Frequency-dependent grounding impedance of the counterpoise based on the dispersed currents

When surges and electromagnetic pulses from lightning or power conversion devices are considered, it is desirable to evaluate grounding system performance as grounding impedance. In the case of large-sized grounding electrodes or long counterpoises, the grounding impedance is increased with increasing the frequency of injected current. The grounding impedance is increased by the inductance of grounding electrodes. This paper presents the measured results of frequency-dependent grounding impedance and impedance phase as a function of the length of counterpoises. In order to analyze the frequency-dependent grounding impedance of the counterpoises, the frequency-dependent current dissipation rates were measured and simulated by the distributed parameter circuit model reflecting the frequency-dependent relative resistivity and permittivity of soil. As a result, the ground current dissipation rate is proportional to the soil resistivity near the counterpoises in a low frequency. On the other hand, the ground current dissipation near the injection point is increased as the frequency of injected current increases. Since the high frequency ground current cannot reach the far end of long counterpoise, the grounding impedance of long counterpoise approaches that of the short one in the high frequency. The results obtained from this work could be applied in design of grounding systems.