ABSTRACT
The methodology employed for the calculation of ground potentials and ground-resistance of basic ground-electrodes may not be suitable for complex ground-electrode configurations, such as ground-grids. The purpose of the design of grounding-systems is the identification of the optimum ground-electrode geometry that guarantees, with the minimum number of components, the dissipation of the ground-fault current into the soil, and the reduction of touch and step voltages below permissible values. For complex ground-grid configurations, an approach based on the superposition principle is herein adopted, on the assumption that conductors forming the ground-electrodes are cylindrical elements that can be considered equipotential in the event of faults. Ground-potential profiles of ground-grids integrated with rods are analyzed based on this methodology.
