Dimensionamento de malha de aterramento utilizando Matlab

Abstract

Grounding has become increasingly essential, not only for the safety of individuals in everyday use but also for the protection of professionals in the field. An effective grounding system is crucial for the proper functioning of electrical and industrial installations, with particular importance in the areas of sensing and electronics. In terms of safety, two critical potentials are considered: touch potential, which refers to the voltage between the hands and feet when touching an energized piece of equipment, and step potential, which is the voltage between two feet caused by an energized ground. Both result in currents flowing through the body, with established limits to prevent harm to humans. Grounding systems can be implemented using various methods depending on local conditions, with grounding meshes being the most common approach. Since the 19th century, mathematical models have been developed to represent the real conditions of an installation, taking into account soil characteristics, resistivity, fault currents, and acceptable limits for the human body. However, the pursuit of greater precision incurs high computational costs, necessitating the use of more sophisticated software. This study proposes using MATLAB as a platform for the dimensioning of grounding meshes, applying theoretical concepts to achieve acceptable specifications within predefined parameters, while combining precision and practicality through iterative methods.