Introduction to Power System and Substation Grounding

Power System Grounding Fundamentals

• Introduction
• System grounding vs. equipment grounding vs. lightning protection
• Transformer configurations and system-neutral connections
• Neutral to earth connections
• Ground-return current impedance and paths
• Impedance-grounded systems and neutral-ground line reactors
• Introduction to voltage gradients and ground potential rise

System Applications

• Substation grounding principles
• Utility primary distribution grounding
• Key differences between utility and facility-grounding practices

Lightning Protection

• Arrester and grounding coordination
• Underground system considerations
• 60Hz vs. high-frequency surge impedance

Substation Grounding Electrodes and Ground Resistance

• Ground potential rise
• Voltage gradients
• Impacts of soil resistivity
• Applications of different grounding electrodes
• Materials and grounding components
• Fences and pre-cast screening/security walls
• Corrosion prevention
• Earth resistivity measurement applications and methods

Substation Ground Grid System Optimization Studies

• Design criteria
• Design input
• Fault current and fault current split factors
• Distribution vs. transmission substations
• Initial layout model
• Soil resistivity reports
• Overview of soil modeling
• Iterative step and touch-potential mitigation strategies
• Understanding deliverables (reports and drawings)
• Software options

Overview of NESC Grounding Requirements

• Industry terms and NESC definitions
• Exposure of public to electrical hazards
• Underground shielded cable (sheath-bonding options)
• Fences
• Grounding electrodes and methods of connection
• Interconnection to customers and joint-use utility structures
• Equipotential and safety ground requirements for work
• Sizing protective grounds (examples)

Project Grounding Drawing Examples

Class Exercises to Review Concepts

Registration Date/Time:
6/1/2026 08:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 6/1/2026  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time
• 6/2/2026  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time
• 6/3/2026  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time
• 6/4/2026  9:00am - 2:30pm Central Time

This course uses the Canvas course management and Zoom platforms. 

This course is taught online via the Zoom and Canvas platforms. Active participation is required to receive full credit. Please be prepared to attend on all days.

A UW NetID is required to access the online course. Follow the instructions in your registration confirmation email to create your NetID and access to the Canvas course site.

All materials for this course are digital and will be available on Canvas. 

• Instructors

  Steven Blume

  Steve is a registered professional engineer with a master’s degree in electrical engineering specializing in power systems, a bachelor’s degree specializing in telecommunications, and a NERC certified reliability coordinator. Steve’s 40 years in engineering and operations includes generation, transmission, distribution, protection, safety, and high voltage testing. He is active in IEEE and has published two books. Steve is the founder of Applied Professional Training and APT College.

  Adam Zook

  Project Manager

  Adam Zook is a project manager for Burns and McDonnell’s Substation Department in Chicago, IL. He is responsible for managing all aspects of substation client services and varying projects across the U.S. Prior to moving into project management, Adam was a consulting substation engineer, where he was the subject matter expert and process owner for grounding design and analysis studies. Adam began his career as a distribution engineer for ComEd, and he received his BSEE and MSEE degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with a concentration in power systems engineering.

  Kevin Rogers

  Program Director

  Kevin Rogers is an electrical engineer with a background in electrical power systems. He is a registered professional engineer, and his 18 years of industry experience spans across electric utility, government, commercial, and industrial applications. His technical responsibilities have included design and commissioning of mission-critical facilities, underground medium voltage distribution planning, design, and operations, high-voltage substation design, and relaying protection and control for complex interconnections.

• Program Director

  Kevin Rogers

Fee covers digital materials and online, live instruction. 

When two or more sign up from same employer, your course fee is $1295 per person.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

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Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

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Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.