Evaluation of high-voltage AC cable grounding systems based on the real-time monitoring and theoretical calculation of grounding currents

For high-voltage (HV) AC cable transmission systems, the metal sheaths of three separate single-core cables are cross-bonded at each end of the cable section, to suppress the induced voltages in sheaths. The status of HV cable grounding systems is, therefore, an important consideration for power utilities. This study presents the status evaluations of 93 cable grounding systems in Beijing, obtained using the standards established by State Grid Corporation of China. As a result, 13 of these systems were classified as abnormal or defective. Additionally, a theoretical calculation of grounding currents was proposed and these 13 systems are re-evaluated by comparing the calculated and measured values of certain parameters. Based on this work, the authors propose a modified evaluation standards. It is indicated that the absolute value of grounding current (|I|) during a given 24-hr period has no relationship with the status of grounding system, and the ratio of grounding current to load current (K) at the time of maximum load current could be used as a status indicator instead of K at some other time, in order to avoid possible incorrect evaluations due to light load conditions.