In HT electrical distribution,the systm can be earthed or un earthed.

This same subject was discussed for a thread that came up in CR4 on 04/01/2008 . Please read my reply which is quoted below and please read all the other replies . It is always better to check the previous threads on the same subject before putting up a new thread. "The selection of earthed/unearthed cable will depend on your system. If your distribution system is earthed then you have to use cable manufactured for earthed system. (which the manufacturer specifies). If the system is unearthed then you need to use cable manufactured for un earthed system.The unearthed system requires high insulation level" " For earthed and un earthed XLPE cables, the IS 7098 part2 1985 does not give any difference in specification. The insulation level for cable for unearthed system has to be more. In simple statement the manufacturers states that 11 KV earthed cable is suitable for use in 6.6 KV unearthed system.The process of manufacture of cable is same. The size of cable will depend on current rating and voltage level. what IS specifies and I quote below: " b) Voltage Grade (Uo/U) 1) Earthed System - 1.9/3.3 kV, 3.8/6.6 kV, 6.35/11 kV, 12.7/22 kV and 19/33 kV. 2) Unearthed System - 3.3/3.3 kV and 11/11 kV. Note 1 - Cables of 6.35/11 kV grade (earthed system) are suitable for use on 6.6/6.6 kV (unearthed system) also "----------------------------A cable is considered to be earthed if is armoured. The Cable will be having different cores, with a PVC Insulation and armour is Steel either circular shape or flat sahpe. The wires will be connected to the respective circuits. The armour will be earthed through the Gland and body earthing. An unearthed cable is unarmoured in which there will be any earthing for the cables.

Earthing System: When designing a high voltage industrial network, the system designer has two choices either to have an insulated neutral or earth neutral. Thus we have two different systems in H.T. industrial networks: Insulated Neutral systems commonly know as ungrounded system or Isolated Neutral system. Earth Neutral system.

Up to 1940, most of the systems were operated as ungrounded system. The neutrals of the systems were kept floating as the ground connection is not useful for transfer of three phase power in three wire system. The majority of the system faults (70%) on any system are line to ground faults. In ungrounded system, due to absence of return path, the ground fault is very low. As the service is not interrupted, the fault can be located and rectified at leisure. But soon problems like transient over voltages, arcing grounds and insulation failures began to surface. To overcome these problems, grounding the neutral was considering as a possible solution. The grounded system results in flow of large ground fault current. The over voltage problem in grounded system is replaced by over current problem in grounded system. Even today, this debate on grounded vs. ungrounded system is going on and the preferred alternative does not exist. Difference between Neutral and Ground: The neutral and ground are not always the same. The grown is always at zero voltage plane, whereas the neutral can be at ground (zero) potential or it can have some non zero potential with respect to the ground. In case the neutral is at zero potential, and then there is no neutral shift. If neutral is at non- zero potential, then it is considered to be shifted. For definition of neutral connect three ideal and equal resistors to three phases. The common junction point is the neutral. The common junction point with respect to ground is neutral voltage. From this definition follows an important fact- the zero sequence voltage at any point in network corresponds to the neutral shift at that point in the network. (VR VNG)/ R+(VY VNG)/R+(VB-VNG)/R=0 VR+VY+VB =3VNG ..(1A) From the theory of symmetrical components, VR+VY+VB =3V0 .(1B) Hence ,VNG= V0 ..(1C)

Fig.: Neutral and Zero Sequence Voltage Reasons for Grounding: It enables sufficient ground fault current to flow so that selective isolation of faulted section is feasible. During abnormal system conditions like fault, it minimizes the neutral shift and limits the over voltages appearing on the system. Ungrounded system is crushed with over voltage problem. In grounded system

the over current problem has to be solved. Grounding Methods: Solidly grounded system. Resistance grounded system. Reactance grounded system. The above classification is based only on the nature of external circuit connected between neutral and ground. Measure of Grounding Effectiveness: What constitutes effective grounding is addressed by evaluating certain parameters. Based on extensive simulation studies, it has been established that if the parameters are within the specified range, the transient over voltages under disturbed system conditions are limited. One such figure of merit extensively used is given below. KF = I 1PH / I 3PH I 1PH : single phase to ground fault current I 3PH: Three phase to ground fault current For effectively grounded system, KF > 0.6 . Refer table below , case I qualifies as effectively grounded system. Other cases fall under non-effectively grounded system. Later it will be seen that cases 1,2 and 3 pertain to solidly grounded, low resistance grounded and high resistance grounded system. A point worth emphasizing here is that even if a small resistance is introduced between neutral and ground, the system tends to become non-effectively grounded. TABLE 1: CASE I3PH (KA) I1PH(KA) KF 1 40 40 1.0 2 40 1 0.025 3 40 0.01 0.0005

Another figure of merit is the earth fault factor - EF EF = Max. phase to earth voltage of sound phases under ground fault condition / Rated phase to earth voltage under healthy condition. For effectively grounded system, EF > 1.4. For under grounded system, EF = 3. The standards give a more precise definition fro effectively grounded system. A system or portion of the system can be said to be effectively grounded when for all points in the system or specified portion thereof (X0 /X1) < 3 and (R0 /

X1) < 1. For generator, X0 (Zero sequence reactance) is about 10% and X1 (transient reactance in this case) is about 25%. Hence (X0 /X1) < 3. For transformer, X0 and X1 nearly same and is about 12%. Thus (X0 /X1) < 3. However, in case of EHV transmission line, (X0 /X1) > 4. Thus for the same system, at generator and transformer terminals, the system is effectively grounded, but the end of a long radial EHV line, the system may not be effectively grounded. Solidly Grounded System: The neutral is connected to ground without any explicit external element like resistor or reactor. Advantages of Solidly Grounded System: The substantial flow of ground fault current enables accurate detection and location of ground faults. The factor KF (Eqn 1) is nearly 1 and hence transient over voltage is minimum. Also, the neutral shift during ground fault is markedly less (almost one third) compared to ungrounded system. The ground fault relay (51N) connected in residual circuit offers sensitive protection for feeders. A separate CBCT is not required for ground fault detection. The ground fault relay with range of 20% to 80% us adequate. Since ground fault currents are high, higher setting (say 80%) is recommended especially if CT ratio is lower.

Fig: Ground Relay Residual Connection Lightning arrestor rated for 80% can be used. For example, in a 132 KV system LA rated for 106KV will suffice. The over voltage factor for PT can be 1.5 pu (instead of 1.9 pu) Earthed grade cables can be used. Disadvantages of Solidly Grounded System: It permits flow of zero sequence currents. Third harmonic and multiples of third harmonic currents are zero sequence currents. Every generator produces certain (minimum) amount of third harmonic voltage. If the neutrals of generators on a common bus are solidly grounded, substantial third harmonic currents can circulate between generators resulting in increased heating. In this case, neutral of only one generator is grounded and neutrals of other generators are kept ungrounded. Since the ground fault current magnitude is high, the core damage at the point of fault in rotating machines like generator and motor will be high. To limit the damage to the core, manufacturers allow only a limited ground fault current. This information is usually provided in core damage curves supplied by manufacturer. A typical core damage curve is shown in below Fig. For example,

ground fault current upto 25A is tolerated for 1 Sec. This curve is used as a guide when selecting NGR and setting stator earth fault relays in generator protection. Winding damages in rotating machines are not of serious concern. The repairs can be done by local rewinding agency. However in case of damage to core, repairs cannot be carried out at site. The machine has to be sent back to manufacturers works for repair resulting in prolonged loss of production. Since rotating machines are not present in voltage levels from 22kv and above, usually these systems are solidly grounded. At EHV level solid grounding is universally adopted for two reasons: (a) cost of insulation at EHV level is high (b) Primary protections clear the fault within 5 cycles. If rotating machines are present at 3.3kv, 6.6kv and 11kv levels, the systems are grounded through resistor or reactor to limit the ground fault current. If rotating machines are not present at these voltage levels, the systems are solidly grounded. In case of LT (415v) system, though rotating machines are present, the system is solidly grounded to conform to IE rules. Since LT system is also handled by general public, for safety reasons solid grounding is mandated. Sufficient ground fault current is allowed to flow so that protective devices can operate and clear the faults at the earliest. Of course, core damage at the point of fault in rotating machines will be high. Since a very large number of rotating machines (upto 175 kw) are present at LT level, it may be worth considering resistance grounded system even at this level to limit the ground fault current. LT buses can be segregated into those supplying rotating machines with resistance grounding and those supplying static loads like lighting and heaters with solid grounding. Refer below Fig. The scheme shall be implemented in a controlled environment like power plant or industrial plant manned by professionals. Special application shall be made to the local electrical inspector who will review and approve the scheme in these cases. Fig. LT Distribution Resistance Grounded System: A resistor is connected between the neutral and ground. The reasons for limiting the ground fault current are as follows. In rotating machines, winding damage is tolerable but core damage is not. Reduce burning and melting in electrical equipment. Reduce mechanical stresses (FI2) compared to solidly grounded system. Reduce restrike / arcing faults compared to ungrounded system. Depending on the value of limiting fault current, it is further classified as high resistance grounding and low resistance grounding. High Resistance Grounded System In High Resistance Grounded System, the ground fault current (IF) is limited to

about 10A to 15A. The value of resistor is selected such that for a ground fault, current through resistor INR is equal to total system capacitive current IC. Consider a 11 KV system. Let the ground fault current limited to 10A. the value of NGR (Neutral Grounding Resistor) is approximately given by RG= (11000 /3 ) / 10 = 635 Ohm.

Fig. Resistance grounded System Neutral Grounding Transformer (NGT): One method for achieving the above is to connect a 635-Ohm resistor directly in the neutral circuit. But a more economical solution is to connect the resistor across the NGT. This uses the elementary fact that an impedance Z connected to the secondary side of transformer gets reflected as TR2z on primary side where TR is the turns ratio. The primary current in both alternatives is same (0.3A). Fig :Concept of Reflected Impedance

The scheme with NGT is shown in below fig. The voltage ratio of NGT is choses as (11000/3) V / 240 V. Turns ratio of NGT = TR = (11000/ 3) / 240 v = 26.5 Value of resistor on the LV side RG = 635/ (24.5)2 = 0.9 Ohm. The use of low resistance low voltage resistor results in economical design. A voltage relay (Neutral Displacement Relay) is connected across the resistor to detect round fault. The ground fault relay on feeders can not be connected in residual circuit (Fig5) as the fault current magnitude is very less (say10A) compared to rated current of a feeder (say 800A). Here, reliable ground fault protection cannot be achieved by connecting the relay in residual circuit as in Fig5. Assuming the ct ratio of 800/1 and minimum setting of 10% for round relay (51N), the pick up is 80A, which is much higher than the fault current of 10A. In this case, a separate CBCT is required for ground fault detection (Fig11). Avery sensitive earth fault relay (e.g.RXIG,CTUM15) is connected to CBCT. Primary earth fault current of as low as 2A can be detected.

Resistor Connected to NGT Low Resistance Grounded System: In low resistance grounded system, the ground fault current is limited to about 400A. Another widely used criteria is to limit the fault current to rated current of source generator or transformer.

On a 11kv system, with ground fault current limited to 400A, value of NGR is approximately is given by: RG=(11000/sqrt3)/400 = 16ohm The resistor is connected between neutral and Ground (Fig.).

Fig : Low Resistance Grounded System

Advantages of Ungrounded System: Service continuity, even with one ground fault hanging, is feasible. This is desirable in continuous process industries. The fault current at the point of fault is very low. The core damage in rotating machine is minimal. Disadvantages of Ungrounded System: The possibility of re-strike in a circuit breaker is high when opening capacitive currents of 10A to 15A. This leads to insulation failure. During ground faults there is over voltage on healthy phases and neutral shift is high. This results in following design considerations: Neutral has to be fully insulated. Lightning arrestor has to be rated for 100%. For example, in a 11kV system, LA have to be rated for 11kV even though they are connected from phase to ground. The over voltage factor for PT shall be 1.9pu (instead of 1.5pu). The cables have to be rated for full line voltage. For a 11kV system, the rating shall be 11kV/11kV, i.e. phase to phase insulation will be 11 KV and phase to ground insulation will also be 11 KV. This definition is to be previously called UE grade (Unearthed grade) but recent amendment to IS 7098 (draft) has withdrawn this terminology and replaced by one step higher voltage grade. Instead of 11 KV / 11 KV grade, it will be specified as 12.7 KV / 22 KV.

Comparison between ungrounded System and grounded systems Parameter Ungrounded High Resistance Grounded Low Resistance Grounded Solidly Grounded I1-PH / I 3-PH < 0.5% <1% 5% to 20% > 60%

Transient over voltage 3 to 6 pu Not more than 1.5 to 2.5 pu Arrestor rating 100% 80% PT voltage factor 190% for 8 hours 150% for 30 secs Fault location No Perhaps Yes Immediate disconnection after ground fault No Optional Yes Expected repair (winding) after ground fault New winding insulation Expected repair (core) after ground fault Nil Perhaps core stacking Core stacking Multiple faults Often Seldom Table : Comparison of Different Grounding Methods Current relay in relay in neutral is possible as round fault current is not too low. Compared to high resistance grounded system, the core damage at the faulted location will be more. Ground relay connected in residual circuit, as in Fig5 can be used for feeder protection. The ground fault relay with range of 10% to 40% is adequate. Variation of Voltage with Fault Current Depending on type of grounding, the phase and line voltages change under ground fault condition. Line voltage triangle is isosceles for solidly grounded system and equilateral for ungrounded system. Refer below Fig. Under faulted condition, phase voltage and line voltage for unfaulted phases are equal. For fault on phase R, VYG = VYR; VBG = VBR

Fig. Phasor Diagram

By varying the value of NGR from zero to a very high value, conditions corresponding to solidly grounded, low and high resistance grounded and ungrounded systems can be simulated. The results of the simulation studies are shown in below Fig. The striking features that line and phase voltages of unfaulted phase remain almost equal to 3 pu until the fault current reaches a high value corresponding to solidly grounded system. Fig. Variation of Voltage with Fault current Only when the ground fault current reaches around 8500A, the line and phase voltages drop down to 1pu. The open delta voltage (V = VR +VY +VB ) also exhibits a similar trend. The following observations can be made. The voltage to ground of unfaulted phases remains at almost 3 pu except for solidly grounded system. Consider a non-solidly grounded system. Let a ground fault occur on one of the cables from the switchgear. Not only the faulted cable

but also all the other cables connected to the switchgear will also experience over voltage until the fault is cleared. The connected equipment on the cable network like transformer and motor also experience high voltage during ground faults. Thus there is cumulative stress on insulation of all the equipment after a ground fault. Under-voltage relays are used for protection purpose. Assume the undervoltage relay is connected across the line and set at 70%. The line voltages remain almost at 3pu except for solidly grounded system. The relay will not pick up until the line voltage falls below say 70% of 3pu, i.e. VSET = 1.2pu. Thus line connected under voltage relays may not operate if used in non-solidly grounded system during ground faults. The preferred solution is to connect three under voltage relays between phase and ground. This confirms a well-known fact that the best handle to detect voltage unbalance is the phase voltage and not the line voltage or open delta voltage.