Utility Substation Ground Grid systems are critical components in maintaining safe environments in and around utility substations. Substation ground grids ensure that voltage levels above the threshold which can cause human heart fibrillation cannot be achieved for any structure in, around, or electrically associated with the substation. This is accomplished by an engineering evaluation of many factors such as available fault energies supplied to the substation, soil characteristics, electrical properties and placement of structures within the substation, ground cover within the substation, possible fault source duration (clearing time), human body electrical characteristics and tolerances, and many other considerations. The relevant factors are evaluated and simulated to develop voltage gradients in all areas and on all metallic structures to evaluate hazards related to touch potentials, step potentials, reach-touch potentials, etc., to ensure all possible scenarios threatening human safety have been considered. Appropriate recommendations are made based on study findings to mitigate any hazards discovered.
