Earthing Systems1

LV Earthing Systems.
Low Voltage Earthing Systems
Basic principle
Definition
Contact of persons or
livestock with live parts which
may result in electric shock
Division - Name - Date - Language
E36913
Protection of people, direct contact
Protection of people, direct contact

E36914
Types of protection
Basic principle
Insulation
Distance
IP2X or IPXXB
LV < 25 V
30 mA
Basic principle
Definition:
Contact of persons or
livestock with exposed
conductive parts made live
by a fault and which may
result in electric shock
E36915
Protection of people, indirect contact
Basic principle
Protection of people according to IEC 364
Protection against indirect contact

with automatic disconnection of supply
Earthing of all the exposed conductive parts of electrical equipment and
all accessible conductive parts
2 simultaneously accessible exposed conductive parts must be
connected to the same earth electrode
Automatic disconnection by a protective device of the part in which a
dangerous insulation fault occurs
The protective device must operate within a time that is compatible with
"Maximum Touch Voltage & Time-Safety requirements"
Standard IEC 60479-1
Protection
of people
Critical current thresholds
E92450
mA
1A
Cardiac arrest
75 mA
Irreversible cardiac
fibrillation
30 mA
Breathing arrest
10mA
Muscular contraction
0.5 mA
Tingling
Basic principle
Zone 1 : perception
Zone 2 : unpleasant sensation
Zone 3 : muscular contractions
(reversible effects)
Zone 4 : risk of ventricular
fibrillation.(irreversible)
c1-c2 :prob. increases by 5%

c2-c3 :prob. increases by 50%
> c3
:prob. more than50 %
T(ms)
IEC 60479-1 Effect of current on the human body

Time ms/current mA curve for AC current from
15 to 100 Hz
10 000
5000
c1 c2 c3
2000
1000
500
200
100
50
Body Impedance = 2000 Ohms.(Dry)

= 1000 Ohms.(Wet)
Max. Withstand Current = 25 mA
20
10
0,1 0,2
1
0,5 mA
5 10
30 mA
100
500 2000 5000 (mA)

1000
UL (MAX. TOUCH VOLTAGE) = 2000x 0.025 = 50 V (Dry Conditions)

= 1000x0.025 = 25 V (Wet Conditions)
Basic principle
Maximum Touch Voltage Time (Protection of people according to IEC 364)

Against Indirect Contact
with Automatic Disconnection of Supply
Maximum touch voltage time in UL = 50 V
conditions
prospective
touch
voltage (V)
< 50
50
75
90
120
150
220
280
350
500
maximum protective device

disconnection time(Seconds)
AC current
DC current
5
5
0.60
0.45
0.34
0.27
0.17
0.12
0.08
0.04
5
5
5
5
5
1
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
Maximum touch voltage time in UL = 25 V

conditions (sockets/wet areas)
prospective
touch
voltage (V)
maximum protective device

disconnection time(Seconds)
AC current
DC current
25
50
75
90
110
150
230
280
5
0.48
0.30
0.25
0.18
0.12
0.05
0.02
5
5
2
0.80
0.50
0.25
0.06
0.02
Earthing Systems - General rules according to IEC 60364 312.2
The Three Earthing Systems

1.
2.
3.
1st letter
Situation of supply
T = Direct connection of
Transformer Neutral with the earth
I = Neutral unearthed or
Impedance-earthed
T
T
I
T
N
T
2nd letter
Situation of installation frames
T = Exposed frames directly earthed
N = Frames connected to the supply
point which is earthed,
either by a separate Protective Earth
conductor (S).
Or combined with the Neutral (C)
10
Earthing systems
The different types

explanation of symbols according to IEC 617-11 (1983)
Neutral conductor (N)
Protective conductor (PE)
Combined protective and
neutral conductor (PEN)
11
Earthing system technique

TT system
E36886
Definition
The neutral point of the LV
transformer is directly
connected to an earth
electrode
L1
L2
L3
N
Rn
12
Earthing system technique

TT system
E36886
Definition
transformer is directly
connected to an earth
electrode
The exposed conductive
parts of the installation are
connected to an electrically
separate earth electrode
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
Rn
Ru
13
System earthing
arrangements
Earth electrode
"Deep" earth
the earth does not act as an insulator
Equivalent electrical circuit

"Deep" earth is equipotential in nature
whatever the distance!
11
1000 km
"Deep" earth
15
10
10
E92453
E92452
"Deep" earth
14
Earth electrode
System earthing
arrangements
Well designed network

At A
A
IPE = 0
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
I1 + I2 + I3 + IN = IPE
Well designed network
IPE = 0
I1 + I2 + I3 + IN = 0
Current in the neutral

does not depend on current IPE
equal to unbalanced load
currents and/or 3rd order
harmonics (3 k)
E92457
IN = Iunbalance + I3 k
15
Earth electrode
System earthing
arrangements
Faulty distribution system
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
Faulty distribution system
IPE 0
I1 + I2 + I3 + IN 0
IPE 0
Current in the neutral

does not depend on current IPE
equal to unbalanced load
currents and/or 3rd order

harmonics (3 k)
E94409
IN = Iunbalance + I3 k
Measurement of current IPE can be used

for protection of persons (values depend on the earthing arrangement)
protection against fire hazards
However, it is necessary to detect the "true" IPE
16
TT system
System earthing
arrangements
Earth-fault study
Value of fault current:
Uo = 230 V
L1
L2
L3
N
Id = Uo / (Rn + Ru)
= 230 / (10 + 10)
= 11.5 A
400 V/230 V
Ud = Ru x If
= 10 x 11.5
Exposed
conductive
part
Id = 11,5 A
Ud =
115 V
Load
E95420
Rn
10
= 115 V > UL = 50 V
The fault current generates
a dangerous touch voltage
The SCPD is usually not suitable
for eliminating this type of fault
Ru
10
17
TT system
System earthing
arrangements
Earth-fault study
Uo = 230 V
400/230 V
SCPD
25 A
Load
E95421
Ru
10
L1
L2
L3
N
In = 5A
Exposed
conductive
part
Rn
10
Solution
The SCPD is usually not
suitable for this type of fault
(ST setting at 25 A)
A residual current device
specially designed for the
protection of persons
Tripping conditions:
Max touch voltage < Safety curve
Ru x In < UL
(In is the setting of RCD)
In = UL / Ru
= 50 /10
=5A
18
Associated switchgear in TT
RCD technologies
electromechanical
own current
E37522
Earth leakage protection
21
RCD technologies
electromechanical
own current
electronic
integrated in the voltageoperated short-circuit protection
device
E37522
22
RCD technologies
electromechanical
own current
electronic
integrated in the voltageoperated short-circuit protection
device
separate from the short-circuit
protection device
auxiliary supply
E37522
23
Devices for the TT system
SEAs and devices
Operating principle
Tripping
Operating principle of residual

current devices requiring no
auxiliary supply (electronic)
Detection
Measurement
No aux. power
required
Detectio
n
Earth-leakage
relay
E37508
Tripping
Measurement
24
System earthing
arrangements
Main features of the TT system

Protection of persons:
fault current is dangerous
fault current is too weak to trigger the short-circuit protection devices
protection must be practically instantaneous
It is provided by a specially designed RCD device
Fire protection:
fault current is limited
"naturally" managed by RCDs for the protection of persons
Continuity of service:
ensured by discrimination between the RCDs
31
TN system
System earthing
arrangements
Definition
E95416
L1
L2
L3
N
PE

transformer is directly connected
to an earth electrode
The exposed conductive parts
of the installation are connected
by the PE to the same earth
electrode
Rn
33
TN-S system
System earthing
arrangements
Definition (cont.)
E95417
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
The PE and neutral conductor

are separate
Rn
34
TN-C system
System earthing
arrangements
Definition (cont.)
E95423
L1
L2
L3
PEN
A common conductor is used

for both the PE and the neutral
conductors (PEN)
Rn
35
System earthing
arrangements
TN-C-S system
Definition (cont.)
In this TN sub-system:
L1
L2
L3
PEN
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
the upstream part is TN-C
(with PEN)
the downstream part is TN-S
(with PE and N)
E95424
Note. A TN-S system may not be

used upstream of a TN-C system
Rn
36
System earthing
arrangements
TN system
Earth-fault study
Uo = 230 V
400 V/230 V
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
The fault current is equal to a Ph/N shortcircuit

Consider the PH & PE Conductor are
Copper, 50 m Long with a X-section of 35
mm2. The Fault Current
Id =U0/(RPE +RPH)
RPE= RPH=x L/S
=0.025 -mm2/m
RPE= RPH=0.025 x 50/35 = 32.14 m
Id = 230/(2 x 0.3214) = 3578 A.
Id
This Fault Current will generate a Touch
Exposed
conductive
part
Uc
E95425
Fault
Rn
Voltage
Uc = RPE x Id = 3578 x 0.03214 = 115 V.
Since the fault current depends on the
Length of the Lines, it is necessary to check
that that the Fault Current is more than the
Protection Operating Threshold of the CB i.e Id
> Ia
37
System earthing
arrangements
TN system
The Value of the fault current is:

Id = 0.8.Uo. SPH
.(1 + m).L
Earth-fault study (cont.)

Uo = 230 V
400 V/230 V
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
where m=Sph/Spe
L=Length of the Cond.
Since Id must be > Ia
L < Lmax
Id
Lmax = 0.8Uo. SPH

.(1 + m).Ia
Exposed
conductive
part
Uc
E95425
Fault
Rn
If the length of the conductor is

greater than Lmax., it is necessary
to;
Reduce Ia.
Increase Spe.
Install an RCD.
38
TN system
System earthing
arrangements
Implementation (cont.)
TN-C
Uo = 230 V
L1
L2
L3
PE N
PEN = protective conductor

and neutral conductor
Protection of the PEN
SPEN = SPH
the PEN must not be
disconnected
400 V/230 V
Exposed
conductive
part
E95427
Load

of the substation, the LV neutral
and the exposed conductive
parts of the loads are connected
to the same earth electrode
40
Devices for the TN-S system
SEAs and devices
Protection by short-circuit protection devices

Protection:
for a given cross-section
and material (e.g. copper or
aluminium), the fault
current Id depends on the length
of the conductors
E95442
t < 0.4 s
Id
circuit breaker protection:
setting of magnetic relay / ST
E95449
< 30 ms
Im
Id
42
SEAs and devices

Protection by short-circuit protection devices
10 A
50 A
If the conditions for correct protection are not met
Circuit breaker
Fuse
low setting of magnetic relay/ST
no setting possible
or
installation of a standard RCD
difficult
or
increase the conductor cross-section
44
SEAs and devices
Protection by short-circuit protection devices (SCPD)

Discrimination by circuit breakers
current
LT and ST settings
t
D1
D2
E95450
Im1
Im2
time
t
D1
D2
intentional delay of the LT

and ST upstream protection
E95451
energy
t
D1
D2
comparison of energies (ST)
E95452
I2 t
47
SEAs and devices
Main features
TN-S system
E37542
fault current is usually high enough to trip the SCPDs
tripping must be practically instantaneous
It is ensured by the magnetic settings on the SCPDs
if the fault current is not high enough, RCDs may be used to ensure
protection
Fire protection:
fault current is high
it must be managed by additional RCDs
ensured by discrimination between the short-circuit protection devices
49
SEAs and devices
Main features
TN-C
E37544
fault current is usually high enough to be tripped by the SCPDs
tripping must be practically instantaneous = same as TN-S
It is ensured by the magnetic settings on the SCPDs
if the fault current is not high enough, the installation must be resized
Fire protection:
cannot be provided (TN-C not allowed where there is a risk of fire)
ensured by discrimination between the SCPDs = same as TN-S
50
IT system
System earthing
arrangements
Definition

of the loads are connected
by the PE conductor
to a common earth electrode
E95429
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
The Neutral point of the LV

transformer is Isolated, not
connected to an earth electrode
52
IT system
System earthing
arrangements
Definition (cont.)
L1
L2
L3
N
PE

of the loads are connected
by the PE conductor
to a common earth electrode
or to separate earth electrodes
PE
E95430
PE
The Neutral point of the LV

transformer is Isolated and not
connected
to an earth
electrode
53
System earthing
arrangements
IT system
Earth-fault study
L1
L2
L3
Under Normal operation, the

System is earthed by its System
Leakage Impedance.
E95431
PE
54
System earthing
arrangements
IT system
Earth-fault study (cont.)
System leakage impedance
L1
L2
L3
PE
If=U/Zt =230/3500 =0.065 A

Uc=10 x0.065= 0.6V
Uc< UL(50V)
The touch voltage is not
dangerous
There is no risk of fire
E95432
The fault does not cause

tripping but it must be indicated
55
System earthing
arrangements
IT system
Signalling the first fault
Detection principle:
emission of a specific zero
sequence signal
E95433
L1
L2
L3
PE
56
System earthing
arrangements
IT system
Signalling the first fault (cont.)
Fault-clearance principle:
detection by toroid
and indication of the faulty
outgoer
E95434
L1
L2
L3
PE
Detection principle:
emission of a specific zero
sequence signal
57
Devices for the IT system
SEAs and devices
IMD 1st fault

I inj
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
I inj
I inj
RI
I inj
Principle
injection of current
tracking generator
measurement of IR (*)
IMD:(Insulation Monitoring
Device)
DC current: direct measurement
of IR (*)
AC current: calculation of IR (*)
e
I inj
E95435
(*) Insulation Resistance
58
SEAs and devices

IMD 1st fault (cont.)
L1
L2
L3
N
Principle of the FTD (*)

detection of fault current
Type of FTD (*):
portable
fixed
E95436
PE
(*) Fault Tracking Device
59
SEAs and devices

IMD & FTD
Merlin Gerin range
IMD (*)
FTD (**)
(*) Insulation Monitoring Device

(**) Fault Tracking Device
60
Protection plan for second fault
SEAs and devices
IT system with interconnected exposed conductive parts (ECP)

Study of the 2nd earth fault
L1
L2
L3
N
PE
Id1
Id2
The SCPD protection trips

protection is ensured by
the same circuit breaker
as for TN-S, mais
4P 4t is compulsory
Check the loop impedance
E95437
Merlin Gerin circuit breakers

are appropriate for protection
in IT systems
62
SEAs and devices
Main characteristics of the IT system

the insulation fault is not dangerous
Protection is ensured by the IT system itself, however

a maintenance strategy is required
A second fault is dangerous and protection must be ensured
by the magnetic setting of the SCPD s or the RCDs
Fire protection: the fault current is close to zero
Continuity of service is total
65
Low Voltage Earthling Systems
E00000
Earthing Systems Comparison.
Criterion
TT
TN-S
TN-C
IT
Protection of people
XXXX
XXX
XX
XXXX
Protection against Fire
XXXX
XXX
XX
Ease of Implementation
Continuity of service
XXX
XX
X
XX
X
XX
X
XXXX
Upgradable installation
XXXX
XX
XX
XX
Cost Saving
XX
XXX
XXXX
XXXX=Excellent
XXX=Good
XX=Average
X=Caution
68

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LV Earthing Systems.

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Division - Name - Date - Language

Protection of people, direct contact

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Protection of people, direct contact

Division - Name - Date - Language

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Division - Name - Date - Language

Protection of people, indirect contact

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Protection against indirect contact

Division - Name - Date - Language

Standard IEC 60479-1

Critical current thresholds

Division - Name - Date - Language

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

c1-c2 :prob. increases by 5%

:prob. more than50 %

IEC 60479-1 Effect of current on the human body

Body Impedance = 2000 Ohms.(Dry)

500 2000 5000 (mA)

UL (MAX. TOUCH VOLTAGE) = 2000x 0.025 = 50 V (Dry Conditions)

Division - Name - Date - Language

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Maximum Touch Voltage Time (Protection of people according to IEC 364)

Division - Name - Date - Language

maximum protective device

Maximum touch voltage time in UL = 25 V

maximum protective device

Earthing Systems - General rules according to IEC 60364 312.2

The Three Earthing Systems

Division - Name - Date - Language

The different types

Division - Name - Date - Language

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Earthing system technique

Division - Name - Date - Language

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Earthing system technique

Division - Name - Date - Language

Equivalent electrical circuit

Division - Name - Date - Language

Well designed network

Current in the neutral

Division - Name - Date - Language

Faulty distribution system

Faulty distribution system

Current in the neutral

currents and/or 3rd order

Measurement of current IPE can be used

However, it is necessary to detect the "true" IPE

Division - Name - Date - Language

Division - Name - Date - Language

Division - Name - Date - Language

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Division - Name - Date - Language

Earth leakage protection

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Division - Name - Date - Language

Earth leakage protection

Low Voltage Earthing Systems

Division - Name - Date - Language

Earth leakage protection