There are three main objectives that this project is aiming to deliver, with one stretching objective. These are (in no particular order) to produce a standard for ground surfaces in terms of earthing of an AC/DC system. Secondly, to quantify the existing electrical performance of commonly used substation materials. Lastly, to develop a piece of software that calculates and quantify these safety voltage limits.
The stretch target for this project is to make the standard internationally acceptable throughout the electrical community.
The research being done in this project will aim to quantify the electrical resistance of ground surfaces currently installed on the network, and then provide a calculating tool that can produce safety criteria under AC & DC conditions, a variety of site use scenarios and a realistic range of surfacing materials.