A method for the evaluation of fault current distribution in complex high voltage networks

•The paper presents an analysis methodology for studying interconnected earthing systems inside HV networks.•The proposed model is easily implementable using commercial spread sheet applications.•The model is compared with the classical “Double sided elimination” method.•The proposed method is applied to a real existing network highlighting its functionality.

The paper presents a method for the study of large interconnected earthing systems in High Voltage networks. The mathematical model proposed for calculating the distribution of the Single-line-to-Earth fault current is useful for a methodical and accurate analysis of complex systems having meshed configuration and more sources, and has practical application for the Transmission System Operator. Two case studies are provided. The first one considers a fault occurring inside and outside a station in a real 220 kV transmission network. In the second example, the proposed methodology is compared with the classical “Double-sided elimination” method.