Grounding systems are critical for ensuring electrical safety, fault current dissipation, and electromagnetic compatibility in power installations across different voltage levels. This research presents a comparative study on the optimization of grounding configurations for 400 V, 10 kV, and 35 kV electrical installations, focusing on key performance parameters such as grounding resistance, step and touch voltages, and fault current dissipation efficiency. The study employs computational simulations using the finite element method (FEM) alongside empirical field measurements to evaluate the influence of soil resistivity, electrode materials, and grounding configurations, including rod electrodes, grids, deep-driven rods, and hybrid grounding systems. Results indicate that soil resistivity significantly affects grounding efficiency, with deep-driven rods providing superior performance in high-resistivity conditions, while grounding grids demonstrate enhanced fault current dissipation in substations. The integration of conductive backfill materials, such as bentonite and conductive concrete, further reduces grounding resistance and enhances system reliability. This study provides engineering insights into optimizing grounding systems based on installation voltage levels, cost considerations, and compliance with IEEE Std 80-2013 and IEC 60364-5-54. The findings contribute to the development of more resilient and cost-effective grounding strategies for electrical installations.
Sarker et al. (Sat,) studied this question.