Determination of the Ground Resistance and Distribution of Potentials in Grounding Grids Using Solid FEM.

Abstract

Admitting the independence of the ground resistance in relation to the earth fault current, a new method for the calculation of the ground resistance using the finite element method to the resolution of solid models in 3D, is presented in this paper. The results obtained by the method proposed were compared with those measured experimentally or determined, utilising other methods. Once ground resistance value and the earth fault current are known, the grid potential as well as the touch and step voltages are calculated. The main advantage of the method herein proposed is that it permits us to analyse symmetrical and non-symmetric grids in uniform soils with a layer o multiples layers. The method developed in this paper constitutes an industrial application, of acceptable results, to the calculation of the ground resistance.