Groundings of metal structures of power transmission towers ensure safe and reliable operation of the power system. Groundings degrade in the soil due to corrosion, making timely maintenance essential. At the beginning of this master's thesis, the theory behind grounding resistance is presented. It has been identified as one of the indicators for monitoring the condition of the grounding. However, it has some drawbacks.
The purpose of this master's thesis is to develop additional indicators that support the maintenance of groundings from several points of view. One of the most important indicators is the criticality of the grounding location. The most critical locations are near residential and industrial buildings, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and public areas as they ensure safety for people. Inadequate grounding can also cause damage to other infrastructure in the vicinity, such as gas and water pipelines, electronic communications, and other power systems. The lifespan of the grounding is also an important indicator. The corrosion rate depends on soil type and is calculated using the specific resistance of the soil, the pH value, the moisture content, and the aeration. In addition, the groundings may be subjected to corrosion due to stray currents generated in the vicinity of a DC electrified railway.
In the final part, the values of the indicators for 211 grounding locations are calculated. The technical data of the groundings are presumed. The calculation is enhanced with a display of indicators on an interactive map, which allows a comprehensive analysis. Such a map speeds up and facilitates the process of maintenance of the groundings.
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