A Simple Design Method of Unequal Spacing Arrangement for Substation Grounding Grid

To balance the potential distribution on the surface of a substation, an equal spacing arrangement of the grounding grid conductors is not an economical solution. The implementable solution is an unequal placement of its constituent elements. The design methodologies of such a configuration are complex and require computer-assisted numerical analysis. This paper proposes and validates a very simple method, based on an arithmetic progression, of arranging the conductors of the grounding grid that guarantees the reduction of touch and step voltages, ensures the efficiency of the material used and has no limitations on its applicability for atypical substation surfaces (too large or too small), respectively for few or many parallel conductors. To certify the method, the proposed algorithm is analyzed, through the CYMGRD Substation Grounding Program, and compared to the technologies currently applied, for the substation grounding grid presented as an example in the IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding 80™- 2013 standard.