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Home / Technical Articles / Protective grounding requirements for transmission and distribution lines

Introduction to protective grounding

This technical article covers protective grounding requirements for steel tower and wood pole supported transmission and distribution lines, and insulated power cables. Protective grounds must be installed so all phases of lines or cable are visibly and effectively bonded together in a multi-phase “short” and connected to ground (earth) at the worksite.

Protective grounding requirements for transmission and distribution lines
Protective grounding requirements for transmission and distribution lines

Single-phase grounding of multi-phase circuits is prohibited. Conductive objects within reach of any worker, either aerial or on the ground, should be bonded to this grounding system. Therefore, a sufficient quantity of protective grounds should be installed at the worksite in a manner that places them directly in shunt with all points of contact by workers.

The earth MUST NOT be used as a protective grounding conductor or as part of a circuit path between protective grounds in this respect.

Installation of protective grounds on power line structures creates an equipotential safe work zone on the structure. However, without benefit of installed ground mats, hazardous step, touch, and transferred touch potentials may exist on the ground near structure footings and objects bonded to the worksite grounding system during an accidental energization of the line.

Take a look at the Figure 1 below.

Graphic depicting step and touch exposure voltages created at earth surface by current flowing into earth from grounded objects
Figure 1 – Graphic depicting step and touch exposure voltages created at earth surface by current flowing into earth from grounded objects

Keep in mind that when ground fault current flows there will be a voltage rise at every connection to earth. No one should approach to within 10 feet of a protective grounded structure or any other conductive object which has been bonded to the worksite grounding system unless protective measures are in place to reduce the hazard of step and touch voltages.

Otherwise, only when necessary to gain access to a structure from the ground, linemen must approach quickly and mount/dismount at the base of the structure.

Table of content:

    1. Grounding on metal transmission structures
      1. Lattice steel structures
      2. Slip joint steel pole structures
      3. Weathering steel pole structures
      4. Painted steel
      5. Overhead ground wires
      6. Structure footing ground
    2. Grounding on wood pole transmission structures
    3. Transmission line terminal ground switches
    4. Grounding on distribution lines
    5. Surface equipment and vehicle grounding
      1. Aerial devices
      2. Contact with grounded vehicles at worksite
    6. Grounding insulated power cable

1. Grounding on Metal Transmission Structures

1.1 Lattice Steel Structures

The preferred method for installing grounds on higher voltage single-circuit lattice steel transmission line structures, where the conductors are a greater distance from the structure than those on lower voltage structures, is to install them from the bridge above the conductors (see Figure 2).

This configuration minimizes the induction ground loop formed with lineworker contacting the tower bridge steel and line conductor (along side insulator string). It also reduces the lineman exposure voltage.

On double-circuit lattice steel transmission structures, the phase conductors should be grounded to their structure arms above, similar to that shown in Figure 2. Protective grounds should be attached from the bottom phase up and removed from the top phase down.

Note that OGW stands for Overhead Ground Line.

Preferred method for grounding conductors on single-circuit high-voltage line steel structures
Figure 2 – Preferred method for grounding conductors on single-circuit high-voltage line steel structures

Dashed lines show alternate orientation for protective grounds on smaller (lower voltage) structures. OGW denotes overhead ground wire. OGWs must be bonded to worksite grounding system if within reach of linemen.

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1.2 Slip Joint Steel Pole Structures

Slip joint structures either have bonding cables permanently attached to each joint or joint resistance should be measured on selected structures after installation and periodically as maintenance personnel deem necessary.

Surfaces where protective grounds are to be attached must be cleaned prior to cable attachment to ensure a proper electrical contact.

Slip Joint Steel Pole Structure 110 kV
Figure 3 – Slip Joint Steel Pole Structure 110 kV

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1.3 Weathering Steel Pole Structures

The highly resistive protective oxide on weathered steel should not be removed. Protective grounding is best accomplished by welding a copper or steel bar or stainless steel nut to which a threaded copper stud can be inserted at each grounding location.

Weathering steel poles should be constructed with bonds between crossarms and poles and between slip joints to ensure electrical continuity. If bonding straps are not part of the structure, protective grounding must be extended to a ground rod and to the overhead ground wire.

Weathering steel pole structures in line somewhere in Tucson, US
Figure 4 – Weathering steel pole structures in line somewhere in Tucson, US

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1.4 Painted Steel

Grounding is best accomplished by creating a ground attachment point similar as described in above section 1.3. Scraping the paint will seldom provide an adequate electrical connection, and will require repainting afterwards.

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1.5 Overhead Ground Wires

Overhead ground wires must be bonded to the worksite grounding system (structure steel) with protective grounds if the work places lineworkers within their reach.

The permanent structure hangers for overhead ground wires cannot be relied upon for good electrical bonding from a safety standpoint.

Intentionally bonding overhead ground wires to the worksite structure also helps divert earth fault current away from the structure footings toward adjacent structures if the line is accidentally re-energized, reducing step and touch exposure voltages on the ground at the worksite.

However, precaution must be taken to avoid exposure to possible hazardous step and touch potentials at adjacent structures.

When work is performed in the vicinity of insulated overhead ground wires, the specified working clearance for a 15kV circuit (Table 1) must be maintained, or protective grounds must be applied.

Table 1 – AC Minimum Approach Distance for Electrical Workers

AC Minimum Approach Distance for Electrical Workers


Note: All distances in feet-inches, phase-to-ground exposure. For phase-to-phase exposure, refer to OSHA CFR 29 1910.269, Table R-6.

The importance of bonding overhead ground wires to the worksite structure for electrical safety cannot be overemphasized. Otherwise, a lethal transferred touch voltage can appear between the structure steel and wire during an accidental energization of the grounded line, or in some cases due to coupling from a nearby energized line.

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1.6 Structure Footing Ground

Before installing protective grounds, permanent grounding for structure footings should be examined for damage, omission, or other indication of poor continuity between the structure and footing ground electrode.

If in question, a temporary ground rod should be installed next to the footing and bonded to the worksite grounding system (steel).

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2. Grounding on Wood Pole Transmission Structures

Preferred three-phase grounding applications on wood pole structures using grounding cluster bars are shown in Figures 6 and 7. Grounding cluster bars must be positioned just below the lowest elevation of the lineman’s feet for the work zone (approximately the elevation of the phase conductors) and should be bonded to the pole structure ground leads if provided.

Ground cluster bar attached to wood pole
Figure 5 – Ground cluster bar attached to wood pole

The bar provides convenient point of attachment for protective grounds and a bond to the pole structure ground wire, if provided.

The position of the cluster bar defines the lower boundary of the equipotential work zone on a pole. Figure 5 shows an example of an installed grounding cluster bar.

Protective grounding jumper installation for two-pole and three-pole structures (grounded structures)
Figure 6 – Protective grounding jumper installation for two-pole and three-pole structures (grounded structures)

OGW denotes overhead ground wire. OGWs must be bonded to the worksite grounding system if within reach of linemen. OGWs may be bonded to the cluster bars or to the grounded phase conductors with protective grounds.

Before installing protective grounds, permanent grounding for pole footings should be examined for damage, omission, or other indication of poor continuity between the structural hardware and pole ground electrode.

If in question, a temporary ground rod should be installed next to the pole and bonded to the worksite site grounding system (see Figure 5).

Example protective grounding jumper installation showing use of ground rod for ungrounded structures or structures with questionable grounding integrity
Figure 7 – Example protective grounding jumper installation showing use of ground rod for ungrounded structures or structures with questionable grounding integrity

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3. Transmission Line Terminal Ground Switches

Transmission line terminal ground switches may be closed in parallel with personal protective grounds at the worksite. Closed line terminal ground switches can help ensure that the protective devices (relays, fuses) operate within the given time/current relationship to quickly isolate the source of accidental electrical energization.

Also, in many cases closed terminal ground switches will reduce the fault current in protective grounds at the worksite, which lowers worker exposure voltages.

However, depending on system configuration and loading conditions, closed terminal ground switches can increase induced circulating current in the line and multiple grounds due to coupling from nearby energized lines. This circulating current may be objectionable when installing or removing protective grounds, or create continuous hazardous levels of step and touch voltage at the grounded worksite.

Therefore, use of line terminal ground switches is at the discretion of the crew and regional policy. Line terminal ground switches cannot substitute for protective grounds at the worksite.

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4. Grounding on Distribution Lines

Protective grounding for distribution lines and aerial cable terminations should be accomplished as shown in Figure 6.

Preferred method for protective grounding on lower voltage distribution lines
Figure 6 – Preferred method for protective grounding on lower voltage distribution lines

The grounding cluster bar (see photo, Figure 3) must be positioned just below the lowest elevation of the lineman’s feet for the work zone and must be bonded to the neutral conductor and pole ground lead (not shown) if provided.

The position of the cluster bar defines the lower boundary of the equipotential work zone on the pole

Connection of individual protective grounds from the cluster bar to each phase conductor is a permissible alternative, but may produce slightly higher exposure voltage.

Pole ground wires used for protective grounding must be inspected before use to determine they have not been cut, damaged, or removed. If no pole ground exists, a temporary ground rod should be driven or screwed into the earth next to the pole and bonded to the cluster bar with a protective ground.

Any guy wires within reach of the lineworker should be bonded to the worksite ground system (cluster bar). Ground crew should stay clear (at least 10 feet) of pole grounds, ground rods, and guy wires.

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5. Surface Equipment and Vehicle Grounding

This paragraph applies to the grounding and bonding of equipment and vehicles involved in maintenance activities on or near power lines. Vehicles include, but are not limited to, aerial devices, passenger trucks, pole diggers, and cranes.

The purpose of bonding equipment and vehicles to the worksite grounding system (during de-energized work) is to control and minimize transferred touch potentials between the structure, equipment, and vehicle during an accidental energization of the line.

Vehicle and equipment grounds are to be used in conjunction with properly installed personal protective grounds. In no instance should vehicle and equipment grounds be used in place of personal protective grounds.

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5.1 Aerial Devices

Aerial devices, whether with an insulated or uninsulated boom, and other maintenance vehicles or equipment that may contact a protective grounded worksite or allow a worker to contact the site, must be bonded to the worksite grounding system.

They must be bonded (grounded) to the structure as the first step in establishing a grounding system.

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5.2 Contact with Grounded Vehicles at Worksite

Vehicles and equipment that are bonded to the worksite grounding system can present a hazardous transferred touch voltage with the surrounding ground (earth) surface.

Therefore, any vehicle or equipment bonded to the worksite grounding system (including conductive winch lines) and requiring sustained contact while standing on the ground, must be equipped with an insulated platform or conductive mat bonded to the vehicle or equipment for the operator to stand on.

See Figure 7 below.

Application of conductive mat to provide safe working zone along side a maintenance vehicle
Figure 7 – Application of conductive mat to provide safe working zone along side a maintenance vehicle (photo credit: idube.net)

Matting and vehicle are bonded to the worksite grounding system, creating an equipotential zone between operator’s hands (vehicle frame) and feet.

An example of using conductive mat to provide safe working zone along side a maintenance vehicle
Figure 8 – An example of using conductive mat to provide safe working zone along side a maintenance vehicle (photo credit: idube.net)

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6. Grounding Insulated Power Cable

Worksite protective grounding for insulated power cable terminations should be accomplished similar to that required for grounding on power line structures. Cable phase terminals (terminators, potheads, etc.) and shield conductors should be bonded to the worksite grounding system.

The remote (ungrounded) end of the cable MUST be treated as if energized. Although the cable phase conductors are ungrounded (isolated) at the remote (non-worksite) end of the cable, the cable shields are grounded there.

Therefore, workers should take necessary precautions against hazardous step or touch potentials that could develop at the worksite due to a system ground fault at the remote end.

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Sources:

  1. Personal Protective Grounding for Electric Power Facilities and Power Lines by U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation
  2. High voltage live work and practices manual by Western Power Network

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author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

10 Comments


  1. Cris Kramschuster
    Jan 31, 2022

    Hello – good presentation.

    A mention of applicable standards would be helpful

    Thanks


  2. Francisco Tavora
    May 29, 2021

    I´m electric design engineer, and I desire know, in concrete, main criteria for using ground wires to proteccion against lightning of overhead electric lines condctors


  3. Luisito G. Lorente
    Nov 16, 2020

    For distribution lines, is there a rule for the installation of guy wires for straight lines with more than 1 kilometers of length?


  4. Francisco Távora
    Nov 08, 2020

    Informação técnica muito importante, para a segurança de quem trabalha em redes eléctricas de baixa, média, alta e muito alta tensão.


  5. Tammy Bailey
    Oct 15, 2020

    Scenario: Land Developer owns land started subdivision. AEP comes in halts his development. On the North Side of his property he has wooden transmission lines. Now on the Southern end they are installing new steel transmission lines. 2 high power tension lines running parallel. Then they only work at night. But they got drillers about 15 going 42 ft. in ground to set tower into concrete pad. They got water fracking machines out there with the drill with nonpotable water. There is an agriculture drainage ditch involved. Like right there between the subdivision and the farmer. County wants it widened by 20 ft. each side with a 15ft retainage wall. And then the easement for the tower pad now encroaches on the county property. AEP thinks they will share. But reading not only is there to be at least 35 to 75 ft easement due to high current on each side all the way around the pad but 700 ft. away is safe for humans. How do I go get permits/reports for the soil stabilization. 2 pads have already collapsed on the property. They are using chemicals only found 2 buckets one is a soil concrete stabilizer. Any suggestions.


  6. Evans Aduvaga
    Sep 27, 2019

    Nice technical material


  7. Ambika
    Sep 26, 2019

    I am electrical engineering diploma holder


  8. A H M Kamal
    Sep 26, 2019

    Good.


  9. Kumaran
    Sep 26, 2019

    The conductor touch the sea water from the generation point by making suitable arrangements.


  10. Faisal Mohamed
    Sep 25, 2019

    How to ground marine generatos ?

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