Volume 22, Issue 1 (March 2026)                   IJEEE 2026, 22(1): 3532-3532 | Back to browse issues page

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Oladeji A, Nahum S. Design and Validation of an Enhanced Earthing System for Low Ground Resistance. IJEEE 2026; 22 (1) :3532-3532
URL: http://ijeee.iust.ac.ir/article-1-3532-en.html
Design and Validation of an Enhanced Earthing System for Low Ground Resistance
Akinola Oladeji , Samuel Nahum
Abstract:   (37 Views)
Grounding systems are critical for ensuring electrical safety, minimizing fault currents, and enhancing infrastructure reliability, particularly in regions with high-resistivity soil. This study presents the design, simulation, and field implementation of a low-resistance earthing system integrating bentonite, charcoal, and sodium chloride to reduce soil resistivity. Using ETAP software, the performance of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and IEEE Std. 80-2013 grounding models are compared under a 30kA fault current scenario. FEM simulations predict a ground resistance of 0.028 Ω and a Ground Potential Rise (GPR) of 627.4 V, while the IEEE method yields 0.269 Ω and 5996.5 V, respectively. Field measurements using a UNI-T Ground Tester validate the FEM results, recording an actual ground resistance of 0.023 Ω, well below the IEEE-recommended 1 Ω threshold, surpassing this conventional benchmark by 98%.  A comparative analysis of recent studies highlights the superiority of the composite material approach. The FEM model’s accuracy in capturing soil stratification and material effects is validated, while safety metrics (step/touch voltages) adhere to the IEEE standard. This work bridges theoretical innovation and practical implementation, offering a replicable framework for resilient grounding systems in challenging environments.
Keywords: Earthing System, Earth Enhancement Materials, Ground Potential Rise, Soil Resistivity, Finite Element Method (FEM)
Full-Text [PDF 1896 kb]   (16 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research Paper | Subject: Electromagnetics
Received: 2024/11/05 | Revised: 2025/10/12 | Accepted: 2025/07/29
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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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© 2022 by the authors. Licensee IUST, Tehran, Iran. This is an open access journal distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license.