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    Resistivity Testing of Substation

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    Bernard Kipng'eno
    This document summarizes 5 years of testing surfacing materials used in substation yards. Key findings include: 1) Resistivity values of 3,000 ohm-meters often cited are difficult to achieve and depend on material composition, grading, and moisture. 2) Standard resistivity test procedures do not accommodate large surfacing material particles and fail to control important variables. 3) Material geology significantly impacts resistivity - granitic rocks have higher resistivity than sedimentary rocks like limestone. 4) Ongoing work aims to develop standardized test methods that better evaluate composite surfacing layers for trafficability and resistivity.

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    Resistivity Testing of Substation

    Uploaded by

    Bernard Kipng'eno
    113 views17 pages
    This document summarizes 5 years of testing surfacing materials used in substation yards. Key findings include: 1) Resistivity values of 3,000 ohm-meters often cited are difficult to achieve and depend on material composition, grading, and moisture. 2) Standard resistivity test procedures do not accommodate large surfacing material particles and fail to control important variables. 3) Material geology significantly impacts resistivity - granitic rocks have higher resistivity than sedimentary rocks like limestone. 4) Ongoing work aims to develop standardized test methods that better evaluate composite surfacing layers for trafficability and resistivity.

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    ResistivityTestingOfSubstation

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    This document summarizes 5 years of testing surfacing materials used in substation yards. Key findings include: 1) Resistivity values of 3,000 ohm-meters often cited are difficult to achieve and depend on material composition, grading, and moisture. 2) Standard resistivity test procedures do not accommodate large surfacing material particles and fail to control important variables. 3) Material geology significantly impacts resistivity - granitic rocks have higher resistivity than sedimentary rocks like limestone. 4) Ongoing work aims to develop standardized test methods that better evaluate composite surfacing layers for trafficability and resistivity.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    113 views17 pages

    Resistivity Testing of Substation

    Uploaded by

    Bernard Kipng'eno
    This document summarizes 5 years of testing surfacing materials used in substation yards. Key findings include: 1) Resistivity values of 3,000 ohm-meters often cited are difficult to achieve and depend on material composition, grading, and moisture. 2) Standard resistivity test procedures do not accommodate large surfacing material particles and fail to control important variables. 3) Material geology significantly impacts resistivity - granitic rocks have higher resistivity than sedimentary rocks like limestone. 4) Ongoing work aims to develop standardized test methods that better evaluate composite surfacing layers for trafficability and resistivity.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    of 17

    Testing Substation Yardstone-Lessons Learned

    FIVE YEARS OF NATIONWIDE TESTING SUMMARIZED


    JOHN EDLEBECK
    COLEMAN ENGINEERING COMPANY
    IEEE Standard 80–2000, Section 12.5 suggests
    that the resistivity of the surface materials used in
    grounding systems should be tested.

    IEEE 80-2000, Section 17.3 includes a sample calculation using a value of 3,000 Ωm for the
    resistivity of surfacing material. Mistakenly, this value is often utilized as a typical value for
    surfacing material when values are unknown.
    3,000 Ωm is often cited in specifications as a minimum resistivity for surfacing material.
    Table D.1 presents a range of resistivity for a variety of surfacing materials. The information
    lacks standard terminology for describing the materials and too general to assign values.
    Brief Background and History

    2012 to 2013 2014 2015 to Present


     ATC inquired about possibility  Started testing surfacing  PES IEEE Working Group G6
    of testing yardstone surfacing. material at substations Task Force 1 formed to address
    throughout the ATC footprint. standardized testing and
     “Napkin” sketches of test prepare technical report.
    apparatus and “garage”  Presented the proposed test
    bench scale tests. procedure and data at  Trafficability over surfacing
    professional conferences. material prompts a look at
     Coleman retained to develop
    composite surfacing sections.
    standard apparatus and test  Acquired significant data on
    procedure. various surfacing materials.  Continued testing is being
    completed to gather more
     Published findings in IEEE  Started noticing that 3,000 Ω∙m information about surfacing
    Transactions October 2013. was elusive and not easily materials.
    achieved.
    Existing Recognized Standard
    Resistivity Test Procedures

     ASTM G57 – Discusses the 4 pin Wenner array for field determination of soil resistivity.
    The procedure extends to laboratory testing using a small test box with 4 pin
    measurement.
     ASTM G187 – Discusses a 2 pin method in a small test box. Generally utilized to
    evaluate soils for corrosion potential for embedded steel construction components
    (culverts, guy anchors, steel pile, etc.).
     AASHTO T288 – Presents 2 pin and 4 pin methods referring to ASTM methods.
     Other standard test methods, developed by various electrical utilities, are not
    universally recognized. Some of these methods were discussed in an informational
    report published in IEEE 80-2012.
    ASTM G57/AASHTO T288 Revisited

     G57 and T288 provide a reasonable approach to measuring electrical resistivity


    in soils. The approach does not consider coarse materials such as yardstone
    surfacing materials.
     The standards do not address variables that affect resistivity other than
    indicating the minimum resistivity is considered when sample is saturated.
     Conventional test apparatus does not accommodate coarse size particles
    generally included in surfacing material.
     Test procedure does not include discussion on variables that will affect resistivity
    such as particle geology, grading, compactness and moisture.
     The test could easily be modified to include documentation and control of
    variables as well as accommodate larger particles.
     Agencies are reluctant to change test procedures.
    Examples of ASTM/AASHTO Test Boxes
    What’s Wrong with this Picture?

     Rather than modify the test box,


    laboratories have modified the
    samples or used existing equipment.
     Top example shows removing or
    crushing larger particles to prepare a
    sample that can accommodate the
    test box.
     Bottom example tries to utilize a test
    box that is much too small to
    accommodate the maximum particle
    size.
    Make the Box Fit the Material

     Larger dimensions allow representing


    coarse particles in the test procedure.
     Non conductive materials.
     Rigid construction to allow rough service.
     Easily modified to incorporate 2 pin and 4
    pin test methods.
     Meets the intent of ASTM and AASHTO.
    Gradation alone is not enough

     ASTM Size 57 (Granitic Particles)  ASTM Size 57 (Limestone/Dolomite Particles)


     Resistivity – 2,000 to 3,500 Ω∙m  Resistivity 1,000 to 2,000 Ω∙m
     Saturated Moisture - 0.5 to 1.5%  Saturated Moisture 2.0 to 3.5 %
    Geology plays an important role

     The geologic origin of surfacing materials


    contribute to the resistive properties of
    the particles in surfacing materials.
     Granites, basalts and other
    metavolcanic rock are dense and less
    likely to absorb water contributing to
    high resistivity.
     Limestone, dolomite, shale, sandstone,
    and other sedimentary or meta-
    sedimentary rock generally absorb more
    water contributing to low resistivity.
     Have also tested caliche, coral and
    coconut straw.
    Geographic Limitations

    Bedrock Geology of North America


     Red oldest; yellow youngest.
     Reds generally very dense volcanic and
    meta volcanic granite and basalt, very
    dense (Canadian Shield).
     Blues and purples are moderately dense
    and consist of meta volcanics and
    metamorphic rock created from
    sediments (shales, dolomites, slates).
     Yellows are sedimentary rock very soft
    and absorptive(limestone, sandstone).
    Map courtesy of Kate E. Barton, David G. Howell, José F. Vigil on behalf of the U.S.
    Geological Survey in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada and the
    Mexican Consejo Recursos de Minerales.
    What Does 3,000 Ω∙m Material Look Like?

    Maximum Density: 101.6 pcf

    Saturated Moisture: 1.1%

    Test Compaction: 100%

    Test Method: Wenner 4 Pin and Modified Test Box

    Moisture Condition 1/3 Saturated 2/3 Saturated Saturated


    Voltage (V) 13.84 15.44 14.90
    Current (A) 0.000148 0.00026 0.00048
    Resistance (Ω) 93,514 59,385 31,042
    Box Factor 0.131 0.131 0.131
    Resistivity (Ω∙m) 12,250 7,779 3,104
    Trafficability

    Particle shape and range of sizes affect the support of traffic. Rounded particles all of uniform shape
    and size reduce trafficability. Angular particles with range of sizes improve trafficability. Some designers
    are considering composite layers to maintain resistivity and improve trafficability.
    What we are seeing to improve
    trafficability

     Dense graded aggregate placed


    to enhance traffic support.

     Saturated resistivity 150 to 300 Ω∙m


    Current Movements in Testing

     IEEE Working Group G6 Task Force 1 is


    currently preparing a technical report to
    discuss electrical resistivity of surfacing
    material and considers standardized test
    methods currently being developed.
     ASTM Standard Guide being considered
    which will provide guidance to designer
    and testing agencies to consider
    variables when measuring the resistive
    properties of soil and construction
    materials.
     Vertical oriented test to allow composite
    layers of surfacing material being
    considered to evaluate resistivity.
    Design and Construction

     Consider a resistivity value that is  Do not rely on gradation alone.


    achievable given local constraints of Gradation is only one variable.
    materials available. Consider geologic composition and
    shape of particles and absorption
     Consider regional limitations of
    characteristics.
    available surface materials.
     Consider trafficability of surfacing
     Establish submittal process to test
    material. Include a minimum crushed
    surfacing materials to confirm that
    particle content.
    minimum resistivity criteria is met or
    achievable.  Consider constructing traffic lanes
    which can accommodate lower
    resistivity materials which will support
    traffic.
    Questions?

    THANK YOU

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