Analysis of Climatic Conditions and the Values of Touch and Step Voltages on the Shock Currents Occurring During the Operation of the Grounding Grid in the LVDC Network

The development and increasing use of renewable energy sources has revived interest in low-voltage direct current (LVDC) networks. Their use reduces the number of used inverters, which affects both the cost of construction and operation, the efficiency of transmission and distribution of electricity, the elimination of problems related to reactive power and the reduction of the negative impact on the quality of electricity. The use of LVDC networks also has an impact on electric shock protection. The basic element of protection against electric shock, as in the case of alternating current networks, are earth electrodes. The pathophysiological effects of the shock current flow are affected by such factors as: earth electrode resistance, potential distribution on the ground surface - determining the values of step and touch voltages, and the path of flow through the human body. The paper presents an analysis of the impact of climate on the values of shock currents in the case of short-circuit current flowing to the earthing in the LVDC network.