Separation of MV and LV Earthing Systems

in Electrical Distribution Substations:

Comparison of Standards
S. D. Buba1, W. F. Wan Ahmad1, M. Z. A.
Ab Kadir1, C. Gomes1, J. Jasni1, M. Osman2
1. Department of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Department of Electrical Power
Engineering
College of Engineering
Universiti Tenaga Nasional
43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract
Integration and separation of medium voltage
(MV) and low voltage (LV) earthing systems in
electrical distribution substations has been a topic
of debate in recent times. Proponents of
integration of MV/LV earthing systems base their
argument on the resistance of the earth grid and
the magnitude of the earth potential rise (EPR). If
the earth grid resistance is less than 1 and the
expected EPR is not more than 300V, the earthing
systems should be integrated, otherwise, they
should be physically separated. Opponents of

integration of MV/LV earthing systems on the

other hand base their argument on the fact that, it
is impossible to maintain an earth grid resistance
of less than 1 throughout a given period due to
seasonal variation of soil resistivity, and also
impossible to control the EPR within safe limits
due to its dependence on magnitude of fault
current, as such, the earthing systems should be
physically separated.
Currently, there is no
specific recommended value for the physical
separation distance between MV and LV earthing
systems in available literature. This paper reviews
applicable earthing standards to compare the
recommended distances with regard to separation
of MV/LV earthing systems.
Keywords: earthing systems, integrated earthing,
separated earthing, transferred earth potential
Introduction
Distribution substations are the most common
facilities in electric power systems that provide the
distribution circuits which directly supply electricity
to consumers. They are typically located near the
neighbourhoods they supply. Depending on the type
of equipment used, substations could be categorized
as, air insulated outdoor, air insulated indoor, gas
insulated outdoor, gas insulated indoor or hybrid
technology types. Voltage levels at distribution
substation vary between countries, but typical
distribution voltages used in Malaysia are, 33 and
11kV. In this paper, air insulated outdoor distribution
substation operating at 33/11kV (MV) and 0.43kV
(LV) is considered.
In the event of an earth fault such as single line
to earth (SLE), double line to earth (DLE) or three
lines to earth (TLE) in a distribution network, very
high fault current flows through the earthing grid
causing earth potential rise (EPR). The EPR relative
to a distant point on the ground is highest at the point
where the current enters the earthing system and
declines with distance from the source. EPR is a
major concern in the design and operation
of electrical substations because of its hazard to
people and equipment. In severe cases of earth fault,
the potential gradient (voltage drop with distance)
may be so high that a person in the vicinity of an
earthed facility could be injured due to step or touch
potential. This transferred potential could also be
hazardous to people and equipment outside the
substation and may be propagated to the LV supply
network through the neutral system earthing. In
addition, any conducting object connected to the
substation earthing, such as telephone wires, rails,

fences, or metallic piping, may also be energized to

the earth potential in the substation [1].
As a consequence of the occurrence of EPR in a
typical distribution substation, it is mandatory to
provide adequate earthing to ensure the safety of
personnel within the substation and other dwellings
in the vicinity against elevated potentials and electric
shock both under normal and fault conditions. IEEE
Std. 80 [2] has clearly stated that the objective of
earthing electrical substations is to provide the means
to dissipate fault currents into the earth without
exceeding the operating limits of equipment under
normal as well as fault conditions. It was further
stated in [3] that, substation earthing is required to
provide a safe environment to ensure that, personnel
working in the vicinity of earthed facilities are
protected from the hazard of electric shock under
fault conditions.
In a typical MV/LV substation, it is common to
find the transformer frame and MV surge arrester
earthing connected together while the neutral system
earthing is isolated. In the event of a low frequency
earth fault, the EPR generated on the MV earthing
may be transferred to the LV neutral earthing system.
Similarly, when a lightning strike (direct or indirect)
hits the MV line, transient voltages and currents
would be imposed on the earthing system which
would generate and transfer EPR to the LV neutral
system earthing. The EPR and transient over voltages
appearing on LV neutral earthing could be propagated
to the LV supply networks and cause substantial
damage to electrical appliances and equipments,
electronic control systems and sensitive components
of telecommunication equipments [4-5]. Transfer of
earth potentials has been identified as a fundamental
reason for physical separation of adjacent earthing
systems operating at different voltage levels.
Methodology
Applicable earthing related standards such as
BS7340, BS EN IEC 62305, BS7671, IEEE Std. 142,
BS EN 61936-1:2010, BS EN 50522:2010,
Australian Standard AS 2067:2008, South African
Standard SANS 10200, SANS 10292 and other
standards used by industrial practitioners would be
examined to identify the contradictions in
recommended separation distance between adjacent
earthing systems.
References
[1] I. Colominas, J. Pars, D. Fernandez, F.
Navarrina, and M. Casteleiro, A Numerical
Simulation Tool for Multilayer Grounding
Analysis Integrated in an Open-source CAD
Interface, International Journal of Electrical
Power & Energy Systems, vol. 45, no. 1, pp.
353361, Feb. 2013.

[2] IEEE Standard 80:2000, Guide for Safety in AC

Substation Grounding, 2000.
[3] McDonald, J. D., Electric Power Substation
Engineering, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, New York,
2007, Ch. 11-1.
[4] A. De Conti, F. H. Silveira, and S. Visacro,
Lightning Overvoltages on Complex Low

Voltage Distribution Networks, Electric Power

Systems Research, vol. 85, pp. 715, Apr. 2012.
[5] T. Kageyama, Lightning Protection of Power
Equipment
for
Telecommunications,
International
Telecommunications
Energy
Conference, (INTELEC) 1982, Washington, DC,
USA, 3-6 Oct. 1982.