IEEE 80 Substation Grounding Studies

Personnel Safety: Touch and step voltages during ground faults can be lethal if grounding is inadequate. IEEE 80 analysis ensures voltages remain within safe limits.

Equipment Protection: Proper grounding protects transformers, circuit breakers, and control systems from transient overvoltages.

Code Compliance: Required by IEEE 80, NESC, and virtually all utility interconnection agreements.

Interconnection Approval: Utilities require grounding studies for all new substations and major modifications.

Soil Resistivity Testing: We coordinate Wenner 4-pin testing and develop accurate soil models (uniform or two-layer).

Fault Current Calculation: Determine maximum grid current and split factor based on system configuration.

Preliminary Grid Design: Size conductors and determine grid spacing based on site constraints.

Touch and Step Voltage Calculations: Using IEEE 80 equations to determine actual voltages during faults.

Safety Criteria Assessment: Calculate tolerable touch/step voltages based on soil resistivity, surface material, and fault duration.

Design Refinement: If initial design does not meet criteria, we optimize with additional ground rods, surface material specifications, or grid modifications.