PROJECT SUMMARY

• As part of my academic internship, I got the opportunity to observe how earthing system
design and analysis is carried out for large infrastructure projects. I was introduced to the
process of Earth Mat calculation using standard parameters such as fault current, soil
resistivity, and safety criteria for step and touch voltages.

• I also observed how professional software tools are used to perform simulations and
generate detailed reports based on IEEE and IS standards.

• The design & analysis are based on the total fault current of 45 KA at LT for 1sec
fault duration.

• The maximum step & touch voltages have been calculated as per below mentioned
data:
Applicable Code IEEE 80:2013
Body weight 50Kg
Body resistance 1000 ohm
Frequency 50 Hz
X/R Ratio 10.67 (for transformer ≤2.87MVA X/R ratio
is 10.67, As per IEC60076-5, Clause-4.2.3.)
Fault Duration 1 sec
Mother Soil Resistivity 15 ohm-m (Refer appendix D for SRT
Report)
Surface Layer Material Resistivity 10,000 ohm-m
Maximum Grid Current, IG 22.5 KA at LT
Maximum Fault Current, Tf 45 KA at LT
Decrement Factor, Df 1.0168

• Values Achieved after Simulation are mentioned below:

Earth Grid Impedance, Rg 0.16 ohms
Ground Potential Rise, GPR 3704.992 V at LT
Tolerable Touch Potential 1833.774 V for 50Kg
Calculated Touch Potential 558.541 V at LT
Tolerable Step Potential 6992.860 V for 50Kg
Calculated Step Potential 133.912 V at LT
 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this analysis report is to understand the methodology used in designing an earthing
(grounding) system for a large infrastructure project. It focuses on determining key design
parameters such as fault current, soil resistivity, touch and step voltage limits, and validating the
safety of the earthing grid through simulation-based tools as per national and international
standards.

1.2 Scope of Work

The main objective is to model the optimized design and validate it using CDEGS
software-
This process involves the following the scope:
i. Study of reference data & requirement of the project
ii. Gathering inputs to deliver the task
iii. Conceptual earthing design through CDEGS
iv. Validation of model & review
v. Documentation of design methodology, earthing performance including
simulated results of touch potential, step potential & ground potential rise.
vi. Design Discussion & drafting the final report

1.3 Design Specifications

i. Symmetrical RMS fault current as 45 KA at LT with 1 sec Fault clearing time.
ii. Conductor sizing as per minimum conductor size calculated by software.
iii. Material for horizontal & vertical rod is considered as Pure Copper.
iv. Length of vertical rod is considered as 3 meters.
v. Depth of earthing grid is considered as 0.5 meter.
vi. Surface layer resistivity is considered as 10000 ohm-m as per CBIP manual
(Refer Figure 1.1).
vii. The conductor size considered for Main Earth Mat is 20 mm solid Pure Copper
rod.

The following factors are considered for earthing design

i. Ambient Temperature: 40oC
ii. Duration of fault current: 1 sec
 iii. Shock duration: 1 sec
iv. Uniform Soil Resistivity has been evaluated as per polar curve method in the SRT
report (Refer appendix C for details)

1.4 Software Module Used

i. SESCAD Tool – CDEGS Software
ii. SES Ampacity Tool – CDEGS Software
iii. MALZ module
SES Result Viewer

1.5 Reference codes & standards

The list of applicable codes & standards is given below-

i. IEEE -80:2013 – IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding

ii. IS-3043: 2018 – Code of Practice for Earthing

iii. IEEE-81:2012 – IEEE Guide for Measuring Soil Resistivity, Ground Impedance,

Earth Surface Potential of Grounding System

2. MINIMUM CONDUCTOR SIZING CALCULATION

In an earthing system, the conductor should be able to withstand mechanical damages &
fusing temperature as per fault current magnitude. In this report, the minimum conductor
sizing calculation has been done using SES Ampacity Tool of CDEGS Software, considering
the RMS fault current, fault duration & decrement factor at 40oC ambient temperature as per
Surat location.

At 45 KA at LT, RMS fault current, 1 sec fault duration and considering decrement factor as
1, the minimum conductor sizing for Pure Copper Material is as mentioned below-

Minimum Conductor Size Calculated

as per IEEE 80:2013 using CDEGS Proposed Size
Software

Sl. No. Conductor Description

Rod = Diameter
Rod = Diameter Cross-
Cross-Section, sq (mm)
(mm) Section, sq
mm Strip = WxT
Strip = WxT (mm) mm
(mm)

Earth Mat Horizontal

1 14.323 161.127 20 314
Conductor (Copper Rod)

2 Vertical Rod (Copper Rod) 14.323 161.127 20 314

Table 2.1: Ampacity Calculations

Referring table 2.1, the proposed size as per tender requirement is 20 mm copper rod
which is capable of bearing the fault current.
The corrosion allowance should be considered as per the soil resistivity value of the
location as mentioned in IS 3043:2018, Table 5. (Refer Figure. 2.1)

Figure 2.1: Corrosion Allowance Reference from IS 3043:2018

As per IS 3043 clause no. 23.3.2 page 48 Copper earthing conductors, in general need not be
protected against corrosion when they are buried in the ground if their cross-sectional area is
equal to or greater than 25 mm2.
Hence, the considered sizes are 20mm dia., Copper Horizontal conductor, 20mm dia.,
Copper Vertical Rod.
2.1 Ampacity Function report for Pure Copper Vertical Rod and Horizontal
Conductor

CDEGS Conductor Ampacity Calculation (per IEEE Standard 80)

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Date: 7/9/2025
Time: 3:01:05 PM
Analysis Filename: 2025-07-09T145457
File Path: C:\Users\Public\Documents\SES Software\My Projects
System of Units: Metric
Temperature Units: Celsius
Conductor Size Units: AWG

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Input Data:
Ambient Temperature: 40.00 °C

Maximum Allowable Temperature: 1084 °C

Conductor Type: Copper commercial hard drawn (97% conductivity)

Fault Data:
Stage Symmetrical RMS Current (kA) Clearing Time (s) Decrement Factor

1 45 1 1

Material Constants of Conductor:

Conductor Type: Copper commercial hard drawn (97% conductivity)

Reference Temperature for Material Constants: 20 °C

Thermal Coefficient of Resistivity at Reference Temperature: 0.0038 1/°C

Resistivity of Conductor at Reference Temperature: 1.780 µΩ-cm

Fusing Temperature of Conductor: 1084 °C

Thermal Capacity per Unit Volume: 3.42 J/(cm³·°C)

Computation Results:
Overall Asymmetrical RMS Current: 45.00 kA

Minimum Conductor Size: 318.064 MCM

161.127 mm²

0.2497 in²

14.323 mm (Diameter - Solid Conductor)

0.564 in. (Diameter - Solid Conductor)

 2. DESIGN SIMULATION
The design & calculation is based on 45 KA at LT fault current at 1 second of fault duration
time along with 50% of split factor. This Section includes-
i. The software model created to perform the simulation
ii. The safety threshold & calculated step, touch & absolute potential plots

3.1. 3D Model of Earthing Plot using CDEGS SESCAD

Grid Size: 24m*9m

Spacing: 3m*3m
Vertical Rod: 22+1 = 23

Figure 3.1: Isometric View of Main Mat using SESCAD

Figure 3.1: Isometric View of Main Mat using SESCAD

3.2. Plan Layout of the Modelled System

Figure 3.2: Top of main earth mat using SESCAD

Figure 3.2: Top of main earth mat using SESCAD

3.3. Chronology of Modelled Earthing Grid
i. The horizontal earthing grid conductor is made of Pure Copper material. The
diameter of the conductor is considered as 20 mm as per Section -2 of this report.
ii. The vertical earthing rods are of Pure Copper material. The diameter of the
vertical rods is considered as 20mm dia.
iii. The depth of the Earthing grid is considered as 0.5 meter.
iv. Grid Size is 24m*9m.
v. Total 22 rods are used for earth mat.

3.4. Touch & Step Potential Safety Parameters

The tolerable touch & step potential has been calculated as per below mentioned inputs-

Method IEEE 80: 2013

Contact Concept Left Hand to Feet
Body Weight 50Kg (Reference From IEEE-80)
Body Resistance 1000 ohms
Fault Clearing Time 1 sec
Shock Duration 1 sec
Frequency 50 Hz
X/R Ratio 10.67
Surface Layer Resistivity & its Depth Concrete of 10,000 ohm-meter for 1 meter
Table 3.1: Safety Parameters
3.5. Touch & Step Potential Criteria as per IS 3043:2018
The safety of a person depends on preventing the critical amount of shock energy from
being absorbed before the fault is cleared and the system de-energized. The maximum
driving voltage of any accidental circuit should not exceed the limits defined as follows
by IS 3043:2018.

Figure 3.3: Snapshot from IS 3043:2018

3.6. Touch & Step Potential Criteria as per IEEE 80:2013
The step &
touch
potential
criteria
adopted in
this report &
for the
simulation
is as per

internationally adopted code i.e., IEEE 80:2013.

Figure 3.4: Snapshot from IEEE 80:2013

3.7. Maximum Calculated & Tolerable Touch & Step Potential

Tolerable Limits at 1 sec

shock duration & 50kg Calculated Value obtained from Simulation
Parameter
(Reference From IEEE-80) (V)
(V)

Touch Potential at LT 1833.774 558.541

Step Potential at LT 6992.860 133.912

Table 3.2: Touch & Step Potential Values obtained from Simulation

Please Refer Appendix B and C for detailed simulation report by CDEGS

Since, calculated values of Step & touch potential obtained are within the tolerable
limits. Hence, the design is safe to install.
 3.8. Heat up Plot for Touch Potential at LT

Scalar Potentials/Touch Voltages/Worst Spherical [ID:Surat Metro @ f=50.0000 Hz ]

LEGEND
23.7
Maximum Value : 558.541
Minimum Value : 95.113

558.54

512.20

13.7 465.86

419.51
Y AXIS (METERS)

373.17

326.83
3.8
280.48

234.14

187.80

141.46
-6.2
-15 -5 5 15
X AXIS (METERS)
Touch Voltage Magn. (Volts) [Wors]

[Date: 2024/ 2/21, Time: 12:55

Valid License No: 3217 S/N 138282309 Customer: JMV LPS LIMITED SES CDEGS
3.9. Plot for Touch Potential at LT for 50Kg

• Calculated Touch Potential = 1825.206 Volt at LT which is less than the

Tolerable Touch Potential i.e., 1833.849 Volt

3.10. Heat Up Plot for Step Potential at LT

 Scalar Potentials/Step Voltages (Spherical)/Worst Spherical [ID:Surat Metro @f=50.0000 Hz ]

LEGEND
23.7
Maximum Value : 133.912
Minimum Value : 66.060

133.91

127.13

13.7 120.34

113.56
Y AXIS (METERS)

106.77

99.99
3.8
93.20

86.42

79.63

72.85
-6.2
-15 -5 5 15

X AXIS (METERS)
Step Voltage-W orst Magnitude (Volts)

[Date: 2024/ 2/21, Time: 12:55:31

Valid License No: 3217 S/N 138282309 Customer: JMV LPS LIMITED SES CDEGS

3.11. Plot for Step Potential at LT for 50Kg

• Calculated Step Potential = 359.108 Volt at LT is less than the Tolerable
Step Potential i.e., 6993.161 Volt
3.12. Grid GPR and Grid Impedance
Table 3.3 shows the computed grid GPR and the computed grid impedance (as
reported by SES Result Viewer). The obtained value of grid impedance is the
combined resistance value of Horizontal earth mat conductor & Vertical earthing rod
of body pits. The frequency considered is 50 Hz as per power supply frequency in
India.

Grid Ground Potential Rise, GPR (V) at LT 3704.992

Grid Impedance, Rg (Ohms) 0.16

Table 3.3: GPR & Grid Impedance Value

Please Refer Appendix A for detailed simulation report by CDEGS

*The GPR values reflected is purely dependent on the consideration of 40KA at LT fault current with split factor = 0.5. A short circuit
study and fault current distribution study may help in calculation of earth current and current, which returns to source via neutral or
shield wire, or armour of the XLPE cable.

4. CONCLUSION
• JMV LPS Limited has done the calculation of Earth Mat at Surat Railway Station
(Underground Metro Station), Surat Metro Rail Project, Phase-I. The principal
Contractor is J Kumar.
• The end customer is Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
 • The design & analysis are based on the total fault current of 45 KA at LT for 1sec
fault duration in Surat Railway Metro Station.
• The maximum step & touch voltages have been calculated as per below mentioned
data:
Applicable Code IEEE 80:2013
Body weight 50Kg
Body resistance 1000 ohm
Frequency 50 Hz
X/R Ratio 10.67 (for transformer ≤2.85MVA X/R ratio
is 10.67, As per IEC 60076-5, Clause-4.2.3.)
Fault Duration 1 sec
Mother Soil Resistivity 15 ohm-m
Surface Layer Material Resistivity 10,000 ohm-m
Maximum Grid Current, IG 22.5 KA at LT
Maximum Fault Current, Tf 45 KA at LT
Decrement Factor, Df 1.0168

• Values Achieved after Simulation are mentioned below:

Earth Grid Impedance, Rg 0.16 ohms
Ground Potential Rise, GPR 3704.992 V at LT
Tolerable Touch Potential 1833.849 V for 50Kg
Calculated Touch Potential 1825.206 V at LT
Tolerable Step Potential 359.108 V for 50Kg
Calculated Step Potential 6993.161 V at LT

Minimum Conductor Size Calculated

as per IEEE 80:2013 using CDEGS Proposed Size
Software

Sl. No. Conductor Description

Rod = Diameter
Rod = Diameter Cross-
Cross-Section, sq (mm)
(mm) Section, sq
mm Strip = WxT
Strip = WxT (mm) mm
(mm)
 Earth Mat Horizontal
1 14.323 161.127 20 314
Conductor (Copper Rod)

2 Vertical Rod (Copper Rod) 14.323 161.127 20 314

Table 4.1 Ampacity Calculation (Refer Section – 3 for detailed report)

Tolerable Limits at 1 sec

shock duration & 50kg Calculated Value obtained from Simulation
Parameter
(Reference From IEEE-80) (V)
(V)

Touch Potential at LT 1833.849 1825.206

Step Potential at LT 6993.161 359.108

Table 4.2: Touch & Step Potential Values (Refer Section – 3 & Appendix B for Detailed report)

Grid Ground Potential Rise, GPR (V) at LT 3704.992

Grid Resistance, Rg (Ohms) 0.16

Table 4.3: GPR & Grid Impedance Values (Refer Section – 3 & Appendix A for detailed report)

Appendix A– Grid Impedance Report

AT LT:
DATE OF RUN (Start)= DAY 9 / Month 7 / Year 2025
STARTING TIME= 15:43:16:08

===========< M A L Z ( SYSTEM INFORMATION SUMMARY ) >===========

 Run ID......................................: Document1
System of Units ............................: Metric
Earth Potential/Magnetic Field Calculations : Potentials
Number of Energization Source Busses .......: 1
Current Injected in Reference Source Bus....: 22500 Amps
Energization Scaling Factor (SPLITS/FCDIST/specified)..: 0.50000
Number of Original Conductors ..............: 37
Number of Frequency Values to be Analyzed...: 1
Power Source Frequency......................: 50.000 Hertz
Impedance Values are Based On...............: 50.000 Hertz
Total Length of Conductor Network...........: 246.60 meters
1

CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIA SURROUNDING NETWORK

============================================
AIR LAYER : Resistivity............: 0.100000E+13 ohm-meters
Relative Permittivity..: 1.00000
Relative Permeability..: 1.00000

>>> SOIL TYPE : Uniform/Two Layer Horizontal

TOP LAYER : Resistivity............: 15.0000 ohm-meters

Relative Permittivity..: 1.00000
Relative Permeability..: 1.00000
Thickness of Layer (H) : 100000.0000 meters

BOTTOM : Resistivity............: 15.0000 ohm-meters

LAYER Relative Permittivity..: 1.00000
Relative Permeability..: 1.00000
1

Case Number.................................: 1
Frequency for This Case.....................: 50.000 Hertz
GPR of Reference Source Bus (# 1)....Magn..: 9253.146 Volts
Angle.: 0.2667299 degrees

Impedance of Grounding System.........Magn..: 0.4112509 Ohms

Angle.: 0.2667299 degrees

Appendix B – CDEGS Safety Threshold Report for

Maximum Acceptable Touch and Step Voltages-50kg
(Reference from IEEE-80)
AT LT:
Report #1:
>> Safety Report

DATE OF RUN (Start)= DAY 21 / Month 2 / Year 2024

STARTING TIME= 12:53:57:72

=============== Touch Voltage Threshold For Zone "Default" ================

Computed Touch Voltage.....................................( V ): 1833.8

Main Computation Standard.......................................: IEEE Std.80-2013

Network Specifications

System Frequency.....................................(Hertz): 50.000

Shock Duration.....................................(Seconds): 1.0000
X/R Ratio...................................................: 10.670
Computed Decrement Factor...................................: 1.0168

Site Data

Surface Layer Thickness................................( m ): 1.0000

Surface Layer Resistivity............................(Ohm-m): 10000.
Sub-Surface Layer Resistivity........................(Ohm-m): 15.000
Foot Resistance Calculation Method..........................: IEEE Std.80-2013
Computed Foot Resistance.................( Ohm per foot ): 30151.
User Defined Footwear Resistance.........( Ohm per foot ): 0.0000
User Defined Gloves Resistance...........( Ohm per hand ): 0.0000

Human Data

Fibrillation Current Calculation............................: IEEE Std.80-2013

(50kg)
Fibrillation Current Value.............................( A ): 0.11600
Body Resistance Calculation Method..........................: IEEE Std.80-2013
Body Resistance Value................................( Ohm ): 1000.0

============== Step Voltage Threshold For Zone "Default Step" =============

Computed Step Voltage......................................( V ): 6993.2

Main Computation Standard.......................................: IEEE Std.80-2013

Network Specifications
 System Frequency.....................................(Hertz): 50.000
Shock Duration.....................................(Seconds): 1.0000
X/R Ratio...................................................: 10.670
Computed Decrement Factor...................................: 1.0168

Site Data

Surface Layer Thickness................................( m ): 1.0000

Surface Layer Resistivity............................(Ohm-m): 10000.
Sub-Surface Layer Resistivity........................(Ohm-m): 15.000
Foot Resistance Calculation Method..........................: IEEE Std.80-2013
Computed Foot Resistance.................( Ohm per foot ): 30151.
User Defined Footwear Resistance.........( Ohm per foot ): 0.0000
User Defined Gloves Resistance...........( Ohm per hand ): 0.0000

Human Data

Fibrillation Current Calculation............................: IEEE Std.80-2013

(50kg)
Fibrillation Current Value.............................( A ): 0.11600
Body Resistance Calculation Method..........................: IEEE Std.80-2013
Body Resistance Value................................( Ohm ): 1000.0

End of Report #2