TrustedTM

AN-T8/0006

Application Note

Floating and Grounded Earth Systems

Site experience has shown that some installations are being put into service using a floating power
TM
source and this is not being earthed within the Trusted system.
This is sometimes done to prevent a single earth fault from causing a shutdown, but it can cause other
problems which are not immediately obvious.

Issue Record

Issue Date Revised by Technical Authorised by Modification

Number Check
1 March 00 Ray Brown Initial Issue
2 Feb 07 Nick Owens Ray Brown Pete Stock Format

Issue 2 Feb 07 AN-T8/0006 1

TrustedTM

AN-T8/0006 Floating & Grounded Earth Systems

Floating systems
It is generally assumed that a floating system will be capable of withstanding an earth fault without
either causing a control action or having a control action inhibited. In theory this is true but in practice
no system really floats. It is merely referenced to earth by one or more impedances. A typical system
will use two resistors connected between the positive and negative potentials of the supply with the
centre point connected to earth. The current in the earth connection is monitored and if it increases
above a predetermined level the alarm will be sounded indicating that a fault exists somewhere in the
system.

UPS Positive
R1

EARTH To system

R2
Negative

In such a system the value of the earth resistances is critical. If they are high resistance the earth
Fault monitor will need to be very sensitive but if they are of a low value high circulating currents can be
generated by a single earth fault. Unfortunately the latter is normally the case which means this type of
installation offers no protection from the effects of earth faults, but increases the potential for un
revealed failures.
If for example an earth fault is generated on a digital input loop it is possible that the loop will be
bypassed. The equivalent circuit of an earth faulted input is shown below.

UPS
R1 Series
Impedance
EARTH

R2 Earth Fault Field Switch

In this case an earth fault is generated on the positive connection to the field switch which causes
current to flow through R2 if the field switch is opened. If R2 is not significantly higher in impedance
than the series impedance the switch will be bypassed and will not operate when required to do so.

Issue 2 Feb 07 AN-T8/0006 2

TrustedTM

AN-T8/0006 Floating & Grounded Earth Systems

UPS
R1 Field
Switch
EARTH

R2 Earth Fault Series Impedance

If the circuit design has the series impedance in the negative return the same effect occurs with current
flowing in R1 bypassing the field switch. In both of these scenarios there may be no indication of the
problem because the loop current is low compared to the earth fault detection current.
The same effect is seen on outputs if the output is of higher or similar impedance to R1 or R2.
This scenario means that the protection of the system is compromised by a single earth fault.
A further scenario exists which is even more dangerous should two or more earth faults exist.
Take for example two field switches each of which have an earth fault (Water in a junction assembly)

Series Series
Impedance Impedance

Earth

Field Field
Switch Switch

If two switches have an earth fault then they are effectively connected together and both
have to open to be registered by the Safety System.

Issue 2 Feb 07 AN-T8/0006 3

TrustedTM

AN-T8/0006 Floating & Grounded Earth Systems

Field switch Field switch

Earth

Series Series
Impedance Impedance

The same effect is seen if the switch is in the positive potential.

Outputs

Safety Safety
Output Output

Earth

Field Field
Solenoid Switch
Solenoid

The diagram above illustrates how a pair of earth faults can effectively bypass a safety output so that a
required shutdown will not operate. Both safety outputs have to de-energise before the field solenoids
de-energise.
None of these scenarios are related to a particular manufacturers’ equipment but rely solely on Ohms
Law.

Issue 2 Feb 07 AN-T8/0006 4

TrustedTM

AN-T8/0006 Floating & Grounded Earth Systems

Earthed systems
In negative earthed systems the action of an earth fault is much more deterministic. Field circuits are
selected with the input switch in the positive potential.

Field switch Field switch

Earth

Series Series
Impedance Impedance

Earth
One or more earth faults will fail safe. If the system is fitted with line monitoring components, a fault
can be indicated which need not cause a shutdown.
In the case of outputs, the load will normally be connected with one side to the negative potential.

Safety Safety
Output Output

Earth

Field Field
Solenoid Switch
Solenoid

In this case the current in the load can be measured and alarmed but should it reach an unacceptable
level the output will disengage and fail safe.

Conclusion

Earthed safety systems offer the safest configuration.

Issue 2 Feb 07 AN-T8/0006 5

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