Grass Growth in Substations

[topgone]

Then how do they get away with grass in the substation?

As I mentioned before, you have to do some diligence! You scoop out the gravel mat on the substation floor, do some soil screening and then return the gravel on the substation floor! No soil, no grass! Simple.

 

[mbrooke]

As I mentioned before, you have to do some diligence! You scoop out the gravel mat on the substation floor, do some soil screening and then return the gravel on the substation floor! No soil, no grass! Simple.

However all these substations are equipped with grass. Either they live with the danger, or they know how to navigate it. I want to know which if the second one how. Forgive my tenacity, I am genuinely curious.

 

[Tony S]

Our intake substations had ether ½ / ¾ gravel (crusher run) or a solid concrete base with bunding.

The gravel would be treated with a weed killer every six months.

 

[PaulMmn]

As I mentioned before, you have to do some diligence! You scoop out the gravel mat on the substation floor, do some soil screening and then return the gravel on the substation floor! No soil, no grass! Simple.

I suggest sprinkling a thorough pre-emergent weed killer, then a garden membrane below the gravel-- blocks the weeds, and keeps new ones from germinating. They you just have to deal with fresh dirt that accumulates and the new grass that grows in it.

 

[mivey]

Grass or even dirt is fine as long as you don't need gravel to provide additional insulation. The gravel is a mitigation tool. There is more than one way to skin a cat. And the cat might not even need skinning in some cases.

 

[MAC702]

I always saw gravel and concrete in substations. But I guess I just assumed we did that here because no one tried to grow grass here unless they REALLY want it. Even golf courses are brownish to save water. Of course, they tell us we can't water our grass, but that we are supposed to use water to wash half of our trash for the blue bin.

As for other countries doing it a different (less safe?) way, I was surprised when I first started doing electrical work to Australian standards. 220V hots, and wire nuts are just in the wall behind the devices, not required to be in a j-box.

 

[mbrooke]

Grass or even dirt is fine as long as you don't need gravel to provide additional insulation. The gravel is a mitigation tool. There is more than one way to skin a cat. And the cat might not even need skinning in some cases.

Oh man I like dogs and cats

But going back to a substation- Can a good enough ground grid get you to ditch gravel? I know I've asked this, but I just want to know how Europe gets away with not injuring workers.

 

[Hv&Lv]

I think I read some time back that here the calculations are done with bare feet ohmic values, and europe does their calculations with high resistance footwear. I’m sure between here and eng tips someone can tell you for sure.

 

[mbrooke]

I think I read some time back that here the calculations are done with bare feet ohmic values, and europe does their calculations with high resistance footwear. I’m sure between here and eng tips someone can tell you for sure.

Speaking of Eng Tips I asked the same thing and thats exactly what I member posted.

I figured I'd let this thread go on a bit longer to see if anyone knew anything else of had another explanation.

In so far I'm satisfied with the answer.

Open to any supplementary knowledge here on.

 

[mivey]

Oh man I like dogs and cats

But going back to a substation- Can a good enough ground grid get you to ditch gravel? I know I've asked this, but I just want to know how Europe gets away with not injuring workers.

You can, for enough money.

 

[mbrooke]

You can, for enough money.

I like your reply!

 

[PaulMmn]

I always saw gravel and concrete in substations. But I guess I just assumed we did that here because no one tried to grow grass here unless they REALLY want it. Even golf courses are brownish to save water. Of course, they tell us we can't water our grass, but that we are supposed to use water to wash half of our trash for the blue bin.

As for other countries doing it a different (less safe?) way, I was surprised when I first started doing electrical work to Australian standards. 220V hots, and wire nuts are just in the wall behind the devices, not required to be in a j-box.

I think an Australian must have done some work in my house! Only 110, but there were a couple of places with no boxes. |: