This photo shows the overall lab and electrolytic tank.
Slide 3
The layout of the model test probes is shown in this photo. The
white probes are spaced 6 inches apart and were used to measure the
tank water resistivity at a depth of 6 inches. The black probe
offset from the others is the temporary ground rod (TGR) probe and
the other three probes (spaced 0.0413 m from the TGR) are the
probes used to measure touch, step, and transfer touch
potential.
Slide 4
This photo shows the underside of the model. The model
substrate is Styrofoam which was used because of it is an insulator
at the voltages being used, it floats and provides a self-leveling
substrate for the probes and ensures consistent contact with water
surface, and it is easy to work with.
Slide 5
Slide 3 Continued The model scale is 0.5-inch = 1 foot. This
scale was chosen based on tank dimensions and the need to simulate
remote ground, the types and sizes of grounding electrodes to be
modeled, and the rim size of a 22 caliber casing which is
approximately 0.25 inches. In Phase I it was determined to use a
circular metallic plate with a radius of 8 cm for the human foot
per previous research performed and IEEE standards. This was the
dimension used for the base of the test legs that were fabricated
earlier this year for field testing. The diameter of the circular
metallic plate is 0.52 foot which is very close at the 0.5-inch
scale to the rim diameter of a 22 caliber casing. The TGR probe is
2.5 inches which equates to 5 feet which is the maximum depth that
a TGR is installed at the worksite. The diameter of the #12 solid
copper conductor used to model a TGR is greater than a TGR is at
0.5 inch scale. However, the resistivity of a TGR or probe is not
sensitive to its diameter and #12 was used for its stiffness. In
further tests a wire gage that better matches the diameter of a TGR
in scale will be used but it is not expected to impact the
measurements. As noted above, the electrodes used to measure touch,
step, and transfer step voltage are 22 caliber casings set flush
with the Styrofoam substrate to simulate a person standing on grade
in the vicinity of a TGR. A #12 solid copper conductor is soldered
to the inside of the casing to provide a connection point for
measurements.
Slide 6
Shows the underside of the model from a different angle. The
step voltage probes are spaced at a scaled 1 meter from one another
per IEEE standards for step and touch voltage.
Slide 7
This photo shows one of the four probes used to measure water
resistivity. These probes are 0.25 inches because they need to be
less than one-twentieth of the distance between them for the Wenner
4-point test method. An AEMC Model 4620 was used to measure water
resistivity which has varied from about 17.0 ohm-meter to bout 19.6
ohm-meter over the past couple of weeks. The resistivity measured
by the AEMC Model 4620 was checked against measurements using a
conductivity meter and Humboldt soil resistivity box. The AEMC
resistivity and conductivity meter measurements are close
indicating that the AEMC meter can be used for this purpose. The
Humbolt soil box gives a higher resistivity measurement (about 20
ohm- meter) but I think this is due to the DC power supply that I
am using which is too small for the purpose. I will have a bigger
DC power supply later this week that should be able to better
simulate a constant current source and hopefully resistivity
measurements that are closer to the AEMC tank measurements and the
conductivity meter measurements
Slide 8
Another photo of the tank and model at a different angle.
Slide 9
Shows the probe connections and the model in the tank. These
connections will be made using screw terminals and #14 stranded CU
conductor in further model testing. Alligator clip jumpers were
used for the preliminary tests because they make for an easier set
up.
Slide 10
Photo of the equipment used to perform measurements. Fluke
models 179, 335, and 189 multimeters with AEMC model 4620 in
background.
Slide 11
THANKS TO KCPL I want to thank Brian Flier at KCPL for
providing me with transmission line parameters last week. They will
be very helpful. NON-DESTRUCTIVE IN-SERVICE TEMPORARY GROUND JUMPER
ASSEMBLY TESTING Jeff Thomas (KU Jeff - not A. B. Chance Jeff) is
doing his master's thesis on non-destructive in-service temporary
ground jumper assembly testing. We will be experimenting with
methods other than resistance to detect connection and cable
problems. If anyone can lend us some TGJAs (good and bad) to
experiment with we would appreciate it. Created by rsolwa on
October 19, 2006rsolwa Last updated June 20, 2006