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EHV/HV Underground Cable Sheath Earthing (part 1/2)

jiguparmar

In urban areas, high voltage underground cables are

commonly used for the transmission and distribution of
electricity. Such high voltage cables have metallic
sheaths or screens surrounding the conductors,
and/or armour and metallic wires surrounding the
cables.
During earth faults applied to directly earthed
systems, these metallic paths are expected to carry a
substantial proportion of the total fault current, which
would otherwise flow through the general mass of
earth, while returning to system neutrals. These
alternative return paths must be considered when
determining the extent of the grid potential rise at an
electrical plant due to earth faults.

21/35(40.5)KV 3-core XLPE/PVC/steel tape armor power cable

For safety and reliable operation, the shields and

metallic sheaths of power cables must be grounded.
Without grounding, shields would operate at a potential considerably above ground. Thus, they would be
hazardous to touch and would cause rapid degradation of the jacket or other material intervening between
shield and ground. This is caused by the capacitive charging current of the cable insulation that is on the order of 1
mA/ft of conductor length.
This current normally flows, at power frequency, between the conductor and the earth electrode of the cable,
normally the shield. In addition, the shield or metallic sheath provides a fault return path in the event of insulation
failure, permitting rapid operation of the protection devices.
In order to reduce circulating current and electric potential difference between the sheathings of single core threephase cables, the sheathing is grounded and bonded at one or both ends of the cables. If the cable is long, double
bonding has to be carried out which leads to circulating currents and increased total power loss. Raising the
sheaths resistance, by decreasing its cross section and increasing its resistivity, can reduce this almost to the
level of the core losses.
However, in case of an earth fault, a considerable portion of the fault current flows through the increased sheath
resistance, creating much higher power in the sheaths than in the faulty core. A simple solution, a conductor rod
buried into the soil above or under the cable can divert this power from the sheaths.

Cable Screen
1. Purpose of cable screen
Cable screen controls the electric field stress in the cable insulation. It also provides return path for cable neutral
and fault current.
If the screen is earthed at two ends than it provides shielding for electromagnetic radiation. Enclosing dangerous
high voltage with earth potential for safety.

2. Purpose of bonding cable screens at both ends

The electric power losses in a cable circuit are dependent on the currents flowing in
the metallic sheaths of the cables so by reducing the current flows in metallic sheath
by different methods of bonding we can increases the load current carrying capacity
(ampacity) of the cable.
It provides low impedance fault current return path and provides neutral point for the
circuit. It also provides shielding of electromagnetic field.

Cable construction

3. Induced voltage & circulating circulating current in cable screen

Electromagnetic coupling between the core and screen Electromagnetic screen. If the cable screen is single point
bonded, no electrical continuity and mmf generates a voltage. If the cable screen is bonded at both ends, the mmf
will cause circulating current to flow if there is electrical continuity.
The circulating current produces an opposing magnetic field. Suitable bonding method should be employed to
meet the standing voltage limit and keep circulating current to an acceptable level.
Top

Laying Method Of Cable

The three Single core cables in a 3-phase circuit can be placed in different formations. Typical formations include
trefoil (triangular) and flat formations.

1. Trefoil Formation
To minimize the electromechanical forces between the cables under short-circuit conditions, and to
avoid eddy-current heating in nearby steelwork due to magnetic fields set up by load currents, the
three single-core cables comprising the three phases of a 3-phase circuit are always run clamped
in Trefoil formation.

Advantages

Cable
Trefoil
Formation

This type of Formation minimizes the sheath circulating currents induced by the magnetic flux
linking the cable conductors and metallic sheath or copper wire screens. This configuration is generally used for
cables of lower voltages (33 to 132kV) and of smaller conductor sizes.

Disadvantages
The trefoil formation is not appropriate for heat dissipation because there is an appreciable mutual heating effect
of the three cables. The cumulated heat in cables and cable trench has the effect of reducing the cable rating and
accelerating the cable ageing.

2. Flat Formation

This is a most common method for Laying LT Cable.

This formation is appropriate for heat dissipation and to increase cable rating.
The Formation choice is totally deepened on several factors like screen bonding method,
conductor area and available space for installation.

Cable flat
formation

Top

Type of Core and Induced Voltage

1. Three Core Cable
For LT application, typically for below 11 kV.
Well balanced magnetic field from Three Phase.
Induced voltages from three phases sum to zero along the entire length of the cable.
Cable screen should be earthed at both ends
Virtually zero induced voltage or circulating current under steady state operation.

2. Single Core Cable

For HV application, typically for 11 kV and above.
Singlecore cables neglects the use of ferromagnetic material for screen, sheath and armoring.
Induced voltage is mainly contributed by the core currents in its own phase and other two phases.If cables
are laid in a compact and symmetrical formation, induced in the screen can be minimized.
A suitable screen bonding method should be used for singlecore cables to prevent Excessive circulating
current, high induced standing voltage.igh voltage.

References
1. Mitton Consulting.
2. EMElectricals

About Author //
Jignesh Parmar
jiguparmar - Jignesh Parmar has completed his B.E(Electrical) from Gujarat University.
He is member of Institution of Engineers (MIE),India. Membership No:M-1473586.He
has more than 12 years experience in Transmission -Distribution-Electrical Energy theft
detection-Electrical Maintenance-Electrical Projects (Planning-Designing-Technical
Review-coordination -Execution). He is Presently associate with one of the leading
business group as a Assistant Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He has published
numbers of Technical Articles in "Electrical Mirror", "Electrical India", "Lighting India",
"Industrial Electrix"(Australian Power Publications) Magazines. He is Freelancer
Programmer of Advance Excel and design useful Excel base Electrical Programs as per IS, NEC, IEC,IEEE
codes. He is Technical Blogger and Familiar with English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He wants to Share
his experience & Knowledge and help technical enthusiasts to find suitable solutions and updating themselves on
various Engineering Topics.

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6 Comments

1.
Sarfraz
Sep 22, 2014
Very good information shared
(reply)
2.
Guillermo Lpez Flores
Sep 01, 2014
Very informative and usefull. Thanks
(reply)
3.
Gopinath
Jul 16, 2014
I would like know how to calculate 500KV OHL tower earhting ( Combination of earht road and
bar copper conductor/wire) in order to achieve required earth resistance.
Kindly provide me the detailed calculation.
(reply)
4.
Anil Mori
Jan 03, 2014
very good
(reply)
5.
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6.
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Mar 09, 2012
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