APPLICATION GUIDE

CABLE
SHEATH
BONDING

NZCCPTS

Issue 1
September 1999
Reprinted January 2021
 The New Zealand Committee for the Co-ordination of Power
and Telecommunication Systems Inc. (NZCCPTS)

The New Zealand Committee for the Co-ordination of Power and Telecommunication
Systems was established in 1985 following the increasing need to implement efficient
cost-effective measures for the limitation of hazard and interference to power and
Telecommunications Systems and Personnel.

Such measures not only require the determination of optimum engineering solutions
consistent with minimum national cost, but also necessitate clear guide-lines covering
the equitable allocation of responsibilities during all work phases from planning
through to in-service operation.

The objective of the New Zealand Committee for the Co-ordination of power and
Telecommunication Systems is to meet these needs and, by means of publications
and seminars, promote a greater awareness and understanding of the action that
must be taken to ensure that Power and Telecommunication Systems coexist
satisfactorily.

Membership of the Committee and its Working parties currently comprises

representatives for each of the following organizations:
• Electricity Engineers' Association of New Zealand (Inc.)
• Energy Safety, WorkSafe NZ, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
(MBIE)
• Chorus New Zealand Ltd
• Transpower New Zealand Ltd
• KiwiRail (KiwiRail Holdings Ltd)

For further information concerning this Committee and its published guides, contact
the Secretary of NZCCPTS via email to secretary@nzccpts.co.nz, or via his contact
details on the ‘Contact Us’ page of the NZCCPTS website (www.nzccpts.co.nz).
 APPLICATION GUIDE

FOR

CABLE – SHEATH BONDING

for the control of earth potential rise and for the limitation
of hazardous induction into telecommunication circuits

Published and issued by:

The New Zealand Committee for the Co-ordination of

Power and Telecommunication Systems Inc. (NZCCPTS)
Christchurch
New Zealand

Issue 1

September 1999

Reprinted January 2021

ISBN 0-473-05988-6
Foreword

This guide sets out the technical issues and implications for nearby
telecommunication network plant of various cable sheath bonding
arrangements for high voltage power cables between substations.

Acknowledgements

NZCCPTS is also indebted to the Electricity Engineers' Association of New Zealand,

Chorus, Transpower, KiwiRail and Energy Safety (WorkSafe NZ), for their
contributions in the formation of this guide.

“The information contained in this booklet has been compiled by the

NZCCPTS for the use of its members from sources believed to be
reliable, but neither the NZCCPTS nor any of the contributors to this
guide (whether or not employed by NZCCPTS) undertake any
responsibility for any mis-statement of information in the booklet, and
readers should rely on their own judgement or, if in doubt, seek expert
advice on the application of the guidelines to work being carried out.”

Comments for revision of this guide are welcomed. Any comments or information
that may be useful for inclusion in this guide should be forwarded to the Secretary of
NZCCPTS via email to secretary@nzccpts.co.nz, or via his contact details on the
‘Contact Us’ page of the NZCCPTS website (www.nzccpts.co.nz).

A brief description of the objectives and organization of the New Zealand Committee
for the Co-ordination of Power and Telecommunication Systems Inc. is printed inside
the back cover of this publication.
Contents

Page

1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Scope 1
1.2 Definition of Terms 2
1.3 Background 2
2.0 Outline of Cable Sheath Bonding Systems 4
2.1 Solidly Bonded System 4
2.2 End-Point Bonded System 5
2.3 Mid-Point Bonded System 6
2.4 Cross-Bonded System 6
2.5 Cable Sheath Insulation 6
3.0 Electrical Interference on Nearby Telecommunication 8
Network Plant
3.1 Interference Mechanisms 8
3.2 Legislative Requirements 8
3.3 Typical Effects of Cable Sheath Bonding on Electrical 9
Interference on Nearby Telecommunication Network Plant
3.4 Maximum Short Circuit Power, Current, and Fault 9
Clearance Times
4.0 Summary of Impact of Cable Sheath Bonding 11
4.1 Impact on Telecommunication Network Operator’s Network 14
4.2 Impact on Power Network 15
5.0 Advantages and Disadvantages of Cable Sheath 16
Bonding
5.1 Advantages of Cable Sheath Bonding 16
5.2 Disadvantages of Cable Sheath Bonding 16
5.3 Typical Consequences of Cable Sheath Bonding 17
• POD and zone substation earth mats
• zone and distribution substation earth mats
• POD and zone and distribution substation earth mats
5.4 An Example of Cable Sheath Bonding Showing Clear 19
Advantages
6.0 Calculation of EPR and TEPR for Earth Mats 20
Connected Together Via Bonded Cable Sheaths
6.1 Calculation Process for Cable Sheath Bonding 20
6.2 Computer Modelling 35
6.3 Companion Document for Application Guide 36
7.0 Typical Network Configurations Involving Insulated 37
Cables
8.0 Summary 38
9.0 References 39

Appendix A Kaiwharawhara Earthing System - A Recent Case 41

Appendix B Worked Example 42
Appendix C Contact Details for Telecommunication Power 43
Co-ordinators
 1

1.0 Introduction

Cable sheaths can be used in conjunction with power system earthing

systems to assist in controlling earth potential rise and induction to parallel
telecommunication circuits during earth fault conditions.
Bonding arrangements should be provided to meet the following objectives:
(a) to limit the magnitude of EPR on the substation earth mats. This
• reduces step and touch voltages on and near the substation site,
• reduces the EPR that telecommunication cabling and equipment
terminating in the substation must be designed for, and
• reduces the EPR at the location of nearby telecommunications plant.
(b) to minimize the voltage induced in parallel telecommunication circuits.

Techniques now exist for modelling earthing systems with cable sheaths
bonded at either end or both ends, or at cable mid-points. However, for some
situations, the implications of various bonding arrangements may be
determined without the need for detailed modelling studies.

This guide is intended to help engineers determine appropriate installation

arrangements, primarily for the control of EPR, and to recognize when detailed
modelling and study should be pursued. Cross bonded single core cables
require both ends (and intermediate positions) to be solidly earthed, but this
guide does not detail all the studies necessary for such installations. Detailed
information on determining induced voltages in telecommunications lines and
cable that parallel power cables can be found in both the NZCCPTS Guide for
Investigating Power System - Telecommunication System Noise Interference
and in the NZCCPTS Application Guide for Single Wire Earth Return High
Voltage Power Lines.

This guide forms part of a series of guides, each one dealing with a particular
aspect of inter-action between power and telecommunication systems.
References to other guides are included in Section 9.0.

1.1 Scope

This guide describes the conditions to be met in power systems that use
insulated cables to interconnect various parts of those systems
and
outlines the factors that should be considered when determining the cable
sheath bonding arrangements at each end of the cable.
 2

1.2 Definition of Terms

Distribution Substation
A substation within the distribution network that provides 400/230V output.

Earth Potential
The actual voltage of the earth with respect to remote earth.

Earthing System Potential Rise (EPR)

The voltage with respect to remote earth to which the earthing system rises
due to the flow of fault current between the earthing system and earth.
National Grid
The bulk power transmission system, owned and operated by Transpower
New Zealand Ltd.

Point of Delivery (POD) Substation

A substation forming part of the National Grid that supplies electricity to a local
distribution network.

Remote Earth
A body of earth sufficiently free of any influence from the HV Stations of
interest or the distribution network under consideration because it is
sufficiently far away from any material resistively connected to those HV
Stations (generally 1 km+), and outside of their electro-magnetic influence (3
km+).

Transferred Earth Potential Rise (TEPR)

The rise in potential with respect to remote earth to which an earthing system
rises as a consequence of being connected via a cable sheath or other
conductor to another earthing system on which an Earthing System Potential
Rise occurs due to a fault current flowing through that earthing system to
earth. (Note: Overhead earth wires on transmission lines provided primarily
for shielding purpose usually provide high resistance connections between
earthing systems compared to cable sheaths, but should be taken into account
as they can significantly affect TEPR).

Zone Substation
A substation embedded within a distribution network and that transforms
voltage levels to not less than 6.6kV.

1.3 Background

Early practice appears to have been to simply bond cable sheaths to earth at
both ends to distribute fault current as widely as possible in the earthing
systems.
 3

About 1970, concerns were raised in New Zealand over the possible
implications of exporting earth potential rises under fault conditions via cable
sheaths from high voltage transmission substations to lower voltage
distribution substations. At that time, the main concern was with possible
hazards to personnel and equipment at the distribution site. For some time
after 1970, many installations were completed with cable sheaths bonded to
earth at one end only and insulated at the other end.

Incidents have since occurred in which damage to telecommunication

equipment occurred because the non-bonding of cable sheaths at the delivery
station (to avoid export of EPR) resulted in much higher EPR at the receiving
station (See Section 5.4). Detailed study showed these incidents could have
been avoided if the separate earth mats had been connected together via the
cable sheaths; had this been done, minimal telecommunication isolation would
have been needed for protection. It has now become clear that cable sheaths
can provide a means of controlling earth potential rise wherever it is possible
to effectively couple two earth mats together via the cable sheath without
subjecting the cable sheath insulation to excessive voltage stress and without
overloading individual cable sheaths with circulating currents, eddy currents,
or fault currents.
 4

2.0 Outline of Cable Sheath Bonding Systems

Four bonding systems are available for use. These are:

• solidly bonded system, where the sheaths at both ends of each cable (3
core cable or 3 x single core cable circuit) are solidly connected to the
relevant earth mats.
• end-point bonded system, where one end only of each cable is solidly
earthed.
• mid-point bonded system, where the sheath bonding to earth is located half
way along the cable length (for the same reason as in the end-point
bonded system).
• cross-bonded system, where the sheaths at both ends of the cables are
solidly bonded to the relevant earth mats and are also bonded together
(and possibly earthed) at points along the cable route. Usually used in
33kV and higher voltage systems where single phase cables are used,
particularly for higher power levels and for longer routes.

End-point, mid-point, and cross-bonded systems are often referred to as

variations of specially bonded cable systems. The main reason for the
specially bonded cable systems is to eliminate the heating effects of circulating
sheath currents and consequently maximize the single core cable current
rating. The main features of each of these bonding systems are described in
sections 2.1 to 2.4.

2.1 Solidly Bonded System

This system of bonding involves solidly bonding the cable sheath at both ends
to the relevant earth mats. It is very suitable for distribution networks at 11kV
and 33kV, particularly where 3 core lead sheath cables are installed. Sheaths
solidly bonded at both ends of circuits made up of single core or multicore
power cables, will result in circulating currents that are produced in the
sheaths by the magnetic flux linking the conductors and the sheaths. If single
phase cables are laid in close trefoil formation, the sheath circulating currents
can be as high as 40% of the load current. The figure below shows the sheath
circulating current as a percentage of the load current, versus the separation
between the cores of the three single phase cables in a three phase circuit.
The sheath currents are also a function of the sheath resistance. As the
sheath resistance increases, the circulating current decreases. Due to internal
transposition of cores in three core cables, they usually have no significant
sheath circulating currents.
 5

The sheath circulating current as a percentage of the load current vs the

separation between cores.

Close trefoil formation of single-phase cables affects the load rating of the
cables, because of the heating effect of the cables on each other. However,
de-rating as a consequence of installation in trefoil formation is seldom a
significant issue in distribution systems because it is usually more economic to
use cables of standard manufacturing sizes; these often have a rating
substantially in excess of the maximum required.

2.2 End-Point Bonded System

This system of bonding involves earthing the cable sheaths at one termination
and insulating the cable sheaths from ground at the other end. In single phase
cable systems, the magnetic flux linking the conductors and the sheaths will
result in a standing 50Hz voltage between the sheaths and the ground at the
insulated end. For cable lengths of over 0.5 km, it may be necessary to use
cables with a higher sheath insulation level than normally provided, or else
provide sheath voltage limiting protectors. Where short lengths of cables are
used between overhead line terminations and substations, it may be more
economic to directly connect the line terminal earth mat (to which the cable
sheath would normally be bonded), to the substation earth mat via a separate
suitably rated conductor to avoid expensive cable requirements. Section 7.0
provides further detail on short cables for overhead line terminations.

End point bonding at the remote end away from the substation can avoid the
export of EPR. However, the implications of this arrangement need careful
consideration.
 6

A short length of control/instrumentation cable running across a station earth

mat may need to be end-point bonded to avoid having the cable sheath (which
is unlikely to have a significant current rating) become a parallel path within
the earth mat.

2.3 Mid-Point Bonded System

In this system, the cable is earthed midway along the cable route, and both
ends of the cable are insulated from ground. The mid point bonded system
effectively doubles the length of cable that can be installed without requiring
either a higher level of sheath insulation or sheath voltage limiting protectors.

2.4 Cross-Bonded System

This bonding system is necessary for long sub-transmission and transmission

system installations comprising long lengths (greater than 300m) of single core
cables. Without cross bonding, heating from sheath/screen circulating
currents in long cables may necessitate a significant derating of the cable
capacity. Where single phase cables are used in very long runs, cross
bonding is also essential to protect the outer insulation against standing and
impulse voltages.

The route length is divided into a number of minor sections, with this number
being a multiple of 3. The sheaths are insulated from ground at the cross
bond joints between each minor section. At each set of minor section joints,
the sheaths are cross connected between cables of different phases so that
the standing voltages on the sheaths of 3 minor sections in series comprise 3
vectors 120° apart, which sum to zero voltage.

The cable sheaths are bonded to earth at both cable ends, and also at every
third set of joints (at the end of major sections). Sheath voltage limiters are
installed at all other minor section cross bond joint positions, or alternatively a
higher rated (and more expensive) sheath/screen insulation can be provided.

For cables longer than 1 km, or with sheaths that are not rated for high fault
currents, the impedance of the cable sheaths is often substantially greater
than the earth mat resistances, and this limits the fault current (and hence
TEPR) transferred through the sheaths between the delivery and receiving
stations' earth mats. Long, high MVA capacity 110 kV and 220 kV cables,
necessitating the use of single core cables, are good examples of this.

2.5 Cable Sheath Insulation

This section has been included to provide some understanding of the

significance of metallic cable sheaths in cable construction, and of the need to
protect cable sheaths in turn by further insulation.
 7

Metallic sheaths are essential for paper insulated cables to exclude moisture
from the insulation. Extruded insulation cables (XLPE etc) are usually
manufactured with copper wire screens over the outer semi-conducting
insulation layer for use at 11kV and 33kV, while metallic sheaths are mainly
specified for cables at 66kV and above. A metallic sheath/screen also
reduces the electric field (but not the magnetic field) around the cable to zero
at the outer surface of the cable insulation when the sheath is bonded to earth.

The layers surrounding the sheath are primarily to protect the metallic
sheath/screen against damage or corrosion. Any puncture of the sheath will
eventually allow moisture to penetrate the insulation and consequently lead to
insulation failure. While moisture can lead to corrosion of screens (aluminum
being more susceptible), damage to XLPE insulation may take many years to
arise.

Usually a combination of materials is provided over the sheath/screen,

occasionally including steel wire or steel tape armouring to provide longitudinal
mechanical strength for installation handling and for impact protection.

Because the materials that are normally used for sheath protection do not
provide high quality electrical insulation, they in turn need to be protected
against transient and steady state voltages of magnitudes that may puncture
the sheath protection and thereby allow corrosion of the sheath to proceed. In
the UK, the standard practice is to limit the standing sheath voltage on cable
sheaths, relative to ground, to 65V and to protect against sheath damage by
installing sheath voltage limiters between sheath and earth wherever cable
sheaths are not able to be bonded to earth to prevent such sheath voltages
occurring. In long submarine power cables, the cable sheath is bonded to the
external armouring at intervals along the length of the cable; the intervals are
chosen to ensure that the cable sheath protection cannot be overstressed by
any voltages developed between the sheath and the armouring, which is
considered to be effectively at earth potential.

While manufacturers may sometimes provide sheath insulation with higher

than standard sheath insulation protection levels, the costs of doing so can be
significant. This is a situation often encountered with XLPE cables.
 8

3.0 Electrical Interference on Nearby Telecommunication Network

Plant

The following sections 3.1 to 3.5 provide a brief summary of aspects relevant
to the causes and magnitude of hazardous electrical interference to nearby
telecommunication plant, together with a summary of the legislative
requirements on interference hazard limits and notification of the construction
of new electrical works in the vicinity of telecommunication plant.

3.1 Interference Mechanisms

Hazardous voltages can be impressed on nearby telecommunication network

plant by the following means:

(1) induction of a hazardous voltage onto a telecommunication cable,

caused by the earth return (fault) current carried by a parallel HV
power line.

(2) hazardous EPR at the location of telecommunication plant. This

includes EPR in the soil surrounding a buried telecommunication cable,
EPR at the location of telecommunication network ready access points,
and EPR at premises in which telecommunication circuits terminate
(e.g. the substation itself, and neighbouring houses/buildings).

These hazardous voltages can cause hazard to telecommunication customers

and personnel, and damage to telecommunication plant.

Non-hazardous “noise” interference voltages can also be impressed on

telecommunication network plant.

3.2 Legislative Requirements

Sections 24 and 25 of the Electricity Act 1992 require that, before an Electricity
Operator can start constructing or altering a works, it must first provide details
of the work involved to any Telecommunication Network Operator (TNO)
whose plant might be affected. The TNO then has 15 working days to notify
the Electricity Operator of any “reasonable” conditions it imposes on that work.

Electricity Regulation 58 further requires that any Electricity Operator

constructing a works in the vicinity of telecommunication plant must ensure
that the works cannot cause an induced voltage or EPR that is likely to cause
a hazard to persons, or damage to telecommunication plant. Induction hazard
voltage limits of 650Vrms for faults with a duration of  0.5s, and 430Vrms for
faults with a duration > 0.5s and  5s, are prescribed. There is a reciprocal
requirement on TNOs constructing a works in the vicinity of HV power plant.
 9

3.3 Typical Effects of Cable Sheath Bonding on Electrical Interference on

Nearby Telecommunication Network Plant

Cable sheath bonding, particularly between an urban POD Substation (e.g.

110/33kV Grid substation) and a Zone Substation (e.g. 33/11kV substation),
typically has the following effects:
• substantial reduction in induced voltages on telecommunication cables
parallelling the HV (e.g. 33kV) power cable.
• usually a substantial reduction in the maximum EPR on the Zone
Substation earth mat
• usually a reduction in the maximum EPR on the POD Substation earth mat.

Cable sheath bonding in these cases usually has a substantial net benefit in
terms of its effect on nearby telecommunication network plant.

If the Zone Substation is in turn effectively bonded to an extensive urban MEN

system (plus various HV earthing systems), then the consequential maximum
EPRs at the POD Substation and the Zone Substation (and any downstream
distribution transformers) are rarely a problem.

However, since it is possible for cable sheath bonding to worsen some

induction or EPR hazards, as shown in the next section, this needs to be
evaluated on a case by case basis.

3.4 Maximum Short Circuit Power, Current and Fault Clearance Times

Both the magnitude and time duration of voltages, either induced in or

impressed on telecommunication equipment, are taken into account in
determining hazard limit values.

The relevant Transpower maximum available short-circuit MVA, 3 phase

current values and fault clearance times for points of delivery from the national
grid to the distribution system, are tabulated below:

Nominal Voltage Maximum Short-Circuit

(kV) Power (MVA) 3 Phase Current (kA)
220 12,000 31.5
110 6,000 31.5
66 1,800 16
50 1,350 16
33 1,400 25
22 950 25
11 475 25
 10

Fault Clearance times for Feeders

Nominal Voltage Design Maximum Fault Clearance
(kV) Time* (ms)
220 120
110 200
66 200
50 200
33 1,000
22 1,000
11 1,000

* Final back-up fault clearance times are longer and are not shown.

Source of data –Transpower Grid Operating Security Policy 1997, Appendix 5

p 26-27.

Zone substations, which are normally supplied from the national grid and have
an earthed neutral 11kV (or other distribution voltage) secondary, provide a
neutral earthed source for faults which arise within the 11kV distribution
system. An indication of the magnitude of (3 phase) fault currents for various
fault ratings within 11kV and 33kV distribution systems are shown in the
following table:

11kV Short-circuit 33kV Short-circuit

Power (MVA) 3 Phase Current Power (MVA) 3 Phase Current
(kA) (kA)
500 26.2
350 18.5 1500 26.2
250 13.2 1000 17.5
150 8.0 750 13.0
100 5.35 500 8.7
50 2.67

The currents listed are balanced 3 phase values. Single phase fault values
may be slightly higher.
 11

4.0 Summary of Impact of Cable Sheath Bonding

The impact of bonding the sheath of the HV cable between a POD Substation
and a Zone Substation, to the respective substation earth mat at each end of
the cable, can be considered as set out below. The situation considered is
illustrated in the diagram below.

The following three phase-to-earth fault situations need to be separately

considered.

(1) Phase-to-Earth Fault to Earth Mat 2 (from incoming line)

Generating
Station or POD Subst. Zone Distribution
Grid Subst. Subst. Transformer

If (1-2)

Ie (1-2)

Earth Mat Earth Mat Earth Mat Earth Mat

1 2 Ish (2-3) 3 4

(R1) (R2) (R3) (R4)

If(1-2) = Ie(1-2) + Ish(2-3)

NETT earth return currents

1-2 Ie(1-2) + Ish(2-3) = If(1-2)
2-3 Ish(1-2)

EPR1 = R1 x If(1-2)
EPR2 = R2 x Ie(1-2)
TEPR3 = R3 x Ish(2-3) = TEPR2

where Ie(1-2) = net earth return fault current, that passes through
earth mats 1 and 2, for a phase-to-earth mat fault
on the incoming feeder to POD substation (2)
 12

If(1-2) = total fault current for a phase-to-earth mat fault at

the downstream substation (2)

Ish(2-3) = that portion of the total fault current If(1-2) that

returns to earth mat 1 via the cable sheath bond
between earth mats 2 and 3

EPR2 = EPR on earth mat 2

TEPR3 = that portion of EPR2 that is transferred via the

cable sheath to the substation earth mat 3 on the
other end of the cable

Because any current flow through the cable sheath will result in a
voltage drop along the sheath, the “received” transferred EPR (e.g.
TEPR3) will always be less than the original “source” EPR (e.g. EPR2).

(2) Phase-to-Earth Fault to Earth Mat 3 (assumes fault just upstream of

zone transformer)

Generating POD Zone Distribution

Station or Subst. Subst. Transformer
Grid Subs.

If (2-3)

Ish (2-3)

Ie (2-3)

Earth Mat Earth Mat Earth Mat Earth Mat

1 2 3 4

(R1) (R2) (R3) (R4)

If(2-3) = Ie(2-3) + Ish(2-3)

NETT earth return currents

2-3 Ie(2-3)

EPR2 = R2 x Ie(2-3)
EPR3 = R3 x Ie(2-3)
 13

(3) Phase-to-Earth Fault to Earth Mat 4

Generating
Station or POD Zone Distribution
Grid Subst. Subst. Subst. Transformer

If (3-4)

Ie (3-4)
Ish (2-3)

Earth Mat Earth Mat Earth Mat Earth Mat

1 2 3 4
(R1) (R 2) (R3) (R4)

If(3-4) = Ie(3-4) + Ish(2-3)

NETT earth return currents

2-3 Ish(2-3)
3-4 Ie(3-4) + Ish(2-3) = If(3-4)

TEPR3 = R2 x Ish(2-3)
EPR3 = R3 x Ie(3-4)
EPR4 = R4 x If(3-4)

NETT EFFECTS OF CABLE SHEATH BONDING

(1) Total fault currents

If(1-2) increases (usually only slightly)
If(2-3) increases (often substantially)
If(3-4) increases (usually only slightly)

(2) Maximum nett earth return fault currents

1-2 increases (usually only slightly)
2-3 usually reduces (often substantially) - see below Note
3-4 increases (usually only slightly)

Note
The maximum earth return fault current between earth mats 2 and 3
may NOT be the “reduced” Ie(2-3), but rather one of the “transferred
EPR” fault currents (Ish(2-3) for a phase-to-earth fault to earth mat 2, or
Ish(2-3) for a phase-to-earth fault to earth mat 4). If this is the case, the
 14

maximum earth return fault current between earth mats 2 and 3 may
increase as a result of cable sheath bonding.

(3) Maximum substation earth mat EPRs

EPR1 increases (usually only slightly)

EPR2 = maximum of
R2 x Ie(1-2) decreases
R2 x Ie(2-3) decreases (often substantially)
TEPR2 new

EPR3 = maximum of
TEPR3 new
R3 x Ie(2-3) decreases (often substantially)
R3 x Ie(3-4) decreases (usually only slightly)

EPR4 increases (usually only slightly)

While bonding the two substation earth mats 2 and 3 together via the cable
sheath will lower the effective resistance of both substations, thereby reducing
any existing EPRs at each substation, the transferred EPRs may still result in
the “worst case” EPR at one of these substations INCREASING.

Also, because the lower effective earth resistance of both substations (2 and
3) will result in higher earth return fault currents from the next upstream
substation (1), and to the next downstream substation (4), the maximum EPRs
at both the next upstream and next downstream substations will increase
(usually only slightly).

4.1 Impact on Telecommunication Network Operator’s Network

Any Telecommunication Network Operator (TNO) with plant near substation

earth mats 1, 2, 3 or 4, should be sent details of
• all the above increased nett earth return fault currents
i.e. If(1-2) and If(3-4) (and the greater Ish(2-3) (for a phase-to-earth fault
to either earth mat 2 or earth mat 4) if it is more than the former
“unbonded” Ie(2-3))
• all the above increased maximum substation earth mat EPRs
i.e. EPR1, EPR4 and possibly EPR2 and/or EPR3.

These details should be sent to the TNO’s Power Co-ordinator (see Appendix
C for contact details) so he/she can evaluate:

(i) what increased voltages may be induced into nearby parallel

telecommunication cables,
 15

(ii) what increased EPR hazards may be impressed onto nearby

telecommunication plant (both entering the substation, and located near
the substation),
(iii) if these induced or EPR hazard voltages require mitigation,
(iv) what mitigation options there are, and
(v) the cost of these mitigation options.

Any increased hazard to nearby telecommunication plant (and the cost of

mitigating this hazard) must be taken into account in the decision on whether
to bond the HV cable sheath.

4.2 Impact on Power Network

The impact of any new or increased fault currents, earth return currents and
cable sheath return currents, needs to be evaluated with respect to the current
ratings of power network plant.

The impact of any increases in the maximum EPR on any substation earth
mat (i.e. EPR1, EPR4 and possibly EPR2 and/or EPR3) needs to be evaluated
with respect to the consequential touch and step voltages on the earth mats.
 16

5.0 Advantages and Disadvantages of Cable Sheath Bonding

The following sections 5.1 to 5.4 describe the typical consequences of cable
sheath bonding for a range of situations. The simplified calculation procedure
in section 6.1 illustrates with calculated examples many of the points raised in
this section.

5.1 Advantages of Cable Sheath Bonding

(1) Cable sheath bonding provides a metallic return path for a significant
portion of a phase-to-earth fault current at the downstream substation
and, consequently the portion of the fault current that returns through
the earth (the earth return current) over the HV cable section, will
usually be substantially reduced. This will result in a corresponding
substantial reduction in the voltages induced on any parallel
telecommunication cables.
• in urban areas, with low “effective” zone substation earth mat
impedances, the resultant earth return fault current without cable
sheath bonding is usually very high (with corresponding very high
levels of hazardous induced voltage on any parallel
telecommunication cables).
• in urban areas, the telecommunication cables are often high pair
count cables, so any mitigation adopted in the telecommunication
network is likely to be very expensive.

(2) The maximum EPRs at the upstream (POD) Substation and the
downstream (Zone) Substation are often reduced.
• this can result in a significant reduction in the costs of mitigating the
associated EPR hazard to nearby telecommunication plant,
especially if the upstream POD Substation is located in an urban
area - large numbers of customers premises might otherwise be
within the “unbonded cable sheath” EPR hazard voltage contour (i.e.
require mitigation).
• lower maximum EPRs will result in lower step and touch potentials
on the upstream (POD) and downstream (Zone) Substation earth
mats.
• where cable sheath bonding is being considered for a new
substation at the design stage, lower earth return fault current may
enable a lower cost earth mat to be installed (e.g. Appendix A).

5.2 Disadvantages of Cable Sheath Bonding

(1) The maximum earth return fault current over the bonded cable sheath
section could actually increase if any of the new “transferred EPR” fault
currents in the cable sheath (for faults to upstream or downstream earth
mats) is greater than the original “unbonded” earth return fault current
over that section. Corresponding voltages induced on any parallel
telecommunication cables could similarly increase.
 17

(2) The maximum EPRs at the upstream (POD) Substation or the

downstream (Zone) Substation could actually increase, if any of the
new “transferred EPR’s” via the cable sheath (for faults to upstream or
downstream earth mats) is greater than the original “unbonded” EPRs.
This would result in:
• increased step and touch voltages
• increased EPR hazard to nearby telecommunication plant
• increased power plant insulation levels.

(3) The maximum EPRs at the next upstream and/or the next downstream
substations may increase. This would result in:
• increased step and touch voltages
• increased EPR hazard to nearby telecommunication plant
Normally, any increase in EPR would only be minor, and would
probably require no further mitigation.

(4) The sheath of the HV cable, or an associated earth connection, may not
be rated for the maximum fault current that could pass through it.

5.3 Typical Consequences Of Cable Sheath Bonding

The consequences of cable sheath bonding depend primarily on the fault path
impedances, of which earth mat resistances form part, and on the single
phase to earth fault currents flowing through the earth mats of concern.
Because the major source of fault duty is the national grid, it is possible to
summarize typical cable-sheath bonding consequences in terms of
interconnecting POD and zone substation earth mats, zone and distribution
substation earth mats, or POD and zone and distribution substation earth
mats, as follows:

5.3.1 POD and zone substation earth mats

A very simple method of assessing the consequences of bonding is to

consider the impedances of the interconnected networks and the cable sheath
as a simple voltage divider network as shown below:

If2

ZSheath ZSheath2

RPOD ISheath Rzone

Rzone2
remote earth
 18

The current flowing via the cable sheath will be

RPOD + Rzone
Isheath = If
RPOD + Rzone + Z sheath

If Zsheath is small in relation to RPOD + Rzone, then Isheath will be a large proportion
of If2.

The transferred EPR will be determined by the voltage divider effect of the
cable sheath impedance in series with the connected earth mat impedance,
that forms a parallel path across the source EPR earth mat.

RPOD
i.e. TEPRPOD =  EPRzone
RPOD + Z sheath

Rzone2
and TEPRzone2 =  EPRzone
Rzone2 + Z sheath2

Rzone
Also TEPRzone =  EPRPOD for a fault at the POD substation
Rzone + Z sheath

EPRzone is reduced below that of the unbonded case because the parallel
resistance of the interconnected earth mats (and MEN system if also
connected via bonded cable sheaths) more than offsets the increased fault
current.

Note: The smaller the cable sheath impedance is in relation to the zone
substation earth mat resistance, the closer the TEPRzone will be to the POD
earth mat EPR. Therefore a zone substation in a rural location fed by cables
with sheaths bonded to earth at both ends with an earth mat resistance in the
order of 5 to 6 ohms, and with a cable sheath impedance in the order of 1
ohm, can be expected to experience TEPR values very close to the POD
substation EPR. In detailed calculations, cable sheath zero sequence self
impedance and mutual impedance will be taken into account. For first
approximations, mutual impedances can be ignored as consequently
calculated currents will be conservative values (i.e. on the high side).

5.3.2 Zone substation and distribution substation earth mats

Normal practice is to bond these substations together as the overall benefits

are normally considered by Distribution Companies to exceed any
disadvantages. If it is desired to make a quick assessment of TEPR arising
from fault currents passing through each earth mat, the method set out in 5.3.1
can provide a good first approximation.
 19

5.3.3 POD and zone and distribution substation earth mats

Where cable sheath bonding progressively interconnects POD and zone

substation earth mats and then zone and distribution substation earth mats,
the consequences as set out in 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 apply, but because of the
increased number of earth mats involved the benefits of reduced EPR
increase. This is illustrated in the worked example that is included in the
assessment procedure in Section 6.1.

Progressively bonding from POD to zone to distribution substations may

prevent high TEPR values being impressed on distribution substations from
zone substations with high earth mat resistance values.

5.4 An Example of Cable Sheath Bonding Showing Clear Advantages

The national grid 220/11kV substation at Tangiwai supplies power to a paper-

pulp mill sited only a few hundred metres away.

Without any interconnection between the two earth mats, the separate EPR
values were –

Tangiwai substation - approximately 2.8kV

Pulp mill - approximately 7.0kV

With the two earth mats interconnected, both station EPR values and TEPR
values reduced to approximately 1.4kV.

The close proximity between the two sites resulted in negligible impedance in
the interconnection between the two, and in nearly equal EPR and TEPR
values. While this is a special case, it confirms the benefits/expected results
set out in Section 5.3 above.
 20

6.0 Calculation of EPR and TEPR for Earth Mats Connected

Together Via Bonded Cable Sheaths

Section 6.1 sets out a simplified calculation process for determining those
cases where bonding can be adopted without the need for detailed study.
Sections 6.2 and 6.3 provide some guidance on techniques available for
determining EPR and TEPR values for proposed installations where detailed
study is necessary.

6.1 Calculation Process for Cable Sheath Bonding

The following process has been developed to either:

(a) confirm that bonding is appropriate in those cases where the benefits
clearly favour such action.

or

(b) identify those exceptional cases where detailed study is necessary to

evaluate the possible disadvantages of bonding so that appropriate
action can be determined.

The key steps in the calculation process are:

1. Assemble all relevant data or, if not readily available, choose values
considered typical of similar installations and locations.

2. Develop a single line circuit diagram to represent fault current sources,

likely fault current paths and all relevant impedances and earth mat
resistances (either actual or assumed values).

3. Consider prospective fault current locations and estimate EPR and

TEPR values for each earth mat for the highest fault currents likely to
pass through the relevant earth mats.

4. Compare estimated EPR and earth return fault current values for each
earth mat without cable sheaths bonded, against the estimated EPR,
TEPR and earth return fault current values with cable sheaths bonded.

5. Use the results of the comparisons to determine one of the following:

i) cable sheaths can be bonded at both ends without further study

where it is apparent that both telecommunication plant
interference limits and acceptable step and touch potentials will
not be exceeded
ii) cable sheaths cannot be bonded at both ends without further
study
 21

iii) more accurate cable sheath impedance values and/or earth mat
resistance values are required for re-calculation and possibly
more detailed modelling
iv) field measurements are required

The following notes are intended to provide further suggestions and help in
working through an assessment:

1) Data Assembly

Assemble the following data for all relevant substations likely to be affected by,
or contribute to, the EPR and TEPR values at the substation of concern:

• earth mat resistances to ground

• maximum expected single phase to earth fault currents
• sheath impedance of proposed interconnecting power cable
• ratings, leakage impedances (%), and voltage ratios of zone and
distribution transformers.

Where data are not readily available, the following approximations may be
useful:

Point of Delivery earth mat resistances are normally 0.5 ohm or less, and
typically lie between 0.15 and 0.3 ohm for earth mats on very large sites.

Zone substation earth mats at high soil resistivity locations, such as on the
shingle plains of Canterbury, may be as high as 6.0 ohms. (Average for the
thirteen central Canterbury rural zone substation earth mats was 2.17 ohms).

Urban zone substations, without interconnections to the earth mats of other

substations, usually cover smaller site areas than POD substations and are
therefore likely to have earth mat resistances in the order of 0.5 ohms to 1.5
ohms. (Five urban zone substation earth mats in Christchurch range from 0.23
ohm to 0.70 ohm, averaging 0.53 ohm. Four urban zone substation earth
mats in the Gisborne area range from 0.60 ohm to 1.5 ohm, averaging 1.23
ohm). Where interconnections to other substation earth mats exist, the earth
mat resistances are likely to be in the order of 0.3 to 0.5 ohm. In rural
locations, cable feeders are less likely to be used and therefore
interconnections to other substation earth mats in such locations are less
likely.

Distribution substations connected to an extensive 400V MEN system are

likely to have earth mat resistances in the range 0.1 to 0.3 ohm, but rarely
below 0.2 ohm.

2) Circuit Diagrams

The circuit shown below is used to illustrate the calculation process. A

diagram is a very useful aid, as all the relevant data can be shown, ensuring
that all appropriate values have been included.
 22

The purpose of the calculations that follow in (3) is to assess the

consequences of using cable sheath bonding between the POD and zone
substation earth mats.

The fault current (or fault duty) for a single phase-to-earth (66kV, 110 or 220kV
bus) fault at the relevant POD substation should be obtained from consultation
between the distribution network owner and the grid operator (i.e.
Transpower). If the fault current value is not available, it can be calculated
from the fault duty.

Common practice within distribution companies is to interconnect zone and

distribution earth mats by cable sheath bonding, except perhaps in rural
networks. This bonding arrangement is included in the circuit diagram. Only
one distribution substation is shown, but in most situations a number would be
supplied from one zone substation; with this arrangement the effective earth
mat resistance for single phase faults onto the zone - distribution earth would
be in the order of 0.2 ohm rather than the 0.25 ohm used below for the case of
a single bonded distribution substation.

POD substation Zone substation Distribution

Substation
National
0.1 ohms
33/11kV 11kV/400V
110kV Grid 5 MVA 1 MVA
10% react 10% react (usually 4-5%)
2500 MVA
fault duty 110/33kV 0.15 ohm
20 MVA
10% react

0.15 ohm 0.2 ohm

R1 = 0.3 ohm R2 = 0.5 ohm R3 = 0.3 ohm

Preliminary diagram showing known and estimated data

3) Calculations

A relatively straightforward method of calculation is the 'per unit' method in

which the positive, negative and zero sequence impedance components are
converted to per unit (p.u.) values on a common base, and the calculations are
performed accordingly.

To begin, it is necessary to determine impedances in p.u. (per unit) values

relative to a chosen reference base (in this case a reference base of 100 MVA
is used):
 23

i) source impedance (of the 110kV grid) on a 100 MVA base

= ZIG (positive sequence impedance, which is assumed to be

equal to the negative sequence impedance Z2G)

100 (base MVA)

=
2500 (fault duty MVA)

= 0.04 p.u.

ii) impedance of POD substation on a 100 MVA base

= ZIP = Z2P

100 (base MVA)

=  0.1 (transform er reactance of 10%)
20 (transform er rating MVA)

= 0.5 p.u.

iii) impedance of Zone substation on a 100 MVA base

= ZIZ = Z2Z

100
=  0.1
5

= 2 p.u.

iv) impedance of Distribution substation on a 100 MVA base

= ZID = Z2D

100
=  0.1
1

= 10 p.u.

The circuit diagram above can now be re-drawn as equivalent positive and
negative sequence diagrams. These are shown below:
 24

ZIG = 0.0.4 p.u. Z1P = 0.5 p.u. Z1Z = 2.0 p.u. Z1D = 10 p.u.

110kV 33kV 11kV 400V

110/33kV 33/11kV 11kV/400V

2500MVA 20MVA 5MVA 1MVA

act fault duty 10% 10% 10%
(3ph)

Positive sequence impedance diagram

Z2G = 0.04 p.u. Z2P = 0.5 p.u. Z2Z = 2.0 p.u. Z2D = 10 p.u.

110kV 33kV 11kV 400V

Negative sequence impedance diagram

It is also necessary to determine base impedance in ohms at each voltage

level as follows:

i) Zbase @ 110kV =
V2
=
(110 10 )3 2

MVAbase 100  10 6

= 121 ohm

ii) Zbase @ 33kV = 10.89 ohm

iii) Zbase @ 11kV = 1.21 ohm

iii) Zbase @ 400V = 0.0016ohm

and to determine current p.u. values at 100MVA base for each voltage level as
follows:

100MVA
i) Ibase @ 110kV = = 525A
3  110kV

100MVA
ii) Ibase @ 33kV = = 1750A
3  33kV
 25

100MVA
iii) Ibase @ 11kV = = 5250A
3  11kV

It is now possible to determine zero sequence impedances for single phase

faults on the primary side of each substation as follows:

3 Z neutral
i) for the grid ZOG = ZIG +
Z base @110kV

where Zneutral = neutral impedance of the source

3  0 .5
Therefore ZOG = 0.04 +
121

= 0.052 p.u.

3  0 .3
ii) for the POD substation ZOP = 0.5 +
10.89

= 0.583 p.u.

3 0.25
iii) for the Zone substation Zoz = 2.0 +
1.21

= 2.62 p.u.

where 0.25 ohms is the effective earth mat impedance of the zone substation
earth mat in parallel with the cable sheath impedance in series with the
distribution substation earth mat (0.5 in parallel with (0.2 + 0.3)).

3  0.21
iv) for the Distribution substation ZOD = 10 +
0.0016

= 404 p.u.

where 0.21 ohms is the effective earth mat impedance of the distribution
substation earth mat in parallel with the cable sheath impedance in series with
the zone substation earth mat (0.3 in parallel with (0.2 + 0.5)).

The equivalent zero sequence impedance diagram can now be drawn as

follows:
 26

ZOG = 0.052 p.u. ZOP = 0.583 p.u. ZOZ = 2.62 p.u. ZOD = 404 p.u.

110kV 33kV 11kV 400V

Zero sequence impedance diagram

Calculation of fault currents and corresponding EPR values

In order to determine all the relevant EPR and TEPR values with and without
cable sheath bonding between the POD and zone substations, a total of 5
separate fault current cases are considered below:

Case 1: The fault current from the 110kV grid into the POD substation earth
mat, without cable sheath bonding to the zone substation earth mat, is
determined as follows:

The zero sequence impedance of the fault

3Z f
Zof = ZOG +
Z base @110kV

3  0 .3
= 0.052 +
121

= 0.059 p.u.

where Zf = POD substation earth mat impedance

The fault current

3
If =  I base @110kV
Z1G + Z 2G + Z of

3
=  525 A
0.04 + 0.04 + 0.059

= 11,330A

The POD substation EPR for this fault current

= 0.3 x 11,330A

= 3,399V

There is no TEPR at the zone/distribution substation earth mat.

 27

Case 2: The 33kV fault current at the output of the POD 110/33kV
transformer, which will circulate within the earth mat, and cannot cause EPR
or TEPR, is

3
If =  I base @ 33kV
(Z 1G + Z 1P ) + (Z 2G + Z 2 P ) + Z OP

3
=  1750 A
(0.04 + 0.5) + (0.04 + 0.5) + 0.5

= 3,323A

(Note ZOP at the transformer terminals excludes the neutral impedance and
therefore equals 0.5 ohms)

Case 3: The 33kV fault current at the input to the zone substation, without
cable sheath bonding between POD and zone substation earth mats, is as
follows:

3Z f
Zof = ZOP +
Z base @ 33kV

where Zf is the circuit impedance between the POD and zone substations of
0.1 ohm plus the effective resistance of the zone substation earth mat of 0.5
ohm in parallel with the cable sheath bonding impedance of 0.2 ohm in series
with the distribution substation earth mat of 0.3 ohm, and which therefore
gives Zf = 0.1 + 0.25 = 0.35 ohm. ZOP is the value at the terminals of the
transformer, and excludes the zone substation earth mat to avoid including it
twice.

3 0.35
Zof = 0.5 +
10.89

= 0.596 p.u.

3
If =  I base @ 33kV
(Z1G + Z1P ) + (Z 2G + Z 2 P ) + Z of

3
=  1750 A
(0.04 + 0.5) + (0.04 + 0.5) + 0.596
= 3,132A
 28

The EPR at the POD substation will be

= 0.3 x 3132A

= 940V

and at the zone substation

= 0.25 x 3,132A

= 783V

From the voltage divider network established by the interconnected zone and
distribution substation earth mat it is apparent that the EPR in the distribution
substation will be

0.3
=  783V
0.2 + 0.3

= 470V

Case 4: The 110kV fault current from the grid into the POD substation earth
mat, with cable sheath bonding between the POD and zone substation earth
mats, is considered as follows:

The zero sequence impedance of the fault

3Z f
Zof = ZOG +
Z base @110kV

Zf has now reduced to 0.17 ohms, which is the cable sheath impedance of
0.15 ohm in series with the zone/distribution substation earth mat of 0.25
ohms, all in parallel with the POD substation earth mat impedance of 0.3
ohms.

3 0.17
Zof = 0.052 +
121

= 0.056 p.u.

3
If =  I base @110kV
Z1G + Z 2G + Z of

3
=  525 A
0.04 + 0.04 + 0.056

= 11,582A
 29

The POD substation EPR for this current

= 0.17 x 11,582A

= 1,969V

and the TEPR at the zone substation

0.25
=  1969V
0.15 + 0.25

= 1,231V

and the TEPR at the distribution substation

0.3
=  1231V
0.3 + 0.2

= 738V

If 0.2 ohms is used for the effective earth mat resistance of the zone/multiple
distribution substation earth mats combined, then very little change occurs to
Z0f and hence to If, but there is a small reduction in the POD substation EPR
because the effective earth mat resistance is now 0.16 ohms, lowering the
EPR slightly to = 1,848V.

However, the TEPR at the zone substation reduces more as it becomes only

0.2
=  1848V
0.15 + 0.2

= 1,056V

and the TEPR at the distribution substation in turn reduces to

0.3
=  1056V
0.5

= 637V

Case 5: The 33kV fault current at the input to the zone substation, with cable
sheath bonding between POD and zone substation earth mats, is as follows:

3Z f
Zof = ZOP +
Z base @ 33kV
 30

3 0.22
= 0.5 +
10.89

= 0.561 p.u.

3
If =  I base @ 33kV
(Z1G + Z1P ) + (Z 2G + Z 2 P ) + Z of

3
=  1750 A
(0.04 + 0.5) + (0.04 + 0.5) + 0.561
= 3,199A

The return path impedance of 0.22 ohm comprises the circuit impedance of
0.1 ohm in series with the cable sheath impedance of 0.15 ohm, which is in
parallel with the zone/distribution earth mat impedance of 0.25 ohm in series
with the POD substation earth mat impedance of 0.3 ohm.

This fault current will divide between the parallel cable sheath and the earth
mat paths in the inverse ratio of the path impedances. The cable sheath
current will be

0.25 + 0.3
=  3199 A
0.25 + 0.3 + 0.15

= 2,514A

and via the earth mats

0.15
=  3199 A
0.25 + 0.3 + 0.15

= 686A

This 686A will be divided equally between the zone and distribution earth
mats, and consequently the individual earth mat currents will be

IPOD = 686A

Izone = 343A

Idist = 343A

The corresponding EPRs are

EPOD = 0.3 x 686A

 31

= 206V

Ezone = 0.5 x 343A

= 172V

Edist = 0.3 x 343A

= 103V

4) Insert the relevant calculated values in the circuit diagrams as follows to

help assess the results.

11330A 3132A

3323A
0.2 ohm
1566A 1566A

0.3 ohm 0.5 ohm 0.3 ohm

Diagram showing fault currents and earth mat resistances with no cable
sheath bonding between POD and zone substations

POD Sub Zone Sub Distr. Sub

940V 783V 470V

3399V (33kV fault) (33kV fault) (33kV fault)
(110kV grid fault)

Max EPR values before cable sheath added

between POD and zone substations
 32

POD Sub Zone Sub Distr. Sub

3255A

cable sheath 0.15 ohm 343A

2557A cable sheath

686A 343A 0.2 ohm

33kV Fault: Fault currents re-calculated with cable sheath

bonding included

POD Sub Zone Sub Distr. Sub

EPR
206V 172V (783V)
(940V)

TEPR
103V
(470V)

33kV Fault: New EPR & TEPR values vs original EPR values

Note:

1. Values in brackets are the original EPR and TEPR values.

 33

3255A
(3132A)
11582A
(11330A)

3323A

2482A
4964A 2482A (1566A)
6618A (1566A)

0.3 ohm 0.5 ohm 0.3 ohm

11582A 4964A 2482A

(11330A) (3132A) (1566A)

Maximum fault current values AFTER cable sheath bond is added

between POD and Zone substations

Notes:
1. Values in brackets are the maximum fault currents without any cable
sheath bond added.
2. The value of maximum earth return current between the POD
substation and the Zone substation (4,964A) assumes that ALL of the
Distribution substation-to-POD substation earth return current flows via
the Distribution substation - Zone substation - POD substation route
(i.e. it follows the line/cable route). This may be a somewhat
conservative assumption.

POD Sub Zone Sub Distr. Sub

1969V 1231V 738V

(3399V) (783V) (470V)

Maximum EPR values AFTER cable sheath bond is added between Zone
and Distribution substations
Note:

1. Values in brackets are the maximum EPRs without any cable sheath
bond.

All the above EPRs and currents are higher (possibly much higher) than they
will be in reality, since they have been calculated assuming low impedance
line and cable circuits between the substations, and the total neglect of the
mutual impedance between cable conductors and the sheath which pushes
more current through the sheath and less through the earth mat.
 34

5) Consider action

The impacts of the above changes in EPRs and currents on the power
network and any nearby telecommunication network plant must be considered
as described in 5.1 and 5.2.

1. Power plant ratings

So long as the proposed cable sheath is rated for a short term 7.5kA
current, the above increases in currents are unlikely to have any
impact.

2. Substation earth mat touch and step voltages

The possible impact of the slight increase in EPR at the Zone

substation (from 783V to 1,231V) and the substantial increase in EPR
at the Distribution substation (from 470V to 738V), on touch and step
voltages at these substations, needs to be considered.

3. Nearby Telecommunication Plant

The increased earth return currents between the POD substation and
the Zone substation (3,132A increases to 4,964A) and between the
Zone substation and the Distribution substation (1,566A increases to
2,482A), will cause a corresponding increase in voltages induced along
parallel telecommunication cables. The increased EPRs at the Zone
substation (783V increases to 1,231V) and the Distribution substation
(470V increases to 738V) may also put nearby telecommunication plant
at risk.

Details of the increased earth return currents, the power line/cable

routes and the increased EPR’s, should be sent to any TNOs with plant
in the area, so that the level of induction and EPR hazard to their
network can be evaluated.

These levels of earth return currents and EPRs are likely to cause EPR
and induction hazard to nearby telecommunication plant.

If consideration of the above calculated currents and EPRs shows up any

significant problems, then more detailed calculations of the current(s) and
EPR(s) of concern will normally need to be done. These will include actual
line and cable impedances, including mutual impedance between cable
conductors and sheath, and actual earth mat resistances.

Field measurements may need to be done to check these calculated

parameter values.
 35

6.1.1 Additional Issues

Cable sheath bonding is usually considered as a possible means of

(1) reducing high substation EPR(s), or

(2) reducing induced voltages along parallel telecommunication cables.

Normally cable sheath bonding assists with both these problems. However, in
some cases, the end result is worse than the original problem. In these cases,
alternative solutions such as neutral earthing resistors/reactors (NERs) should
be considered. These can be implemented with or without cable sheath
bonding (refer to Section 9.0).

6.2 Computer Modelling

Computer programs are increasingly used in the design of earthing systems
and are also very suitable for re-design studies when modifications, such as
interconnecting earthing systems via cable sheaths, are proposed.

Power systems analysis programs such as PSS/U (available from the N.Z.
agents Worley Consultants Ltd, New Zealand) can be used for fault current
analysis to determine the division of current between the individual earth mats
forming the earthing system under study.

PSS/U is a set of general purpose programs for power system simulation. It

has the ability to calculate fault currents at any point in the power network.
The independent phase analysis of PSS/U allows mutual coupling between
branches to be included to enable all network voltages to be calculated with
respect to remote earth. PSS/U requires accurate cable impedance
information which can be calculated using the Alternate Transients
Programme (ATP), or manually using established methodologies. The ATP
programme can be used to calculate series self impedance and shunt
capacitance/admittance of cables of any chosen configuration. A worked
example using PSS/U can be found in Appendix B4.5 of the NZCCPTS
"Application Guide for Earth Potential Rise".

The results of PSS/U can then be used in earthing system design programs to
calculate the earth mat EPR and TEPR contours.

Established programs with the capability to include cable sheath bonding

arrangements between earth mat systems include –

SAFEARTH (Safearth Systems, Energy Australia, Australia)

C-DEGS (Safe Engineering Services and Technologies, Canada)
 36

6.3 Companion Document for Application Guide

The symmetrical components method of analysis is a very suitable

mathematical tool for the analysis of networks under fault (unbalanced)
conditions. The unbalanced network parameters are converted into three
separate, but balanced and symmetrical components, that are known as
positive, negative and zero sequence components.

The technical paper 'Fundamentals of Calculation of Earth Potential Rise in

the Underground Power Distribution Network' by Ashok Parsotam provides
detailed guidance for calculating fault currents in a distribution network and is
issued as a companion document to this Cable Sheath Bonding Guide. This
companion document covers calculation of sequence impedances to model
overhead lines and underground cables, and calculation of EPR and TEPR in
the cable network. In addition, several fault scenarios are modelled, together
with numerical examples outlining all the steps required to calculate EPR and
TEPR.
 37

7.0 Typical Network Configurations Involving Insulated Cables

Cables are used in a variety of circuit configurations. The five mostly

commonly encountered in New Zealand are:-

(a) a continuous length of cable laid between the source substation and a
receiving substation. The cable sheath is usually bonded to earth at both
substation earth mats.
(b) a length of cable laid from the source substation to a pole outside the
substation earth mat, and terminating on the pole where conductors are
connected to an overhead line. The cable sheath is usually bonded to
earth at the source substation and at the pole.
(c) a length of cable commencing on an overhead line pole and terminating
at a receiving substation. The cable sheath is usually bonded to earth at
both the pole and the substation.
(d) a combination of both (b) and (c) on the same circuit.
(e) a length of cable from one pole to another pole within an overhead line
between two substations.

In cases involving short lengths of cable where one end terminates on an

overhead line pole near a substation, and the pole is located in a high
resistivity area (making a low resistance to earth difficult to achieve) it may be
economically attractive and beneficial to EPR and TEPR control to use a high
conductivity earth continuity conductor from the pole to the nearby substation
earth mat.

If the cable sheath is not adequate for the fault current likely to pass between
the pothead and the originating substation, then either a buried conductor
should be installed back to the earth mat, or alternatively, the cable should be
end point bonded at the pothead for the line terminating structure. This will
ensure that any exposed metal associated with the cable pothead remains at
earth potential while any live line work is in progress on the overhead line.
However, because such a situation will require all the fault current to return via
the general mass of earth, it will cause higher EPR and the cable insulation
will need to be sufficient for this. Also, the higher EPR contours in the vicinity
of the pothead earthing system could pose a hazard to nearby
telecommunications network plant.

Note: Where a high conductivity earth conductor is used between a line

termination and the nearby substation earth mat, it should be recognized that
while a bare conductor will reduce the substation earth mat resistance, it will
also distort and extend the EPR contours away from the earth mat. If a lightly
insulated conductor is used, insulation puncture may occur.
 38

8.0 Summary

Designers should plan for bonding cable sheaths to earth at both ends of each
cable installation unless analysis shows bonding would result in an
unsatisfactory value of calculated (or modelled) TEPR or the export of
substation EPR to situations where it may cause a local hazard.

Economic alternatives, such as using cables with standard rated screens and
the direct interconnection of earth mats via separate conductors, should
always be a secondary or subsequent consideration.

The overall preference of the designer should always be to improve the

effectiveness of the total interconnected earthing system.
 39

9.0 References

1. "Substation Earthing Guide" Electricity Supply Association of Australia

Ltd. 1995

2. "Symmetrical Components as applied to the analysis of unbalanced

electrical circuits", Wagner C.F. and Evans R.D

3. "Fundamentals of Calculation of Earth Potential Rise in the

Underground Power Distribution Cable Network" by Ashok Parsotam
(Power and Telecommunications System Co-ordination Conference,
Melbourne 1997)

4. "Electric Cables Handbook", E.W.G. Bungay and D. McAllister (BICC)

5. NZCCPTS "Application Guide for Earth Potential Rise"

6. NZCCPTS "Application Guide for Neutral Earthing Resistors/Reactors"

7. NZCCPTS "Application Guide for Single Wire Earth-Return High

Voltage Power Lines"

8. NZCCPTS "Guide for Investigating Power System - Telecommunication

System Noise Interference"

Copies of any of the NZCCPTS documents (see references 5 to 8) can be

obtained from the Secretary, NZCCPTS (see the inside back cover for contact
details).
40
 41

APPENDIX A

KAIWHARAWHARA EARTHING SYSTEM – A RECENT CASE

In 1997, Transpower commissioned a 110/11kV substation in an industrial area at

Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, to supply power via 11kV cable feeders to Capital
Power’s distribution network.

Because of the constrained site at Kaiwharawhara, considerable expenditure was

foreseen in achieving an acceptable earth mat resistance to control EPR and step
and touch potentials.

Without connection via cable sheaths to Capital Power's zone substation, an initial
earth mat design resistance to ground of 0.6 ohm was calculated which would have
resulted in unacceptable EPR and step and touch potentials unless long earth rods
were added at considerable expense to keep the earth mat potentials within EPR
and step and touch potential limit values. Bonding the 11kV cable sheaths at both
ends reduced the effective earth mat resistance to 0.17 ohms. This enabled less
copper to be used, as well as obviating the need for long earth rods. The 430V EPR
contour was also kept close to the site as a result of cable sheath bonding.

110kV cables were installed for 500m from the Kaiwharawhara Substation along the
nearby road to a suitable location where access to overhead 110kV transmission was
possible. The 110kV XLPE copper sheath cables were end-point bonded to earth at
the station end, and a small earth mat at the 110kV cable to line junction was bonded
to the Kaiwharawhara Substation earth mat via two 240mm² copper conductors laid
in parallel.

In this case, the use of separate copper conductors was chosen for economic
reasons. 110kV cables with adequately fault rated cable sheaths would have
resulted in a higher cost installation. The solution adopted achieved the benefits
determined for cable sheath bonding at both ends, by an alternate approach.

Because the 11kV zone substation was only a very short distance from the POD
substation and two high capacity feeder circuits with very low impedance cable
sheaths interconnected the two earth mats, the resulting EPR and TEPR values
(similar for both earth mats) were within the hazard limit values.
 42

APPENDIX B

WORKED EXAMPLE

Consider the case of the following two substations, located in a city and connected
together via 33kV cable(s). A decision needs to be made on whether to bond the two
substation earth mats together via the 33kV cable sheath(s).

(1) a Transpower substation, with incoming 220kV and 110kV lines (from
Generating Stations about 100km away), and outgoing 33kV cables and lines

(2) a Power Distribution Company zone substation, with incoming 33kV cables
and outgoing 11kV cables and lines.

The EPR’s at all voltage levels, for both the bonded and unbonded cases, need to be
calculated. Some values for one case follow (1.3 Transpower Substation earth mat
resistance, two 500m 33kV cables (300mm 2 Al PILCA) in parallel, 0.2 Distribution
Company Zone Substation earth mat resistance).

EPR’s Without Bonding EPR’s With Bonding

Type of Earth Fault
Transpower Dist. Co. Transpower Dist. Co.

220kV phase-to-earth fault 8.9kV - 1.9kV 1.1kV

at Transpower Substation
110kV phase-to-earth fault 11.0kV - 2.4kV 1.4kV
at Transpower Substation
33kV phase-to-earth fault at 12.5kV 1.9kV 1.9kV 287V
Distribution Co. Substation
11kV phase-to-earth fault at
downstream distribution - 287V 230V 270V
transformer

Bonding decreases the “worst case” EPR’s on both earth mats. However if the
Distribution Company substation is extensively bonded to the urban LV MEN system
(via the 11kV cable sheathes), the resultant “reduced” EPR may still represent a
major hazard to the telecommunications network that is very costly to mitigate. It
may instead prove more economic to:
(i) leave the 33kV cable sheathes unbonded,
(ii) install NER’s at the 33kV point of supply (in the Transpower Substation) to
reduce the EPR on the Distribution Company Substation earth mat below the
650V hazard voltage limit (this will also reduce the EPR on the Transpower
Substation for a 33kV phase-to-earth fault to less than 4.3kV), and
(iii) mitigate for the new “worst case” EPR level at the Transpower Substation of
11.0kV - if the Transpower Substation is an “isolated” substation (e.g. just
outside the city), this may not be a big problem.
 43

APPENDIX C

CONTACT DETAILS FOR TELECOMMUNICATION POWER

CO-ORDINATORS
(refer Section 4.1)

1. Telecom NZ Ltd. (as at November 2010)

Primary Contact: Back Up Contact:

Rod Goodspeed Alan Marshall

Engineering Consultant Senior Electrical Engineer
KAYROD Services Ltd. (Lightning and Power Protection)
P.O. Box 4090 Opus International Consultants Ltd.
NAPIER P.O. Box 1482
CHRISTCHURCH

Ph: 06 835 3289 Ph: 03 363 5537

Fax: 06 835 3689 Fax: 03 365 7858
Email: kayrod@clear.net.nz Email: alan.marshall@opus.co.nz

2. TelstraClear Limited
TelstraClear Centre
Private Bag 92143
AUCKLAND.

Ph. 0508 606 606 or 09 912 4200

Fax. 0508 606 605

3. Tranz Rail Limited

Manager STE Engineering
Tranz Rail Limited
Private Bag
WELLINGTON