ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses analysis procedures of power system grounding systems. Electric power systems are grounded for a number of reasons: to assure correct operation of electrical devices, to provide safety during normal or fault conditions, and so on. The purpose of the grounding system is to provide a low-impedance electrical contact between the neutral of an electrical system and earth. Ideally, the potential of the neutral of a three-phase system should be the same as that of the earth. The center of the hemispherical electrode is located on the surface of the earth. Practical grounding structures consist of ground rods, strips, rings, disks, ground mats, and so on. The chapter illustrates some of the simplest practical grounding electrodes. It discusses a simplified procedure to determine the electric current that will flow in a human body due to touch or step voltages. The chapter then examines numerical analysis techniques of grounding systems.
