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Copper Earthing Tape & Rods Protecting 33kV Substation & Transformer Bund

Published 06 Dec 2017

Copper Earthing Tapes

  • Application: Using Copper Earthing Tapes, Rods & CADWELD To Earth 33kV Substation, Switchgear & Transformer
  • Contractor: Power Jointing Services Ltd (Hampshire UK)  
  • Image Courtesy: Robert Coleman LV HV Cable Jointer at Power Jointing Services Ltd
  • Featured Product: Earthing & Lightning Protection MV HV

Copper Earthing Tapes & Earth Rods

33kV substation earthing is provided around the transformer bund and new building structure using copper earthing tapes, electrode rods and exothermic welding (CADWELDing) of the earth rods to tape – 50mm x 4mm earth tapes are installed as a ring and cross earthing design with 40mm x 4mm copper tape braised for additional stairs and walkway earthing.

The 33kV switchgear housing within the high voltage substation is earthed and bonded to a new transformer ring and Neutral Earth Resistors (NER). The copper tapes and earthing cables are shown connected to the 10 way earth bar. To achieve the required earth resistivity reading 3 x 1.2 metre length coupled copper earth rods were driven into the ground.

Driven earth rods are used to exploit lower resistivity ground conditions where present to reduce the earth potential rise (EPR) on substation earthing and lightning protection projects from 11kV/33kV up to 400kV.

Substation Earthing

Earthing of low, medium and high voltage electrical networks is critical to ensure safe and correct operation preventing and minimising against the consequences of a direct lightning strike to equipment and buswork within substations. UK DNO’s publish primary and secondary substation earthing designs for the application of earthing systems to HV and LV underground cables and overhead line networks, typically operating at 33kV, 20kV, 11kV, 6.6kV, 3kV and 2kV.

Similarly, the National Grid publish an Earthing Technical Specification for the lightning protection of transmission and distribution systems located in the busbar protection zone of the electricity grid operating at nominal voltages of 400kV, 275kV 132kV and 66kV. The general requirements of the substation earthing systems are compliance with technical standard EA TS 41-24 and British Standards BS EN 50522 and BS7430.

➡ Read our Blog about Substation Earthing

Earthing Standards

  1. Energy Network Association (ENA) Technical Standard (TS) 41-24 (Substation Earthing) – the standard provides guidelines for the design, installation, testing and maintenance of main earthing systems in substations
  2. BS EN 50522:2010 – the British Standard provides guidance for Earthing of Power Installations Exceeding 1kV a.c
  3. BS 7430:2011+A1:2015 – the British Standard is a code of practice for Protective Earthing of Electrical Installations
Copper Earth Tapes Earthing Substations 33kV

Copper Earth Tape – the earthing tape 40mm x 4mm shown bonding to the existing medium/high voltage substation earth bar

Copper Earth Tapes Earthing Substations 33kV

Copper Earth Tape Dropper – 50mm x 4mm earth tape is shown earthing switch 1 of 3 on the 33kV distribution board

Copper Earth Tapes Earthing Substations 33kV

Earth Tapes – the 50mm x 4mm copper tapes are routed back to the rebar earths on the earth bar

Copper Earth Tapes Earthing Substations 33kV

Transformer Earthing – using 40mm x 4mm copper earthing tape on the 33kV high voltage transformer

Power Jointing Services Ltd

Power Jointing Services Ltd established in 2007 specialising in 33kV-400V electrical network construction, establishing industrial and commercial supplies, installing residential service connections and street lighting connections. Also: High voltage service alterations, cable fault finding and replacement of assets including transformers, low voltage distribution boards and link boxes.

Copper Earthing Tapes & Products

T&D provide competitive prices and fast delivery from stock for Earthing & Lightning Protection products including copper tapes, rods, electrodes, earth bars and ancillary items for low, medium and high voltage substations.

♦ Visit Substation Earthing for further information.

Thorne & Derrick Specialist Electrical DistributorThorne & Derrick

LV ♦ MV ♦ HV

T&D distribute the most extensive range of LV, MV & HV Cable Jointing, Terminating, Installation & Cable Pulling Equipment – we service UK and international clients working on underground cables, overhead lines, substations and electrical construction at LV, 11kV, 33kV and EHV transmission and distribution voltages.

LV – Low Voltage Cable Joints, Glands, Cleats, Lugs & Accessories (1000 Volts)

LV – Low Voltage Cable Joints, Glands, Cleats, Lugs & Accessories (1000 Volts)

MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors (11kV 33kV EHV)

MV HV – Medium & High Voltage Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors (11kV 33kV EHV)

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Cable Laying – Underground Cable Covers, Ducting, Seals & Cable Pulling Equipment

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T&D’s Power Blog covers: LV MV HV & EHV Transmission & Distribution, Substations, Switchgear, Cable Jointing & Termination, Cable Fault & Repair, Underground Cables.

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