What we do
services
Earthing Design Studies
design and Design verification
Earthing system design analysis is pivotal to ensuring that an earthing system can perform its intended primary functions. Earth potential rise and safety potentials such as touch, and step potentials are only a few of the performance parameters requiring verification.
Regardless of an application’s complexity, whether it be a unit HV/LV substation, an EHV transmission substation, a sprawling multi-GW utility-scale renewable energy project such as PV farms or wind farms, our team can deliver optimized site-specific earthing system designs.
Design verifications are relevant to new-build and existing earthing systems especially in the case of aged earthing systems which were designed and implemented at a time when the network and its associated system characteristics may have been significantly different. If this scenario is overlooked, there is a risk of the existing earthing system being operated with an invalidated design.
Leveraging our extensive experience in this realm and using proprietary data analysis techniques with globally recognized industry-accepted engineering analysis software, our designs and design verifications are undertaken in accordance with international standards including ENA TS 41-24, BS 50522 and IEEE Std. 80.
Fault Current Distribution
Fault current distribution analysis is required to determine the proportion of fault current dissipated within the earthing system with all the relevant fault current return paths being considered. This approach is key to a cost-effective yet reliable earthing system design. Without such an analysis, there is a high probability that the resulting earthing system design is either over-engineered and costly or invalid, thereby compromising both personnel safety and equipment functionalities.
Whether the application requires fault current distribution analysis within the customer network or the utility network or both, our team is equipped with the requisite competence and modelling capabilities to deliver accuracy-driven optimal solutions.
Interference Studies
Electromagnetic Interference
Metallic services such as utility pipelines are subject to induced voltages and currents from overhead or underground electrical transmission lines due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) as in the case of a shared joint-use corridor.
These conditions present an electric shock hazard to pipeline operatives and other members of the public if the relevant entities of its network are not appropriately analysed and designed.
Corrosion risk, a known concern of organizations responsible for these utility pipelines is also a consequence of EMI. If detailed corrosion analysis is overlooked, this can manifest in damage and/or malfunction of these pipelines causing costly and inconvenient service disruptions.
Our qualified specialists can perform detailed EMI studies using state-of-the-art modelling and analysis methodologies. Where necessary we can propose and design effective mitigation solutions.
Electromagnetic Fields
Electrical networks generate electromagnetic fields (EMF). These fields may pose a health and safety risk to persons exposed to them whether they are authorised personnel or members of the public. They may also lead to equipment electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues potentially causing the equipment to malfunction and even trigger wider network failures.
These concerns are commonly associated with electric substations and other power transmission infrastructure such as overhead lines. To mitigate against these risks, it is crucial to analyse and quantify these resulting electromagnetic fields.
Axonas provides detailed EMF analysis to inform your designs, occupational guidelines and working procedures through specialist network modelling and analysis.
Earthing Measurements
Soil Resistivity
The soil structure is the Achilles’ heel of any earthing system design and any EMI-related analyses and investigations. Geophysical surveys typically in the form of soil resistivity measurements are required to determine suitable soil models for use during design and analysis.
The interpretation of these measurements is of paramount importance to the integrity of any associated endeavours, whether it be the development of a reliable earthing system or a complex EMI-related analysis.
We provide the appropriate interpretation expertise through a combination of research and analytical techniques.
Electrode Resistance
Electrode resistance measurements are undertaken post-installation of an earthing system as a means of design and implementation verification. The Fall-of-Potential (FOP) method is commonly used.
In reality, these measurements are subject to influence from a multitude of factors which, if left unaccounted for, pose significant risks which can ultimately compromise the earthing system.
Our team, relying on its vast experience with the designing and modelling of extensive complex networks can offer expert interpretation services to mitigate against the associated risks.
Lightning Analysis
Transient Analysis
Transient analysis is essential to assess the response and withstand capability of the combined earthing and lightning protection system of power transmission infrastructure when subjected to high-frequency transient events such as lightning strikes.
Outdoor substations, overhead lines and transmission towers are prime candidates for being impacted by direct lightning strikes. If the associated risks are not accounted for during their respective designs, the result can be catastrophic in the form of wider system failure and network blackouts.
Our team can undertake specialized power system transient analyses to verify the integrity of your combined lightning protection and earthing designs.
Lightning Shielding
Lightning shielding involves protecting structures and equipment from direct lightning strikes. For overhead transmission lines this may be in the form of shield wires and in the case of substations and buildings, this may be in the form of air-termination masts in combination with other lightning shielding strategies.
The effects of direct lightning strikes can be disastrous, dangerous, and disruptive all at once. Performing lightning shielding design analysis is a prudent course of action for managing the associated risks.
Should your application require a new design or the verification of a proposed or existing lightning shielding design, we can provide you with specialist support you require.
Free Consultation
Need support on a project?
Let us collaborate to make it a success.