Grounding System Design and Studies

The grounding system component of an electric power system is most often not given the attention it deserves since most of the equipment that comprises a grounding system resides underground or is obscured from scrutiny.

However, a ground system is as important to an electric power system as is a foundation is to a building. A poorly designed or maintained grounding system is most often the cause of unexplained events and phenomena within an electric substation or switchyard. Problems that can result from a poorly designed or maintained grounding system are:

  • Stressed insulation of potential transformers, bulk power transformers, grounding transformer, etc., from reflective voltage waves caused by lightning and transients
  • False-operation of apparatus such as disconnects opening, circuit breakers tripping, etc.
  • Large transfer potentials during faults to the ground of the power system, resulting in equipment misoperation or damage to electronics
  • Excessive ground potential rise (GPR) during faults and lightning stroke currents, resulting in high step and touch potentials, and transfer voltages

Grounding systems are generally designed to fulfill two purposes that are often mutually exclusive: Protection of workers and the public; Proper operation of equipment and systems attached to the grounding system. A common misnomer in the electric power industry is a grounding system or grid with a low ground impedance (or resistance) that is free from excessive step and touch potentials.

On the contrary, a grounding system with a low ground impedance (or resistance) can be unsafe for workers and the public for even small magnitude faults (i.e. high impedance faults); conversely, a grounding system with a high ground impedance can be made safe for workers and the public, but offer little benefit to equipment performance.

OrionMagnetics, LLC. offers turnkey design and evaluation services and solutions for the electric power, communications, energy exploration, gas, maritime, mining, and refining industries. A sample of the services we offer are:

  • Comprehensive Computer Modeling
  • Designs of Equipotential Systems
  • Designs of Grounding Systems for Any Applications
  • Equipment Performance Assessments and Improvements
  • Site/Facility Audits, Investigations, and Inspections
  • Sizing of Personal and Temporary Protective Grounds
  • Step and Touch Potential Assessments

Thermal (Capacity) Ratings of Electric Power Facilities and NERC Compliance

Any owner and/or operator of electric power facilities and equipment should have a vested interest in knowing the capacity ratings of their system’s ability to transfer electric power. In the United States, owners and operators of interconnected electric transmission facilities are governed by the regulations and standards published by the FERC and NERC.

One purpose of these regulatory agencies is to ensure a reliable transmission network that is designed and operated according to a uniform set of practices.

For owners of electric power facilities that are not governed by FERC and NERC, or facilities that reside in countries outside the United States, should also consider a uniform documentation and rating process for efficient use of their electric power facilities.

OrionMagnetics, LLC. is a world leader and innovator of engineering services and solutions in the area of capacity (i.e. thermal) ratings of electric power equipment. Our team of engineers has strong roots in the electric power and utility industries, and as a result of this background, we are able to offer our clients a multitude of services and solutions that are catered to their needs and budget.

The following is a sample of the services we currently offer:

  • Capacity rating computations and reports of electric power equipment used in distribution, generation, and transmission systems, such as:
  • Autotransformers
  • Phase Shifting
  • Bulk Distribution
  • GSU
  • Network Transformers
  • MV, HV, EHV, and UHV circuit breakers, gas-insulated substation and switchgear, disconnects, etc.
  • Rigid Circular, Rectangular, Universal Angle, Integral Web Channel, and Gas Insulated Bus and Conductors
  • Current Transformers, all types
  • Metal-Enclosed Switchgear
  • Bare overhead conductors (transmission and distribution)
  • Covered and spacer cable systems
  • Cable systems and networks
  • Audits of client facilities and thermal rating methodologies
  • Preparation of report of thermal ratings to Independent System Operators
  • Custom software applications and databases, storage and reporting solutions
  • Management of client records of electric power facilities on secure networks and servers (clients have their owner servers with traceable serial numbers)
  • Establish processes and systems for clients to manage their own records of electric power equipment and systems
  • Project consultation
  • Conformance to IEEE and IEC Standards, or any standard preferred by our clients

NERC and FERC compliance with respect to determining and communicating facility ratings and rating methodology.

Electrical Designs of Transmission and Distribution Lines

OrionMagnetics, LLC. offers specialized engineering services in specific aspects of the electrical design of distribution and transmission lines. A sample of our offering in this area include:

  • Computation of Sequence Impedances of Overhead and Underground Systems
  • Counterpoise Designs and Evaluations
  • Electric and Magnetic Field Modeling
  • Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) Designs and Mitigation Schemes
  • Equipment Recommendations and Specifications
  • Ground System Designs and Studies
  • Power Quality and Aberration Investigations
  • Shielding Designs and Lightning Performance Studies
  • Transmission Line Arrester Specifications and Location Studies

Studies of Electrical Phenomena Occurring in the Operation of Electric Power Stations, Lines and Metering Systems

OrionMagnetics, LLC. excels in the area of troubleshooting and solving complex problems occurring in most facets of the electric power distribution, generation and transmission operation. We offer low-cost consulting services and guarantee success in identifying the source of the electrical phenomena and power-system aberrations. Some of our services include:

  • Stray Voltage Investigations
  • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) From Power-System Facilities on Railroads, Gas, Petroleum Pipelines, and Communication Facilities
  • Touch Potential Investigations Due to Induction, Faulty Grounding Systems or Improperly Design Power-Facilities
  • Preventable Audible Noise From Power-System Facilities
  • False Operations of Equipment in Electric Power Stations
  • Shielding Failures of Overhead Transmission Lines
  • Pole Fires on Transmission Lines
  • Tracking-Failures of OPGW
  • Line Hardware Failures
  • Electrical Contact Investigations
  • Recurring Misoperations on AMI Systems
  • Unexplained and Recurring Events