1 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

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Grounding in Three Phase Systems

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2 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

Preface Grounding is a vital component of any Three Phase Electric System. A proper earthing system helps in maintaining the system voltages at the desired level and helps identify a fault when it occurs and in limiting the impact of a earth fault. There are many ways of grounding a system. This Ebook strives to explain the basic concepts behind each system of Grounding. It is our hope that Electrical Engineers will benefit from this publication. Do also visit www.electrotechnik.net , an online magazine for Electrical Engineers where you will find articles such as these of interest to the Electrical Engineer as well as news from the field. Editor Electrotechnik.net

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3 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

The Need for Grounding A proper grounding scheme is vital component of any power system. Improperly grounded systems can result in equipment failures, overvoltages, and flashovers. Grounding uses the earth as a return conductor in the event of a fault. This helps to identify the fault Grounding ensures system stability and prompt identification and clearing of faults. . Resistances can be used to limit the fault current to desired levels. In three phase systems, the neutral of the Star Point is usually grounded. In the case of delta connected systems, a special grounding arrangement such as Earthing Transformers or Zig-zag transformers are used. On the basis of the grounding used, Power Systems can be classified into Ungrounded Systems Solidly Grounded Systems Low Resistance Grounded Systems High Resistance Grounded Systems Petersen Coil Grounded Systems Zig Zag Transformer Grounded Systems Ungrounded Systems Ungrounded Systems can function normally in the healthy condition. In the fault condition, as one phase gets earthed, the voltage between the other two phases and the ground increases to the line voltage (phase to phase voltage). This places the insulation of the equipment connected to the system under excessive electrostatic stress. Ungrounded systems are the most expensive for this reason as the insulation for all the conducting cables and connecting equipment have to be rated for the line voltage.. Electric Equipment connected to ungrounded systems need to have insulation rated for the line voltage. In the event of a fault on one phase, the fault current is fed by the capacitance charging current flowing the other two un-faulted phases. This current is usually less and power can continue to flow in the other two phases. However, if the fault is intermittent and the contact with the ground is of the make-break type, the capacitances which form in the other two phases may charge and discharge into the system causing high over voltages, sometimes 5 to 7 times the normal voltage. This can cause extensive damage to other devices connected elsewhere in the system. While the ungrounded system can run with the other two phases even when one phase is faulty, a fault in any of the other two phases can cause a phase-tophase short circuit via the ground.

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4 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

Resistance Grounding In Resistance Grounding, the three phase power system is grounded through a series resistance. This resistance is intended to limit the fault current when there is an earth fault. Resistance grounded systems are ideal as they enable quick identification of a fault and clearance. The series resistors used to limit current are designed for thermal stability during fault conditions. The resistors also have a time rating. They are designed to be in circuit for a particular period of time till the fault is cleared.

Resistance grounded systems can be classified into High Resistance Grounding and Low Resistance Grounding

High Resistance Grounding restricts the ground fault current to less than 10A. These systems are advantageous because the system can continue to run when there is a fault between a phase and the earth. This ensures the system reliability and the system continues to run while the fault can be identified and rectified. However, care must be taken to ensure that the permitted ground fault current is greater than the charging current of the line capacitances. Thus a three phase system rated for 11kV can have a Grounding Resistor rated for 635 ohms (The fault voltage during a ground fault will be the phase voltage 11kV/ 3 = 6350V; according to Ohms law, for a current of 10A to flow we need a resistance of 635 ohms.) This is essential to ensure that there are not transient overvoltages during intermittent earth faults. The series resistors used in High resistance grounding are designed for longer time rating as they may have to be in circuit as long as the system is running with the fault still present. High Resistance grounding Systems are not permitted in systems which feed single phase loads. Modern High Resistance Grounding Systems are equipped with a pulser circuit which is activated when a ground fault is detected. This pulser circuits generates a pulsating current which can be used to identify the exact location of the ground fault

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5 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

with a handheld device. This is extremely useful in identifying the fault within a short period and restoring the system.

Low Resistance Grounding Low Resistance grounding involves connecting a low resistance in series with the grounded neutral of the three phase system. Low Resistance grounding limits permits a fault current above 10A but limits it to around 50A Low resistance Grounding is used in situations where quick operation of ground fault relay is required. This form of earthing is used when faults need to be cleared quickly. Low resistance grounding resistors have a time rating beyond which they may not be able to maintain thermal stability due to the heat generated by the fault currents. Low resistance grounding ensures that equipment and conductors are not exposed to the electric and mechanical stresses during an earth fault. However, the downside of low resistance grounding is that the system needs to be de-energized after a ground fault. These are usually used in medium and high voltage Systems Grounding Resistors - An Introduction Grounding Resistors are used to limit the fault current in Transformers and Alternators. When a phase to ground fault occurs, the fault current is limited only by the soil resistance. This current, which can be very high, can damage the windings. Grounding resistances can be classified into high and low resistances. In high resistance grounding, the fault current is limited to less than 10 amperes. While, in low resistance grounding, the current is limited to a value from 25 amperes or more. The resistances are also categorized on the basis of time they can withstand the fault current. Typical durations are 1 second, 10 second, one minute and 10 minute rating. The Extended Time rating resistor is used in systems where the reliability of the system is critical. This is true in petroleum industries, mines etc. In these situations, a high resistance which can sustain the fault for a long period is used. When an earth fault occurs of one phase, an alarm is generated. However, the system continues to run until the next scheduled shutdown.

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6 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

Resistance grounding is not used in systems where the phase voltage exceeds 15kV for cost reasons Solidly Grounded Systems 440V. Solidly Earthed Systems are used usually in Low voltage applications upto

High Voltage electric systems connected to transformers or generators that are solidly grounded may experience transient overvoltages during fault conditions due to the line capacitances getting charged and discharged. Besides, the intensity of a ground fault will be greater and will be accompanied by a flashover. This may be dangerous to personnel who are in the vicinity. The damage to the equipment is also extensive as higher current flows in solidly grounded system. The conductors carrying the current are subjected to extensive electrical and mechanical stresses. The ground current which flows through the soil can pose a danger to people if the step potential exceeds the safe limits. Petersen Coils Peterson coils are used to in ungrounded 3-phase grounding systems to limit the arcing currents during ground faults. The coil was first developed by W. Petersen in 1916.

Application: When a phase to earth fault occurs in ungrounded 3 phase systems, the phase voltage of the faulty phase is reduced to the ground potential. This causes the phase voltage in the other two phases to rise by 3 times. This increase in voltage causes a charging current, Ic between the phase-to-earth capacitances. The current Ic, which increases to three times the normal capacitive charging current, needs to

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7 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

complete its circuit. This causes a series of restrikes at the fault locations known as arcing grounds. This can also lead to overvoltages in the system. A Petersen coil consists of an iron-cored reactor connected at the star point of a three phase system. In the event of a fault, the capacitive charging current is neutralized by the current across the reactor which is equal in magnitude but 180 degrees out of phase. This compensates for the leading current drawn by the line capacitances. The power factor of the fault moves closer to unity. This facilitates the easy extinguishing of the arc as both the voltage and current have a similar zerocrossing.

IC=3I=3Vp/(1/ C) =3Vp C

Where IC is the resultant charging current that is three times the charging current of each phase to ground. Consider a Petersen coil connected between the star-point and the ground with inductive reactance L, then The current flowing through it is given by IL =Vp/ L To obtain an effective cancellation of the capacitive charging currents, IL to be equal to IC. Therefore, From which we get, Vp/ L=3Vp C L=1/ (3 2C)

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8 Grounding in Three Phase Systems

The value of the inductance in the Petersen coil needs to match the value of the line capacitance which may vary as and when modifications in the transmission lines are carried out. Hence, the Petersen coil comes with a provision to vary the inductance.

Zig Zag Transformers Ungrounded systems that need protection against earth faults usually need a grounding transformer. This is usually a delta-star transformer whose neutral can be earthed. An alternative way of grounding the system is by using a zig-zag transformer.

The Zig-zag Transformer generally has a ratio of 1:1. It consists of six windings, two for each phase . The two windings for each phase(outer and inner windings) are wound on the same core but in opposite directions. The windings are connected in a zig-zag fashion. For instance, the primary winding of R phase may be connected to the secondary of Y, the primary of Y phase would be connected to the secondary of B. In a perfectly balanced condition, the magnetic fluxes in the primary and the secondary are able to cancel each other; therefore, their magnetic fluxes cancel each other out. However, in a fault condition, the magnetic fluxes may not be equal and hence afault current may flow through the neutral of the secondary winding. Zig-zag Transformers are used to provide earthing for ungrounded systems. They are advantageous over delta-wye systems due to their low internal impedance and lower cost. Apart from providing earthing to ungrounded systems, zig-zag transformers can be used to filter harmonic currents. Zig-zag transformers are connected close the loads that cause heavy harmonics. Since the transformer has opposing windings, the harmonic currents get cancelled.

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