Few topics generate as much controversy and argument as that of grounding or earthing as it is called in some countries and the associated topics of lighting and surge protection of electrical and electronics systems. Any engineering dealing with power supply networks needs to understand the basic principles of grounding system design and its role in ensuring safety of equipment and personnel. A correct understanding of the basic principles involved will help him/her to avoid mistakes in grounding system design, mistakes that could lead to expensive failures and long downtime. In this training, we will demystify the concepts of grounding as applicable to utility networks and industrial plant distribution systems as well as their associated control equipment. In fact, a lot of myths have been built around this subject, although it is quite a simple one when approached from basic principles. Our endeavor will therefore be to explain the fundamentals of grounding, which we hope we will enable you to gain a correct perspective of the subject and give hem the knowledge needed to solve real life grounding problems. Essentially this training is broken down into system grounding, protective grounding and Surge/noise protection of power and electronics systems normally found in distribution networks. A brief introduction to the design of substation grounding has been included. Detailed information on ground electrodes and measurement of ground resistance is also available.

Upon the successful completion of this course, each participant will be able to:-

Ø  Learn the basic principles of grounding of electrical systems

Ø  The function of power system grounding and the various options available

Ø  Fundamental principles in the design of grounding systems in substations

Ø  How to solve static electricity-related hazards by grounding and bonding

·         Instrumentation and Control Engineers

·         Consulting Engineers

·         Electrical Engineers

·         Project Engineers

·         Maintenance Engineers

·         Power System Protection and Control Engineers

·         Building Service Designers

·         Data Systems Planners and Managers

·         Electrical and Instrumentation Technicians

OVERVIEW

• Basics of grounding
• Bonding
• Role of grounding in lightning protection
• Ground electrodes and factors affecting their efficiency
• Grounding issues in outdoor substations
• Grounding for static charges
• Surge Protection
• Importance of grounding in mitigation of noise in sensitive circuits
• Importance of Local Codes

POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM GROUNDING

• Types of System grounding
•  Ungrounded systems
• Solidly grounded systems
• Impedance grounding using neutral reactor
• Resonant grounding using neutral reactor
• Impedance grounding through neutral resistance
• Classification of supply systems based on grounding
• Point of grounding
• Other challenges

PROTECTIVE GROUNDING

• Electric shock, its cause and effects
• Direct and indirect contact
• Touch and step potential
• Role of protective grounding in minimizing the shock hazards
• Equipotential bonding
• Protective grounding conductors and installation
• Ground fault protection
• System classification based on system/protective grounding

GROUND ELECTRODE SYSTEMS

• Soil resistance and factors affecting soil resistivity
• Measurement of soil resistivity
• Resistance of ground electrode and distribution of resistance in surrounding soil layers
• Electrode current capacity
• Ground electrode configurations
• Parallel electrodes
• Ground electrode resistance measurement
• Chemical electrodes
• Concrete encased electrodes and splicing methods
• Corrosion of buried electrodes
• Grounding system maintenance

SUBSTATION GROUNDING DESIGN

• Grounding practices
• Basic design approach
• Calculating the ground fault current
• Ground potential rise in HV systems
• Grounding design in LV and MV substations/installations
• Grounding grid design for HV/EHV substations - A step-by-step approach
• Introduction to 2-layer soil model
• Transferred potential and ways of avoiding
• Points needing special attention in substation grounding design and for GIS
• equipment
• Design of substations containing converter equipment feeding to HVDC transmission systems
• Ensuring effective substation grounding - Important aspects

STATIC ELECTRICITY AND PROTECTION

• What is static electricity and how is it generated?
• Examples of static charge build up and its dangers
• Energy of spark due to static electricity
• Ways of controlling static build up
• Risk assessment and preventive measures

GROUNDING FOR LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

• The physics of lightning
• Lightning incidence in different land masses
• Lightning strike probability
• Lightning protection
• Planning for protection and decision factors
• Improved approach to lightning protection and non-conventional systems
• Effect of lightning strikes on electrical installations

SURGES AND SURGE PROTECTION

• Surges, their causes and mitigation
• The ways by which surges couple into electrical circuits
• Bonding of grounding systems
• Basic principle of surge protection and commonly used surge protection devices
• Graded surge protection
• Selecting appropriate surge protective devices and their positioning in a system
• Importance of correct grounding practices for sensitive equipment
• Other ways and devices for mitigating surge problems
• Comparative merits of different types of SPDs for sensitive equipment
• Hybrid surge protective devices
• Surge protection of telemetry and data communication systems

ELECTRICAL NOISE AND MITIGATION

• Definition of electrical noise
• How are sensitive circuits affected?
• Noise categories
• Noise from power electrical equipment
• Noise coupling into signal circuits
• Noise mitigation measures
• Role of proper grounding in reducing noise
• Noise control by proper grounding of UPS derived supplies

SUMMARY, OPEN FORUM AND CLOSING

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

·         (30%) Based on Case Studies

·         (30%) Techniques 

·         (30%) Role Play

·         (10%) Concepts

·         Pre-test and Post-test

·         Variety of Learning Methods

·         Lectures

·         Case Studies and Self Questionaires

·         Group Work

·         Discussion

·         Presentation

This rate includes participant’s manual, Hand-Outs, buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival, morning & afternoon of each day.

Daily Course Timings:

    08:00 - 08:20       Morning Coffee / Tea

    08:20 - 10:00       First Session

    10:00 - 10:20       Coffee / Tea / Snacks

    10:20 - 12:20       Second Session

    12:20 - 13:30       Lunch Break & Prayer Break

    13:30 - 15:00       Last Session