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Home » Ask the Experts Electrical Earthing Blog » Revolutionary CDEGS Earthing Software Shifting the Energy Industry

14/08/2014 By Ian

Revolutionary CDEGS Earthing Software Shifting the Energy Industry

2010 saw changes to the code of practice for earthing above 1kV for developing energy facilities.  This became enforceable in 2012 across the EU, where the standard explicitly recognises the role that revolutionary CDEGS Earthing software now plays in compliant electrical earthing design.

CDEGS Earthing Software Sample plot
The plot on CDEGS Earthing Software

Therefore showing the changes identify that the best practice is to model energy using specialised CDEGS earthing software.

So, with a rise from 11 to 17 in 2012/13. In the number of fatalities in the UK electricity and services sector. Regulators deemed that changes were crucial. Although these figures do not clarify how many are due to insufficient earthing. Therefore it is accepted in the industry that this has caused deaths in the past.

3D CDEGS Earthing Software Innovation

Also, a solution to comply with these changes. And ensure a safer site is CDEGS. – Current Distribution, Electromagnetic Fields, Grounding and Soil Structure Analysis. Therefore, this earthing or grounding software creates a 3D model of the area. And mathematically simulates the fault energy return current under the ground AND the magnetic/electric fields created. Particularly useful when studying overground systems. Also for modelling above ground earthing systems using CDEGS Software. Is an under-utilised benefit of the software. Such as for GIS substations, lightning attachment studies and interference. So, this innovative use of the software could open a door into a whole new field of problem-solving. For asset owner/managers. Also scheme project leaders alike.

However, if you’ve never seen the software in action. Not all CDEGS are equal. – CDEGS builds a 3D virtual version of the system under study. And the qualified researcher can test various scenarios (faults or attachments). As a result, his approach creates an easy to understand, a visual map of the various outcomes.  These maps can be used to assess how the earthing system performs. As well as how a human might be affected when interacting with the system (safety assessments).

As a result, managers are empowered with knowledge and awareness of the risks on their site. And, this invaluable understanding saves companies vast amounts of money and potentially save lives.

CDEGS Voltage Dispersion if a Fault were to occur
This visual map shows the voltage dispersion if a fault were to occur. As distance increases, voltage decreases as illustrated by the colour scheme.

Or perhaps our Understanding Rise of Earth Potential Video below will explain a little better.

Specialist CDEGs Skills

So, using the CDEGS earthing software is a complex task, one that requires a high level of competence and qualification. And, GreyMatters is amongst the elite. Being only one of four companies in Europe fully licensed and qualified in the use of this revolutionary CDEGS Software.

Examples of projects using CDEGS Earthing Software:  data-centres, inter-connectors, wind turbines, lightning attachments to rail infrastructure, solar parks, and off-shore ships. Together with the usual suspects, e.g. substations and power stations.  So, knowing and understanding the dangers of energy is vital. Therefore, CDEGS Software is essential to ensure that people in proximity to equipment and the facility itself, are safe.

Lack of awareness of these recent codes of practice changes means companies can be carrying significant business risk.

So, don’t take the risk with your business. GreyMatters will ensure that you remain fully compliant and have a better knowledge of the risks associated with your facility.

Software Tools Update – Jan 2020

Regular readers of this blog will know GreyMatters have championed CDEGS for many years. But now there is a viable and attractive alternative to CDEGS. I explain “Why I chose this alternative” in this article. And compare several past projects, done with CDEGS and the alternative – in this article.

Next Steps

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Filed Under: CDEGS, Soil Resistivity Tagged With: BS7430, CDEGS, Earthing, Electrical Earthing System Design, Energy Modelling Software, Fault Energy, Finite Element Analysis, Finite Element Analysis Software, Return Current

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About Ian

This post is written by Ian Griffiths, Principal Engineer at GreyMatters, an Earthing & Lightning Consultant of 28 years, one of the top 1% accredited CDEGS and XGSLab consultants and professional advisor to international utility companies, data centre and infrastructure developers.

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