Comparison of Earthing grid conductor material

This comparison is based on earthing conductor sizing on different materials such as copper and steel.

Conductor sizing
Minimum size of earthing conductor can be found from Equation (1) (IEEE Std 80)

1
2 = (1)
104 0+
( )( )
0 +

Ig - is the rms current in kA

Amm2- is the conductor cross section in mm2

Tm- is the maximum allowable temperature in 0C

Tr is the reference temperature for material constants in 0C

is the thermal coefficient of resistivity at reference temperature Tr in 1/0c

is the resistivity og ground conductor at reference temperature Tr in

K0 1/0 or (1/ )-Tr in 0C

Tc is the duration of current in s

TCAP is the thermal capacity per unit volume from table 1, in J/(cm3*0C)

1. Steel conductor sizing

Constants of the material are given in Table 1.

= 0.00160, K0 =605, Tm =1510, = 15.90 TCAP=3.28, Ta=40

Ig=4.199kA
1
2 = = 81.55 mm2
104 0+
( )( )
0 +

2. Copper conductor sizing

= 0.00393, K0 =234, Tm =1083, = 1.72 TCAP=3.42, Ta=40

Ig=4.199kA
 1
2 = = 13.81 mm2
104 0+
( )( )
0 +

Conclusion
It can be seen from the conductor sizing, if using steel conductor for grounding its cross sectional area
should be higher than 81.55mm2. 113mm2 steel used in TSWF project. It is satisfying calculated
minimum cross section of conductor.