Design and Validation of an Enhanced Earthing System for Low Ground Resistance

Grounding systems are critical for ensuring electrical safety, minimizing fault currents, and enhancing infrastructure reliability, particularly in regions with high-resistivity soil. This study presents the design, simulation, and field implementation of a low-resistance earthing system integrating bentonite, charcoal, and sodium chloride to reduce soil resistivity. Using ETAP software, the performance of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and IEEE Std. 80-2013 grounding models are compared under a 30kA fault current scenario. FEM simulations predict a ground resistance of 0.028 Ω and a Ground Potential Rise (GPR) of 627.4 V, while the IEEE method yields 0.269 Ω and 5996.5 V, respectively. Field measurements using a UNI-T Ground Tester validate the FEM results, recording an actual ground resistance of 0.023 Ω, well below the IEEE-recommended 1 Ω threshold, surpassing this conventional benchmark by 98%. A comparative analysis of recent studies highlights the superiority of the composite material approach. The FEM model’s accuracy in capturing soil stratification and material effects is validated, while safety metrics (step/touch voltages) adhere to the IEEE standard. This work bridges theoretical innovation and practical implementation, offering a replicable framework for resilient grounding systems in challenging environments.