Earth Potential Rise

Earth Potential Rise

In electrical engineering, earth potential rise (EPR) also called ground potential rise (GPR) occurs when a large current flows to earth through an earth grid impedance. The potential relative to a distant point on the Earth is highest at the point where current enters the ground, and declines with distance from the source. Ground potential rise is a concern in the design of electrical substations because the high potential may be a hazard to people or equipment.

The change of voltage over distance (potential gradient) may be so high that a person could be injured due to the voltage developed between two feet, or between the ground on which the person is standing and a metal object. Any conducting object connected to the substation earth ground, such as telephone wires, rails, fences, or metallic piping, may also be energized at the ground potential in the substation. This transferred potential is a hazard to people and equipment outside the substation.

Read more about Earth Potential Rise:  Causes, Step, Touch, and Mesh Potentials, Mitigation, Calculations, Standards and Regulations, High-voltage Protection of Telecommunication Circuits

Famous quotes containing the words earth, potential and/or rise:

    We therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection.
    The Burial Service, Book of Common Prayer (1662)

    Not many appreciate the ultimate power and potential usefulness of basic knowledge accumulated by obscure, unseen investigators who, in a lifetime of intensive study, may never see any practical use for their findings but who go on seeking answers to the unknown without thought of financial or practical gain.
    Eugenie Clark (b. 1922)

    ...for [God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
    Bible: New Testament, Matthew 5:45.