IEC TS 62344:2013

Design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links - General guidelines

IEC/TS 62344:2013(E) applies to the design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links. It is intended to provide necessary guidelines, limits, and precautions to be followed during the design of earth electrodes to ensure safety of personnel and earth electrodes and prevent any significant impact they may exert on d.c. power transmission systems and the surrounding environment. This technical specification cancels and replaces IEC/PAS 62344 published in 2007. This first edition constitutes a technical revision.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Jan-2013
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.240.99 - Other equipment related to power transmission and distribution networks
• Technical Committee: TC 115 - High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission for DC voltages above 100 kV
• Drafting Committee: WG 1 - TC 115/WG 1
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 30-Apr-2018
• Completion Date: 16-May-2022

Relations

• Replaces: IEC PAS 62344:2007 - General guidelines for the design of ground electrodes for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC TS 62344:2022 - Design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links - General guidelines
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC/TS 62344 ®
Edition 1.0 2013-01
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links –
General guidelines
IEC/TS 62344:2013(E)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form

or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,

please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]

CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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IEC/TS 62344 ®
Edition 1.0 2013-01
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links –

General guidelines
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XC
ICS 29.240.99 ISBN 978-2-83220-575-4

– 2 – TS 62344 © IEC:2013(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7

INTRODUCTION . 9

1 Scope . 10

2 Normative references . 10

3 Terms and definitions . 10

3.22 current-releasing density . 13

4 System conditions . 14

4.1 General principles . 14
4.2 System parameters related to earth electrode design . 14
4.2.1 Amplitude and duration of the current . 14
4.2.2 Polarity . 14
4.2.3 Designed lifespan . 15
4.2.4 Common earth electrodes . 15
5 Design of land electrode stations . 15
5.1 Main technical parameters . 15
5.1.1 General principles . 15
5.1.2 Temperature rise . 16
5.1.3 Earthing resistance . 16
5.1.4 Step voltage . 17
5.1.5 Touch voltage . 17
5.1.6 Current density . 17
5.1.7 Field intensity in fish ponds . 18
5.2 Electrode site selection and parameter measurement . 18
5.2.1 General principles . 18
5.2.2 Data collection survey . 18
5.2.3 Distance from converter station (substation) . 18
5.2.4 Environment conditions . 19
5.2.5 Terrain and landform . 19
5.2.6 Measurement of soil parameters . 19
5.2.7 Geological exploration . 19
5.2.8 Topographical map . 19
5.2.9 Values selected during design . 19

5.3 Earth electrode and associated components . 20
5.3.1 General principles for material selection . 20
5.3.2 Selection of feeding rods and characteristics . 20
5.3.3 Chemical and physical properties of petroleum coke . 21
5.3.4 Current-guiding system . 21
5.3.5 Bus . 22
5.3.6 Electrode line monitoring device . 22
5.4 Electrode arrangement . 22
5.4.1 General principles . 22
5.4.2 Filling coke . 22
5.4.3 Selection of earth electrode shape. 22
5.4.4 Earth electrode corridor (right of way) . 23
5.4.5 Distance between sub-electrodes in the arrangement . 23
5.4.6 Burial depth of the earth electrodes . 23

TS 62344 © IEC:2013(E) – 3 –
5.4.7 Segmentation of earth electrodes . 24

5.5 Minimum size of earth electrode . 24

5.5.1 General principles . 24

5.5.2 Total earth electrode length . 24

5.5.3 Side length of coke section . 24

5.5.4 Diameter of feeding rods . 25

5.6 Current guiding system . 26

5.6.1 General principles . 26

5.6.2 Placement of the current-guiding wire . 26

5.6.3 Connection of current-guiding wire . 26

5.6.4 Selection of current-guiding wire cross-section . 27
5.6.5 Insulation of the current-guiding wire . 27
5.6.6 Disconnecting switch . 27
5.6.7 Connection of the feeding cable. 27
5.6.8 Connection of jumper cables . 28
5.6.9 Selection of cable structure . 28
5.6.10 Selection of cable cross-section . 28
5.6.11 Selection of cable insulation . 28
5.6.12 Cable welding position . 29
5.6.13 Welding . 29
5.6.14 Mechanical protection for cable . 29
5.7 Auxiliary facilities . 29
5.7.1 Online monitoring . 29
5.7.2 Soil treatment . 29
5.7.3 Exhaust equipment . 30
5.7.4 Fence . 30
5.7.5 Marker . 30
6 Design of sea electrode station and shore electrode station . 30
6.1 Main technical parameters . 30
6.1.1 Temperature rise . 30
6.1.2 Earthing resistance . 30
6.1.3 Step voltage . 31
6.1.4 Touch voltage . 32
6.1.5 Voltage gradient in water . 32
6.1.6 Current density . 32

6.2 Electrode site selection and parameter measurement . 32
6.2.1 General principles . 32
6.2.2 Data collection survey . 32
6.2.3 Distance from converter station (substation) . 32
6.2.4 Environment conditions . 33
6.2.5 Measurement of soil parameters . 33
6.3 Earth electrode and associated components . 33
6.3.1 General principles for material selection . 33
6.3.2 Common feeding rods and characteristics . 33
6.3.3 Chemical properties of petroleum coke . 34
6.3.4 Current-guiding system . 34
6.3.5 Bus . 34
6.3.6 Electrode line monitoring device . 34
6.4 Electrode arrangement . 34

– 4 – TS 62344 © IEC:2013(E)
6.4.1 General principles . 34

6.4.2 Filling coke . 34

6.4.3 Selection of earth electrode shape. 34

6.4.4 Segmentation of earth electrodes . 35

6.5 Current-guiding system . 35

6.5.1 Placement of the current-guiding wire . 35

6.5.2 Connection of current-guiding s
...

IEC/TS 62344 ®
Edition 1.0 2013-01
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links –
General guidelines
IEC/TS 62344:2013(E)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester.
If you have any questions about IEC copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication,
please contact the address below or your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

Useful links:
IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The advanced search enables you to find IEC publications The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical electrical terms containing more than 30 000 terms and
committee,…). definitions in English and French, with equivalent terms in
It also gives information on projects, replaced and additional languages. Also known as the International
withdrawn publications. Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) on-line.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication
details all new publications released. Available on-line and or need further assistance, please contact the
also once a month by email. Customer Service Centre: [e-mail].

IEC/TS 62344 ®
Edition 1.0 2013-01
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
colour
inside
Design of earth electrode stations for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links –

General guidelines
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
XC
ICS 29.240.99 ISBN 978-2-83220-575-4

– 2 – TS 62344 © IEC:2013(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
INTRODUCTION . 9
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms and definitions . 10
3.22 current-releasing density . 13
4 System conditions . 14
4.1 General principles . 14
4.2 System parameters related to earth electrode design . 14
4.2.1 Amplitude and duration of the current . 14
4.2.2 Polarity . 14
4.2.3 Designed lifespan . 15
4.2.4 Common earth electrodes . 15
5 Design of land electrode stations . 15
5.1 Main technical parameters . 15
5.1.1 General principles . 15
5.1.2 Temperature rise . 16
5.1.3 Earthing resistance . 16
5.1.4 Step voltage . 17
5.1.5 Touch voltage . 17
5.1.6 Current density . 17
5.1.7 Field intensity in fish ponds . 18
5.2 Electrode site selection and parameter measurement . 18
5.2.1 General principles . 18
5.2.2 Data collection survey . 18
5.2.3 Distance from converter station (substation) . 18
5.2.4 Environment conditions . 19
5.2.5 Terrain and landform . 19
5.2.6 Measurement of soil parameters . 19
5.2.7 Geological exploration . 19
5.2.8 Topographical map . 19
5.2.9 Values selected during design . 19
5.3 Earth electrode and associated components . 20
5.3.1 General principles for material selection . 20
5.3.2 Selection of feeding rods and characteristics . 20
5.3.3 Chemical and physical properties of petroleum coke . 21
5.3.4 Current-guiding system . 21
5.3.5 Bus . 22
5.3.6 Electrode line monitoring device . 22
5.4 Electrode arrangement . 22
5.4.1 General principles . 22
5.4.2 Filling coke . 22
5.4.3 Selection of earth electrode shape. 22
5.4.4 Earth electrode corridor (right of way) . 23
5.4.5 Distance between sub-electrodes in the arrangement . 23
5.4.6 Burial depth of the earth electrodes . 23

TS 62344 © IEC:2013(E) – 3 –
5.4.7 Segmentation of earth electrodes . 24
5.5 Minimum size of earth electrode . 24
5.5.1 General principles . 24
5.5.2 Total earth electrode length . 24
5.5.3 Side length of coke section . 24
5.5.4 Diameter of feeding rods . 25
5.6 Current guiding system . 26
5.6.1 General principles . 26
5.6.2 Placement of the current-guiding wire . 26
5.6.3 Connection of current-guiding wire . 26
5.6.4 Selection of current-guiding wire cross-section . 27
5.6.5 Insulation of the current-guiding wire . 27
5.6.6 Disconnecting switch . 27
5.6.7 Connection of the feeding cable. 27
5.6.8 Connection of jumper cables . 28
5.6.9 Selection of cable structure . 28
5.6.10 Selection of cable cross-section . 28
5.6.11 Selection of cable insulation . 28
5.6.12 Cable welding position . 29
5.6.13 Welding . 29
5.6.14 Mechanical protection for cable . 29
5.7 Auxiliary facilities . 29
5.7.1 Online monitoring . 29
5.7.2 Soil treatment . 29
5.7.3 Exhaust equipment . 30
5.7.4 Fence . 30
5.7.5 Marker . 30
6 Design of sea electrode station and shore electrode station . 30
6.1 Main technical parameters . 30
6.1.1 Temperature rise . 30
6.1.2 Earthing resistance . 30
6.1.3 Step voltage . 31
6.1.4 Touch voltage . 32
6.1.5 Voltage gradient in water . 32
6.1.6 Current density . 32
6.2 Electrode site selection and parameter measurement . 32
6.2.1 General principles . 32
6.2.2 Data collection survey . 32
6.2.3 Distance from converter station (substation) . 32
6.2.4 Environment conditions . 33
6.2.5 Measurement of soil parameters . 33
6.3 Earth electrode and associated components . 33
6.3.1 General principles for material selection . 33
6.3.2 Common feeding rods and characteristics . 33
6.3.3 Chemical properties of petroleum coke . 34
6.3.4 Current-guiding system . 34
6.3.5 Bus . 34
6.3.6 Electrode line monitoring device . 34
6.4 Electrode arrangement . 34

– 4 – TS 62344 © IEC:2013(E)
6.4.1 General principles . 34
6.4.2 Filling coke . 34
6.4.3 Selection of earth electrode shape. 34
6.4.4 Segmentation of earth electrodes . 35
6.5 Current-guiding system . 35
6.5.1 Placement of the current-guiding wire . 35
6.5.2 Connection of current-guiding system . 35
6.5.3 Selection of cable cross-section .
...