GSA is a widely utilized and recognized module for grounding and earthing grid calculations and design at low frequency including soil resistivity analysis.

GSA takes into account International (IEC/TS 60479-1:2018), European (EN 50522:2022) and American (IEEE Std 80-2013) Standards.

XGSLab is then also according to widespread national standards or code of practice like for instance Indian (IS 3043:2018) Standards.

GSA is based on a PEEC static numerical model and to the equipotential condition of the electrodes and can analyse the low frequency performance of grounding systems composed by many distinct electrodes of any shape but with a limited size into a uniform or multilayer soil model.

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GSA_FD is a module for grounding and earthing grid calculation and design in the frequency domain, including soil resistivity analysis and represents the state of the art of advanced grounding software.

GSA_FD is based on a PEEC full wave numerical model and can be applied in general conditions with systems composed by many distinct electrodes of any shape, size and kind of conductor (solid, hollow or stranded and coated or bare) into a uniform, multilayer or multizone soil model in a large frequency range from DC to about 100 MHz. GSA_FD can also consider single core and multicores screened conductors. It is moreover important to consider that GSA_FD is able to takes into account the frequency dependence of soil parameters according to many models and in particular in the model with a general consensus indicates in the CIGRE TB 781 2019.

GSA_FD allows the analysis also of large electrodes whose size is greater than the wavelength of the electromagnetic field as better specified in the following. GSA_FD then overcomes all limits related to the equipotential condition of the electrodes on which GSA is based. With the equipotential condition hypothesis, the maximum touch voltage is widely underestimated and this may result in grounding system oversizing with additional cost sink even 50%.

The implemented model considers both self and mutual impedances. Experience shows that often, mutual impedances cannot be neglected not even at power frequency. A few competitors take into account self impedance and a very few competitors consider the mutual impedance effects and this can lead to significant errors in calculations. Neglecting self impedance effects is often unacceptable, but neglecting mutual impedances can lead to errors over the 20% in calculations also at power frequency. It is important to consider that calculation accuracy often means saving money and indeed, so GSA_FD can allow a significant cost saving in grounding system construction and materials.

GSA_FD can also calculates magnetic fields due to grounding systems or cable, and electromagnetic interference (induced current and potential due to resistive, capacitive and inductive coupling) between grounding systems or cable and pipeline or buried electrodes in general.

In DC conditions, GSA_FD is a good tool for cathodic protection and anode bed analysis with impressed current systems.

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XGSA_FD is a module for analysis of aboveground and underground systems in the frequency domain.

XGSA_FD extends the GSA_FD application field to the aboveground systems.

Also XGSA_FD is based on a PEEC full wave numerical model and can be applied in general conditions with same conductors and in the same frequency range of GSA_FD.

Using screened conductors XGSA_FD can simulate gas insulated systems like GIS and GIL.

XGSA_FD can also manage catenary conductors and bundle conductors too and can take into account sources where potential or leakage current and longitudinal current are forced and independent by other conditions. For these reasons XGSA_FD is probably one of the most powerful and multipurpose tool on the market for these kind of calculations.

In addition to GSA_FD, XGSA_FD can calculate electromagnetic fields and interference between aboveground and underground systems (for instance between overhead or underground power lines and installation as pipelines, railways or communications lines).

Moreover XGSA_FD can calculate the electromagnetic force (Lorentz force) on conductors.

Finally, XGSA_FD can consider Surge Protective Devices.

XGSA_FD integrates also some powerful tools for the evaluation of the corona effects (power losses and radiofrequency interference) and the evaluation of the electromagnetic force effects on busbars and supports.

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XGSA_TD is a module for analysis of aboveground and underground systems in the time domain.

XGSA_TD is a powerful module which extends the XGSA_FD application field to the time domain.

In this regard, XGSA_TD uses the so called “frequency domain approach”. This approach is rigorous and allows considering the frequency dependence of soil parameters.

As known, a transient can be considered as the superposition of many single frequency waveform calculated with the forward Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT).

Using the frequency domain PEEC model implemented in XGSA_FD it is then possible calculate a response for each of these single frequency waveform.

The resulting time domain response can be obtained by applying the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform to all these responses calculated in the frequency domain.

The calculation sequence implemented in XGSA_TD is also called FFT – PEEC – IFFT.

XGSA_TD has been tested for the simulation of transients with a maximum frequency spectrum up to 100 MHz and then can be used for switching transients, lightning and also in fault transients in GIS.

XGSA_TD can consider transients with known equations like Double Exponential, Pulse or Heidler (transients used in EMC studies).

XGSA_TD can also consider transients with arbitrary equations or recorded and then known as a discrete number of samples (transients used in lightning and HV studies).

Moreover XGSA_TD can calculate the electromagnetic force (Lorentz force) on conductors.

XGSA_TD includes an option to export frequency dependent self and mutual impedances to EMTP® or ATP® in order to simulate with a rigorous model the dynamic behaviour of large grounding systems during electromagnetic transients.

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NETS is a very flexible tool able to solve full meshed multi-conductor and multi-phase networks taking into account all the neutral conductors paths as well as the earth path.

NETS is based on the phase components method (and then on Kirchhoff laws) and graphs theory for multi-conductor and multi-phase systems.

The phase components method is general and overcomes the limits of the classic sequence components method.

The sequence component method is well established since 1918, but it can be used only with symmetrical systems or for systems quasi-symmetrical like the common transmission power lines (overhead lines and cables) or transformers. Non-symmetrical conditions could happen, for instance in case of power lines when the phase geometry is not equilateral and transposition is not used.

Moreover, the sequence component method cannot be used in case of multiple grounded systems or in case of problems that involve currents to earth.

The phase components method can be used to represent power systems as multi-conductor networks enabling the consideration of non-symmetrical systems also in presence of multiple grounding circuits.

The network components (generators, lines, single core and multicores cables, transformers, loads, switches, faults …) are represented using multi-port cells and the connection between cells is obtained by means of multi-port buses.

NETS considers also a special hybrid cell where cables, lines and conductors (pipes, rails, counterpoises …) can be combined in a single multi-port cell. This special cell can be useful for the evaluation of electromagnetic interference in case of powerline or railways corridors and the calculation of current distribution in railways.

The grounding systems (substation grids, tower footings …) can be specified in an arbitrary way.

NETS calculates lines, cables and transformers parameters starting on data usually available in commercial data sheet.

NETS includes a converter from the sequence domain to the phase domain. This tool can converts sequence impedances matrix to phase impedance matrix.

Like the other XGS modules, also NETS has been thought for a use as general as possible.

NETS can be used to solve transmission and distribution networks in steady state or fault conditions and to calculate potentials and currents or any kind of short circuit currents with or without fault impedances.

In particular, NETS can be used for the calculation of the fault current distribution in power networks and between power circuits and earth. An accurate knowledge of the fault current distribution is crucial in grounding, mitigation to reduce interference on communication circuits and pipelines, power system protections calibration and coordination, neutral grounding resistor sizing and many other applications.

NETS is also useful to calculate data input for other XGS modules (for instance the split factor and the current to earth) without unrealistic assumptions as for instance, magnitude of fault current known and unaffected by grounding impedances, impedances of overhead earth wires or tower footing resistances uniform along the line, or again, infinite length of lines …

Moreover, NETS represents the link between XGS and the most diffused commercial software for power system analysis.

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SHIELD is a powerful full 3D graphical application for the evaluation of the protection of structures from direct lightning strokes using the Rolling Sphere and the Eriksson methods.

SHIELD is based on a numerical model that consider vertical direct lightning strokes, and is then suitable for structures of any height or up to 60 m height in case of relevant protrusions such as balconies or viewer platforms.

SHIELD takes into account International (IEC 62305-3:2012), European (EN 62305-3:2012) and American (IEEE Std 998-2012) Standards but as known, the Rolling Sphere Method is considered by many other standards (NFPA, AS …).

When the Rolling Sphere Method is set, SHIELD first generates a 3D surface corresponding to all possible points that can be touched by the surface of the sphere with a specific radius as it rolls over the air termination system. The air termination system can be composed of any combination of masts and wires (catenary wires included). This surface defines the protected volume.

The protected volume is then superposed to the structure to be protected. The parts of the structure to be protected that protrudes over this surface are not protected.

If the method is applied to the structure to be protected, it can identify the possible lightning strokes impact points and gives indications for the air termination positioning.

When the Eriksson Method is set, SHIELD generates the collection area of air termination system and structure to be protected.

The lightning protection system is effective when collection area of air termination system includes collection area of structure to be protected.

The User can modify the lightning protection system and generate again the protected volume or collection areas. This iterative process allows to get an effective shield.

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SHIELD_A is a powerful full 3D graphical application for the evaluation of the protection of structures from direct lightning strokes using the Rolling Sphere method.

SHIELD_A is based on analytical model that consider vertical and lateral direct lightning strokes, and is then suitable for special structures of any height and shape.

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