Core partner

Neutral conductor sizing

LPQIves has been co-financed by

LPQI is a member of Angelo Baggini – angelo.baggini@unibg.it

Franco Bua - franco.bua@ecd.it

IEC 60364-5-52
Electrical installations of buildings –
Part 5-52:
Selection and erection of electrical
equipment – Wiring systems

Standard prescriptions

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Standard prescriptions

IEC 60364-5-52 Art. 524.3

ƒ For polyphase circuits where each phase conductor has a
cross-sectional area greater than 16 mm2 in copper or 25
mm2 in aluminium, the neutral conductor may have a
smaller cross-sectional area than that of the line conductors
if the following conditions are simultaneously fulfilled:
– the expected maximum current including harmonics,
if any, in the neutral conductor during normal service is
not greater than the current-carrying capacity of the
reduced cross sectional area of the neutral conductor;
– the neutral conductor is protected against overcurrents
according to the rules of 431.2 of IEC 60364-4-43;
– the size of the neutral conductor is at least equal to 16
mm2 in copper or 25 mm2 in aluminium.

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… changed forever!

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Theorethical background

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Theorethical background
Balanced linear loads

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Theorethical background
Unbalanced linear loads

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Theorethical background
Non linear unbalanced loads

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Theorethical background
3rd order harmonics

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Sizing criteria

IEC 60364-5-52 Annex D

Reduction factors
for harmonic currents in four-core and five-core cables

Third harmonic Size selection is Size selection is

content of phase based on phase based on neutral
current current current
(%)
0-15 1,00 -
15-33 0,86 -
33-45 - 0,86
45 - 1,00

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Example

installation method C

Phases 3
design load 37,5 A
Number of cores 4
Insulation EPR
Installation method Clipped to a wall

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Example
ƒ Harmonics free environment

– Cable size related to phase currents

– ⇒ 4 mm2
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Example

Office # 1

3 h = 22%

− IN = 37,5 · 0,22 · 3 = 24,7 A

− IF = 37.5 A
− IN < IF size related to phase
current
− Equivalent phase current:
37,5
= 43,6
0,86
− ⇒ 6 mm2

(IEC 60364-5-52 tab. A.52-5 )

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Example
Office # 2

3 h = 40%

− IN = 37,5 · 0,4 · 3 = 45 A
− IF = 37.5 A
− IN > IF size related to neutral
current
− Equivalent neutral current:

45
= 52,3
0,86
− ⇒ 10 mm2

(IEC 60364-5-52 tab. A.52-5 )

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Example
Lighting equipment FLC

3 h = 72% + 9 h = 33,9% + …

− IN = 37,5 · 1,30 · 3 = 146,2 A

− IF = 37.5 A
− IN > IF size related to neutral
current
− Equivalent neutral current:

146,2
= 146,2
1
− ⇒ 35 mm2

(IEC 60364-5-52 tab. A.52-5 )

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The End

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