Implentation and Design of Grounding Systems Using COMSOL multiphysics

Protection of equipment, safety of persons and continuity of power supply are the main objectives of the grounding system. For its accurate design, it is essential to determine the potential distribution on the earth surface and the equivalent resistance of the system. In this article we propose a numerical method based on Finite Elements Method (FEM) to design a grounding system. This earthing system is considered a rod electrode buried vertically in the ground. The resistance of the system which is a very important factor in the process of this design. The FEM method is used to estimate the solution of the partial differential equation which governs the behavior of the system. COMSOL multiphysics, which is one of the packages running with the FEM, is used as a tool in this design. The resistance values obtained by COMSOL Multiphysics are compared with the values calculated with the analytical formula of different type's soil resistance. Finally, the potential distribution on the earth surface is determined.