A Comprehensive Analysis of Touch and Step Voltage Hazards in High-Voltage Grounding Systems The Physics of Ground Potential Rise (GPR) The safety of personnel and the public in and around high-voltage electrical installations, such as substations and transmission towers, is a paramount concern in power system engineering. During a ground fault condition, the electrical potential of the grounding system and the surrounding earth can rise to hazardous levels. This phenomenon, known as Ground Potential Rise (GPR), is the root cause of two distinct but related electrical shock hazards: touch voltage and step voltage. Understanding the physics of GPR is the essential first step in analyzing, quantifying, and ultimately mitigating these dangers. The entire framework of grounding safety is built upon managing the consequences of this initial event, which transforms the earth itself into a component of a dangerous electrical circuit. The Ground Fault Event: From Short Circuit to Earth I...