source substation electrode when the
distribution substation is cable connected to it. Where the LV system is also earthed at a remote
point, the voltage transferred onto it is an average of the local and remote LV electrode potentials.
Given that the remote LV electrode is buried in soil which is subject to little or no rise in potential,
then the voltage transferred onto the LV system is effectively halved as a result of this averaging
effect. Or put another way, if the LV system is multiply-earthed, the voltage that can be safely
transferred onto the local LV electrode is double the value for an LV system which is earthed at a
single point. Further details can be found in Section 0 below.

The User is required to identify whether the LV system neutral is earthed at a single point or at
multiple points at Design Input 24.

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 A CNE LV network is earthed at multiple points. In the vast majority of cases an SNE LV network
will also be multiply-earthed because it will have been modified to make it also suitable for
providing PME supplies. However, there will be some SNE networks that are single-point earthed,
namely, unmodified SNE networks and HV/LV substations providing a dedicated supply to a single
customer.

5.25 Design Inputs 25 & 25A

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Design Input 25 is only visible for distribution substations that are cable connected all the way to
the source substation.

The rise in earth potential at the source substation, as a consequence of a 33kV, 66kV, 132kV,
275kV or 400kV fault, is transferred along the HV cable sheath to the ground mounted distribution
substation in question. The voltage that is transferred depends on the cable type, cable length,
and the resistance of the earth electrode at both ends of the cable network.

Details of how the voltage is determined can be found in Standard Technique TP21A-H, however,
the EDT makes an evaluation which is sufficiently accurate in the vast majority of instances. The
transfer voltage should only be modified where there is evidence to support the proposed change.

The User should indicate whether they wish to modify the magnitude of the transferred voltage at
Design Input 25. The default position is ‘No’. If ‘Yes’ is selected, Design Input 25A becomes visible,
where the User can enter the revised voltage.

Note: The default value for Design Input 25A is the original transfer voltage

Note: If you wish to revert back to the original value simply re-select ‘No’ at Design Input
25.

The transfer voltage can be assessed using a ‘Ground Return Current and Earth Potential Rise
Calculator’, or by selection from ‘Transfer Voltage Tables’ - See TP21A-M for details.

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5.26 Design Input 26

BAS INT A-FLS A-ASC

Subsequent parts of the EDT identifies:

 Whether the distribution substation is ‘Hot’ or ‘Cold’ as a result of a HV fault
 Whether the distribution substation is ‘Hot’ or ‘Cold’ as a result of an EHV fault at the
source substation

Design Input 26 is only visible for substation formats with an LV system and where the distribution
substation is ‘hot’ i.e. where a separate LV earth electrode is required. The User is required to
select the length of the horizontal bare LV electrode to be employed.

The recommended approach is for the shortest length which satisfies the policy requirements for
LV electrode resistance (i.e. 20Ω max) to be selected. A warning message is displayed where the
maximum resistance is exceeded.

Note: There is no surface area criteria for the LV electrode

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5.27 Final Review

There are no more Design Inputs for the User to complete.

The User should consider whether the HV separation distances are achievable in practice, and
whether this could be maintained over the life of the substation. It may be possible to reduce the
separation distances / make the site ‘cold’ by increasing the length of the HV electrode ‘tail’.

If the User is happy with the proposed design, then the Earthing Report should be published.

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6.0 INTERPRETING THE EARTHING REPORT

The majority of the Earthing Report simply documents the User-entered data and results of the
calculations performed by the EDT. This is so that there is a formal record of this information and
also a means of recreating the study should this be necessary.

The most useful part of the Earthing Report is page 3 – keynote design information.

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7.0 TECHNICAL GUIDANCE

7.1 Design Input 14A & 14B

Where a HV pole termination and ground-mounted distribution substation share a common earth
electrode then, in the event of an earth fault at the substation, 100% of the fault current flows into
the soil., thereby genertaing earth potential rise.

For example, consider a common HV earth electrode resistance of 3 ohms and a fault current of
740A. All the fault current flows through the electrode into the soil, thereby generating an EPR of
2220V.

However, where the HV pole termination and ground-mounted distribution substation have
separate earth electrodes then, in the event of an earth fault at the substation, only a fraction of
the fault current flows into the soil at the substation earth because some of it returns to the source
along the HV cable sheath and into the soil at the pole termination earth. This results in a lower EPR.

For example, consider an HV earth electrode resistance of 3 ohms and a fault current of 740A, of
which, 13% returns to the source via the HV cable sheath. In this instance only 643.5A flows through
the 3 ohm earth electrode and the EPR is 13% lower at 1930V.

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7.2 Design Inputs 17, 18 & 18A

The soil resistivity data can be obtained from EMU as follows:

1. Go to the location of the substation in question

2. Select ‘EMU’ on the toolbar and then click on ‘Select Data Set’

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3. Check the box adjacent to ‘Soil’ and then press the ‘Apply’ button

4. EMU displays the soil layer behind the main mapping.

5. Click on the ‘Information’ bubble at the top of the screen

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6. Place the Cursor over the location of the ground-mounted distribution substation and left-click.
The ‘Soil Resistivity Information’ window is displayed. Select the ‘Soil Model’ tab.

7. The ‘Soil Resistivity Model’ is shown. This is the data that should be entered into the ‘Soil
Resisitivity Assistant’ in the EDT.

Note that the soil depth is on the left and the soil resistivity is on the right – it is the opposite
way around in the EDT.

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7.3 Design Input 24

Consider an HV earth fault occurring at a ground-mounted distribution substation with separate HV

and LV earths. Fault current flows into the soil through the HV earth electrode, thereby generating
earth potential rise in the ground around the substation, as shown in the diagram below.

The substation LV electrode (A) is positioned a short distance away from the HV electrode. The soil
potential at that position is VA.

Consider another LV electrode (B) located even further away, for example, another distribution
substation beyond the normal open point, or a PME electrode. The soil potential at that position is
VB.

LV electrodes A & B are interconnected by virtue of the neutral & earth conductors on the LV main,
as shown in the diagram below. Essentially a potential divider circuit has been formed, with the
potential on the LV main of VT.

The voltage on the LV main (VT) can be calculated as follows:

𝑉𝐴 𝑅𝐴 + 𝑉𝐵 𝑅𝐵
𝑉𝑇 =
𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵

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 If the two electrode resistances are broadly the same (i.e. RA = RB) then the formula simplifies to the
average of the two potentials i.e.
𝑉𝐴 + 𝑉𝐵
𝑉𝑇 =
2

If LV electrode B is buried in soil with no potential rise (i.e. VB = 0) then VT = ½VA. In other words,
the presence of LV electrode B means the voltage on the LV main (to which customers are
exposed) is half the value it would be if it wasn’t present.

8.0 USER SUPPORT

Where a problem is encountered with the use of the EDT then please contact WPD Engineering
Policy for assistance:

[email protected]

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