Definition of Earthing Types

For low voltage systems in ETAP, the choice of earthing types inside of the source and transformer editors are a reflection of the way
the load side of the sources (Power Grid, UPS, etc.) and transformers are connected to earth and how the chassis of the loads are
protected during a fault condition.

The definitions of TN earthing types are as follows:

z TT
z TN-C
z TN-S
z TN-C-S
z NEC

TT, TN, TN-C, TN-S, TN-C-S Systems

The earthing type for a TN system is marked by using 2, 3, or 4 letters:

z The first letter, T, is defined by “Terre” which defines how the source or transformer neutral is connected to the earth.
z The second letter indicates how the load chassis is connected:
{ T is defined by “Terre”, which gives a TT system, which is the how the load chassis is grounded to earth using an earthing
electrode.

{ N is defined by “Neutral” which defines the load chassis as connected to neutral. This gives a TN system, which is how the
load chassis is connected to earth using either a neutral or a protective earthing (PE) conductor.

z The third letter indicate how the neutral and PE conductors are utilized:
{ C is defined by “Combined” which means that the neutral and PE conductors are combined into one conductor (PEN
conductor) that acts as the current return conductor during both steady state and fault conditions.
 { S is defined by “Separated” which means that the neutral and PE conductors are separated and independent from each
other.

z The TN-C-S earthing type has four letters and the fourth letter, just like the third letter, indicates how the neutral and PE
conductors are utilized. The TN-C-S start from the source (such as a utility company) with a combined PEN conductor until a
service entry point, e.g. a residential unit, is reached. As soon as the customer’s service entry point is crossed, the earthing
conductor will separate into two separate conductors, which are the neutral and the PE conductors.
IT System
The earthing type for an IT system is marked by using 2 letters and a term:

z The first letter, I, is defined by “Isolated” which defines the neutral as is either not connected to earth or indirectly connected to
earth through a high impedance.
z The second letter, T, is defined by “Terre” which defines the load chassis as connected to earth using an earthing electrode.
z The term that follows the IT earthing types are defined as follows:
{ Individual: The chassis of each load is earthed separately from the neighboring load chassis.
{ In Groups: Different loads are separated into groups and then the chassis of each load in a group is interconnected with the
other chassis within the same group. The different groups are then earthed individually.
{ Collective: All of the chassis of all the loads are interconnected and then earthed.
 z NEC earthing type identification is supported; however, shock protection calculations that are described in chapter 45 are not
supported for it.

System Grounding
Quick Start Guide
Definition of Earthing Types
Multiple Grounding \ Earthing Handling