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Electric Security Fences for Power Substations: Electrical Safety of Induced Potentials
Summary
Electric security fences around power stations are safe, with induced voltages below human perception thresholds. Temporary grounding during installation is recommended for optimal safety.
Area of Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Power Systems Safety
Background:
- Copper theft from power stations is a growing concern, leading to fatalities.
- Electric security fencing is increasingly used to protect power stations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate capacitive and inductive coupling into electric security fence wires from overhead power lines.
- To assess the electrical safety of electric fences around power substations.
Main Methods:
- Calculated capacitively and inductively coupled voltages and currents.
- Analyzed 3-phase power grids with varying current imbalances.
- Considered different power line heights, angles, voltages, and currents.
Main Results:
- Induced voltages were typically below 15 V, the human perception threshold for AC frequencies.
- Calculated voltages are significantly lower than those posing cardiac safety risks.
- Typical fence placements resulted in safe induced voltage levels.
Conclusions:
- Electric security fences are safe for use around power substations.
- Recommend temporary grounding of fence lines during installation until connected to the fence energizer.
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