229
229
229
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a0=a01+a02k+a03k2. (8) cases is given in figure 1. Current emanating from the grid
a1=a11+a12k+a13k2. (9) into the soil is I=10KA. In this study the soil ionization effects
a2=a21+a22k. (10) are ignored. By applying image technique [8, 9], the potential
K is number of segments of the conductor in any differences in volts and as a percentage of GPR for all grid
direction. The relationship between a0, a1... and L is cleared in modules according to number of parallel conductors are
[8]. calculated, and saved in table I for the grid module of (A=105
x 105 m2, N=8 x 8) as an example.
TABLE I
EARTH SURFACE POTENTIALS IN VOLTS AND AS PERCENTAGES OF GPR ALONG CENTER CONDUCTOR
FOR EQUALLY AND UNEQUALLY SPACED GRID OF (A=105 x 105 M2, N=8 x 8)
From the obtained results, it's concluded that as Noteworthy from the table, and to confirm the previous
increasing of equally spacing parallel grid conductors conclusion, that the increasing of unequally grid conductors
included in the same area, the GPR for the grid decreases and having denser conductors at the grid middle increases the
the earth surface potentials for grid increases, and then the GPR for this grid.
potential difference between each two conductors will Colored graphical representations for earth surface
decrease and the voltage profile will be more uniform. potentials above the mentioned grid in all conductors'
Regarding to grid conductors' distribution with unequally distribution cases for every one meter in both x and y
spaces, the percentages of the potential differences between direction and saved in 3D contours plots as shown in figures 2
center and corner conductors for this grid of (A=105 x 105 to 4.
m2) whatever number of conductors are around 26 %, 37% The potential difference between center and corner
and 15% in cases of equally spaces, unequally spaces having conductors is an important factor to determine the most
denser conductors at the middle and edges respectively. So, efficient design of grounding system, because of this
and as a conclusion, the conductor distribution with unequally difference representing the maximum touch voltage for the
spaces having denser conductors at the edges provides the grid. Figures 5 to 7 illustrate the earth surface potentials and
most efficient design because it satisfies the lowest GPR and touch voltage along the center conductor of the mentioned
the lowest potential differences between center and corner grid modules in different cases of conductors' distribution.
conductors comparing with the results that occurred in other From the figures, and for all grid modules whatever number of
cases of conductors' distribution included with the same area, conductors, it is cleared that the maximum touch voltage
thus the voltage distribution will be more uniform. along the center conductor reaches its lowest value in case of
unequally spaced grid having denser conductors at the edges.
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Fig. 2 Voltage profile along all grid conductors in case of equally spaced grid. Fig. 5 Earth surface potentials and touch voltages over the center conductor
Number of meshes =64 for mentioned grid having N=64
Fig. 6 Earth surface potentials and touch voltages over the center conductor
Fig. 3 Voltage profile along all grid conductors in case of unequally spaced
for mentioned grid having N=144
grid having denser conductors at the middle. Number of meshes =64
Fig. 4 Voltage profile along all grid conductors in case of unequally spaced Fig. 7 Earth surface potentials and touch voltages over the center conductor
grid having denser conductors at the edges. Number of meshes = 64 for mentioned grid having N=256.
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B. By Using Optimal Compression Ratio (OCR)
Fig. 10 Earth surface potentials over all grid conductors for grid of (A=105 x
105 m2, N=8 x 8) in case of C=0.
Fig. 8 Earth surface potentials and touch voltages over the center conductor
for mentioned grid having different cases of compression ratios.
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IV. EFFECT OF CONDUCTORS' DISTRIBUTIONS ON VOLTAGE
PROFILE IN CASE OF GRIDS BURIED IN DOUBLE LAYER SOIL
TABLE II
SPECIFICATIONS OF MENTIONED NON UNIFORM SOIL
Fig. 13 Earth surface potentials over all grid conductors for grid of (A=105 x
105 m2, N=8 x 8) in case of C=1.
Fig. 15 Earth surface potentials along center conductor for equally spaced grid
(A= 105 x 105 m2, N=8 x 8) with various soil structures.
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satisfies the lowest maximum touch voltage will takes values 0.4, it means that the grid conductors will be denser at the
less than the optimal compression ratio (OCR) determined by edges and having widely conductor spans at the middle. The
equation (6) for this grid. The results will be in the contrary of spaces between conductors will increase progressively from
this in cases of (ρ1>ρ2). the periphery to the center and the middle spans will decrease
For the mentioned grid buried in double layer soil gradually in cases of (ρ1>ρ2) where the maximum touch
structures, in cases of (ρ1<ρ2) and since the maximum touch voltage reaches its lowest values at the compression ratio of
voltage reaches its lowest values at the compression ratio of 0.6.
TABLE III
EARTH SURFACE POTENTIALS AND MAXIMUM TOUCH VOLTAGES IN VOLTS ALONG CENTER CONDUCTOR FOR MENTIONED GRID
HAVING DIFFERENT CASES OF CONDUCTORS' DISTRIBUTION BURIED IN DIFFERENT CASES OF SOIL STRUCURE BY USING OCR
uniform soil ρ2=40, H=10m ρ2=40, H=20m ρ2=250, H=10m ρ2=250, H=20m
max max max max max
Type of unequally grid GPR touch GPR touch GPR touch GPR touch GPR touch
voltage voltage voltage voltage voltage
equally spaced grid, means C=1 5297 1346 2925 779 3435 982 9956 2302 8582 1851
unequally spaced grid with C=0.8 4933 982 2708 549 3147 681 9404 1778 8146 1435
unequally spaced grid with C=0.6 4603 582 2597 432 2978 445 8851 1186 7718 962
unequally spaced grid with OCR=0.54 4544 479 2584 483 2955 506 8688 989 7593 802
unequally spaced grid with C=0.4 4489 563 2655 680 2987 704 8346 518 7331 409
unequally spaced grid with C=0.2 4670 988 2898 1053 3233 1125 8284 777 7360 776
unequally spaced grid with C=0 5140 1608 3395 1624 3730 1721 8682 1453 7783 1417
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