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Sizing Grounding Transformers and Resistors
Sizing Grounding Transformers and Resistors
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE & SCOPE..........................................................................................................................
DEFINITIONS....................................................................................................................................
APPLICABILITY................................................................................................................................
RESPONSIBILITIES..........................................................................................................................
PROCEDURE / REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................
ATTACHMENTS..............................................................................................................................
2.0 DEFINITIONS
Generator Neutral GroundingThe purposes of generator neutral grounding through
an impedance are to limit the damage at the point of fault, limit transient overvoltages and provide a sensitive means of detection for insulation deterioration.
There are two acceptable methods of grounding unit connected generators; resistor
grounding and resonant (reactor) grounding.Resistance GroundingA resistance
grounded system uses a resistor in the neutral-to-ground circuit to limit the maximum
value of short circuit current during a line to ground fault limiting the current and
reducing the extent of damage to equipment caused by the heating and mechanical
stresses generated by the short circuit currentsLow Resistance GroundingIn a low
resistance grounded system the value of resistance is usually selected so that the
ground fault current is large enough to trip protective devices selectively, yet low
enough to limit damage to equipmentHigh Resistance GroundingIn a high resistance
grounded system the value of resistance is selected so that it is of sufficient value to
limit fault currents to very low values, usually equal to the total charging current of
the systemResonant (Reactor) GroundingThis grounding scheme is similar to
resistance grounding except the resistor is replaced with a reactor equivalent to the
system charging current to form a tuned (resonant) circuit.
3.0 APPLICABILITY
This procedure is applicable to all projects.
4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 Lead Electrical Engineer
The Lead Electrical Engineer is responsible for sizing the grounding transformers and
resistors.
5.0 PROCEDURE / REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Equipment Grounding Requirements
5.1.1
Main Generator
Main generator shall always be high resistance grounded.
5.1.2
Main Transformer
Main transformer for the generating plant shall always be solidly grounded at the high
side. Low side connected to the generator is always delta connected. No special
equipment is required for high side grounding.
5.1.3
Unit Auxiliary Transformer
Unit auxiliary transformer connected to the generator leads shall always have the high
side delta connected. Low side of this transformer is generally wye connected and
shall be low resistance grounded allowing a maximum of 1000A ground fault current.
Grounding resistor directly connected to the neutral shall have a minimum of 10-sec
rating. Low resistance grounding shall always be used unless specifically required by
the client.
Cases, where low side of this transformer is also delta connected, due to phasing,
grounding bank of T-type or zig-zag type with a resistor allowing a 1000A maximum
ground fault shall be used. Rating of the grounding equipment shall of a minimum of
10 sec.
When the contract requires a different method, a calculation similar to Attachment 7.2
shall be performed.
5.1.4
Startup Transformer
Startup transformer, when used, may have either delta or wye connection for high or
low side winding. For high side, wye connection, neutral shall be solidly grounded.
For low side wye connection, neutral shall be low resistance grounded. For low side
delta, grounding bank of T-type or zig-zag transformers with a resistor allowing a
1000A maximum ground fault current. Rating of this equipment shall of a minimum
of 10 sec.
5.1.5
Load Center Transformer
Transformer feeding low voltage load center shall be delta/wye-solidly grounded,
neutral, unless specifically required by the client to be different.
5.1.6
Diesel Generators
Diesel generators, when provided shall be low resistance grounded at the medium
voltage and solidly grounded at low voltage distribution. Low resistance grounding
shall allow a maximum of 1000A ground fault current. Grounding resistor directly
connected to the neutral shall have a minimum of 10 sec rating.
5.2 Generator Neutral Grounding Calculation Method
Attachment 7.1 provides a recent project calculation for sizing the generator and
transformer grounding transformer.
The following consideration must be analyzed when recommending and selecting a
method of Generator Grounding.
1) The damage at the point of fault is greatly reduced when the unit is resonant
grounded as compared to resistor grounded.
2) Surges on the high voltage system will not appear between generator neutral and
ground because of the wye-delta transformation of the main transformer.
3) Transient overvoltages on the unfaulted phases are limited by resonant
grounding. Arcing or current surges are reduced by resonant grounding. This
precludes the possibility of transient overvoltages due to arcing grounds.
4) The appearance of zero sequence voltage on the transmission system for a line to
ground fault impresses a transient voltage on the generator system. This voltage
is a function of the capacitive coupling reactance in the unit step-up transformer
and the zero sequence impedance of the generator system. The transient voltage
on the generator system (phase to ground EO) will be higher in magnitude with
resonant grounding than with resistor grounding. This voltage must be controlled
within acceptable limits by the proper selection of the coil constant of the reactor.
5) Resonant grounding provides increased sensitivity for detection of insulation
deterioration at any location in the generator system and neutral connected
apparatus.
6) When resistance grounding is used, there is a dead zone where faults cannot be
detected. This dead zone is a circle at the system neutral concentric with all zero
sequence fault voltages. By using the resonant grounding, this dead zone can be
offset by introducing a voltage to displace the system neutral.
This procedure summarizes the required data and the calculations that must be
performed to specify the distribution transformer, reactor or resistor ratings.
5.3 Required Data
5.3.1
GENERATOR:
phase
MVA, three
Eg
Cg
E30g
Eog
5.3.2
=
=
=
=
MAIN TRANSFORMERS:
phase
MVA, three
Nm
= Number of transformers
Cm
=
phase to ground capacitance (gen. side)
mmf
Ct
= High to low side winding per phase capacitance
mmf
EHO = High side zero sequence voltage for a fault on the high side
of the transformer
V
5.3.3
Nu
Cu
5.3.4
Cb
5.3.5
=
Single
=
=
=
SURGE CAPACITORS:
Cs
mmf
Em
V
Maximum acceptable voltage the system equipment can take without damage =
Ege
1
= Total system capacitive reactance = C
Xc
1012
or 2 f C
ohms
Ege
1
Xc
Ic
XL
TR
KVA
-3
Continuous distribution transformer rating = Ic Ege 10
If no delay is intended for the unit trip, this rating can be reduced by
the factors from the following table:
TIME
1 Minute
5 Minutes
30 Minutes
1 Hour
2 Hours
Xct
FACTOR
0.212
0.357
0.55
0.625
0.714
1012
2 f C t
the main transformer =
ohms
LS
3 XL
100
LS
ohms
K.Eog =
100
Eog
fundamental zero sequence voltage = LS
V
ER
EHO R
R j X ct
of the main transformer =
V
E
=
V
XL
E LS 2
E LP 2
ohms
RLS
X LS
LS
100
ohms
KL
Ic
Is
= Secondary current =
amps
ELP
ELS
E ge
Vs
= Secondary voltage =
V
E LS
E LP
Is . Vs .10-3
=
=
E ge
IFO
IF
Eao
R 3 rF
=
=
I FO R 100
Ege
amps
wF
5.4.1
Using the above distribution transformer with percentage reactance (X) equal to impedance
(Z)
=%
Xe
ohms
3 Z 10 2 ELP
TR 103
= Primary reactance =
XL3 =
ohms
=
=
E30 g
j 3 X L 3 3 RL j X c
= Third harmonic zero sequence current =
I30p
amps
I 30 p
I30s
=
amps
Reactor current =
ELP
ELS
V30s
= I30s
V
Ege
Xc
1
1012
wc 2 f c
= Total system capacitive resistance =
ohms
E ge
1
Xc
Ic
Ireq
Req
Ep
TR
E ge
I req
=
=
KVA
If no delay is intended for the unit trip, this rating can be reduced by
the factors given under resonant grounding.
Es = Distribution transformer secondary voltage
120/240 V
Req
Rs = Grounding resistor in the secondary =
ohms
I req
Is
= Secondary current =
amps
RsKVA =
KV
rF
Es
Es
E ge
Ep
Ep
Es
Fault resistance
ohms
3 rF 3
E ge
Req j X x
j Xc
IFO
IF
WF
eq
I FO 3
R j X
R j X 100
eq
eq
Eao
E ge
5.5.1
Using the above distribution transformer with percentage reactance (X) equal to impedance
(Z)
3 Z 10 2 E p
Xe
= Primary reactance =
ohms
TR 103
E30 g
I30p
I 30 p
I30s
V30s
3 Req j X e j X c
Ep
Es
I 30 s 3 Rs
6.0 REFERENCES
6.1
EPRI Power Plant Electrical Reference Series, Volume 8, Station Protection.
7.0 ATTACHMENTS
7.1
Sample Project Calculation- Generator and Transformer Grounding Equipment
Ratings (pdf)
7.2
Sample Project Calculation- Neutral Grounding Transformer and Resistor Sizing
Calculation4 kV Auxiliary distribution System (zip)