INVESTIGATION OF EARTHING ARRANGEMENT FOR SINGLE WIRE EARTH RETURN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Abstract

Loss saving & low cost technology is a call for the supply authority either Govt. or Private to renovate old conventional L. V. distribution system of electricity into H.V. distribution system in major areas of Rural electrification and Agricultural pump-sets energization. As per 1991 census data, only about 35% of the total power generated in India is consumed by 70% of the country's rural population. There is a need to extend the facility of electricity for increase of per capita energy consumption in rural sectors having low load densities and small cottage industries. Single Wire Earth Return System (SWER) is one kind of most economical andloss saving HV distribution system suitable for rural scattered loads of both domestic & Agricultural pumps. Again, the single wire earth return system is using the earth in general as a conductor to complete the return path from distribution transformer (6.35/0.440 KV) to 33/11 KV power transformer. Now since it is a continuous current carrying process the earthing system at distribution transformer poses some problems towards : - High Ground potential rise - Increased step & touch potentials - Power loss on grounding system (I2x Rg)