PR-NET-CAB-008

EARTHING SYSTEMS, BASIS OF

DESIGN – DESIGN STANDARD
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Name Title
Author John R. Baker Senior Technical Authority
Checked by Elina Bezusko Asset Policy Engineer
Approved by Shirley Robertson Head of Strategic Policy and Sustainability

CONTENTS
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2 References ...................................................................................................................................... 4
3 Acronyms ......................................................................................................................................... 5
4 Definitions ........................................................................................................................................ 6
5 Deviations from this Standard ......................................................................................................... 9
6 Function of an Earthing System ...................................................................................................... 9
7 Statutory Requirements ................................................................................................................... 9
8 Provision of an LV Earth Terminal................................................................................................. 10
9 Separate Neutral and Earth (SNE) Networks ................................................................................ 10
10 Protective Multiple Earthing and Combined Neutral and Earth (CNE) Networks ......................... 11
11 PME Enabled Networks ................................................................................................................ 13
12 Hybrid Networks ............................................................................................................................ 14
13 Protective Neutral Bonding (PNB) ................................................................................................. 14
14 Where it is Unsafe for Us to Provide an Earth or the Customer Cannot Use Our Earth............... 15
15 Earth Fault Loop Impedance ......................................................................................................... 15
16 Why it is Important not to Exceed the Maximum Value of Earth Fault Loop Impedance .............. 17
17 Consideration of Fault Currents on Networks Operating Above LV.............................................. 17
18 Ratings of Earthwires, Bonding Leads and Earth Electrodes ....................................................... 19
19 Surface Current Density of Earth Electrode .................................................................................. 22
20 Standardised Earthing Resistances and Conductors ................................................................... 23
21 Standardised Earthing and Bonding Layouts, Design and Installation Methods for Substations . 25
22 Earth Potential Rise ....................................................................................................................... 25
23 Hot Sites – Primary and Grid Substations ..................................................................................... 29
24 Hot Sites – Secondary Substations ............................................................................................... 30
25 Neutral Earthing............................................................................................................................. 31
26 Retention of Abandoned PILC Type Cables for Network Earthing ............................................... 32
27 Soil Resistivity Measurement ........................................................................................................ 32
28 Soil Resistivity Values ................................................................................................................... 33

Page 2 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

29 Earth Electrode Resistance Measurement .................................................................................... 33

30 Earth Resistance Measurement – Current Injection Method ........................................................ 34
31 Electrical Segregation Tests for HV and LV Electrodes ................................................................ 34
32 Fences ........................................................................................................................................... 35
33 Metallic Doors on Secondary Substation Sites ............................................................................. 36
34 Underground Cables within Primary and Grid Substations ........................................................... 36
35 Cross-Bonded Systems ................................................................................................................. 37
36 Overhead Lines ............................................................................................................................. 37
37 Joint Owner and Shared IDNO Sites............................................................................................. 41
38 Surge Arresters in Substations ...................................................................................................... 42
39 Metallic Services Entering Substations ......................................................................................... 44
40 Grid and Primary Substation Earthing Data Sheets ...................................................................... 44
41 Connections of Earthing and Bonding Conductors to Network Assets ......................................... 45
42 Probabilistic Based Risk Assessment of Earthing Systems .......................................................... 45
43 Lightning Protection Systems ........................................................................................................ 46
44 Design Considerations .................................................................................................................. 47
45 Locations Requiring Special Earthing Designs ............................................................................. 47
46 Theft of Earthing ............................................................................................................................ 47
47 SSEN Calculators Available for Assisting in Earthing Design ....................................................... 48
48 Neutral Current Division ................................................................................................................ 48
49 Remote Earthing of SNE cables.................................................................................................... 49
50 Installation of CNE and SNE cables in Existing Secondary Substations ...................................... 49
51 Earthing Study ............................................................................................................................... 50
52 Survey ........................................................................................................................................... 51
53 Pre-Construction Documents ........................................................................................................ 51
54 Final Records ................................................................................................................................ 51
55 Global Earthing Systems ............................................................................................................... 52
56 Revision History............................................................................................................................. 54
Curve AC-4.1 ................................................................................................................. 56
Example Risk Assessment ............................................................................................ 57
PME Enabled Networks - Examples .............................................................................. 59

Page 3 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

1 Introduction
1.1 This mandatory document is intended to be used by:

SSEN Design and Operational Staff

1.2 This procedure covers the basis of design for fixed earthing systems at voltages used by
SSEN Distribution. It covers background areas which are not included in specific design
standards whilst setting the ground rules for these standards. However, this Document does
not require to be read in conjunction with other Design Standards which can be used in
isolation.
1.2.1 There may be times, for the sake of clarity, that sections included in this document are
repeated verbatim in other Design Standards or even expanded upon.
1.3 This document is evolving and will be supplemented as other Design Standards are
completed.
1.4 Where the term “shall” or “must” is used in this document it means the requirement is
mandatory. The term “should” is used to express a recommendation. The term “may” is
used to express permission.
1.5 TG-NET-SST-004, Bonding and Earthing - Design Standard is a publicly accessible
document covering bonding and earthing not detailed in other Design Standards. This
document will eventually be removed when all the information it contains is contained within
other publicly assessable Design Standards.

2 References
The documents detailed in Table 2.1 - Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Documents, Table
2.2 - British and International Standards Documents, Table 2.3 - Energy Networks Association
Documents, and Table 2.4 - Miscellaneous Documents, shall be used in conjunction with this
document.

Table 2.1 - Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Documents

Reference Title
Voltage Supplies to Local Earthed Mobile Phone Base Stations on Steel Towers at
PR-NET-CAB-001
132 kV and Above-Design Standard
Voltage Supplies to Insulated Base Mobile Phone Base Stations on Steel Towers at
PR-NET-CAB-002
132 kV and Above-Design Standard
PR-NET-CAB-006 Electric Vehicle Charging Points-Supply Arrangements-Design Standard
Fuse and Earth Fault Loop Impedance Requirements for Secondary Plant, Networks
PR-NET-ENG-032
and Low Voltage Cut-outs – Design Standard
TEM-NET-CAB-004 11 kV Cable Rating and Earthing Calculation Sheet
TEM-NET-CAB-005 Earthing Calculator for Primary Distribution Substations
TEM-NET-CAB-007 11 kV and 6.6 kV Fault Level and Earthing Data Calculator
TEM-NET-CAB-008 33 kV and 22 kV Cable Rating and Cross Bonding Earthing Calculation Sheet
TG-NET-CAB-005 Alterations to Separate Neutral Earth Services and Mains
TG-NET-CAB-014 Underground Service Connections to Unmetered Street Furniture - Design Standard
TG-NET-CAB-026 Connections of Earthing and Bonding Conductors – Installation Instruction
TG-NET-CAB-029 Grid and Primary Substation Earthing Data (SEPD) - Data Sheet
TG-NET-CAB-030 Primary Substation Earthing Data (SHEPD) - Data Sheet
TG-NET-CAB-427 Cable Sheath Bonding Methods of 33kV Cable Systems

Page 4 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Reference Title
TG-NET-ENG-022 Principles for Cost Benefit Analysis in Supporting ALARP Decisions
TG-NET-SST-004 Bonding and Earthing - Design Standard
TG-NET-SST-005 Secondary Distribution Substations Common Clauses - Design and Installation
Standard
TG-NET-SST-006 Replacement of Copper Earthing Conductor with Aluminium
TG-NET-SST-013 Locations with High Earth Potential Rise (Hot Sites)- Design Standard
TG-NET-SST-032 Primary Distribution Substations- Earthing Requirements-Design Standard
Identification and Rectification of High Earth Fault Loop Impedances – Separate
WI-NET-CAB-140
Neutral and Earth Networks
WI-NET-CAB-150 Earthing of Secondary Substation Ground Mounted Plant – Installation Instruction
WI-NET-CAB-154 11 kV Cables – Theft of Copper Earthing - Remediation Works

Table 2.2 - British and International Standards Documents

Reference Title
BS 6651 Protection of Structures against Lightning
BS 7430 Code of Practice for Earthing.
BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installation (the IEE Wiring Regulations)
BS EN 50522 Earthing of power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c
IEC 60479 The Effects of current on human beings and livestock.

Table 2.3 - Energy Networks Association Documents

Reference Title
Requirements for the Application of Protective Multiple Earthing to Low Voltage
G12
Networks
S34 A guide for assessing the rise of earth potential at electrical installations
Identification and recording of 'hot' sites - joint procedure for Electricity Industry and
S36
Communications Network Providers
Guidelines for the design, installation, testing and maintenance of main earthing
TS 41-24
systems in substations

Table 2.4 - Miscellaneous Documents

Title
Electricity, Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (as amended)

3 Acronyms
The acronyms shown in table 3.1 are used in this document.

Table 3.1 - Acronyms

Acronym Definition
ABC Aerial Bundled conductor
ABSD Air Break Switch Disconnector
ALARP As low as reasonably practicable
ASL Automatic Sectionalising Links
BLL Belagt Luftledning (Covered Overhead Line)
BLX Belagt Linesystem XLPE (Covered Line system XLPE)
CEW Continuous Earthwire
CNE Combined Neutral and Earth

Page 5 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Acronym Definition
DOEF Drop out expulsion fuse
EFC Earth Fault Current
EFLI Earth Fault Loop Impedance
ENA Energy Networks Associations
EPR Earth Potential Rise (was Rise of Earth Potential, ROEP)
ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations
EV Electric Vehicle
GES Global Earthing System
GRC Ground Return Current
IDNO Independent Distribution Network Operator
ITU International Telecommunication Union
LER Liquid Earthing Resistor
LPS Lightning Protection System
LV Low Voltage
LVAC Low Voltage Alternating Current
m metres
MES Main Earthing System
NCD Neutral Current Division
NER Neutral Earthing Resistor
PILC Paper Insulated Lead Covered
PILCSTA Paper Insulated Lead Covered, Steel Tape Armoured
PILCSWA Paper Insulated Lead Covered Steel Wire Armoured
PME Protective Multiple Earthing
PMR Pole Mounted Reclosers
PNB Protective Neutral Bonding
RMS Root – Mean – Square
ROEP See EPR
SEN Single Earthed Networks
SEPD Southern Electric Power Distribution
SHEPD Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution
SNE Separate Neutral and Earth
SSEN Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
TN-C-S Terre – Neutral – Combined - Separate
TNP Telecommunications Network Provider
TN-S Terre – Neutral – Separate
TT Terre - Terra

4 Definitions
The following definition apply to terms used in this document

Table 4.1 - Definitions

Term Definition
Additional Earth See Supplementary Earth. This is not the same as the additional earth required
under the Operational Safety Rules.
Assembly Instruction A mandatory document, produced by SSEN, covering the specific requirements
for putting together SSEN assets. They typically take the form of work
instructions.

Page 6 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Term Definition
Auxiliary Electrode See Supplementary Electrode.
Backup Protection Protection set to operate following failure or slow operation of primary protection.
For design purposes, the backup protection clearance time may be taken as a
fixed clearance time.
Bonding An abbreviated version of Equipotential Bonding.
A protective conductor providing equipotential bonding. This conductor may not
Bonding Conductor
necessarily be connected to earth.
A mandatory document, produced by SSEN, covering the specific requirements
Design Standard
for SSEN designed assets.
The conductive mass of earth whose electric potential at any point is
Earth
conventionally taken as zero.
A conductor or rod, or, set of conductors and rods providing an electrical contact
Earth Electrode
with Earth.
Earth Electrode Potential The difference in potential between the Earth Electrode and a remote Earth.
Earth Electrode The resistance of an Earth Electrode with respect to Earth.
Resistance
That area of ground over which the resistance of an Earth Electrode effectively
Earth Electrode
exists. It is the same area of ground over which the Earth Electrode Potential
Resistance Area
exists.
A fault causing current to flow in one or more earth-return paths. Typically, a
Earth Fault single phase to earth fault, but this term may also be used to describe two-phase
and three-phase faults involving earth.
The RMS value of current which flows in the earthing system resulting from a
Earth Fault Current phase to earth short circuit. Note, this can be modified in some situations where
it is realistic to include fault resistance.
An earth electrode formed by overlapping groups of buried horizontal electrodes
Earth Grid
usually laid at right angles and connected at each intersection.
An electrode consisting of bare conductor or mesh laid in, or on, the ground to
Earth Mat equalise the potential across an area where a person can stand. An earth mat
does not form part of an earth electrode.
Earth Nest An earth electrode consisting of a set of conductors and rods.
The difference in potential which may exist between a point on the ground and a
Earth Potential Rise remote Earth. May also be known as Rise of Earth Potential (ROEP) or Ground
Potential Rise (GPR).
Earthed Connected to Earth.
A protective conductor connecting a main earth terminal of an installation to an
Earthing Conductor or
Earth Electrode or to other means of earthing, or a conductor connecting
Earthing Connection
equipment to a main earth terminal of an installation.
The current entering the ground through the substation’s electrode system under
earth fault conditions. For design purposes, the electrode current may be taken
Electrode Current as the maximum current flowing into a substation’s electrode system under
foreseeable fault conditions including, where relevant, the loss of metallic return
paths and/or cross-country faults.
Equipotential A line of equal voltage.
An electrical connection between exposed metallic (conductive) parts installed to
Equipotential Bonding
equalise the potential (voltage) not necessarily connected to earth.
The ohmic resistance of a fault. This can vary during the fault but where
Fault Resistance
reasonable a value can be assumed when working out the fault current.
An earthing system of sufficiently dense interconnection such that all items are
Global Earthing System bonded together and rise in potential together under fault conditions. No true
earth reference exists and therefore safety voltages are limited
An electrode installed to reduce a touch potential hazard on equipment. Can be
Grading Ring
installed as part of the Main Earthing System or in addition to it.

Page 7 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Term Definition
The proportion of the earth fault current flowing into ground. The earth fault
Ground Return Current current can be split between the ground, cable sheaths and overhead earth
wires. The ground return current results in the earth potential rise.
A Hot site is defined as one which exceeds ITU limits for EPR. These thresholds
Hot Site
are 650 V (for reliable fault clearance time <= 0.2 seconds), or 430 V otherwise.
A mandatory document, produced by SSEN, covering the specific requirements
Installation Standard for the installation of SSEN assets. It is a higher-level document than an
assembly instruction.
An electric line which multiple consumer’s installation as one intake position to a
Intake Line distributing main. An example is the cable connected into a heavy duty cut-out in
a multi-occupancy building.
The Main Earthing System comprises the interconnected arrangement of the
Main Earthing System Earth Electrodes and Earthing Conductors in a substation. Other terms are
Substation Earthing System or Main Earth Grid.
Clearance of a fault under normal (usual) circumstances. The protection
clearance time will include relay operating time and mechanical circuit breaker
Main Protection delays for all foreseeable faults and may be calculated for design purposes.
Alternatively, standard time may be used for the main protection clearance time
for earthing design purposes.
A low voltage electric line which connects a source of voltage to one or more
Mains Distributor
service or intake lines. Other terms are Distributing Main.
Normal Protection See main protection
An earthing arrangement, found in TN-C-S systems, in which the supply neutral
Protective multiple conductor is used to connect the Earthing conductor of an installation with earth,
earthing (PME) in accordance with the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations
2002.
PNB refers to the situation where there is only one point in a network at which
consumers’ installations are connected to a single source of voltage. In such a
Protective neutral bonding
case, the supply neutral conductor connection to earth may be made at that
(PNB)
point or at another point nearer to the source of voltage. This type of earthing is
not permitted for new installations.
Safety Voltage Permissible touch, step or transfer potential.
An electric line which either connects a street electrical fixture, or a single
Service line
consumer’s installation to a distributing main.
Voltage between two points on the ground surface that are 1 m distant from
Step Potential
each other, which is considered to be the stride length of a person.
Voltage difference between two segregated earthing systems, which may appear
Stress Voltage
across insulators/bushings etc. or cable insulation.
An electrode that improves the performance of an earthing system, and may
Supplementary Earth
increase resilience, but is not critical to the safety of the system.
The value of earth resistance which is to be achieved on site following
Target Earth Resistance
installation of the earthing system as per the design.
A system having one or more points of the source of energy directly earthed, the
TN system exposed conductive parts of the installation being connected to that point by
protective conductors. Not normally used in the UK.
A system in which neutral and protective functions are combined in a single
TN-C system
conductor throughout the system. Not normally used in the UK.
A system in which neutral and protective functions are combined in a single
TN-C-S system conductor in part of the system. Another term is Combined Neutral and Earth
(CNE).
A system having separate neutral and protective conductors throughout the
TN-S system
system. Another term is Separate Neutral and Earth (SNE).
Touch Potential Voltage between conductive parts when touched simultaneously.
Voltage transmitted along a conductive path to an area of lower potential, such
Transfer Potential
as a metallic screen wires of a PVC sheathed cable.

Page 8 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Term Definition
A system having one point of the source of energy directly earthed, the exposed-
TT system conductive-parts of the installation being connected to earth electrodes
electrically independent of the earth electrodes of the source.

5 Deviations from this Standard

There are no permitted deviations to this document.

6 Function of an Earthing System

6.1 Every Live asset shall be provided with an earthing installation where required designed so
that in both normal and abnormal conditions there is no danger to persons arising from earth
potential in any place to which they have legitimate access so far as is reasonably
practicable.
6.2 The installation shall be able to pass the design current from any fault point back to the
system neutral point whilst maintaining step, touch, and transfer potentials within the
permissible limits based on main protection relay and circuit breaker operating times.
6.2.1 In exceptional circumstances where the parameters in 6.2 cannot be economically or
practically kept below permissible limits, a probabilistic risk assessment shall be carried out.
Where this shows the risk to be below accepted ALARP levels, the level of earth potential
rise mitigation may be reduced. This risk assessment shall include a Cost Benefit Analysis
to justify grounds of economy. Refer to TG-NET-ENG-022.
6.3 The earthing system shall be designed to avoid damage to equipment due to excessive
potential rise, potential differences within the earthing system (stress voltages), and due to
excessive currents flowing in auxiliary paths not intended for carrying fault current.
6.4 The design shall be such that the passage of fault current does not result in any thermal or
mechanical damage or damage to insulation of connected apparatus. It shall be such that
protective gear, including surge protection, is able to operate effectively.
6.5 Any exposed normally un-energised metalwork which may be made Live by consequence of
a system insulation failure can present a safety hazard to personnel. It is a function of the
earthing system to eliminate such hazards by solidly bonding together all such metalwork
and to bond this to the earth electrode system in contact with the general mass of earth.
Dangerous potential differences between points legitimately accessible to personnel shall be
eliminated by appropriate design where reasonably practicable.
6.6 The earthing system shall maintain its integrity for the expected installation lifetime with due
allowance for corrosion and mechanical constraints.

7 Statutory Requirements
7.1 The ESQCR incorporates the requirements for providing earthing.
7.2 This, and other, Design Standards provide the specific requirements needed for SSEN to be
compliant with the ESQCR.

Page 9 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

8 Provision of an LV Earth Terminal

8.1 Under the ESQCR, SSEN is required to offer an earth terminal in the following situations.
• When we are installing a new service
• When we are renewing a service
8.1.1 At other times, such as for a service alteration, the provision of an earth terminal where one
does not exist is chargeable to the customer.
8.2 We can provide either an SNE or PME earth terminal.
8.3 We cannot refuse to provide an earth where, for instance, our network is not suitable. For
example, we have an SNE network, and the customer wants a PME earth. The network is
not PME enabled and hence we cannot provide a PME connection without incurring a high
cost. The customer should be offered SNE instead as this is perfectly adequate.
8.3.1 If the customer insists on having a PME connection in the example in 8.3, then any network
upgrade needed to make it PME enabled shall be borne by the customer.
8.3.2 A high earth loop impedance is not a reason for refusing to provide a customer an earth, the
cause of the high earth loop impedance must be found and shall be rectified. Refer to
WI-NET-CAB-140.
8.4 Customers may not be able to use our earthing terminal and will therefore make their own
provisions. In this case SSEN will provide a no-earth or TT connection. We must ensure the
earth connection in our cut-out is blanked off or removed.
8.5 In some circumstances (defined in the ESQCR, BS 7671, ENA G12 and specified in SSEN
documents) it is unsafe to provide an earthing terminal. In these situations, SSEN will
provide no-earth (TT connection).

9 Separate Neutral and Earth (SNE) Networks

9.1 Separate Neutral and Earth, SNE or TN-S, refers to the method of providing an earthing
terminal in Customers premises, which is connected directly, by a separate earth conductor,
to the supply neutral at or near the source of supply (the transformer). Customers will have
an SNE earthing terminal. Typical underground and overhead systems are shown in figure
9.1 and 9.2.
SNE may also be called single earthed networks (SEN) or Continuous Earthwire (CEW).

Page 10 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure 9.1 – SNE Underground Network

9.2 TN-S is the international description for SNE. T is for Terre comes from the French for earth,
N is for Neutral and S for separate.
9.3 Where there is a need to alter a SNE Mains and Services these alterations shall be carried
out using SNE cables. In exceptional circumstances this may not be possible and CNE
cables have to be used. Where this is the case refer to TG-NET-CAB-005.

Figure 9.2 - SNE Overhead Network

10 Protective Multiple Earthing and Combined Neutral and Earth

(CNE) Networks
10.1 Protective Multiple Earthing refers to the method of using the supply neutral conductor of the
LV network to provide earthing facilities for customers. Customers will have a PME earthing

Page 11 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

terminal. For PME to work needs to be numerous additional earth electrodes installed
around the network and specially there must be one at every pot end on a PME circuit.
10.2 Combined Neutral and Earth, CNE or TN-C-S cables or overhead line networks provide the
connection suitable for a PME earthing terminal. Here the neutral and earth are provided in
the same conductor.
10.2.1 Customers must have separate neutral and earth networks within their properties.
10.2.2 Public street lighting and other street furniture can have PME earthing subject to specific
requirements.
10.3 Typical overhead and underground systems are shown in figure 10.1 and 10.2.
10.4 TN-C-S is the international description for CNE. T is for Terre and comes from the French
for earth, N is for Neutral, C is for Combined and S for separate. Part of this system (that
owned by SSEN) has a combined neutral and earth (C) conductor and part of the system
(the network owned by the customer) has separate neutral and earth conductors (S).

Figure 10.1 - CNE Overhead Network

Page 12 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure 10.2 - CNE Underground Network

10.5 At the service termination within the customer's premises a label as shown in figure 10.3.

Figure 10.3 - Termination Label

11 PME Enabled Networks

11.1 PME Enabled Networks combine parts which are SNE and parts which are CNE. These are
designed to be safe as shown in Appendix C.
11.2 There are rules for connections to the various parts.
• SNE services cannot be installed into a CNE main
• PME services can be installed onto an SNE main in some circumstances
• A metal framed building which is to have multiple services must be connected to an
SNE main
• SNE cables shall be repaired using SNE cables
• SNE Wavecon mains extensions can only be made to CNE Wavecon cables, via a
linkbox, fitted with a supplementary earth rod
• Where the SNE cable is plain lead, SWA or STA, and not PVC covered and is
longer than 100 m, then the earthrod at the transition joint between the SNE and
CNE cable can be omitted
• An earthrod will be connected to the SNE earthwire at potends

Page 13 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

11.3 Services shall have the same type of earthing as the mains distributor to avoid any issues
with conflicts of earthing.
11.3.1 Converting a SNE service to PME by connecting the Neutral and Earth together at the cut-
out is forbidden.
11.4 The conversion or provision of a PME service from an SNE main purely by connecting the
neutral to the earth in the service joint without ensuring the remainder of the network is PME
enabled is forbidden.
11.4.1 Appendix C gives examples of where a CNE service can be connected to an SNE main
distributor and more importantly where it cannot. Neutral to earth bonding connections are
not shown on our records however it can be concluded that these have been made in the
transition joints between CNE and SNE cable.
11.4.2 It however cannot be assumed that the end of a radial SNE cable has the neutral and earth
bonded and as such any services installed in this section must be SNE.

12 Hybrid Networks
Hybrid networks are those where CNE cable and services have been introduced into SNE networks
but compliance with the requirements of section 11 is only partial or not at all.

13 Protective Neutral Bonding (PNB)

13.1 PNB permits the connection of the neutral conductor with earth at the service position when
only ONE customer is connected to a transformer. Figure 13.1 shows a typical PNB system
which applies to both overhead and underground networks.
13.2 At the transformer and service position in the customer's premises a label with the words
"PNB SYSTEM" shall be installed. This may not always be the case and therefore care
must be undertaken on a network believed to be PNB.
13.2.1 If the supplying transformer remains live and the neutral is cut the LV neutral point on the
transformer will become unearthed. This allows the neutral to earth voltage to rise to many
‘00s of volts which can lead to the possibility of a shock being received. If it is necessary to
break the neutral, then any of the following can be selected depending on the work.
• De-energise the supplying transformer at HV (removing the LV fuses will not remove
the hazard)
• Install a permanent earth at the supplying transformer
• Apply a temporary bonding strap across the section of neutral to be removed
providing a permanent connection will be made before work is completed

Page 14 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure 13.1 - PNB Overhead or Underground Network

13.3 New Installations.

13.3.1 PNB shall not be used for new installations.

14 Where it is Unsafe for Us to Provide an Earth or the

Customer Cannot Use Our Earth
14.1 Where we cannot provide an earth to a customer on the grounds of safety, or the customer
cannot use our earth, by virtual of design of their network, then we will not provide them with
an earth terminal.
14.1.1 The grounds for safety are defined in ESQCR, BS 7671, ENA G12 and specified in SSEN
documents.
14.2 The customer will install their own earth and associated protection in accordance with the
requirements of BS 7671. There will be two separately earth systems, ours and the
customers.
14.3 TT is the international description for where there are two independent earths.

15 Earth Fault Loop Impedance

15.1 The EFLI, or phase-earth loop impedance is defined as the path the earth fault current
would take from our transformer, through the customer’s installation and back to our
transformer. This is shown in figure 15.1 for SNE systems, figure 15.2 for PME enabled
systems.
15.2 High earth loop impedance can result from the following.
• A fault on the network within the earth return path to the substation
• A design issue with the network resulting from conductors with impedances which are
too high or lengths too long

Page 15 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• The change of a conductor to a different material type such as copper to aluminium

Figure 15.1 – Example of Earth Fault Loop Impedance on SNE Underground Network

15.3 High earth loop impedances cannot be reduced by adding more earth rods. Either the
network has to be repaired or redesigned. Details of identification and rectification of high
earth fault loop impedances are given in WI-NET-CAB-140.

Figure 15.2 - Example of Earth Fault Loop Impedance on CNE Underground Network

Page 16 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

16 Why it is Important not to Exceed the Maximum Value of

Earth Fault Loop Impedance
16.1 To maximum the safety of the customer, where reasonable and practicable the SSEN cut-
out fuse shall operate in less than 5 seconds. This complies with BS 7671, The IET wiring
regulations.
16.1.1 For a given size of fuse there is a maximum EFLI for it to operate in 5 seconds.
16.1.2 For a given size of fuse, its operating time increases as the value of EFLI increases.

Figure 16.1 - Example of Earth Fault Loop Impedance

16.2 SSEN are also designing networks so that a substation fuse will operate in 100 seconds for
a fault up to the cut-out.
16.3 For legacy networks which have lead-sheathed cables the provision in 16.1 and 16.2 may
not be able to be met, however there is still a need to minimise the maximum values of
EFLI.
16.4 Refer to PR-NET-ENG-032 for details of EFLI values and fuse sizes.

17 Consideration of Fault Currents on Networks Operating

Above LV
17.1 In deciding the components for an MES, the fault scenarios need to be considered using the
RMS values of fault current. The following types of faults are possible for each voltage level
in the substation. By an assessment of risk these have been categorised for use in SSEN.
17.2 The rating of the MES must be designed in accordance with the fault scenarios with the
higher fault current value for the site being used. It must not be assumed that the rating of
the earthing has to match that of the switchgear as this could lead to an overly conservative
and uneconomic design.

Page 17 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

17.3 Three phases to earth fault

17.3.1 This fault is assumed to act in a single location. Due to imbalance of phase impedances and
fault resistances there will be some fault current flowing to earth. The magnitude of this
however cannot be greater than that of the single phase to earth fault. Consider only the
value of single phase to earth current.

17.4 Two phases to earth fault

17.4.1 This fault is assumed to act in a single location. The magnitude of the fault current flowing to
earth however cannot be greater than that of the single phase to earth fault. Consider only
the value of single phase to earth current.

17.5 Single phase to earth fault (Earth fault current)

17.5.1 This fault shall take into account the maximum level of earth fault current. This value may
well be limited by neutral earthing resistors.

17.6 Phase to phase fault via the earthing system (Cross-country fault)
17.6.1 The cross-country fault can occur within substations and between substations connected by
cable. AIS switchgear is more susceptible to cross-country faults than GIS plant and
therefore sites where AIS equipment is installed shall take into account the value of the
cross-country fault. In the absence of any supporting calculations the cross-country
fault current shall be taken as equivalent to 87% of the three-phase fault current.
17.6.2 It is worthy of note that cross-country faults are not limited by any neutral earthing resistors.

17.7 Simultaneous faults in systems of different voltage

17.7.1 Simultaneous faults involving equipment operating at different voltages shall not be
considered as these are very unlikely.

17.8 Quantification of Earth Fault Current When Considering NERs

17.8.1 Earth fault current shall be taken as the sum of the of the individual NERs. No additional
allowance is required for changes of fault level as these will not affect the EFC which is fixed
by the NER resistances and the substation earth resistance.
Some sites may have LERs with differing values of current rating. Refer to Maximo or ‘the
Primary and Grid Site Earthing Data Documents as they may have a common resistance.
The current for each shall be calculated from the phase-to-earth voltage divided by the
resistance of each.
17.8.2 Where there is potential for additional transformers within the site boundary the earthing
shall be designed for the ultimate configuration assuming the new transformers will be fitted
with their own NERs.
17.8.3 In most cases using the NER current only will be overly conservative and will need the earth
fault current to be recalculated once the soil resistance of the site has been calculated. The
calculation then becomes the phase to earth voltage divided by the sum of the NER
resistance plus the soil resistance.

Page 18 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

17.9 Quantification of Ground Return Current

17.9.1 Where there are no continuous cable sheaths or overhead lines incorporating earthwires the
value of GRC shall equal the EFC.
17.9.2 In the absence of other supporting information, the following values of EFC shall be used.
17.9.3 For overhead lines incorporating earthwires connected onto the substation MES
the GRC = 0.71 x EFC.
17.9.4 For cables.
• 6.6/11 kV - GRC = 0.374 x EFC
• 22/33 kV - GRC = 0.233 x EFC
• 66/132 kV - GRC = 0.127 x EFC

17.10 Fault Current to be Taken into Account

17.10.1 An allowance of 20% for an increase in fault levels shall be added to the phase-to-phase
fault and single phase to earth fault values unless more accurate information is known,
subject to the following exceptions.
• Where the value of earth fault current is limited by NERs, the EFC shall be taken as
section 17.8
• Where the value of three phase fault current is limited by the switchgear rating; the
earthing design shall be that for which the switchgear is rated
17.10.2 The EPR is calculated from the following EPR = GRC x soil resistance.
17.10.3 The fault current to be taken into account for the MES shall be the greater of the cross-
country fault current to a 2 second base or the GRC to a 3 second base unless a 1 second
base can be justified where the speed of protection is less than 0.5 second (unlikely unless
at a Supergrid Substation).
17.10.4 For touch potential within substations, in the absence of main protection earth fault
clearance times, a time of 0.5 seconds shall be used.

18 Ratings of Earthwires, Bonding Leads and Earth Electrodes

18.1 The sizes of earth conductors and tape are a minimum requirement but are correct for the
current rating and hence can be used with confidence and without the need to increase the
size. Larger sizes may be used but these need to be used as a necessity of the design,
such as reducing the current density. Increasing the size will lead to extra costs and may
well form an attraction for thieves. Tables 18.1 to 18.6 give the 1, 2 and 3 second ratings for
standard earthing conductors.
18.2 Specific Design Standards either include the standard size for conductors or the
methodology for calculating their rating accompanied by tables of sizes.
18.3 Shear-off and compression connections have restricted use; refer to individual Design
Standards for specific requirements.
18.4 Single bolted connections can become slack during the flow of fault current and hence their
maximum temperature has been reduced to alleviate the effects of increased resistance.
Double bolted connections fitted with transition washers will be less susceptible and will
support a higher temperature.

Page 19 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

18.4.1 As a general guide, shear-off connections shall not be used in Primary and Grid
Substations. Compression connections shall not be used underground in Primary and Grid
Substations.

Table 18.1 - Single Bolted Connections – Conductor Size

Single Bolted Connections – Above Ground

1 second 2 second 3 second
Conductor Size
Material Rating Rating Rating
mm
kA kA kA
16 mm2 stranded Copper 1
32 mm2 stranded Copper 3
70 mm2 stranded Copper 7
125 mm2 stranded Copper 22 16 13
150 mm2 stranded Copper 26 18 15
50 mm2 stranded Aluminium 4
120 mm2 Aluflex Aluminium 14 10 8
120 mm2 BLX or BLL Aluminium alloy 11 8 7

Table 18.2 - Single Bolted Connections - Bar Size

Single Bolted Connections – Above Ground

1 second 2 second 3 second
Bar Size
Material Rating Rating Rating
mm
kA kA kA
40 x 4 bar Copper 16
50 x 6 bar Copper 53 37 30
20 x 5 bar Aluminium 8
40 x 5 bar Aluminium 13
60 x 6 bar Aluminium 24
70 x 6 bar Aluminium 28
80 x 6 bar Aluminium 32

Table 18.3 - Double Bolted - Conductor Size

Double Bolted Connections – Above Ground

1 second 2 second 3 second
Conductor Size
Material Rating Rating Rating
mm
kA kA kA
16 mm2 stranded Copper 1
32 mm2 stranded Copper 4
70 mm2 stranded Copper 10 8
125 mm2 stranded Copper 27 19 15
150 mm2 stranded Copper 31 22 18
50 mm2 stranded Aluminium 4
120 mm2 Aluflex Aluminium 15 11 9
120 mm2 BLX or BLL Aluminium alloy 11 8 7

Page 20 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Table 18.4 - Double Bolted - Bar Size

Double Bolted Connections – Above Ground

1 second 2 second 3 second
Bar Size
Material Rating Rating Rating
mm
kA kA kA
35 x 4 bar Copper 30 21 17
40 x 4 bar Copper 34 24 20
50 x 4 bar Copper 42 30 25
50 x 6 bar Copper 64 45 37
40 x 5 bar Aluminium 26 18 15
60 x 6 bar Aluminium 47 33 27
70 x 6 bar Aluminium 54 38 31
80 x 6 bar Aluminium 62 44 36

Table 18.5 - Welded or Compression Connections - Conductor Size

Welded or Compression Connections – Above or Below Ground

1 second 2 second 3 second
Conductor Size
Material Rating Rating Rating
mm
kA kA kA
16 mm2 stranded Copper 1
32 mm2 stranded Copper 4
70 mm2 stranded Copper 10 8
125 mm2 stranded Copper 27 19 15
150 mm2 stranded Copper 31 22 18

Table 18.6 - Welded or Compression Connections - Bar Size

Welded or Compression Connections – Above or Below Ground

1 second 2 second 3 second
Bar Size
Material Rating Rating Rating
mm
kA kA kA
35 x 4 bar Copper 30 21 17
40 x 4 bar Copper 34 24 20
50 x 4 bar Copper 42 30 25
50 x 6 bar Copper 64 45 37
18.5 Earth electrodes shall be designed assuming the following criteria.
• A conductor shall not be de-rating even if installed in trunking or duct
• A ring conductor shall have a rating of at least 57% of design fault rating
• A double conductor shall be rated at 1.6 times the rating of a single conductor. The
ends of double conductors shall be made off into independent connections
• Shear-off lugs shall be rated at the lesser of the number of bolts needed to make the
connection compared with the number of shear-off bolts. For instance, a single hole
lug with two shear-off bolts would be rated as a single bolt connection. A straight
connector with 3 shear off bolt per conductor would be rated as a double bolt
connector
18.6 Table 18.7 gives the maximum temperature for material and method of connection. The
Initial temperature shall be 30oC. This figure shall not be reduced but may be increased for
indoor environments.

Page 21 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Table 18.7 - Maximum Temperature

Connection Type
Single Bolt Lug Double Bolt Lug
with Transition with Transition Welded, brazed,
Material Washer or Washer or plumbed or
single shear- multiple shear- compressed
bolt connector bolt connector o
C
o o
C C
Copper 250 405 405
Aluminium 250 325 325
Steel 250 405 405
BLX or BLL Covered Aluminium Alloy 190 190 Not applicable
PVC Covered Copper 175 175 Not applicable
Lead Note 1 Note 1 200

Note 1. Bolted connections are not the permitted on Lead as it can extrude under pressure
weakening the connection. Either a mechanical clamp (refer to jointing instructions) or
plumbing can be used.

Table 18.8 gives details of the parameters to be used in the non-adiabatic formula for
calculation of the ratings of earthing conductors.

Table 18.8 - Parameters

Material temperature temperature volumetric Resistivity

co-efficient co-efficient specific Ωm
of resistance of resistance heat
o -1 o
C C J(oCm)-3
K α β σ20 ρ20
Copper 226 0.004264 234.5 3.45 × 10-6 1.7241 × 10–8
Aluminium 148 0.004386 228 2.5 × 10-6 2.8264 × 10–8
Aluminium alloy 137 0.004386 228 2.5 × 10-6 3.284 × 10–8
Steel 78 0.00495 202 3.8 × 10-6 13.8 × 10–8
BLX or BLL Covered
148 0.004386 228 2.5 × 10-6 3.284 × 10–8
Aluminium Alloy
PVC Covered
226 0.004264 234.5 3.45 × 10-6 1.7241 × 10–8
Copper
Lead 41 0.004348 230 1.45 × 10-6 21.4 × 10–8

19 Surface Current Density of Earth Electrode

19.1 The surface current density, J, of an earth electrode is equal to the electrode current divided
by the surface area of the electrode.
19.1.1 There is a limit to the surface current limit above which the ground dries out and the
electrode resistance increases substantially.
19.2 The formula for the limiting value of J is given by,
57.7 0.5
𝐽 = 10−3 × ( )
𝜌 ×𝑡

Page 22 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Where J = surface current density in A mm-2

ρ = soil resistivity in Ω m
t = fault duration in seconds

19.3 The surface area of a bar is calculated by multiplying its length, width and thickness.
19.4 For a round or stranded conductor the surface area is calculated by multiplying its length by
the circumference of the circumscribing circle. Common surface areas for round or circular
conductors are given in table 19.1.

Table 19.1 - Round or Stranded Conductor

Cross-Sectional Surface area

Material
Area mm2 per m length
16 diameter Copper-clad rod 50265
16 Copper 17876
32 Copper 25258
35 Copper 24033
60 Copper 33458
70 Copper 33615
95 Copper 39144
120 Copper 44642
125 Copper 43825
150 Copper 49480
185 Copper 78069

19.5 Table 25.1 gives the maximum current density for soil types (resistivities). By calculating J
and altering the formula in 19.2, the limiting value of resistivity for the design can be
calculated and checked against the soil type. This allows a basic design to be undertaken
prior to undertaking site measurements if required.
19.6 For Primary and Grid design, the earth electrode to be considered shall be that of the
peripheral ring and its rods. Spur connections shall be ignored.
19.6.1 Where, when calculated as 19.6, the current density is excessive then the mesh
interconnection conductors can be included.

20 Standardised Earthing Resistances and Conductors

20.1 Standard earthing resistances will be used as detailed in Table 19.1. These values are a
maximum and shall, where reasonable, be lower.
20.2 Also shown is the minimum conductor size. To lead to an efficient design these sizes should
not be increased unless economically sensible.

Page 23 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Table 20.1 - Standardised Earthing Resistances and Conductors

Minimum size of
Minimum size Aluminium Maximum
of Copper Earthing or Earth
Plant/Equipment Location
Earthing or Bonding Lead Resistance
Bonding Lead (only to be used Ohms
above ground)
Grid Distribution Substations
Including cable and overhead line terminations in substations. Refer enquiry to [email protected]
Primary Distribution Substations
Including cable and overhead line terminations in substations. Refer enquiry to [email protected]
Ground Mounted Secondary Distribution Substations
HV Metalwork supporting or Substation
enclosing electrical 70 mm² bare 120 mm² Aluflex 50
equipment
LV Neutral Earth Substation 32 mm² PVC Not used 40
Cables not inside substations
Metalwork supporting or Cable
enclosing electrical Termination
equipment support 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 50
steelwork on
pole.
Bonding Metallic
sheaths/screens to Substation 70 mm² bare 100 mm² n/a
metalwork
Surge Arresters 11 kV Cable
32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 10
Terminations
33 kV Cable
70 mm² PVC 100 mm² PVC 10
Terminations
Cross-bonding joints - main
33 kV 70 mm² PVC Not used 10
earth connections
Cross-bonding joints - link
33 kV Refer to TG-NET-CAB-427
box connections
Overhead Lines not inside substations
Steel Towers operating at Steel Tower Leg 70 mm² or
Not used 10
33 kV and above 35 x 4 mm tape
Steelwork supporting or Structures
enclosing electrical required to be
32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 50
equipment earthed, trussing
tackle
Steelwork Bonding Wire Crossarms and
32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC n/a
other metalwork
Surge Arresters at cable 11 kV Cable
32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 10
terminations Terminations
33 kV Cable
70 mm² PVC 100 mm² PVC 10
Terminations
Autoreclosers or other HV Earth 32mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 50
Switchgear controlled at
ground level using control Earth Mat 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC n/a
boxes Control box 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC n/a
Stays Pole top make-
Kingwire n/a
offs
Handle Operated Air Break HV Earth 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 50
Switch Disconnector Earth Mat 32 mm² bare Not used n/a
Hook Stick Air Break Switch Bonding 32 mm² bare or
50 mm² bare or PVC n/a
Disconnector PVC

Page 24 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Minimum size of
Minimum size Aluminium Maximum
of Copper Earthing or Earth
Plant/Equipment Location
Earthing or Bonding Lead Resistance
Bonding Lead (only to be used Ohms
above ground)
Pole Mounted Transformer HV Steelwork
32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 50
fitted with arcing horns Earth
Pole Mounted Transformer HV Steelwork
32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 10
fitted with surge arresters Earth
Pole Mounted Transformer LV Neutral Earth
at transformer or 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 40
first pole away
Continuous Earth Wire SNE Lines and 16 mm2 bare or 50 mm² PVC or
n/a
Services PVC XLPE Covered
General
LV Neutral to Earth CNE main earth 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 20
PNB main earth 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 40
SNE main earth 32 mm² PVC 50 mm² PVC 40
Other connections to earth Additional/
supplementary 16 mm² PVC 25 mm² PVC 100
earths
Link boxes and
16 mm² PVC n/a 100
street pillars

21 Standardised Earthing and Bonding Layouts, Design and

Installation Methods for Substations
21.1 The standardised earthing layouts are shown in the specific Design Standards for the assets
being earthed or bonded.
21.2 The following design standards are applicable.
• TG-NET-SST-005, Secondary Distribution Substations Common Clauses - Design
and Installation Standard
• TG-NET-SST-032, Primary Distribution Substations- Earthing Requirements-Design
Standard
• WI-NET-CAB-150, Earthing of Secondary Substation Ground Mounted Plant –
Installation Instruction

22 Earth Potential Rise

22.1 Earth potential rise occurs where a current flows through an earth electrode into the ground,
the ground return current. The soil has a value of resistivity. Hence an earth electrode put in
the soil will end up with a resistance called the ‘earth resistance’. When a fault occurs
current will flow into the ground through the earth resistance leading to the EPR.
22.2 EPR is defined as the product of the soli resistance and ground return current (Ohms Law).
Note the EPR cannot exceed the phase to earth value of the driving voltage. See figure
22.1.
22.3 The EPR drops off as the further away from the earth electrode you are.
22.4 ERP can also be called ROEP – Rise of Earth Potential.

Page 25 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

22.5 Ground return current must not get confused with earth fault current as for cable networks a
proportion of the EFC follows in the cable sheath.

Figure 22.1 - Earth Potential Rise

22.6 Effects of EPR

22.6.1 There are three effects which affect persons touch, step and transfer potential. Figure 22.2
gives a pictorial view of these.
22.6.2 When determining the effects of EPR on human beings the earth fault protection time of
main protection shall be used. The values of backup protection produce an extremely
conservative and uneconomic design. The risk is unwarranted as requires the following to
materialise.

Figure 22.2 - Effects of EPR

• A person is in a location where they can be affected by EPR

• An earth fault occurs triggering a hazardous EPR

Page 26 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• The primary earth fault protection fails to operate

22.7 Touch Potential

22.7.1 This term describes the voltage appearing between a person’s hands and feet or between a
person’s hands.
22.7.2 Hand to foot touch potential arises from the fact that the EPR at a person’s feet can be
somewhat lower in value than that present on the buried earth electrode (and any connected
metalwork). If an earthed metallic structure is accessible, a person standing on the ground
1 m away and touching the structure will be subject to the touch potential. In addition, the
permissible limits for step potential are usually much higher than for touch potential. As a
consequence, if a substation is safe against touch potentials, it will normally be safe against
step potentials.
22.7.3 In some situations, the hand-to-hand touch potential shall be considered, for example if
equipment connected to a substation MES are within 2 m of a segregated earthed fence.
22.7.4 The permitted value of touch potential is shown in table 22.1 which is taken from
ENA TS 41-24.
22.7.5 Within a substation or other situation where an earth mat is installed the actual tolerable
voltage shall be taken as twice the value in table 22.1. The rational is that for a properly
designed earthing either is a substation or elsewhere will produce actual touch potentials
between the object and where a person is standing significantly less than the actual EPR of
the site.

Figure 22.3 - Permissible Touch Potentials

22.8 Step Potential

22.8.1 The potential gradient in the ground is greatest immediately adjacent to the substation earth
electrode. Accordingly, the maximum step potential at a time of earth potential rise will be
experienced by a person who step towards true earth. For purposes of assessment the step
distance is taken as one metre. has one foot on the ground of maximum potential rise and

Page 27 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

the other foot one.

22.8.2 The permitted value of step potential is shown in table 22.2 which is taken from
ENA TS 41-24.
22.8.3 Where touch potential is controlled effectively step potential can be ignored.

Figure 22.4 - Permissible Step Potentials

22.8.4 For example, on 150 mm chippings, for a 1 second fault Vt = 298 V and Vs = 24083 V.

22.9 Transfer Potential

22.9.1 A metallic object having length - a fence, a pipe, a cable sheath or a cable core, for
example, may be located so as to bring in (import) or carry out (export) a potential to or from
the site. By such means a remote, or true earth (zero) potential can be transferred into an
area of high earth potential rise or vice-versa. For example, a long wire fence tied to an
unsegregated substation fence could export the site EPR to the end of the wire fence, where
it may pose an electric shock hazard to somebody standing on soil at true earth potential.
Similarly, a metallic water pipe (or telephone cable, or pilot cable, etc.) could import a zero-
volt reference into a substation, where local potential differences could be dangerous.
Bonding the cable or pipe to the substation system might reduce local risk but could create a
problem elsewhere; isolation units or insulated inserts (for pipework) are typical solutions
that may need to be considered. The limits for permissible transfer potential relate to shock
risk (touch and step potential), and equipment damage / insulation breakdown (withstand
voltage).
22.9.2 There are two types of transfer potential, direct and indirect.
• Direct is where the long metallic object is connected directly to the earthing subject to
the EPR
• Indirect is where an earthed object picks up voltage at an equipotential remote from
the earthing subject to an EPR. For example, a pole mounted transformer with
segregated HV and LV earths. A fault causing an EPR rise on the HV earth is picked
by the LV earth rod and transferred into the LV network

22.10 Effect of electricity on animals

22.10.1 The ESQCR puts am obligation on SSEN to prevent danger to livestock and domestic
animals. Horses and cattle are known to be particularly susceptible to potential gradients in

Page 28 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

soil. There are no safety limits prescribed for animals, but technical report IEC/TR 60479-3
provides some limited experimental data. Interpretation of this data suggests that potential
gradients (such as around remote electrodes or structures placed in fields) not exceeding 25
V/m will generally not result in animal fatality.

22.11 Injury or shock to persons and animals outside of substations and earth
grids.
22.11.1 Shock risk outside an installation can be introduced by metallic transfer (fence, pipe, cable)
or via the soil. Where a hazardous transferred potential can occur due to a continuously
metallically conductive construction, the transfer potential shall be blocked by the
introduction of insulation or other protective measures (examples include insulated sections
introduced into external metal fences). Where metal fences are bonded to the substation
MES, the touch and step potentials external to them shall be controlled by the design, such
that they are within the acceptable limits. Where HV and LV earthing systems are combined,
the EPR is transferred from the installation into domestic, commercial or industrial properties
and shall not exceed 430 V.
22.11.2 In many situations, risk to individuals may be beyond the control of SSEN, for example if a
building is erected close to an existing substation. In such circumstances, a risk assessment
shall be carried out to establish the level of risk, and the justifiable spend to mitigate against
that risk. Acceptable voltage thresholds will be influenced by activity (such as wet/dry),
location (such as beach-side) and the presence of animals.

23 Hot Sites – Primary and Grid Substations

23.1 Schedule 4 of the Electricity Act 1989 details the obligations of SSEN and Communications
Network Providers (Telecom Network Providers) to avoid interference between electrical
lines (cables or overhead lines) or plant and telecommunications apparatus. The
requirements are fully detailed in ENA EREC S36.
23.2 In accordance with the provisions of ENA EREC S36, SSEN must maintain a register of hot
Primary and Grid sites where the EPR is greater than 430 V for circuit protection operating
at or above 200 milliseconds (deemed high reliability) and 650 V when operating below 200
milliseconds.
23.2.1 Substation equipment operating at 132 kV and above can be deemed to have a protection
operating time of less than 200 milliseconds. Equipment at all other voltages shall be
deemed to have an operating time of 200 milliseconds or greater.
23.2.2 Substations will also cover sealing end compounds.
23.2.3 Secondary substations will not be included in the register but where required by a TNP,
details can be provided, although these will be subject to an assessment with the associated
costs being passed on to the TNP.
23.3 Schedule 4 of the Electricity Act 1989 details the obligations of SSEN and Communications
Network Providers (Telecom Network Providers) to avoid interference between electrical
lines (cables or overhead lines) or plant and telecommunications apparatus.
23.4 SSEN will provide the following information regarding the EPR and extent of the hot zone
from the boundary of the substation for the following voltage contours.
• 430 V
• 650 V
• 1150 V

Page 29 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• 1700 V
23.4.1 In addition to the voltage contours in 23.4 in petroleum filling stations the 250 V contour is
also required as this is the maximum voltage which can be tolerated on the fuel pump
forecourt TT earth grid.
23.4.2 Where SSEN does not have sufficient information to detail the extent of a hot zone it will
assume that this is 100 m. The associated sites will be termed in the hot site register as
‘presumed Hot’.
23.4.3 SSEN will not be providing maps showing these voltage contours.
23.5 In designing sites at all voltages SSEN shall strive to ensure where it is reasonable,
practicable and economic that sites are not hot, or where hot, the EPR is reduced where
achievable.
23.6 The hot site register will be incorporated into the Grid and Primary Substation Earthing Data
Sheets.
23.7 The responsibility for costs associated with mitigation required for a hot site comes is on the
second comer up to an EPR zone of 100 m. Where the EPR zone is greater than 100 m the
costs will be agreed between SSEN and the TNP.
23.7.1 Either party may have to take steps to reduce the level and spread of EPR however the
funding required shall still be as per 23.7.
23.8 Refer to TG-NET-SST-013 for the required mitigation at hot sites.

24 Hot Sites – Secondary Substations

24.1 The requirements for hot secondary substation sites are detailed in the relevant design
standards.
24.2 Where the EPR is greater than 430 V the HV steelwork earth/LV neutral earth link shall be
removed unless stated otherwise in specific Design Standards.
24.2.1 ENA TS 43-24 uses a value of twice the tolerable touch voltage for 1 second which equals
466 V. However, custom and practice regarding the use of 430 V is embedded and as such
this will be the controlling value.
24.3 When establishing a secondary substation (either ground mounted or pole mounted), it shall
be sited at least 10 m from a telecommunications cabinet or exchange.
24.3.1 Where it is not possible to achieve this distance, the site must be assessed to ensure that it
will not be hot and, where hot, the EPR and extent of the 430 V contour must be given to the
Communications Network Provider. All pole mounted transformers will be assumed to be
hot.
24.4 When assessing a secondary substation for EPR the stress voltage of individual
components needs to be checked. With the LV neutral earth/HV steelwork link removed, this
normally will be the LV bushing which has a tested value of 3 kV. Taking the maximum
statutory value of phase earth voltage of 253 V and assuming that this acts in antiphase to
the EPR means the maximum value of EPR is 3000 – 253 = 2747 V. Allowing an arbitrary
factor of safety the maximum EPR shall be taken as 2 kV. Above this value an alternative
method of providing segregation such as HV screen-break joints may have to be used.

Page 30 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

25 Neutral Earthing
25.1 Method of Neutral Earthing
25.1.1 The method of neutral (or star point) earthing strongly influences the fault current level. The
earthing system shall be designed appropriate to any normal or alternative neutral earthing
arrangements, in a similar way that it will be necessary to consider alternative running
arrangements that may affect fault levels or protection clearance times.

25.2 Secondary Distribution Transformers

25.2.1 Secondary distribution transformers will have the LV neutral directly connected to an earth
electrode. No removable links are permitted in this connection. The only permitted
removable link is between the HV steelwork and LV neutral earth.

25.3 Primary and Grid Transformer with Star Connected Secondary Windings
25.3.1 Neutral earthing resistors will be installed directly connected to the neutral point of the
secondary winding unless both of the following can be achieved without:
• The earth fault current is less than 625 A per transformer
• The EPR is limit is less than 3 kV
25.3.2 With the advent of the solid resistor NER, which requires minimal maintenance NERs shall
be installed when installing new or replacement transformers. The earth fault current shall
be limited to 625 A per transformer.

25.4 Grid Transformer with Delta Connected Secondary Windings

25.4.1 In this case the transformer LV side will need to be fitted with an earthing transformer which
will create an artificial neutral point.
25.4.2 NERs will be fitted to each transformer restricting the earth fault current to 750 A per
transformer.

25.5 Non-liquid Earthing Resistors

25.6 Non-liquid NERs required virtually no maintenance and consist of resistor elements design
to give a specific resistance and a specific current.
25.7 New and replacement transformers will be fitted with their own NERs, using the same NER
for multiple transformers is no longer permitted. Retrospective changing of NERs controlling
multiple transformers is not required.

25.8 Liquid Earthing Resistors

25.8.1 LERs require maintenance, and it is normal to provide switchgear so that they can be
shorted out on a temporary basis.
25.8.2 With the LER switched out the earth fault currents and hence EPR values will increase
substantially. To minimise the risk to staff and the general public LERs shall not be shorted
out for more than 7 days unless fault level reduction measure have been put in place to
reduce the fault level to that similar to the situation with the LER connected and network
running normally.

Page 31 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

26 Retention of Abandoned PILC Type Cables for Network

Earthing
26.1 PILC, PILCSTA and PILCSWA cables can account for 50% of the earthing at a Primary or
Grid substation. When abandoned this contribution is lost and hence the earth resistance
and EPR at the substation rises. This will affect surrounding substations through transfer
potential.
26.2 Were PILC style cables emanating from a substation are abandoned the sheaths must be
reconnected to the substation MES to ensure their continuing contribution to the earthing of
the substation. Failure to undertake this simple measure could lead to significant costs for
SSEN in providing other mitigation.

27 Soil Resistivity Measurement

27.1 The test setup for measuring the soil resistivity is shown in Figure 27.1 4 auxiliary electrodes
are set up inline with each other. The distance ‘A’ is known as the Wenner spacing. The
electrodes must be separated by the same spacing.
27.2 For simplistic electrodes such as single rods or secondary distribution substations the
Wenner spacing shall be 27, 18, 13.5 or 9 m; depending on what space there is at the site
the largest value shall be used.
27.3 For Primary and Grid substation sites the Wenner spacing shall be 200, 150 or 100 m
depending on the space on site.
27.4 When it is not possible to get the length required on site it is permitted to take the
measurement in an adjacent open space. However, where this adjacent space consists of
made-up land the readings may not be consistent with the actual resistivity on site.

Figure 27.1 - Soil Resistivity Measurement

27.5 The apparent soil resistivity is calculated from the formula shown below,

𝜌 =2 × 𝜋×𝑅 ×𝐴
Where p = resistivity in Ωm.
R = resistance measured on meter in Ω.
A = Wenner spacing in m.

Page 32 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

28 Soil Resistivity Values

28.1 Standard soil resistivity values which can be used for basic designs are given in table 24.1.
It should be noted that actual values can vary from the standard and standard values must
only be used for overhead and cable assets up to and including 33 kV, and ground mounted
assets up to and including 11 kV.
28.2 In all other cases the standard values can be used for a proposed design but may be
supplemented by actual site measurements.
28.3 Table 28.1 also gives the maximum current density which the type of soil can support.

Table 28.1 - Soil Type

Resistivity Maximum
Soil Type Current Density
Ωm x 10 -5 A/mm2
Clay 40 69
Farming soil 100 44
Silt 150 36
Sand 200 31
Chalk 400 22
Sandstone/limestone 500 20
Shale/gravel 600 18
Peat/loam 700 17
Stone/rock 1000 14
Granite 5000 6

29 Earth Electrode Resistance Measurement

29.1 The earth electrode resistance can be measured with either a 3 or 4 terminal meter. Where
a 4-terminal meter is used C1 and P1 shall be joined together. See Figure 29.1.
29.2 The C2 lead shall be run out 50 m with the P2 lead run out 31 m. This reflects the 61.8%
rule which states that the correct resistance in the majority of cases is obtained when the
distance of the voltage probe is 61.8% of the distance of the current probe. If other
distances for the C probe are used, then the equivalent distance for the V probe is
calculated using the 61.8% rule.
The value measured at the 61.8% distance shall be recorded.

Page 33 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure 29.1 - Earth Electrode Resistance Measurement

30 Earth Resistance Measurement – Current Injection Method

This method has not been used routinely by SSEN. It involves simulating a fault by injecting current
into the earth electrode and measuring the voltage rise remotely.

31 Electrical Segregation Tests for HV and LV Electrodes

31.1 These tests must be carried out whenever electrically separated HV and LV earth electrode
systems are installed at the same location. For example, a transformer HV steelwork earth
and LV neutral earth.
31.2 Measure the following:
• HV Steelwork earth value (R1). Tested as section 29
• LV neutral earth value (R2). Tested as section 29
• The loop resistance (R3)
31.3 The setup to measure R3 is shown in Figure 31.1. C1 and P1 are connected together and
connected to say the HV electrode. C2 and P2 are connected together and connected to
say the LV electrode. R3 is then read from the meter.

Page 34 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure 31.1 - Electrical Segregation Tests for HV and LV Electrodes

31.4 The formula shown below is used to calculate the segregation value, SV.
𝑅3
𝑆𝑉 =
(𝑅1 + 𝑅2)
If SV is 0.9 or greater then satisfactory earth separation exists.
If SV it is less than 0.9 then work must be undertaken to obtain the rectify the separation.
31.5 Segregation tests are not required on pole mounted transformer installations where the
neutral earth is one pole away from the transformer, providing the pole is at least 15 m
away.
31.6 This method of test can be used wherever earth electrodes are required to be segregated.

32 Fences
32.1 Secondary Distribution Substations
32.1.1 Where SSEN own all the equipment within the substation the fence shall not be earthed.
32.1.2 Where SSEN own the majority of the equipment (except say the RMU) within the substation
the fence shall not be earthed unless the other party requires it as part of their standard
design. Where this is the case, the SSEN HV earth installed within the substation shall be
connected to the fence in opposite corners of the substation. A grading ring of
70 mm2 copper shall be installed external to the fence, 0.5 m away and 0.5 m deep (unless
the other party requests differently) and bonded to the fence on each side of the fence.
32.1.3 Where SSEN is the minority user then the fence earthing will be to the majority owner’s
design standards.

Page 35 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

32.2 Primary And Grid Substations Independently Earthed Fences

32.2.1 Substation perimeter fences will normally be independently earthed, and the MES and any
items connected to it will be at least 2 m away from the fence.
32.2.2 Independently earthed fences must be earthed with rods at all corners and at all points
where HV overhead conductors cross the fence and with further rods at 50 metre intervals
round the site. Metallic gates must be bonded by flexible connections to adjacent fence
sections.
32.2.3 When a fence is independently earthed then any earth tape or metal pipe or hessian served
cable passing under the fence must be insulated for a distance of 2 m either side of the
fence.
32.2.4 Refer to individual Design Standards for full details.

32.3 Primary And Grid Substations Unsegregated Earthed Fences

32.3.1 Fencing connected to the substation earthing system must be connected at 50 metre
intervals. If the fence forms the perimeter fence, then touch potential could be excessive and
additional bare electrode conductor must be buried in the ground external to the fence and
at a distance of 1 metre from the fence. The conductor must be connected to the fence and
to the earthing system at intervals of 50 m. Further bonds between the fence and the
earthing system must be made at all points where HV overhead conductors cross the fence.
32.3.2 Refer to specific Design Standards full for details.

33 Metallic Doors on Secondary Substation Sites

33.1 Metallic doors on secondary substation sites shall not be bonded to the LV or HV earth
electrodes.
33.2 The exception is where a frame is integral to a steel-clad building in which case it shall be
bonded to the LV electrode.

34 Underground Cables within Primary and Grid Substations

34.1 General
34.1.1 This section covers cables entering and interconnecting within Primary and Grid
Substations.

34.2 Non-Insulated/Armour Cables

34.2.1 The sheath/armour of hessian served cables when buried in the ground can be regarded as
continuously earthed. Such cables, when extended outside the substation, significantly
increase the substation earthing system and this benefit shall be taken into account when
designing the earthing system.

34.3 Insulated Sheathed Cables

34.3.1 The metallic screenwires of cables will provide a very low impedance return path for earth
fault current flowing in the cable conductors thus greatly reducing the quantity of current that
flows to ground. To achieve this the screenwires must be earthed at all termination's and for

Page 36 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

three phase cables this arrangement is mandatory.

34.3.2 For single core cables may require to be earthed at a single point and a continuity
conductor, earthed at both ends, must be laid to and equally spaced with respect to the
three single core cables. Shrouding of the screenwires at the unearthed ends will be
required.
34.4 Where surge arresters are required at a cable termination structure the screenwires must be
connected to earth at that structure.

34.5 Cables Within Substations

34.5.1 Three core cables must have their sheath/armour/screenwires earthed at both ends.
34.5.2 Single point earthing normally be acceptable for single core cables. The preferred end for
the single point earth is where staff are most frequently present, such as at switchgear. At
the unearthed end, the screen wires shall be cut back and embedded within the termination.

34.6 Cables Entering Substations

34.6.1 The sheath/armour/screenwires at the substation end of the cable must be connected to the
MES.

34.7 Outdoor Cable Sealing Ends

34.7.1 Where an earthwire from a steel tower terminates at a cable sealing end compound that is
well outside the substation, continuity between the base of the tower and the MES must be
provided by the sheaths of the cables.
34.7.2 Where the fault current is higher than the rating of the cable sheath considering the return
path is via one circuit only (for dual circuits assume the second circuit earth is disconnected)
additional earthing conductors shall be installed to achieve the rating.
34.7.3 Cable sheaths and additional earthing conductors shall be connected to the MES.

35 Cross-Bonded Systems
35.1 Long lengths of single core cable can experience high screen circulating currents. To reduce
this effect the cables shall be laid in tight trefoil.
35.2 Where design calculations show that the screenwires to earth voltage shall exceed 65 V
under full load conditions cross-bonding shall be installed.
35.3 To mitigate the effects of extreme voltage rise under fault condition sheath voltage limiters
shall be installed where required.
35.4 Refer to TG-NET-CAB-427 for systems up to and including 33 kV.

36 Overhead Lines
36.1 Plant Poles
36.1.1 Poles fitted with transformers, autoreclosers, surge arresters, air break switch disconnector,
fusegear and cable terminations must have the steelwork bonded and earthed.

Page 37 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

36.2 Stays
36.2.1 The pole top make-offs of all stays will be bonded to the line support steelwork. Stay wires
entering the ground within 2 m of a metallic secondary distribution substation fence, will be
bonded to the fence.
36.2.2 Wind stays are normally fitted well below the crossarm steelwork. Where, however, the pole
top make-off will be in contact with the pole steelwork, will be within 1.5m of the steelwork,
or, the pole is earthed then it must be bonded to the steelwork either by installing a bonding
conductor or connecting the king wire to the HV steelwork as appropriate. Otherwise the
wind stay does not need bonding.
36.2.3 Stay insulators must be positioned so that no part of the stay insulator is less than 3 m
above ground level (or climbable obstruction). This applies under both the normal and
broken conditions.

36.3 Steelwork
36.3.1 All supporting steelwork attached to, or, forming part of a wood pole will be bonded together.
This will also apply where there are multiple crossarms on the pole, such as a tee-off pole.
36.3.2 Cross bracing (trussing tackle) will not be earthed unless the lowest member is less than 3
m above ground level or earthed equipment is installed on the same pole. Bonding is not
required between the cross bracing and the pole top steelwork. On earthed poles the cross
bracing shall be bonded to the earth conductor.
36.3.3 When a pole is required to be earthed and is situated within 2 m of the perimeter fence of a
secondary distribution substation then the steelwork earth will be bonded to the main
substation earthing system. This may be inherent by virtue of a cable being installed
between the terminal pole and the substation in which case no additional earthing is
required. If a separate earthwire has to be laid then it shall be either PVC covered or
installed in duct for a distance of 0.5m inside of the secondary distribution substation fence
to the pole.

36.4 Terminal Structures

36.4.1 Where the wire of an incoming line ends at a terminal support, continuity will be provided for
current in the earth wire to flow to the main earthing system.
36.4.2 Terminal towers of steel tower lines will be bonded to the MES.
36.4.3 Where the earthwire terminates on a steel tower just outside the substation fence, continuity
will be provided by bonding between the earth wire and the top of the tower and between
the substation earthing system and the base of the tower. These bonds must be of equal
rating to the earth wire. The latter bond must be buried and consist of two conductors
separated from one another and must, by suitable insulation, be kept clear of any
independently earthed fence under which they pass for a distance of 2 m on either side.
36.4.4 Terminal pole stay wires, if external but within 2 m of a fence shall be connected to the must
be bonded to the fence. The stay wires must incorporate stay insulators.

36.5 Surge Arresters not within a Primary or Grid Substation

36.5.1 The bases of the arresters will be bolted to the support bracket and connected directly to an
earth electrode. Where the arresters are mount on common steelwork then the earthwire
need only be connected to one arrester. The earthwire shall be run unbroken from the surge
arresters to the earth electrode.

Page 38 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

36.5.2 A connection must be made between the earthing points on the plant or cable to be
protected and the surge arrester bracket or earthwire. This can be achieved by either
running an earthwire from the plant to the surge arrester bracket, or, by connecting the plant
earthwire to the surge arrester earth using angle taps (‘L’ taps).

36.6 Overhead Switchgear

36.7 All steelwork of equipment operated by a metal rod and handle at ground level, must be
bonded and earthed. The earth wire will continue down the pole, on the opposite side to the
operating handle and earthmat, to an earth electrode at least 5 m from the pole. The earth
mat will be provided, near the ground surface in the position taken up by a person operating
a switch handle. The earthmat will be run in a loop with both ends connected to the
operating handle of the equipment.
36.8 Insulated rod or hook stick operated switchgear will be bonded to the pole top steelwork but
not connected to earth provided that no part of the associated steelwork is within 3 m of the
ground or climbable obstacle.
36.9 Where the operating lever of a hook stick type, disconnector is not attached to its support
steelwork (i.e., mounted 3 m below the switch) then a bonding conductor must be run
between the switch steelwork and the operating lever.
36.10 Drop out expulsion fuses (DOEFs) and automatic sectionalising links (ASLs) will be bonded
to the pole top steelwork, but not connected to earth.
36.11 Hook stick operated switchgear, DOEFs and ASLs shall normally be installed on unearthed
poles. They shall never be installed on transformer poles with the exception of a free-
standing pole. They must never be installed on an earthed pole if it is possible to site them
on an unearthed pole, even if this means moving the desired location a few spans. Where it
is necessary to install one of the above devices on an earthed pole then the HV steelwork
earth shall be placed in such a position that the operator will not stand on, or near, it when
operating the gear.
36.12 On free standing transformer poles both the HV and LV earths shall be placed in such a
position that the operator will not stand on them when operating the fusegear.
36.13 A provision shall be made for installing a portable earth on the bonding wires.

36.14 Pole Mounted Transformers

36.14.1 The HV steelwork earth conductor from the transformer to the earth electrode will be PVC
insulated copper. The connection must incorporate a connector or bridge for test and
earthing purposes The earth electrode will consist of a minimum of 2 x 1200 mm rods
coupled together. The resistance of the HV earth shall comply with table 18.1. Where a
single electrode does not produce the desired resistance then addition electrodes consisting
of 2 x 1200 mm rods, spaced 4.8 m apart, connected together using 32 mm² bare copper,
shall be installed until the correct value of resistance has been obtained.
36.14.2 The LV neutral earth connection will always be segregated from the HV steelwork earth.
This can be done in either of two ways.
36.14.3 The neutral earth shall be installed on the first pole out from the transformer. This is the
preferred method of neutral earthing, but can only be applied if there are no services or
cables connected onto the transformer pole.
36.14.4 The neutral earth is installed on the transformer pole. In this case the neutral earth must be
segregated by at least 5 m from the HV steelwork earth by using PVC covered conductor.
36.14.5 The following are special cases where there are specific positions for the neutral earth.

Page 39 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• Where there are two outgoing circuits from the transformer then either a single neutral
earth installed at the transformer, or a neutral earth installed on the first pole out on
each circuit
• Where an LV cable is attached on the transformer pole the neutral earth will always
be installed on the transformer pole
• Where there are services attached on the transformer pole the neutral earth will
always be installed on the transformer pole
36.14.6 The neutral earth electrode will consist of a minimum of 2 x 1200 mm rods coupled together
connected to the LV neutral using PVC covered conductor. The resistance of the LV neutral
earth shall comply with table 18.1. Where a single electrode does not produce the desired
resistance then addition electrodes consisting of 2 x 1200 mm rods, spaced 4 m apart,
connected together using 32mm² bare copper, shall be installed until the correct value of
resistance has been obtained.
Note: on CNE systems the overall LV network earth value is required to be lower than the
LV transformer neutral earth. Where the network consists of a few isolated poles it is
beneficial for the transformer neutral earth resistance to be close to that of the CNE neutral
to earth value. This is because a small number of, close, additional earths may not reduce
the overall neutral earth resistance sufficiently.
36.14.7 A third type of installation is the PNB connection which is applied to a single customer fed
from a PMT.

36.15 Pole Mounted Reclosers with control boxes within 3 metres of ground level
36.15.1 PMR with control boxes within 3 m of ground level must have the following.
36.15.2 Surge Arresters installed on the source side and a surge arrester earth conductor run
directly from the surge arresters to the earth electrode. The earth electrode shall be installed
a minimum of 500 mm from the pole.
36.15.3 The PMR and supporting steelwork earthed to the surge arrester earth.
36.15.4 The HV steelwork shall be bonded to the surge arrester earth.
36.15.5 The control box bonded to the surge arrester earth by installing a separate PVC insulated
earth lead from the surge arrester earth to the control box.
36.15.6 An earth mat loop will be installed in a position where a person will stand to operate the unit
(using the control box). Both ends of the loop of the earth mat will be connected to the
control box.

36.16 Pole Mounted Reclosers with dedicated Power Transformers

36.17 Pole Mounted Reclosers with dedicated Power Transformers (not supplying other
customers) shall have the following:
36.18 The Pole Mounted Recloser and supporting steelwork will be earthed.
36.19 The transformer and steelwork will be bonded to the Pole Mounted Recloser HV steelwork
earth.
36.20 The transformer LV Neutral Earth terminal will be connected to the HV steelwork earth.

36.21 Pole Mounted Remote Control/Automation Equipment with Dedicated

Transformers
36.21.1 The installation will be as section 35-16.

Page 40 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

36.21.2 The aerial does not need to be bonded.

36.22 Connections to HV Earth Conductors for Test and Earthing Purposes.

36.22.1 Test connections are required to be installed to permit testing of the HV earths. These can
also be used for the attachment of portable earths. The facilities will be either of the two
types detailed below:
36.22.2 For new earths, an earth loop consisting of a bridge of conductor approximately 100mm long
and projecting at least 50 mm from the pole shall be formed 3m above ground or 200 mm
above any anti-climbing guard which ever is the higher. The PVC covering shall be stripped
from the top of the bridge leaving the 50 mm of conductor between the top of the bridge and
the pole insulated.
36.22.3 On existing earths, an ABC earth attachment connector shall be installed onto the earthwire
3 m above ground or 200 mm above any anti-climbing guard which ever is the higher.

36.23 Bonding conductors –provision for portable earths

36.23.1 Bonding conductors on Hook Stick ABSDs, DOEFs or ASLs shall have a provision made for
installing a portable earth. This will take the form of a loop (jug handle) formed below the
item of plant as detailed in 35.22.2.

36.24 Protecting of earths on poles

36.24.1 Staples must be carefully installed so as not to puncture the PVC covering of the earth
conductor.
36.24.2 All earth conductors will be covered by a cable guard extending to at least 2.9 metre above
ground, or, 150 mm above any anti-climbing guard whichever is the higher, if necessary by
installing extra lengths of guards. The guard shall be installed to 100 mm below ground
level.

37 Joint Owner and Shared IDNO Sites

37.1 HV Earthing – Joint Owner Sites
37.1.1 It will be the responsibility of the HV customer to make provision for the earthing and
bonding of all HV and LV equipment forming part of the customer’s installation.
37.1.2 The customer shall also provide the earthing required for the SSEN owned equipment
where this is situated in the same enclosure as the customer’s equipment. This earthing
may be part of the customer’s earthing system and is not required to be kept separate.
37.1.3 The supply and customer’s HV Steelwork will normally be bonded together. However, where
the customer’s HV plant is at a remote location, precautions must be taken to eliminate the
dangers associated with transferred potential.
37.1.4 The design requirements for Hot sites will apply where the site is defined as being Hot. Care
needs to be taken when specifying the source of LVAC supplies so not to introduce a source
of transfer potential.

37.2 LV Earthing– Joint Owner Sites

37.2.1 The HV customer’s LV earthing terminal will be allowed to be bonded to the supply earthing
terminal, when the EPR is 430 V or less and it is part of the 'Joint Operating Agreement' with

Page 41 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

the customer.
37.2.2 Where the site is Hot the customer will need to segregate their HV steelwork and LV neutral
earth for EPRs up to and including 2 kV. Above 2 kV the customer must take other
mitigating action.

37.3 Shared IDNO sites

37.3.1 Where SSEN shares a site with an IDNO, the majority asset owner is responsible for the
earthing on the site.
37.3.2 The majority asset owner can be considered as the owner whose assets are the greater in
price.

38 Surge Arresters in Substations

38.1 The following items must be taken into account when designing the connections and
earthing arrangements for surge arresters.
• The connections shall be as straight as possible
• No loops or sharp bends are permitted in the leads connecting the equipment to the
surge arresters or the surge arrester to the high frequency earth. Large radius (<200
mm) bends are permitted but need to be minimised
• A high frequency earth rod only required in substation. For other applications outside of
substations it is not required unless mandated in other Design Standards
• The jumper loop connection onto the busbar shall be formed such as to steer the
impulse down the jumper. See Figure 38.1
38.2 The minimum jumper loop size shall be 300 mm2 Aluminium Alloy or 150 mm2 bare copper.
The minimum size high frequency earth shall be 150 mm2 bare copper.
38.3 Surge counters are not required and when refurbishing existing surge counters shall be
replaced where practicable.

38.4 Calculation of Protective Length

38.4.1 The protective length, Lp. of a surge arrester comprises the summation of the length of the
surge path as shown in Figure 38.1. The total length shall be made as short as possible but
no greater than the values shown in bold in Table 38.1.

Page 42 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure 38.1 - Calculation of Protective Length

38.4.2 Table 38.1 gives details of the parameters used to obtain the protective length. Where
different values of Ures are used the formula in 38.4.3 shall be used to calculate the
protective length.

Table 38.1 - Parameters to Obtain Protective Length

Steel
Towers
Wood Poles
or Substations (Primary Voltage)
(Note 2)
Wood
Poles
11kV 33kV 132 kV 11 kV 33 kV 66 kV 132 kV
LIVW of
equipment kV LIVW 95 200 650 75 170 325 550
(Note 1)
safety factor Ks 1.05 1.15 1.2 1.15 1.15 1.2 1.2
Residual
Voltage of kV Ures 39.1 77.6 440 39.1 77.6 189 280
arrester Ures
Wave
kV/μs S 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1500 1500
steepness
Wave
m/μs Vw 300 300 300 300 300 300 300
velocity
Maximum
Protective m Lp 7.71 14.45 15.25 3.92 10.53 8.18 17.83
length
Protective
Length used
m 7.00 14.00 15.00 3.00 10.00 8.00 17.00
in
documents
Note 1 -LIVW is the Lightning Impulse Withstand Value also known as BIL (Basic Impulse
Level).

Page 43 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Note 2 – the protective length for some wood pole installations cannot be achieved due to
the height of the pole. However, in most cases a lightning strike to the line will dissipate
through corona discharge and so the voltage reaching the item to be protected is a lot lower
than for a direct strike on the item. It should also be noted that some equipment has a lower
LIVW that that of the overhead line.
38.4.3 The protective length of an arrester is calculated using the formula below.
Vw LIVW
Lp = x( − Ures )
(2 x S) Ks

39 Metallic Services Entering Substations

39.1 A water supply to a substation having a potential rise in excess of the voltages of 430/650V
as appropriate, must be run in non-metallic pipe and be non-conducting at least along its
length from the substation to the limit of the Hot zone contour. Where it is not practicable to
install a non-conducting pipe an insulated section of pipe, no less than 2 m long, must be
fitted and positioned at the Hot Zone contour. Any metallic pipe used within the site must be
bonded to the substation earthing system and must be located at least 2 m away from the
fence.
39.2 All exposed metalwork of light current equipment must be earthed to the substation earthing
system. The EPR on pilot cables may dictate that protective measures are applied in the
form of isolation, insulation and screening. Licensed telecommunications operators will need
to be advised of the Hot Site in which will be done using our published earthing data sheets.

40 Grid and Primary Substation Earthing Data Sheets

40.1 Substation earthing data is available in two spreadsheets.
• TG-NET-CAB-030, Grid and Primary Substation Earthing Data (SEPD) - Data Sheet
• TG-NET-CAB-029, Primary Substation Earthing Data (SHEPD) - Data Sheet
40.2 These sheets cover all Primary and Grid Distribution substations and hold data
amalgamated for many sources.
• Legacy SEPD “Hot Site” register
• Earthing Consultant’s reports
• Long Term Development Statements
• Asset Standards calculations
• Maximo
40.3 For secondary distribution substation design the prime earthing data can be copied from the
data sheets into TEM-NET-CAB-007.

Page 44 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

41 Connections of Earthing and Bonding Conductors to

Network Assets
41.1 The proper connection of earthing and bonding wires to distribution assets is very important.
Poor initial contact or in increase in contact resistance due to corrosion reduces the
performance of the connection. Ultimately the connection could fail during fault operation. As
SSEN move more to the use of aluminium for earthing the connections between aluminium
and copper or aluminium and steel must be made correctly to avoid galvanic corrosion.
41.2 A specific installation instruction, TG-NET-CAB-029 details the methods to be used when
connections are made to distribution assets.

42 Probabilistic Based Risk Assessment of Earthing Systems

42.1 A risk management approach needs to be applied to earthing design. This is permitted
under Health and Safety Regulations, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act where it is
recognised that the principle of ‘reasonably practicable is appropriate to be used.
42.2 The overall probability to be used is calculated from 3 separate probabilities:
• PF is the probability of an earth fault on the network
• PE is the probability of exposure or contact of the individual across the prospective
earth potential rise
• PFB is the probability of heart fibrillation
The formula for calculating the overall probability, P, is given by,
𝑃 = 𝑃𝐹 × 𝑃𝐸 × 𝑃𝐹𝐵

42.3 PF, the probability of an earth fault on the network shall be obtained from historical records.
Note the earth faults can be due to network failure and some degree of sense needs to be
applied. Such as the EPR at a primary substation can be due to faults on the secondary
network, but all faults on the secondary networks are not earth faults.
42.4 PE is the probability of exposure or contact of the individual, either a member of staff or
member of the public. Care must be taken to establish what the individual is doing, where
they are in relation to earth grid, mats and extraneous metalwork etc. and how they would
be affected by a dangerous voltage rise. For instance, a member of the public is unlikely to
be holding the hand of an ABSD within a Primary Substation at the time of fault whereas a
member of staff could be. PE is therefore an estimate of the likely time a person could be
subject to the hazard.
42.5 PFB is the likelihood that, if a person were exposed to the earth potential rise, heart
fibrillation would occur. In undertaking this study, the human body resistance needs to be
taken into account.
42.5.1 Providing that the touch voltage is less than the total human resistance multiplied by the
current shown in Table 42.1 appropriate to the fault clearance time then the value of PFB is
0.05.
42.6 For hand to foot contact (touch) (the most likely effect), this is made up of a number of
factors:
• The actual human body resistance
• Resistance of footwear

Page 45 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• Resistance of hand coverings (not normally included even where PPE is worn)
• Resistance of the ground
42.7 The following standard values will be used for the risk assessment process:
• Human body resistance of 431 Ω (covers 95% of the population)
• Resistance of footwear shall be taken as 8000 Ω per shoe
• Resistance of hand coverings 0 Ω
• Resistance of ground per foot shall be 3 x soil resistivity (as per ENA TS 41-24) or
300 Ω if the soil resistivity is unknown
42.8 Table 42.1 gives details of the data relating body current to duration of current flow. For the
principles of earthing adopted by SSEN this data reflects the curve relating to the lower end
of AC-4.1 (IEC 60479); this table is shown graphically in Appendix A. Effectively if the body
current is less than 30 mA then mitigation is not required. Typical fault clearance times are
shown in red.

Table 42.1 - Body Current to Duration of Current Flow

Duration Body Duration Body

of Fault current of Fault current
ms mA ms mA
10 500 500 100
20 490 700 65
50 480 1000 50
100 470 2000 40
150 410 3000 39
200 350 4000 38
300 260 5000 37
400 160 10000 34
42.9 As an example, is shown in Appendix B. In undertaking the risk assessment, it is only the
risks which are reasonable which need to be considered
• It would be unreasonable to assume that no footwear is being worn by persons
working within a substation
• It would be reasonable to assume members of the public would not be wearing shoes
when walking around the periphery of a sealing end compound on a beach
• It would be unreasonable to assume that fence surrounding a substation, situated
2 m from a bus stop would attract all users of the bus stop to hold the fence

43 Lightning Protection Systems

43.1 LPS in substations.
43.1.1 LPS shall be design to BS EN 62305-1. These must not be confused with surge arresters
which are treated differently.
43.1.2 LPS shall be connected to the MES.

Page 46 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

43.2 LPS in domestic, industrial and commercial installations.

43.2.1 LPS shall be design to BS EN 62305-1 or BS 7671 as appropriate.
43.2.2 For designs to BS 7671 the LPS shall be connected to the SSEN earth terminal (if
provided).

44 Design Considerations
The following items need to be addressed when considering the earthing design:
• The magnitude and type of earth fault and ground return currents
• Cross-country faults
• Faults outside of a substation on the lower voltage network creating an EPR
• Faults on the higher voltage side of the substation creating and EPR and transfer
potential to the lower voltage side
• Specific safety criteria which limit the EPR
• Transfer potential to metallic objects
• The target earth resistance required
• The need for grading rings and earth mats
• Size and configuration of earth electrodes and their constituent parts
• Rebar and concrete piles
• Earth mesh within switchrooms (indoor GIS at 66 kV and above)
• Lightning protection
• Shared sites
• Metallic Fences
• Hot Sites
• Third-party infrastructure

45 Locations Requiring Special Earthing Designs

The following areas require special earthing designs:
• Third-party networks employing cathodic protection systems
• LV supplies to mobile phone base stations situated on Steel Towers; refer to
PR-NET-CAB-001 and 002
• EV charging points. See PR-NET-CAB-006
• Unmetered connections. Refer to TG-NET-CAB-014

46 Theft of Earthing
46.1 Earthing shall be protected as detailed in the Design Standards; protection can include:

Page 47 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• Using PVC or XLPE covered conductors

• Installing a steel capping over the earthing conductor
• Using aluminium conductor wherever possible
• ‘Nailing’ the earth conductor to the structure
• Installing the earthing conductor in a duct run up the structure and through its
foundations
46.2 Where earthing has been stolen the following documents cover the remediation work
required:
• 11 kV cables, WI-NET-CAB-154
• Primary and Grid stranded copper earthing conductor, TG-NET-SST-006

47 SSEN Calculators Available for Assisting in Earthing Design

SSEN have a number of calculators available for assisting in earthing design. Some of these will be
associated with the asset to which the earthing is connected, others are standalone. Table 47.1 gives
a list of the currently available calculators.

Table 47.1 - SSEN Calculators Available for Assisting in Earthing Design

Calculator Title Document Number

11 kV Cable Rating and Earthing Calculation Sheet TEM-NET-CAB-004
Earthing Calculator for Primary Distribution Substations TEM-NET-CAB-005
11 kV and 6.6 kV Fault Level and Earthing Data Calculator TEM-NET-CAB-007
33 kV and 22 kV Cable Rating and Cross Bonding Earthing TEM-NET-CAB-008
Calculation Sheet

48 Neutral Current Division

48.1 NCD occurs where part of the neutral current flows through a bonding wire connected to a
metallic service (water or gas pipe).
48.1.1 NCD has been known about since the concept of the use of a PME system was introduced
in the early 1970’s. Bonding wire has hence been sized appropriately.
48.2 The number of locations where NCD is occurring should be reducing as metallic services
have been replaced. However, it has become evident that the installation of gas meters
without insulated inserts has permitted more metallic gas services to become electrically
continuous.
48.3 The value of NCD can be increase where there is a defect on the SSEN CNE neutral, and
current is routed through properties back to the mains distributor before the defect.
48.3.1 Just because there is a measured value of NCD, which could be several amps, does not
automatically reflect that there is a fault on the neutral of the SSEN CNE cable.

Page 48 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

49 Remote Earthing of SNE cables

49.1 Traditionally SNE cables have only been earthed at one point back at the secondary
substations. Fortuitous earthing has been present by the use of PILC/SWA/STA cables
which has reduced the substation EPR.
49.2 The maximum tolerable EPR on the LV network is 233 V, which in many cases is less that
the driving voltage at the substation.
49.3 BS 50522 introduces the concept of an F factor which allows this EPR value to be increased
where there is more than one earth on the network.
49.4 SSEN will use an F value of 2 but will require all insulated SNE cables being installed to be
fitted with a supplementary earth at the remote end. Thus the EPR on the LV network can
be 466 V. Joint assembly instructions for current the Waveform cable included the
requirement for a supplementary earth.
49.4.1 This earth must only be connected to the earthwires and not the neutral
49.4.2 A neutral earth bond shall not be installed.

50 Installation of CNE and SNE cables in Existing Secondary

Substations
50.1 CNE cable into a substation solely designed for CNE cables.
50.1.1 The neutral earth of the CNE cable shall be connected to the neutral bar of the CNE
substation.

50.2 CNE cable into a substation solely designed for SNE cables.
50.2.1 The neutral earth of the CNE cable shall be connected to the neutral/earth bar of the SNE
substation.
50.2.2 As the neutral and earth are connected at the substation there is no requirement to provide
an extra bond at the substation.
50.2.3 The remote end of the CNE cable shall be fitted with a supplementary earth.

50.3 CNE cable into a substation designed for both SNE and CNE cables.
50.3.1 The neutral earth of the CNE cable shall be connected to the earth bar of the SNE/CNE
substation.

50.4 SNE cable into a substation solely designed for SNE cables.
50.4.1 The neutral of the SNE cable shall be connected to the neutral bar with the earth wire being
connected to the earth bar of the SNE substation.
50.5 A supplementary earth shall be installed at the remote end of the SNE cable connected only
to the earth.

50.6 SNE cable into a substation solely designed for CNE cables.
50.6.1 Both the neutral and earth of the SNE cable shall be connected to the neutral/earth bar of
the CNE substation.

Page 49 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

50.7 A supplementary earth shall be installed at the remote end of the SNE cable connected only
to the earth.

50.8 SNE cable into a substation designed for both SNE and CNE cables.
50.8.1 The neutral of the SNE cable shall be connected to the neutral bar of the SNE/CNE
substation.
50.8.2 The earth wire of the SNE cable shall be connected to the earth bar of the SNE/CNE
substation.
50.9 A supplementary earth shall be installed at the remote end of the SNE cable connected only
to the earth.

51 Earthing Study
51.1 Earthing studies are not mandatory unless stated in the documents. Where this is required,
the following information will need to be provided to the Earthing Study Specialist:
• An overall plan showing the route from the source substation to the new substation
• A plan of the new substation showing the location of the plant, other electrical
equipment and the interconnection to other non-electrical metallic objects (rebar,
piles, etc.). A radius of 50 m centred on the new substation site should be considered
when collecting this information
• The earth resistance at the source substation. Where the earth resistance at the
source substation is not known then a value of 0.1  can be assumed
• EPR at the source substation where the EPR is greater than 430V
• The predicted earth fault current at the new secondary substation and protection
clearance time, at the source, at the predicted value for the new secondary
substation. Where the current is not known at the secondary substation then that at
the source substation can be used, although this will give a overestimated EPR value
• The surface type of the new substation and its thickness
• The types, sizes and lengths of cables and overhead lines supplying the new
secondary substation from the source including any overhead earth wires.
• The soil resistivity at the new secondary substation. Where this is unknown the
Earthing Study Specialist can be requested to provide this information
• Any restrictions on installing earth rods within the substation
51.2 The Earthing Study Specialist shall compile a report detailing the following:
• The EPR at the proposed site
• Touch and step potentials
• The spread of EPR detailing the 430 V contour (250 V contour if the substation is
going within the confines of a petrol filling station). This shall be shown on an overall
plan of the site
• Any mitigation required at the site

Page 50 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

52 Survey
The survey data below is required to undertake a design:
• Proposed layout drawing
• Layout drawing showing any existing earthing (if applicable)
• Details of incoming and outgoing circuits; cables or overhead lines
• Source earth fault current and EPR at the voltage levels of the source
• Soil Resistivity
• Substation resistance
• Contribution of any un-insulated cables connected into the substation within a 1 km
radius
• Protection operating time for main and backup protection
• Extent of the 430 V or 650 V contour (from the fence line) as applicable to the
protection operating time
• Extent of the 1150 V or 1700 V contour (from the fence line) as applicable to the
protection operating time

53 Pre-Construction Documents
53.1 A documented Earthing Survey shall be provided by the third party for approval by SSEN for
all Primary Substations with an operating voltage of 6.6 kV and above and all Grid
substations. SSEN Designers will also need to provide an earthing survey. This document
shall include and consider the following:
53.2 A system diagram showing the position of all electrode systems.
53.3 Earth potential rise.
53.4 Touch potentials and where appropriate step potentials.
53.5 An Earthing schedule detailing:
• Measured value of soil resistivity at each location
• Type of earth electrode system
• Specification for each earth electrode system
• Maximum design value of resistance to earth of each electrode system
53.6 An earthing survey will also be required for secondary distribution substations where there
will be a single HV/LV earth electrode, or the site requires a special design such as a petrol
filling station.

54 Final Records
54.1 Drawings detailing how earthing has been installed is required. The drawing(s) shall give
details of the installation, such as number of rods and sizes of conductors, including the
dimensions from permanent fixed objects to the location of the earth rods and conductors.

Page 51 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

54.2 The installed earth resistance values measured at each electrode system shall be recorded
on an Earthing Schedule which shall be included with the handover documents.

55 Global Earthing Systems

55.1 A GES is defined as “an equivalent earthing system created by the interconnection of local
earthing systems that ensures, by the proximity of the earthing systems, that there are no
dangerous touch voltages. Such systems permit the division of the earth fault current in a
way that results in a reduction of the earth potential rise at the local earthing system. Such a
system could be said to form a quasi-equipotential surface.”
55.2 The definition is a bit complex but effectively means a system where all equipment is
bonded together, and the ground is saturated with metallic ‘electrode contributions’ in the
form of metallic cable sheaths or bare conductors laid direct in soil. In such a system, the
voltage on the surface of the soil will rise in together with that of bonded HV steelwork under
fault conditions, and the voltage differences leading to touch voltage risk are minimal. The
term is often used to describe dense urban networks where measurements or detailed
calculation of network contribution is not practical. Typical cases where a global earthing
system exists could be:
• Substation is surrounded by buildings with foundation earth electrodes and the
earthing systems are interconnected such as. by cable sheath or low voltage
protective earth conductors
• Substation is feeding city centre or densely built-up areas
• Substation is feeding suburban area with many distributed earth electrodes
interconnected by protective earth conductors of low voltage system
• Substation with given number of nearby substations
55.2.1 The interconnected substations and their associated cables act in parallel with the source
soil resistance and so reduce the source EPR. The greater number of substations
connected the greater is the reduction in EPR.
55.3 The basic rule for determining if a network is part of a GES is that there in excess of 40
secondary distribution substations all cable connected together within a 1 km radius of the
substation (or other earth electrode) under consideration. This is shown in Figure 55.1
where the blue circle shows a primary substation and the black a 1 km radius around the
substation containing 53 secondary substations.
55.3.1 The substation in question does not have to be at the centre of the circle but must be
enclosed within it. Beware of islands within GES detailed later. The circle should be fairly full
of substations without larger areas devoid of earthing.
55.4 Within SSEN a GES will only be considered where the Primary or Grid substation is a ‘hot’
site, or the design of the secondary substation has resulted in it being a ‘hot’ site. It can also
be used where the EPR of the site is unknown, and a preliminary design is required to be
undertaken.
55.5 Figure 55.1 illustrates how difficult it is to establish the true earthing resistance in a GES. A
‘target resistance’ value that is appropriate in any ‘GES’ areas can be easily achieved by
assuming a low value of network contribution and designing an electrode system. These
means that the earthing of the new substation shall ensure that HV, LV and combined
earthing resistances are stand-alone and are below the maximum required values.
55.6 Touch potentials in GES networks can arise from transferred sources that may not be locally
bonded, such as. cable sheaths bonded to remote systems, metallic gas/water pipes with
insulated covering, pilot cables, and HV or LV insulated sheathed cables connected to

Page 52 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

metallic plant that is not bonded to the local ‘global’ earthing system. Such arrangements
can cause ‘islands’ of higher potential inside a ‘GES’, and thus the benefits of a GES do not
apply. Within a GES the neutral earth/HV steelwork earth link shall remain closed.
55.7 Care must be taken when reviewing the reports of Earthing Consultants to ensure that their
proposals do not introduce any ‘islands’ within a GES. Such an island would be produced if
the recommendation is to have the neutral earth/HV steelwork earth open; it is essential
within a GES that the link remains closed to increase the effectiveness of the earthing.
55.8 If we use the example of 40 secondary substations and assume that each are connected by
plastic sleeved cables, then the only earthing is provided by the secondary substation earth
resistance. If we assume a maximum of 50 ohms for the HV earth and 40 ohms for the LV
and that they are combined, then each substation has a contribution of 22.2 ohms. With 40
substations the contribution is 0.56 ohms. These act in parallel with the primary substation
soil resistance. It is important that only substations connected directly back the primary
substation can be included in the count. Those, where the route back, is via an overhead
line cannot be included.
55.9 The main mitigation achieved by using a GES model is that transfer potential is distributed
and reduced. This is useful where the primary 22/33 kV transfer potential is creating a hot
site rather than an 11 or 6.6 kV network fault. As the feeder substations to these primaries
are normally fitted with NERs, whilst there is a slight increase in earth fault current, the use
of the GES will in many cases reduce the transfer potential to below that of the hot site value
but will control the touch and step potential in all cases.

Figure 55.1 - Global Earthing Systems

55.10 Further mitigation is provided in a GES by the following:

• Un-insulated (lead sleeved) EHV, HV and LV cables
• Remote PME (additional) earth rods
• Fortuitous earthing, such as for customer’s lightning protection

Page 53 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

• Street lighting and other street furniture with either fixed or fortuitous earthing
• Steel tower lines, where running through urban areas.
Where there is any doubt as to the application of the GES or the site falls outside of the
rules please send your enquiry is internal to SSEN. Email [email protected]

55.11 Islands within GES

55.11.1 A situation can arise where a proposed substation is to be located in a ‘island’ either within
or abutting to an GES. This is illustrated in figure 55.2. Here there are 72 substations within
the 1 km radius, but the proposed substation will be at the end of a cable 450 m long without
any significant local earthing in the vicinity. Effectively there is only 60% of the circle
covering substations, the remainder is devoid of earthing.
55.11.2 In this case a design study will need to be carried out using the earthing calculator to
determine if the site is hot or not. With long cable routes, the site can be hot but where the
EPR is less than 2 kV it sufficient only to segregate the LV neutral and HV steelwork earths.

Figure 55.2 - Islands within GES

56 Revision History
No Overview of Amendments Previous Document Revision Authorisation
01 New Document None 1.00 Matt Thomas

Page 54 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

No Overview of Amendments Previous Document Revision Authorisation

02 Update into new format and additional TG-NET-CAB-008 2.00 Shirley Robertson
of references in reference table. Surge (Rev1.00)
arresters added. Grid and Primary
Earthing Data Sheets and hot sites
added. GES added
03

Page 55 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Curve AC-4.1

Appendix A, Figure 1

Page 56 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Example Risk Assessment

The total human body resistance for persons wearing shoes of 8 k Ω per shoe and no hand coverings
and soil resistivity = 350 Ωm,
• Human body resistance = 431 Ω
• Resistance of footwear = 8000/2 = 4000 Ω
• Resistance of hand coverings = 0 Ω
• Resistance of the ground covering = 3 x 350/2 = 525 Ω
The total human body resistance is the sum of the three bullets above = 4956 Ω

In the following examples reference should be made to TG-NET-ENG-022.

Example 1
The EPR on the substation fence is 1200 V. The fault clearance time is 0.2 seconds, and
from Table 42.1 the maximum body current is 350 mA.

Thus the maximum voltage which can be present on the fence is 4956 x 0.35 = 1735 V. This
is above the fence EPR of 1200 V and so is acceptable.

However, what is the potential risk to the 5% of the public who could be affected. For this we
need to work out the probability.

Appendix B, Table 1

PF
A Number of faults per annum on type of network at voltage level 180
B Number of automatically isolated sections (circuit breaker or fuse protected) 12000
on type of network at voltage level

C = A/B Probability of occurrence per annum on any one automatically isolated section 0.015

Appendix B, Table 2

PFB
D Probability of heart fibrillation (5 % affected) 0.05

Appendix B, Table 3

PE
E Length of time stood by fence 20 minutes 3.80 x 10 -5 per
annum
F Number of days stood by fence per 200
annum
G Probability of touch fence out of 100 10

H = E x F x G / 100 PE 7.61 x 10-04

The overall risk P is C x D x H = 0.015 x 0.05 x 7.61 x 10-04 = 0.57 x 10-06

or 1:1.7 million.

Page 57 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

As this figure is less than 1 x 10-06 the risk is acceptable with no further mitigation.

Example 2
In this example we use most of the parameters from the previous example but change the
EPR on the fence.

The EPR on the substation fence is 2400 V. The fault clearance time is 0.2 seconds, and
from Table 42.1 the maximum body current is 350 mA.

Thus the maximum voltage which can be present on the fence is 4956 x 0.35 = 1735 V. This
is above the fence EPR of 2400 V and so is unacceptable.

In this case it has to be assumed that 100% of the public are affected as SSEN will not be
using figures for other percentages of human body resistance.

Appendix B, Table 4

PF
A Number of faults per annum on type of network at voltage level 180
B Number of automatically isolated sections (circuit breaker or fuse protected) 12000
on type of network at voltage level
C = A/B Probability of occurrence per annum on any one automatically isolated section 0.015

Appendix B, Table 5

PFB
D Probability of heart fibrillation (100 % affected) 1

Appendix B, Table 6

PE
E Length of time stood by fence 20 minutes 3.80 x 10 -5 per
annum

F Number of days stood by fence per 200

annum
G Probability of touch fence out of 100 10

H = E x F x G / 100 PE 7.61 x 10-04

The overall risk P is C x D x H = 0.015 x 1 x 7.61 x 10-04 = 11.4 x 10-06 or 1:87600.

As this figure is in the broadly acceptable region a cost benefit analysis must be carried out
to see if mitigation works are justified. The methodology is covered in TG-NET-ENG-022.
However, a demonstration of the output is:
• The cost of mitigation is £4,800 per site and there are 7 sites affected costing
£33,600. The output of the CBA shows that this cost should be incurred
• The cost of mitigation is £4,800 per site and there are 7000 sites affected costing
£33.6m. The output of the CBA shows that this cost is disproportionate to the risk and
should not be incurred

Page 58 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

PME Enabled Networks - Examples

Appendix C, Figure 1

Page 59 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

Figure Appendix C. 1

The following descriptions give details of the individual sketches shown in Figure Appendix C.1.
Sketch 1 - extension of an existing SNE cable with a new CNE cable.
At the joint between the SNE cable and CNE cable the neutral and earth conductors of the SNE cable
shall be joined together and an earth rod installed. At the end of the CNE cable an earth rod shall be
connected to the CNE NEUTRAL conductor.
PME customers can be joined on the SNE cable although it is preferrable to install SNE services onto
the SNE cable.

Sketch 2 - extension of an existing CNE cable with a new SNE cable.

The neutral and earth conductors of the SNE cable shall be joined together and an earth rod installed.
At the end of the SNE cable an earth rod shall be fitted to the SNE EARTH conductor.
PME customers cannot be joined on the SNE cable.

Sketch 3 - extension of an existing SNE cable with a new CNE cable and connecting via a link box.
Where a CNE cable is to be laid from a new substation and connects onto an SNE cable fed via a link
box, the neutral and earth conductors of the SNE cable shall be joined together and an earth rod
installed.
PME customers can be joined on the SNE cable although it is preferrable to install SNE services onto
the SNE cable.

Sketch 4 – tee connection to an existing SNE cable using SNE cable

Where a tee connection is made to an SNE using SNE cable an earth rod shall be fitted to the SNE
EARTH conductor.
PME customers cannot be joined onto the new SNE cable.

Sketch 5 – tee connection to an existing SNE cable using CNE cable

At the joint between the SNE cable and CNE cable the neutral and earth conductors of the SNE cable
shall be joined together and an earth rod installed. At the end of the CNE cable an earth rod shall be
connected to the CNE NEUTRAL conductor.
PME customers can be joined onto the SNE cable between the substation and bonding connection
although the preference should be to give an SNE supply.

Sketch 6 extension of an existing CNE cable (already connected to an SNE cable) with a new SNE
cable
The neutral and earth conductors of the new SNE cable shall be joined together and an earth rod
installed. At the end of the SNE cable an earth rod shall be fitted to the SNE EARTH conductor.
PME customers cannot be joined onto the new SNE cable.

Sketch 7 extension of an existing 3 core Wavecon cable to 4 core Wavecon cable

Page 60 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed
 Applies to
Earthing Systems, Basis of Design – Distribution Transmission
PR-NET-CAB-008
Design Standard
✓
Revision: 2.00 Classification: Internal Issue Date: December 2022 Review Date: December 2027

This connection is done using a link box. The neutral and earth conductors of the SNE cable shall be
joined together and an earth rod installed. At the end of the SNE cable an earth rod shall be fitted to
the SNE EARTH conductor.
PME customers cannot be joined on the SNE cable.

Where a particular application is not detailed in the examples a Design Deviation shall be submitted to
[email protected].

Page 61 of 61
Uncontrolled if Printed