Grounding System Analysis in the Frequency Domain

GSA_FD can be used for advanced analysis of underground systems in the frequency domain from DC to about 100 MHz and is commonly used for medium and large systems size like substations, photovoltaic plants or wind plants, for cathodic protection and anode bed analysis or for calculations at high frequency.

GSA_FD can be used also for advanced electromagnetic interference analysis of underground systems in the frequency domain from DC to about 100 MHz and is commonly used for the evaluation of interference between power cables and pipelines.

GSA_FD includes the tools SRA and SA for soil resistivity analysis, soil resistivity seasonal analysis and multilayer soil modelling.

GSA_FD is highly appreciated for its power and accuracy and is irreplaceable where the hypothesis of equipotential condition of the electrode is not acceptable.

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GSA_FD is based on a PEEC full wave numerical model and can be applied in general conditions with systems composed by many distinct electrodes of any shape, size and kind of conductor (solid, hollow or stranded and coated or bare) into a uniform, multilayer or multizone soil model in a large frequency range from DC to about 100 MHz. GSA_FD can also consider single core and multicores screened conductors. It is moreover important to consider that GSA_FD is able to takes into account the frequency dependence of soil parameters according to many models including Messier, Visacro - Portela, Visacro – Alipio and the model with a general consensus indicates in the CIGRE TB 781 2019.

The graphical (from “dxf” files or from the integrated CAD) and numerical input data, the optimised and validated computation algorithms, the powerful graphical facilities render GSA_FD an indispensable tool for grounding system design and verification, when the drop voltage on conductors cannot be ignored.

GSA_FD includes the modules SRA to calculate multilayer soil model parameters starting from measured soil resistivity data and SA to calculate the effects of seasonal climate change.

GSA_FD can also consider a multizone sol model. A multizone soil model should be used when the size of the conductors network is so large than the horizontal soil resistivity changing are more significant than vertical variations.

GSA_FD is one of the most powerful and general software on the market for grounding system analysis and can be used to solve electromagnetic compatibility or interference problems due to resistive, capacitive and inductive coupling in the earth.

GSA_FD is also useful to calculate magnetic field due to grounding systems or buried cables and can be used to investigate the effectiveness of passive loop mitigation systems.

In DC conditions, GSA_FD can be used for the cathodic protection and anode bed analysis, with impressed current systems involving extensive coated and uncoated buried structure.

  • Additional Electrical data (e.g. injected current or specified potential in an arbitrary number of points, impressed or induced EMF, operative frequency, additional longitudinal impedances, etc.)
  • Additional Geometrical data (topology of the conductors network, conductors and screened conductors cross section, coating thickness, material properties, etc.)
  • Additional Physical data (e.g. soil permittivity, model for frequency dependence of soil parameters, etc.)
    • Ground impedance and Ground Potential Rise of all reference points (ground impedance is calculated as ratio between its GPR of the specific point and the total injected current in the electrodes)
    • Distribution of leakage current from the electrodes with 1D (magnitude, real and imaginary), 2D and 3D graphical representation to verify the efficiency of specific grounding system parts
    • Distribution of longitudinal current (transferred or induced) on the electrodes with 1D (magnitude, real and imaginary), 2D and 3D graphical representation
    • Distribution of potential (transferred or induced) on the electrodes with 1D (magnitude, real and imaginary), 2D and 3D graphical representation
    • Distribution of complex power on the electrodes with 1D (magnitude, real and imaginary), 2D and 3D graphical representation
    • Magnetic field distributions on horizontal straight line or rectangular area with 1D, 2D and 3D coloured graphic representations, for individuation of safe and hazardous areas
  • Calculation model based on “PEEC” method in full-wave conditions
  • Automatic advanced debug of data before calculation
  • Automatic recognition of the connections between conductors
  • Possibility to consider the soil permittivity
  • Possibility to consider the frequency dependence of soil parameters and allows setting the used model choosing from the most established
  • Possibility to analyse up to 999 distinct underground electrodes on the same calculation
  • Possibility to consider additional longitudinal and transverse impedances
  • Possibility to consider energization using both multiple current and voltage sources
  • Possibility to analyse electrodes buried in a multizone soil model