How to Calculate NGR Resistance

Value?
What is NGR?

NGR-Neutral Grounding Resistance. NGR is

used to limit the ground fault current to the
equipment safe operating current range to protect
all the electrical equipment. The NGR is connected
to the neutral point of the star point of the
transformer and alternator.

Why NGR required for Transformer and

Alternator?

When the supply system is balanced, the current

flowing through all three phases will be balanced,
and as a result, neutral to ground current is zero.
However, when the three phase supply system get
unbalanced because of earth fault or arcing fault or
transient voltage, the current in all three phases
get unbalanced. The unbalance current starts
flowing from neutral to earth point. If the neutral
point is directly connected to earth(solid earth), a
large current will flow through the transformer
winding to neutral and earth. The large current can
damage the equipment.

The neutral grounding resistor is connected

between the neutral and earth point to limit the
fault current to the safe value of the transformer.
The NGR is connected at the star point of the
transformer, as given in below figure.

NGR Resistance Value Calculation:

The NGR resistance value must be selected on the
basis of the following factors.

1. The system voltage

2. During earth fault, the system capacitance

current will also gets discharged through the NGR.
The NGR should be capable to handle that current.

3. The resistance value must be selected such that

the tripping relay must sense the fault current.
If NGR resistance value is selected too high the
relay may not sense the fault current.

The value of NGR resistance is;

R = VL-N/ If
= (VL-L/√3) /If

Example :

Lets the transformer secondary voltage is 6.6 KV

and the transformer full load current is 1400
Amps.

The line to neutral voltage is

VL-N = 6600/√3 = 6600/1.732 =3810 Volts

Transformer full load secondary current is 1400
amperes. Therefore, the resistance value required
to limit the fault current to the transformer
maximum current carrying capacity is;

R = V/I

R = VL-N/ I

R= 3810/1400

R= 2.72 Ω

NGR Resistance Specifications:

1. Location : Indoor/Outdoor

2. Cooling : Air Natural(AN)

3. Ambient Temperature : 50° C

4. Rated Voltage : Specify phase voltage of the

system

5. Rated Current : Specify full load secondary

current of
transformer

6. Rated Resistance :
7. Allowable tolerance in NGR resistance : +/- 10
%

8. Temperature rise : 375° C

9. Time rating : 10 Seconds