Power Systems Technical Articles

Our experts continuously work on power systems problems, and we share solutions with Practical Reference Articles.

The main topics are earthing system modeling, power cable ratings, HV/LV electrical design, protective device coordination, and arc flash studies. We cover IEC and IEEE standards.

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Waveform cables are commonly used in the UK for low-voltage power networks. The term waveform refers to the way the neutral/earth wires are laid around the cores/bedding. Using this configuration enables the neutral/earth wires to be opened so a connection can be made to the conductors anywhere along its length.
The effects of lightning strikes on earthing or protection systems designed to IEC 62305 can be modelled using an equivalent single frequency from 25kHz up to 1MHz which gives similar results to a time-domain approach. This article provides the frequency and current values to be used for modelling lightning.
2 mins read
How to model the influence of an additional substances like bentonite surrounding the conductors of a buried earthing system on grid resistance, touch and step voltages.
3 mins read
Should a metal fence be bonded to the substation earth grid? The metal fences around substations keep people out but they pose earthing safety challenges. These metallic fences, which are easily accessible to the public and personnel, must be adequately earthed and touch voltages on them during an electrical fault must not exceed safe limits.
5 mins read
The methods for calculating the current rating of multiple cables installed in ventilated tunnels are explained with example calculations. Overall tunnel length and air velocity inside the tunnel have a significant impact on cable current ratings.
7 mins read
Crossing multiple cables or heat sources at a crossing angle causes a current rating reduction, calculated using IEC Standard 60287.
1 min read
During an earth fault on a substation earth grid, the flow of current to the earth will produce voltage gradients. An earth grid that is properly designed will safely dissipate current into the ground.
This article shows the effects of soil resistivity and thickness of layers on grid resistance for earthing systems in multilayer soils. Increasing the resistivity of soil layers tends to increase the grid resistance, no matter which soil layer that is. Increasing the thickness of any soil layer with high resistivity also increases grid resistance and if the soil layer thickness is increased for a low resistivity layer then the grid resistance will decrease. Software modelling is performed and the results are compared and shown to match well with those from CDEGS software.
This report shows the effects of a direct lightning strike to an air terminal installed on top of a building which is connected to a buried earthing system.
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