Comparative performance of impulsive grounding systems embedded in concrete: An experiment in reduced scale

This paper presents a comparative study of impulsive grounding systems encased in concrete (namely UFER grounding). Several topologies used in transmission and distribution networks as well as in industrial plants were evaluated considering soils with different properties. Scale measurements (in an electrolytic tank with soil) were carried out in order to quantify the performance of this grounding system. The study discusses the performance of different grounding configurations: 1 rod; 2 rods; counterweight; cross and grid embedded in concrete. The results show that the use of UFER grounding can reduce significantly the value of the grounding impulsive impedance both in soils with low and high resistivity for the different evaluated configurations.