HV Earthing System Studies
Ensuring safety and compliance of your electrical asset
Our extensive experience in the assessment, design, modeling and analysis of HV earthing systems ensures that our team of specialists demonstrates compliance with the UK, National Grid, DNO, or international standards for a range of installations such as generation, transmission, distribution or industrial, operating at voltages between 11kV and 400kV.
Soil resistivity measurements and analysis
Preparation of HV earthing system design drawings
HV earthing system modeling and analysis utilizing SES CDEGS software
Earth Potential Rise (EPR) assessment
Calculation of touch, step and transfer voltages
Post-construction Fall of Potential (FOP) resistance measurement and analysis
Third-party design audits
HV earthing system feasibility studies
Impressed voltage studies
Why Us for HV Earthing System Studies?
Our experience
Enoch Hill 33kV Onshore Wind Farm
- PSC were requested to undertake an HV earthing design study for the Enoch Hill 33kV onshore wind farm, in accordance with UK standards. As part of the study, soil resistivity measurements were analyzed to develop soil model for each turbine, the substation and overall wind farm. An earthing system design was produced for each turbine to achieve a resistance of less than 10Ω (where practicable) in accordance with BS EN61400-24. An overall earthing system design was produced for the wind farm and CDEGS earth fault simulation studies were carried out to determine the resistance of the proposed earthing system, the resultant EPR and, touch and step voltages at the site and to confirm the ITU (Hot / Cold) site classification. Read more>
Nairn Road Substation
- PSC were requested to undertake an HV earthing design study for the Nairn Road Substation, in accordance with UK standards. As part of the study, soil resistivity measurements were analyzed prior to designing the buried earth electrode system for the substation. CDEGS earth fault simulation studies were carried out to determine the resistance of the proposed earthing system and the resultant EPR and, touch and step voltages at the site.
South Redhouse BESS
- PSC were requested to update the existing South Redhouse BESS earthing system to accommodate the inclusion of new HV plant, in accordance with ENA TS 41-24, BS EN 50522 and ENA ER S34. As part of the study, an earthing system design for the new HV plant area was incorporated into the existing CDEGS model for the substation and was simulated under single phase-to-earth fault conditions. The resultant EPR and touch and step voltages were determined to confirm site classification in accordance with ITU specifications and the safety of personnel within the site.
Killala (Lisglannon) 38kV Substation
- PSC were appointed to undertake an HV earthing design study for the 38kV AIS substation and associated wind turbines, in accordance with IEEE80, IEEE81 and ESBN specifications 18134 and 18133. As part of the study, soil resistivity measurements were analyzed prior to designing the buried earth electrode system for the substation and each wind turbine. CDEGS earth fault simulation studies were carried out to determine the resistance of the proposed earthing system and the resultant EPR, hot zone contours, and touch and step voltages at the substation and connected wind farm.
Millvale Solar PV Site
- PSC were commissioned to design the Medium Voltage (MV) earthing system for the proposed Millvale Solar PV plant. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate that the earthing system will provide safe step and touch potentials throughout the site in accordance EN 50522. As part of the study, soil resistivity measurements were conducted and analyzed prior to designing the buried earth electrode system for the substation. CDEGS earth fault simulation studies were carried out to determine the resistance of the proposed earthing system and the resultant EPR and, touch and step voltages at the site.
Latest News
HV earthing design studies in urban areas
Join PSC UK consultants Rob Knott and Stephen Lilley as they outline the various challenges of earthing system design for 11kV high voltage (HV) in urban areas and actions to ensure a safe system and work area. read more
The importance of impressed voltages
PSC UK’s Rob Knott and Stephen Lilley explain impressed voltages and how they can be a significant safety hazard to be managed and controlled on any electrical construction site. read more
HV earthing design and analysis in the UK
PSC UK’s Rob Knott and Stephen Lilley explain High Voltage (HV) earthing system analysis & design and why such systems are important to creating safe work areas. read more
Contact us
Robert Knott – Principal Engineer
Robert Knott is an IET Chartered Engineer with over 15 years of international experience in the risk assessment, design and analysis of lightning protection systems across a diverse range of sectors including power generation, transmission, distribution, renewables (battery storage/solar/wind), oil and gas and industrial, As a result, Rob offers his time and support as a Regular member of the CIGRE Working Group C..4.43 “Lightning problems and lightning risk management for nuclear power plants.” Working alongside other international experts in the field of lightning, we are working towards publishing a guideline for the development of lightning protection designs for nuclear power stations, based on the concept of lightning risk management.
Stephen Lilley – Senior Engineer
Stephen Lilley is a senior engineer with over 6 years of experience of lightning protection system assessment and design across the Power (generation, transmission, distribution), renewables, nuclear and industrial sectors. Stephen has a comprehensive knowledge of the application of UK and international standards such as BS EN62305, IEEE998 and NFPA780.