Professional Development Course 2004

Fundamentals
Of of Power System Earthing
2 0 - 2 2 J UNE 2 0 0 4
O RION‘ S T RAINING C ENTRE, S PARKS R OAD, C HRISTCHURCH, N Z

Introduction
As part of its professional development programme for 2004, the EEA, in conjunction with the Queensland Univer-
sity of Technology (QUT) School of Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering, are pleased to offer a short-
course on Fundamentals of Power System Earthing.

The QUT is located in Brisbane and has developed a series of competency-based shortcourses and degree/
certificate/diploma programmes for electrical engineers in the power industry. The academic staff of the QUT
power systems programme are working in areas such as power system analysis, line design, cables, power elec-
tronics and renewable energy.

There are already a number of power engineers in New Zealand involved in the QUT shortcourses and the EEA is
pleased to be a partner in this initiative with the QUT. The EEA has a strong commitment to the professional devel-
opment of its members and engineers/technical staff working in the NZ power industry.

All shortcourse attendees will be issued with a Certificate of Attendance. Those wishing to gain greater proficiency
may complete assessment that is based on work place practice. On completion of assessment an EEA/QUT Cer-
tificate of Attainment will be issued for the shortcourse. It may be possible for assessed results from the short-
course to give credit towards a QUT postgraduate qualification. This is an IPENZ Accredited CPD shortcourse. At-
tendance at this seminar attracts valuable CPD hours towards your total.

Overview
Fault current flowing to ground in power systems produces potential gradients in the ground that can cause fatali-
ties. Material in this module identifies the main factors causing earth potential rise, and shows how to design for
safe potentials.

Shortcourse Information
Shortcourse numbers are limited to twenty attendees and registrations will be taken on a ‘first come, first served’
basis, so please ensure that you register promptly.

Objectives
On completion of this module students will be able to:

(a) Calculate the resistance to the general mass of ground, and potential patterns in the potential gradient area
of single and multiple arrangements of earth electrodes.
(b) Calculate safe step and touch voltages and make an assessment of the safety of earthing systems.
(c) Interpret the results of tests made on earth electrode systems.
(d) Design a simple earth electrode.
(e) Evaluate the magnitude of currents flowing in complex earthing systems.

Content
(a) Calculation of earth resistances of electrodes including single and multiple electrodes of various shapes.
(b) Effect of stratification and inhomogeneities in soil.
(c) Electric shock and estimation of safe step and touch potentials.
(d) Substation earthing; simple techniques for design of substation earth mats.
(e) Earth mat potential rise and connection of services.
(f) Theory of measurement of earth resistance and resistivity.
(g) Practical exercises in the measurement of electrode resistance, earth resistivity and potential rise.
(h) Interpretation and assessment of test results.
(i) Earthing of transmission lines; tower foot resistance, overhead earthwires and counterpoises.
(j) Division of earth fault current between earth electrodes and overhead line earth wires.
(k) Division of current in the earthing system of a faulted overhead line.
(l) Earthing of distribution systems.
(m) Safety of earthing systems during fault conditions.
(n) SWER systems.
(o) Lightning currents in earth electrodes; comparison between 50 Hz and lightning resistance.

Presenters
David Birtwhistle.
David Birtwhistle has over thirty years experience in research and application of high voltage circuit breakers. He
has been involved in conduct of switching tests on MV and EHV systems in UK and Australia and has worked with
manufacturers in development of new types of pole-mounted circuit breakers. For over 20 years he operated a high
current laboratory at QUT that was registered with NATA for type testing of switchgear assemblies and circuit
breakers. He has been a member of Australian Standards Committees, national and international committees of CI-
GRE dealing with circuit breaker application and is currently a member of a CIGRE International Task Force on
special switching problems. He has published over 100 papers dealing with high voltage equipment.

Pat Pearl.
Patrick Pearl is the Engineering Manager for Sicame Australia. Prior to joining Sicame Australia in 2002, he was
the Asset Engineering Manager at ENERGEX (formally the South East Queensland Electricity Board). Before join-
ing the Electricity Board in 1988, he was a lecturer at QUT. For nearly 20 years Patrick has been involved in distri-
bution system earthing having undertaken a Masters Degree by research in that area. He is one of the founding
members of the ESAA Earthing Working Group along with Bill Carman from Safe Earth Engineering. Patrick has
been called on as an expert witness for several Coronial Inquests and has published over twenty papers. Patrick is
also a member of several Standards Australia Committees and is the current chair of the Electrical College Board of
Engineers Australia.

Timetable (Provisional)
The shortcourse will start at 12.00pm on Sunday, 20 June and will conclude at 4.00pm on Tuesday, 22 June 2004.

EEA Conference 2004

Assessment
Formal assessment of the shortcourse is by way of assignments. Shortcourse participants are permitted up to two
months to complete the assignments, but are encouraged to complete them as soon as possible.
 Texts & References
Uniform Protection Manual: State Government Regulations
ESAA A(B) 1-1991, ‘Guidelines for Design and Maintenance of Overhead Transmission Lines’
Tagg G F and Newnes G, ‘Earth Resistances’

Shortcourse Notes
A full set of shortcourse notes will be provided to each attendee at the shortcourse opening.

Venue
Orion Training Centre, Sparks Road, Christchurch. A shuttle bus will take course members staying in the City
from the Copthorne Hotel Central to Sparks Road and return daily.

Accommodation Package
If you are registered for the EEA Conference and require additional accommodation to attend this course, please
contact CMC Events to arrange your accommodation booking: Phone +9 528 1655, Fax +9 528 1656, Email eea-
conference@cmcevents.co.nz. Alternatively, accommodation arrangements can be made online by completing the
accommodation section of the Conference registration at www.conventions.co.nz.

For course attendees not registering for the EEA Conference, we have been able to negotiate an accommoda-
tion and breakfast package at the Copthorne Hotel Central. However, please note that dinner costs will need to be
met individually by course attendees. Please contact the Hotel directly to book your accommodation: Telephone +3
379 5880, Reservations +3 961 3500, Fax +3 365 4806, Email reservations:copthornecentral@mcqhotels.co.nz.
To take advantage of the following special rates, please quote reference number “371507“ when making your
booking: ■ $153.75 single ■ $168.75 double / twin.

Registration
Please complete and return the attached registration form to the EEA office by no later than Wednesday, 9 June
2004.

Shortcourse Investment
The shortcourse fee, which includes comprehensive shortcourse notes, lunches, morning and afternoon teas, is as
follows: ■ EEA Members and staff of EEA Corporate Members $980.00 + GST ■ Non Members $1,180.00 + GST.

Enquiries
If you require further information on the EEA/QUT Fundamentals of Power System Earthing Shortcourse, please
contact the EEA office.

Electricity Engineers‘ Association of NZ (Inc), Phone +64 4 473 8600, Fax +64 4 473 8601, Email admin@eea.co.nz, Web www.eea.co.nz
 FUNDAMENTALS OF POWER SYSTEM EARTHING
2 0- 22 J UN E 2004
O R IO N’ S T R A IN IN G C ET NR E, SPA R KS R O A D, C HR IS T C H U R C H

Shortcourse numbers are limited to 20 attendees and registrations will be accepted on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Company Name

Postal Address

Contact

Phone Fax

Email

Order Number

COURSE ATTENDEES

The details given below will appear on an official identification badge:

Course Attendee Email

Course Attendee Email

Course Attendee Email

Course Attendee Email

Course Attendee Email

Member & Staff of EEA Corporate Member, $980 pp + GST

Please complete and return by Wednesday, 9 June 2004 to:

Electricity Engineers’ Association of NZ (Inc)

PAYMENT: Please enclose payment of the shortcourse registration fee when returning this registration form. Receipted invoices will be issued once all registrations
have been received.

ACCOMMODATION: If you are registered for the EEA Conference and require additional accommodation to attend this course, please contact CMC Events to arrange
your accommodation booking: Phone +9 528 1655, Fax +9 528 1656, Email eeaconference@cmcevents.co.nz. Alternatively, accommodation arrangements can be
made online by completing the accommodation section of the Conference registration at www.conventions.co.nz. For course attendees not registering for the EEA
Conference, please contact the Copthorne Hotel Central directly to book your accommodation: Telephone +3 379 5880, Reservations +3 961 3500, Fax +3 365 4806,
Email reservations: copthornecentral@mcqhotels.co.nz. To take advantage of the following special rates, please quote reference number “371507“ when making your
booking: ■ $153.75 single ■ $168.75 double / twin.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Should you be unable to attend the shortcourse, a substitute delegate is welcome to attend at no extra cost. A full refund will be made for
cancellations received in writing by Wednesday, 9 June 2004. No refunds will be made after that date, however, you will be sent a set of the shortcourse notes.