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EHV/HV Cable Sheath Earthing
DECEMBER 21, 2011 42 COMMENTS
Jignesh.Parmar

EHV/HV Cable Sheath Earthing:

Introduction: Blog Stats
15,295,254 hits
In urban areas, high voltage underground cables are commonly used for the transmission and distribution of
electricity. Such high voltage cables have metallic sheaths or screens surrounding the conductors, and/or armour
and metallic wires surrounding the cables. During earth faults applied to directly earthed systems, these metallic About Jignesh Parmar:
paths are expected to carry a substantial proportion of the total fault current, which would otherwise flow through
the general mass of earth, while returning to system neutrals. These alternative return paths must be considered Jignesh Parmar has completed M.Tech (Power

when determining the extent of the grid potential rise at an electrical plant due to earth faults. System Control), B.E(Electrical). He is member

For safety and reliable operation, the shields and metallic sheaths of power cables must be grounded. Without of Institution of Engineers (MIE) and CEng,India.

grounding, shields would operate at a potential considerably above ground. Thus, they would be hazardous to Membership No:M-1473586.He has more than

touch and would cause rapid degradation of the jacket or other material intervening between shield and 16 years experience in Transmission -

ground. This is caused by the capacitive charging current of the cable insulation that is on the order of 1 mA/ft of Distribution-Electrical Energy theft detection-

conductor length. Electrical Maintenance-Electrical Projects

This current normally flows, at power frequency, between the conductor and the earth electrode of the cable, (Planning-Designing-Technical Review-

normally the shield. In addition, the shield or metallic sheath provides a fault return path in the event of insulation coordination -Execution). He is Presently

failure, permitting rapid operation of the protection devices. associate with one of the leading business group

In order to reduce Circulating current and electric potential difference between the sheathings of single core three- as a Deputy Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He

phase cables, the sheathing is grounded and bonded at one or both ends of the cables. If the cable is long, double has published numbers of Technical Articles in

bonding has to be carried out which leads to circulating currents and increased total power loss. Raising the “Electrical Mirror”, “Electrical India”, “Lighting

sheath’s resistance, by decreasing its cross section and increasing its resistivity, can reduce this almost to the level India”,”Smart Energy”, “Industrial

of the core losses. Electrix”(Australian Power Publications)

However, in case of an earth fault, a considerable portion of the fault current flows through the increased sheath Magazines. He is Freelancer Programmer of

resistance, creating much higher power in the sheaths than in the faulty core. A simple solution, a conductor rod Advance Excel and design useful Excel base

buried into the soil above or under the cable can divert this power from the sheaths. Electrical Programs as per IS, NEC, IEC,IEEE
codes. He is Technical Blogger and Familiar with
Cable Screen: English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He
wants to Share his experience & Knowledge and
(1) Purpose of cable screen: help technical enthusiasts to find suitable
solutions and updating themselves on various
Engineering Topics.

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Cable screen controls the electric field stress in the cable insulation.
Cable Screen Provides return path for Cable neutral and fault current.
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If the screen is earthed at two ends than it provides Shielding for electromagnetic radiation. Follow This Blog by Email
Enclosing dangerous high voltage with earth potential for safety.

(2) Purpose of bonding cable screens at both ends:

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cables so by reducing the current flows in metallic sheath by different methods of bonding we can increases the Follow
 load current carrying capacity (ampacity) of the cable.
It provides low impedance fault current return path and provides neutral point for the circuit.
Electrical Notes-…
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It provides shielding of electromagnetic field.

(3) Induced voltage & circulating circulating current in cable screen:

Electromagnetic coupling between the core and screen Electromagnetic screen. Like Page
If the cable screen is single point bonded, no electrical continuity and mmf generates a voltage.
If the cable screen is bonded at both ends, the mmf will cause circulating current to flow if there is electrical
continuity. BUY ELECTRICAL NOTES IN PDF
The circulating current produces an opposing magnetic field.
Suitable bonding method should be employed to meet the standing voltage limit and keep Circulating current to an
acceptable level.

Laying Method of Cable:

The three Single core cables in a 3-phase circuit can be placed in different formations. Typical formations include
trefoil (triangular) and flat formations.
BUY ELECTRICAL SOFTWARES
(1) Trefoil Formation:

BUY ELECTRICAL NOTE IN PDF

To minimize the electromechanical forces between the cables under short-circuit conditions, and to avoid eddy-
current heating in nearby steelwork due to magnetic fields set up by load currents, the three single-core cables
comprising the three phases of a 3-phase circuit are always run clamped in ‘Trefoil’ formation.
Advantage:

1. This type of Formation minimizes the sheath circulating currents induced by the magnetic flux linking the cable
conductors and metallic sheath or copper wire screens. BUY ELECTRICAL SOFTWARES.
2. This configuration is generally used for cables of lower voltages (33 to 132kV) and of smaller conductor sizes.

Disadvantages:

1. The trefoil formation is not appropriate for heat dissipation because there is an appreciable mutual heating effect
of the three cables.
2. The cumulated heat in cables and cable trench has the effect of reducing the cable rating and accelerating the
cable ageing. Proud to be an IndiBlogger

(2) Flat Formation: electricalnotes.wordpress.c...

85 /100

This is a most common method for Laying LT Cable.

This formation is appropriate for heat dissipation and to increase cable rating.
The Formation choice is totally deepened on several factors like screen bonding method, conductor area and SEARCH

available space for installation.

Copyright © 2018
Type of Core and Induced Voltage:
The content in electricalnotes.wordpress.com is
(1) Three Core Cable: for personal, non-commercial use only. you can
For LT application, typically for below 11 kV. not reproduce,republish or communicate any of
Well balanced magnetic field from Three Phase. the content , including files downloadable from
Induced voltages from three phases sum to zero along the entire length of the cable. this website, without the permission of the
Cable screen should be earthed at both ends copyright owner.The use of this content on any
Virtually zero induced voltage or circulating current under steady state operation. other websites breaches copyright Act. If You
find this content in any other site,it makes the
(2) Single Core Cable: page you are viewing an infringement of the
For HV application, typically for 11 kV and above. copyright.
 Single–core cables neglects the use of ferromagnetic material for screen, sheath and armoring.
Induced voltage is mainly contributed by the core currents in its own phase and other two phases.If cables are laid
in a compact and symmetrical formation, induced in the screen can be minimized.
Recent Posts
A suitable screen bonding method should be used for single–core cables to prevent Excessive circulating current, Electrical Thumb Rules-VENTILATION &
high induced standing voltage.igh voltage. CEILING FAN

Electrical Thumb Rules-Light Sources

Accessories for HT Cable Sheath Bonding:
Quick Reference-Fire Fighting (Part-2)
(1) Function of Link Box?
Quick Reference-Fire Fighting (Part-1)
Link Box is electrically and mechanically one of the integral accessories of HV underground above ground cable
bonding system, associated with HV XLPE power cable systems. Electrical Thumb Rule- High Rise Building (As

Link boxes are used with cable joints and terminations to provide easy access to shield breaks for test purposes per NBC)

and to limit voltage build-up on the sheath Calculate Motor Pump Size

Calculate Size of Cable for Motor (As NEC)

How to Design efficient Street lighting-(Part-6)

How to Design efficient Street lighting-(Part-5)

How to Design efficient Street lighting-(Part-4)

Lightning, fault currents and switching operations can cause over voltages on the cable sheath. The link box How to Design efficient Street lighting-(Part-3)
optimizes loss management in the cable shield on cables grounded both sides. How to Design efficient Street lighting-(Part-2)
In HT Cable the bonding system is so designed that the cable sheaths are bonded and earthed or with SVL in such
How to Design efficient Street lighting-(Part-1)
way as to eliminate or reduce the circulating sheath currents.
Link Boxes are used with cable joints and terminations to provide easy access to shield breaks for test purposes Calculate Size of Pole Foundation & Wind
and to limit voltage build-up on the sheath. The link box is part of bonding system, which is essential of improving Pressure on Pole
current carrying capacity and human protection.
Calculate Size of Circuit Breaker/ Fuse for
Transformer (As per NEC)
(2) Sheath Voltage Limiters (SVL) (Surge Arrestors):
SVL is protective device to limit induce voltages appearing on the bonded cable system due to short circuit. Selection of Various Types of UPS (Part-2)

It is necessary to fit SVL’s between the metallic screen and ground inside the link box. The screen separation of Selection of Various Types of UPS (Part-1)
power cable joint (insulated joint) will be protected against possible damages as a result of induced voltages
Electrical Thumb Rules-Illumination-(Part-19).
caused by short circuit/break down.
Electrical Thumb Rules-Illumination-(Part-18).
Type of Sheath Bonding for HT Cable: Electrical Thumb Rules-Illumination-(Part-17).

There is normally Three Type of Bonding for LT/HT Cable Screen.

Archives
(1) Single Point Bonded.
November 2019 (1)
1. One Side Single Point Bonded System.
October 2019 (2)
2. Split Single Point Bonded System.
September 2019 (2)
(2) Both End Bonded System
August 2019 (2)
(3) Cross Bonded System July 2019 (2)

(1) Single point bonded system: June 2019 (1)

May 2019 (2)

(A) One Side Single Bonded System:
April 2019 (3)
A system is single point bonded if the arrangements are such that the cable sheaths provide no path for the flow of
circulating currents or external fault currents. March 2019 (2)
This is the simplest form of special bonding. The sheaths of the three cable sections are connected and grounded February 2019 (2)
at one point only along their length. At all other points there will be a voltage between sheath and ground and
January 2019 (3)
between screens of adjacent phases of the cable circuit that will be at its maximum at the farthest point from the
ground bond. December 2018 (2)
This induced voltage is proportional to the cable length and current. Single-point bonding can only be used for November 2018 (2)
limited route lengths, but in general the accepted screen voltage potential limits the length
October 2018 (1)

September 2018 (2)

August 2018 (3)

July 2018 (1)

June 2018 (1)

May 2018 (1)

 April 2018 (1)

March 2018 (1)

February 2018 (2)

January 2018 (1)

December 2017 (1)

November 2017 (1)

October 2017 (1)

September 2017 (1)

August 2017 (1)

July 2017 (2)

The sheaths must therefore be adequately insulated from ground. Since there is no closed sheath circuit, except June 2017 (1)
through the sheath voltage limiter, current does not normally flow longitudinally along the sheaths and no sheath
May 2017 (1)
circulation current loss occurs.
Open circuit in cable screen, no circulating current. April 2017 (1)
Zero volt at the earthed end, standing voltage at the unearthed end. March 2017 (1)
Optional PVC insulated earth continuity conductor required to provide path for fault current, if returning from earth
February 2017 (1)
is undesirable, such as in a coal mine.
SVL installed at the unearthed end to protect the cable insulation during fault conditions. January 2017 (1)
Induced voltage proportional to the length of the cable and the current carried in the cable .
December 2016 (1)
Zero volt with respect to the earth grid voltage at the earthed end, standing voltage at the unearthed end.
November 2016 (1)
Circulating current in the earth–continuity conductor is not significant, as magnetic fields from phases are partially
balanced. October 2016 (1)
The magnitude of the standing voltage is depended on the magnitude of the current flows in the core, much higher
September 2016 (1)
if there is an earth fault.
August 2016 (1)
High voltage appears on the unearthed end can cause arcing and damage outer PVC sheath.
The voltage on the screen during a fault also depends on the earthing condition. July 2016 (1)

June 2016 (1)

Standing voltage at the unearthed end during earth fault condition.
May 2016 (1)
During a ground fault on the power system the zero sequence current carried by the cable conductors could return
April 2016 (2)
by whatever external paths are available. A ground fault in the immediate vicinity of the cable can cause a large
difference in ground potential rise between the two ends of the cable system, posing hazards to personnel and March 2016 (2)
equipment.
February 2016 (2)
For this reason, single-point bonded cable installations need a parallel ground conductor, grounded at both
January 2016 (2)
ends of the cable route and installed very close to the cable conductors, to carry the fault current during ground
faults and to limit the voltage rise of the sheath during ground faults to an acceptable level. December 2015 (1)
The parallel ground continuity conductor is usually insulated to avoid corrosion and transposed, if the cables are
November 2015 (1)
not transposed, to avoid circulating currents and losses during normal operating conditions.
October 2015 (2)
Voltage at the unearthed end during an earth fault consists of two voltage components. Induced voltage due to
fault current in the core. September 2015 (1)

August 2015 (1)

Advantage:
July 2015 (1)
No circulating current.
June 2015 (1)
No heating in the cable screen.
Economical. May 2015 (1)

April 2015 (1)

Disadvantage:
March 2015 (2)
Standing voltage at the un–earthed end.
February 2015 (2)
Requires SVL if standing voltage during fault is excessive.
Requires additional earth continuity conductor for fault current if earth returned current is undesirable. Higher January 2015 (2)
magnetic fields around the cable compared to solidly bonded system. December 2014 (2)
Standing voltage on the cable screen is proportional to the length of the cable and the magnitude of current in the
November 2014 (2)
core.
Typically suitable for cable sections less than 500 m, or one drum length. October 2014 (2)

September 2014 (2)

(B) Split Single Point-bonded System:
August 2014 (3)
It is also known as double length single point bonding System.
Cable screen continuity is interrupted at the midpoint and SVLs need to be fitted at each side of the isolation joint. July 2014 (2)

June 2014 (2)

 Other requirements are identical to single–point–bonding system like SVL, Earth continuity Conductor, May 2014 (2)
Transposition of earth continuity conductor.
April 2014 (2)
Effectively two sections of single–point–bonding.
March 2014 (3)
No circulating current and Zero volt at the earthed ends, standing voltage at the sectionalizing joint.
February 2014 (4)

January 2014 (2)

December 2013 (1)

November 2013 (1)

October 2013 (2)

September 2013 (3)

August 2013 (3)

July 2013 (3)

June 2013 (3)

May 2013 (3)

April 2013 (2)

Advantages: March 2013 (3)

February 2013 (2)

No circulating current in the screen.
No heating effect in the cable screen. January 2013 (3)
Suitable for longer cable section compared to single–point–bonding system and solidly bonded single-core system. December 2012 (2)
Economical.
November 2012 (3)

Disadvantages: October 2012 (1)

September 2012 (3)

Standing voltage exists at the screen and sectionalizing insulation joint.
Requires SVL to protect the un–earthed end. August 2012 (7)
Requires separate earth continuity conductor for zero sequence current.
July 2012 (2)
Not suitable for cable sections over 1000 m.
Suitable for 300~1000 m long cable sections, double the length of single–point–bonding system. May 2012 (7)

April 2012 (2)

(2) Both End Solidly Bonded (Single-core cable) systems.
March 2012 (3)
Most Simple and Common method. February 2012 (2)
Cable screen is bonded to earth grids at both ends (via link box).
January 2012 (1)
To eliminate the induced voltages in Cable Screen is to bond (Earth) the sheath at both ends of the cable circuit.
This eliminates the need for the parallel continuity conductor used in single bonding systems. It also eliminates the December 2011 (3)
need to provide SVL, such as that used at the free end of single-point bonding cable circuits
November 2011 (2)
Significant circulating current in the screen Proportional to the core current and cable length and de rates cable.
October 2011 (4)
Could lay cable in compact trefoil formation if permissible.
Suitable for route length of more than 500 Meter. September 2011 (2)
Very small standing voltage in the order of several volts.
August 2011 (1)

June 2011 (5)

May 2011 (3)

April 2011 (12)

March 2011 (17)

EEP

Advantages:
 Minimum material required.
Most economical if heating is not a main issue.
Provides path for fault current, minimizing earth return current and EGVR at cable destination.
Does not require screen voltage limiter (SVL).
Less electromagnetic radiation.

Disadvantages:

Provides path for circulating current.

Heating effects in cable screen, greater losses .Cable therefore might need to be de–rated or larger cable required.
Transfers voltages between sites when there is an EGVR at one site.
Can lay cables in trefoil formation to reduce screen losses .
Normally applies to short cable section of tens of meters long. Circulating current is proportional to the length of the
cable and the magnitude of the load current.

(3) Cross-bonded cable system.

A system is cross-bonded if the arrangements are such that the circuit provides electrically continuous sheath runs
from earthed termination to earthed termination but with the sheaths so sectionalized and cross-connected in order Pages
to reduce the sheath circulating currents.
Abstract
In This Type voltage will be induced between screen and earth, but no significant current will flow.
The maximum induced voltage will appear at the link boxes for cross-bonding. This method permits a cable Abstract of CPWD-Part 1

current-carrying capacity as high as with single-point bonding but longer route lengths than the latter. It requires Abstract of IE Rules
screen separation and additional link boxes.
Abstract of IS Code.
For cross bonding, the cable length is divided into three approximately equal sections. Each of the three alternating
IS 1255
magnetic fields induces a voltage with a phase shift of 120° in the cable shields.
The cross bonding takes place in the link boxes. Ideally, the vectorial addition of the induced voltages results in U IS 15652/11171/1445/1678
(Rise) = 0. In practice, the cable length and the laying conditions will vary, resulting in a small residual voltage and
IS 3043 / 5039
a negligible current. Since there is no current flow, there are practically no losses in the screen.
The total of the three voltages is zero, thus the ends of the three sections can be grounded. IS 5613

Summing up induced voltage in sectionalized screen from each phase resulting in neutralization of induced IS 694 / 1554 / 11892
voltages in three consecutive minor sections.
Normally one drum length (500 m approx) per minor section. IE Rules for DP Structure
Sectionalizing position and cable jointing position should be coincident.
Electrical Notes
Solidly earthed at major section joints.
Transpose cable core to balance the magnitude of induced voltages to be summed up. ElectRICAL. Q&A
Link box should be used at every sectionalizing joint and balanced impedance in all phases. Electrical Q&A Part-1
Induced voltage magnitude profile along the screen of a major section in the cross–bonding cable system.
Electrical Q&A Part-2
Virtually zero circulating current and Voltage to the remote earth at the solidly earthed ends.
In order to obtain optimal result, two ‘‘crosses’’ exist. One is Transposition of cable core crossing cable core at Electrical Q&A Part-3
each section and second is Cross bond the cable screens effectively no transposition of screen. Electrical Q&A Part-4
Cross bonding of cable screen: It is cancelled induced voltage in the screen at every major Section joint.
Transposition of cables:It is ensure voltages to be summed up have similar magnitude .Greater standing voltage Electrical.Tool
at the screen of the outer cable. EXCEL TOOL
Standing voltages exist at screen and majority of section joints cable and joints must be installed as an insulated
screen system.
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Advantage:

Not required any earth continuity conductor.

Virtually zero circulating current in the screen.
Standing voltage in the screen is controlled.
Technically superior than other methods.
Suitable for long distance cable network.

Disadvantage:

Technically complicated.
More expensive.

Bonding Method Comparison:

Sheath
Standing
Voltage
Earthing Method Voltage at Application
Limiter
Cable End
Required

Single End Bonding Yes Yes Up to 500 Meter

Double End Bonding No No Up to 1 Km and Substations short

connections, hardly applied for HV
cables, rather for MV and LV cables

Cross Bonding Only at cross Yes Long distance connectionswhere joints

bonding points are required

Sheath Losses according to type of Bonding:

Sheath losses are current-dependent losses and are generated by the induced currents when load current flows in
cable conductors.
The sheath currents in single-core cables are induced by “transformer” effect; i.e.by the magnetic field of
alternating current flowing in cable conductor which induces voltages in cable sheath or other parallel conductors.
The sheath induced electromotive forces (EMF) generate two types of losses: circulating current losses (Y1) and
eddy current losses (Y2), so the total losses in cable metallic sheath are: Y= Y1+Y2
The eddy currents circulating radially and longitudinally of cable sheaths are generated on similar principles of skin
and proximity effects i.e. they are induced by the conductor currents, sheath circulating currents and by currents
circulating in close proximity current carrying conductors.
They are generated in cable sheath irrespective of bonding system of single core cables or of three-core cables
The eddy currents are generally of smaller magnitude when comparing with circuit (circulating) currents of solidly
bonded cable sheaths and may be neglects except in the case of large segmental conductors and are calculated in
accordance with formulae given in the IEC60287.
 Circulating currents are generated in cable sheath if the sheaths form a closed loop when bonded together at the
remote ends or intermediate points along the cable route.
These losses are named sheath circulating current losses and they are determined by the magnitude of current in
cable conductor, frequency, mean diameter, the resistance of cable sheath and the distance between single-core
cables.

Conclusion:
There is much disagreement as to whether the cable shield should be grounded at both ends or at only one end. If
grounded at only one end, any possible fault current must traverse the length from the fault to the grounded end,
imposing high current on the usually very light shield conductor. Such a current could readily damage or destroy
the shield and require replacement of the entire cable rather than only the faulted section.
With both ends grounded, the fault current would divide and flow to both ends, reducing the duty on the shield, with
consequently less chance of damage.
Multiple grounding, rather than just grounding at both ends, is simply the grounding of the cable shield or sheath at
all access points, such as manholes or pull boxes. This also limits possible shield damage to only the faulted
section.

References:

1. Mitton Consulting.
2. EMElectricals

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About Jignesh.Parmar
Jignesh Parmar has completed M.Tech (Power System Control), B.E(Electrical). He is member of
Institution of Engineers (MIE) and CEng,India. Membership No:M-1473586.He has more than 16
years experience in Transmission -Distribution-Electrical Energy theft detection-Electrical
Maintenance-Electrical Projects (Planning-Designing-Technical Review-coordination -Execution). He is Presently
associate with one of the leading business group as a Deputy Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He has published
numbers of Technical Articles in “Electrical Mirror”, “Electrical India”, “Lighting India”,”Smart Energy”, “Industrial
Electrix”(Australian Power Publications) Magazines. He is Freelancer Programmer of Advance Excel and design
useful Excel base Electrical Programs as per IS, NEC, IEC,IEEE codes. He is Technical Blogger and Familiar with
English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He wants to Share his experience & Knowledge and help technical
enthusiasts to find suitable solutions and updating themselves on various Engineering Topics.

42 Responses to EHV/HV Cable Sheath Earthing

Anand Rao says:
December 21, 2011 at 4:43 pm

Dear Jigneshji,
I am working in a 3 x 300MW Thermal Power plant. The 300MW, 20KV Generator is connected to the 400KV
switchyard thru’ 400/20KV trafo and we have a 315MVA, 400/220KV Inter-connecting transformer between the
400-to-220KV yards.
(a) We have a 220/6.6KV 50MVA station transformer (For Start-up power) in 220KV switchyard which energises 2
Nos. 6.6KV STATION switchboards.
(b) There is also 2 Nos. of 20/6.6KV, 20MVA Unit-Aux Transformers connected to Generator terminals. These
energise 2 Nos. of 6.6KV Unit switchboards.
(c) There is a TIE-BREAKER between 6.6KV Station and 6.6KV unit switchboards.
(d) Before synchronising, 6.6KV Unit-board is charged from 6.6KV Station-board (Unit-board incomer OFF) by
closing Station-to-Unit Tie breaker and all Auxiliaries on Unit-board get power from 6.6KV Station Board.
(e) After we synchronise to 400KV grid and are generating some 30 to 40MWs, we “Synch-Check” across Unit-
incomer breaker and change-over supply from 6.6KV Station trafo to Unit-Aux Trafo and switch OFF tie-between-
Unit-and-Station. So, all Auxiliaries are now fed from Unit Aux Trafo. This is called MANUAL-CHANGE OVER.
(f) If plant trips, the unit-incomer breaker trips, the tie-between-Station-Unit recloses and all Auxiliaries are
“Switched” back to the Station board (FAST-CHANGEOVER).
(g) The Synch-check relay (To allow FAST-changeover) is set at 10 degrees (Phase-angle diff), 7.5% (Voltage diff)
and 0.2Hz (Freq diff).
The Synch-check relay is normally giving “Synch-OK” signal during normal operation (ie. with 300MW
synchronised to 400KV grid, 400/2220KV ICT is ON and Aux. on 6.6KV unit-board). Recently, synch-check relay
started giving Not-OK signal. On checking, we find minimal voltage difference (< 1%) but a Phase-angle difference
of 7.3 degrees between station and Unit trafo 6.6KV voltages even though both 400KV and 220KV grids are
connected,
Unit-trafo to 6.6KV unit-board is thru Bus-duct (60 metres) and Station-Trafo to 6.6KV Station board is 800 metres
XLPE cable. Can the cable give this phase-shift we are seeing between Unit and Station boards?
Anand Rao
anand_rao_67@rediffmail.com

Reply

waqas says:
December 22, 2011 at 9:05 am

excellent presentation really..very useful..

Regards,

Waqas Ahmed

Reply

zahi says:
January 1, 2012 at 1:21 am

please if we are installing a 600 A feeder using single conductor cables.in order to eliminate sheath currentes what
we should do
A)use cable connectors that can accommodate bonding jumpers
B)use non-ferrous metalic plates at both ends of the conductors
C)Ground the supply side and isolate the load side
D)isolate both the supply and the load side from earth
thanks for your interesting

Reply

C.K.Bharathy says:
March 16, 2012 at 3:57 am

Hello Jignesh

I found your document very helpful. The fault level exceeding the screen capacity is the issue. The Three phase
fault (max) is 14 kA. The 11 kV cable 300 Sqmm cable with screen – screen fault rating is 10 kA for 1 second. The
screen bonded to earth at both ends.From your notes I gather only a portion of the short circuit current flows
through sheath (or some times screen). Is there a way to estimate the max possible current flow through screen?

Regards
Bharathy

Reply

zahi says:
March 16, 2012 at 9:31 pm

Thanks for your interested and I find your answer with the detailes.SO
o thankyou again.
Zahi Ezzat

Reply

Yasir Liaquat says:

May 8, 2012 at 4:44 am

Jigneesh brother thanx alot. i’m getting knowledge from your Site and your Experience. thanks again

Reply

victor says:
May 13, 2012 at 2:02 pm

The article is very informative. Thanks for sharing and more power to you jignesh.

Reply

SR says:
June 19, 2012 at 3:57 pm

Nice collection of information from all good books and presenting in a nice understandable form. Good effort. Keep
it up and continue to do this.

Reply

gopinath says:
September 9, 2012 at 9:00 am

is it requere to lay earthing cables along with hv cable betweeb subsations sub-a is 11kv connecteed to hv switch
gear conected to transformer at sub-b length is 1km

Reply

Jignesh.Parmar says:
September 9, 2012 at 10:15 am

Separate Earth Cable/Earth strip is required along with HV Cable . We laid more than 2km length Earth Strip
along with 66KV XLPE Cable.

Reply

Faisal b. Hareez says:

September 11, 2012 at 3:17 pm

Very useful info indeed. Sincerely appreciate.

Reply

Vijayakumar says:
February 23, 2013 at 9:16 am
Dear Mr. Jignesh, Thanks for an informative article. I am looking for the following information. 1) voltage limits at
the remote end of the single core cables earthed at one end. 2) is it preferable to earth the cable at source end or
the load end in case of earthing at one end 3) when to consider derating of cable in case of earthing the armor at
both ends of the cable (are there any standards).

Reply

Mr. Prashant Inamdar says:

March 28, 2013 at 11:19 am

This is really a good article to read.

One point I did not understand from above in both end grounding SVL is shown in one side and the induce voltage
graph is also not clear . Please correct me as as per understanding it should be bell curve strat from zero from one
end and rises at center and zero on other end.

Reply

Hardik Patel says:

April 4, 2013 at 11:15 am

Dear Jignesh Bhai,

Thank you for above very needful information but i would like to know that how to calculate the insulation level for
sheath bonding for high voltage cable.

Reply

raman says:
May 20, 2013 at 6:50 am

How to check if the cable is damaged or OK before laying.

Reply

prasannakumar says:
August 19, 2013 at 7:52 am

This very good & informative tech.article.

Kindly which cable is suitable for sheath cable to be used for 66kV cables link box. either PVC or XLPE. Is there
any tech.spec as per IEC

Reply

ravi says:
September 12, 2013 at 3:32 pm

sir, we have a lot of power cables HT & LT in our plant. Recently i abosrved some of the cables earth strip
connected to earth at one end of the cable and the some of the cables earth strip are connected to earth at both
ends. what is the advantages of single end connection and also what is the disadvantages of the both ends
earthing in the system.

Reply

Mustakul Alam says:

December 22, 2013 at 11:38 am

how many earthing should be there in a 33 KV underground cable???

Reply

Hubaibu says:
December 31, 2013 at 11:33 am
Could you please suggest , is there any IEEE or IEC standard prescribing the maximum allowed Circulating
current in conductor Transposed and cross bonded 132 kV cable system .

Reply

Gulzar Shaikh says:

January 20, 2014 at 3:18 pm

why single core cable shield eart is connecting only one side

Reply

Chandrashekar says:
February 24, 2014 at 9:22 am

Is there any standards for single point earthing of sheath of single core EHV XLPE UG Cables? Also, Could you
please suggest, as to wats the normal procedure for providing sheath earthing- Whether SVL is to be provided at
source end or load end and why?? Thanx & Regards,

Reply

PK says:
April 10, 2014 at 8:08 pm

Dear Jignesh.Parmar

I am Senior Project Engineer for substation Project. In My project there is 185mtr Long 66KV single core, 300
Sq.mm cable underground XLPE cable which is having aluminium armour.We have done cable termination and
provided provision for earthing on both side.The earthing strip is joing both the armour and semiconductor screen.
Since it is single core cable, I have done earthing on only one side to avoid circulating current. When cable is
charged, it is holding for 48 hours and got blasted where there is cable termination is done. The flash over is
taking place where there is earthing provision is done. It happened like this four times. We have re done the
termination and charged the cable again.The flash over is taking place one time this end and next time another
end alternatively. I have checked the distance protection relay fault record and found Directional Earth fault with
trip time 52 ms. I do not understand what could be the exact cause of this problem. Kindly assist me.

Reply

Shaban says:
December 29, 2014 at 5:11 am

Any mathematical explanation or proof for getting the single point bonding and cross bonding graphs? Please refer
any material that can help

Reply

Towana says:
June 2, 2015 at 6:52 pm

If MV cable aluminum armour, i need to be connect with screan and both of them to earth?

Reply

somansh says:
September 30, 2015 at 5:44 pm

Dear Jigneshji,

I am currrenlty working for 150kV cable design. it is a 3km power cable and has cross bonded system. Now if i
read every literature for cross bonding it says eqaul minor section lenght, but no one talks about cable size. If i
divide 3km in equal minor section 1 km each and i go for first 1 km of cable with 1200 sqmm and then second 1
km with 1600 sqmm and then another 1 km with 1600 sqmm so how does this effect the cross bonded system. I
know that this system will have circualting currrent because due to geometry of different cables.

Is there any cable designed with two different sizes of cable as above?
what disadvantages does this mix and match of cable sizes has?

Reply

Somansh says:
October 2, 2015 at 9:56 am

Hi all,

I have question regarding cross bonding. Can the different cable sizes be used in each minor section of one major
section? i.e 1200 sqmm on first minor section, then 1600 sqmm and then 1200 sqmm for minor section.

Reply

Norman says:
October 29, 2015 at 7:41 pm

Hi Jigneshji,

Is it possible to advise of the method to calculate the circulating current and standing voltage of a 300mm Single
Core 12.7/22kV Cu PVC AWA PVC Cable. We have a situation where the cable laid in trefoil, the ends faulted
(blew) four times over a period of 8 months and caused damage to the cable in some sections of a 900m length,
the ends were bonded at both ends. Can you advise if there is any way that we can assess if the cables must be
replaced.

Reply

Javier says:
December 3, 2015 at 5:39 pm

What does it recommend for a line of 145kV of 1800m of length, alone where I have an alone junction?. Is it
necessary to consider cable of continuity?

Reply

Venkata Chalapathi says:

December 16, 2015 at 1:31 pm

The representation of One side Single Point bonded diagram appears incorrect as there will be Sheath voltage
limiters (SVL) to be shown on the right hand side.

Reply

Venkata Chalapathi says:

December 16, 2015 at 1:40 pm

You can, providing the impedance is balanced between all 3 minor sections. i.e. X1L1 = X2L2 = X3L3. in this way
the induced voltages are balanced and does not result in circulating sheath losses. Note that prominent factor in
balancing the impedance is the inductive reactance which is a function of spacing between cables.

Reply

EIHAB says:
March 2, 2016 at 7:05 am

maximum permissible current is 3% in direct buried trench and 5% of injected current in ducts (flat formation)

Reply

Nprem says:
June 29, 2016 at 1:58 pm

hi, iam working in cable EHV cable works…now iam facing problem with one circuit consist of both single & cross
bonding earthing system iam unable to match sequence impedance can any one help me to solve this issue

Reply
nguyen nam says:
July 16, 2016 at 4:07 am

Hello Jignesh!
You can providing for me: the standards about Sheath Earthing for cable MV 22kV. Tks so much!!

Reply

Nawabjan says:
December 28, 2016 at 8:24 am

Dear sir,
1. Why the HV / MV Cables Not Laid with LV Cables together in the Same Trench?
2. What will be the Impact happen to the Cables if we Laid together?
3. Is there is any codification Number?
4. Please Provide the theoretical Observations..

Reply

Siddharth Sathe says:

February 9, 2017 at 2:32 pm

Hello Mr. Jignesh

We are providing a link box solution for a cable which is laid on a bridge. the contractor is also laying a 4th set of
cable as spare in case of fault and failure of one phase. They want to connect this spare phase to the link box. But
in my opinion this is not required and will undermine the use of cross bonding.

Can you suggest if grounding of this 4th cable set is even required? And if required, cross bonding 4 cables, what
will be the implication on the induced voltage on all 4 cables?

Reply

Antony Barrows says:

March 21, 2017 at 1:32 pm

Hello Hr. Jignesh,

Is the voltage profile diagram shown for bonding at both ends correct? The earthed end shall be at earth potential
and mid point of cable shall be at max Voltage. Please clarify.

Regards,

Antony Barrows

Reply

kadhim says:
April 26, 2017 at 6:13 am

Hello Hr. Jignesh

i have a project of laying xlpe single core 2000mmsq. alminum cable ,i have two circuit to cary 350mvea the cable
shuld be layed in reinforcd concrete trough what is the minmum distance between each cable and between the
two circuit and what is the max,lenght of the cable to be layed in hdpe pipe

Reply

ali kadhim says:

May 28, 2017 at 6:24 am

asked can use sheath of the cable to earth component such as earthing the house from SMDB

Reply

Gaurav Agarwal says:

 January 4, 2018 at 5:21 pm

Sir,

I am working on HT ABC 3CX95+70 Sqmm feeder, but i am facing the cable burning issues also a high noise
coming from the cable. As you have mentioned about the bonding techniques, here i just want to know what is the
authenticity of this data. Because i need to convence electricity board for the same to better serve. is there any
Indian or International standard on earthing of the cable.

My another doubt is that what feeder length we can go with HT ABC. is there any limit for the same.

Kindly share your response ASAP.

Reply

Ayub says:
April 15, 2018 at 5:08 pm

Any experience with MV ABC sheath earthing , its short circuit current rating , whether any type of bonding
possible to reduce the fault currents etc

Reply

saji says:
October 24, 2018 at 6:24 am

I want a guidance on the NEC cable sizing calculation. I want to use the single core NEC cable 750 AWEG for the
transformer (for each phases) .While referring the catalogue I am not seeing the copper grounding conductor.

Reply

Kiran Kumar says:

January 30, 2019 at 6:18 am

Dear Mr. Jignesh

We are laying 33kV cable for a distance of 9kM exposed to air, please suggest requirement of transposition of
cables along with Both end sheath bonding to limit sheath to earth surge voltages.

Reply

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