Effect of Lightning Impulse Current on The Kenaf Mixture Grounding System Model

The primary purpose of the grounding system is to protect humans, electrical appliances, and buildings from electrical shock due to lightning or another hazardous form of electricity. Grounding enhancement material is used to improve the resistance of the electrode. This research focuses on natural enhancement material, and kenaf was chosen as a research specimen. Since kenaf is a loose material, clay is mixed with kenaf as the bonding agent. COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to model a few grounding systems, including nine grounding enhancement material samples. Two types of analyses were carried out; electric field analysis and electric potential analysis. For the electric field analysis, the electric field value obtained from all the grounding systems modeled with GEM (kenaf and clay mixture) at positions top and bottom was analyzed and compared to evaluate the best grounding system model at both positions. The Heidler model was implemented to inject lightning impulse current for the electric potential analysis. The results show that the 100% kenaf composition sample obtained the lowest electric field value. Using the Heidler model, a 100% kenaf-clay mix received the lowest electric potential value compared to the other sample ratio and the reference grounding system modeled.