Charter for LV electrical installations

The know-how and appropriate

selection of earthing systems
in LV electrical installations

3
N

PE

masses

3
N
N

PE

masses

3
N
N

PE

masses

Merlin Gerin Square D Telemecanique

Schneider Electric SA Postal address As standards, specifications and designs change this document has been printed
F-38050 Grenoble cedex 9 from time to time, please ask for confirmation on ecological paper
tel: 04 76 57 60 60 of the information given in this publication.
telex: merge 320842 F

Published by Schneider Electric SA

Printed in France by

ZZ1330E 02/1997
 The know-how and appropriate selection
of earthing systems in LV electrical installations

Summary
page

This document Relevance of the charter to LV electrical installations

constitutes the c objective 2
section "the know-
how and
LV neutral-connection schemes
appropriate c international letter code 3
selection of
earthing systems The know-how of Schneider
in LV electrical c the range of choice in standard neutral-connection
installations" of the
"charter for LV
schemes 4
electrical c compliance with choice criteria 6
installations". c practical recommendations 8
c the economic balance-sheet 12
The first part states
the know-how
of Schneider
Features of the neutral-connection schemes
concerning the c IT system 14
choice of c TT system 16
appropriate c TN-S system with residual current protection
schemes of neutral at the origin of the installation 18
connection,
substantiated by
c TN-S system without residual current protection
reasoned argument. at the origin of the installation 20
This position has c TN-C system 22
been approved by
the LV strategic
business units
of Schneider,
in September 1995.

The second part

addresses this
position, scheme-
by-scheme.

Charter for LV electrical installations 1

The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
Relevance of the charter
to LV electrical installations

Objective The charter of LV electrical installations is intended to describe the

means of dealing comprehensively with questions of installation,
covering:
the conception of the offer;
the work specification;
the relevant standards.

It provides for the reader requiring a quick reference - the client, or

marketing manager, or design office chief - the views of Schneider
on important questions related to a LV electrical installation, as well
as all elements necessary for a complete understanding of the
subject.

The charter of LV electrical installation has been conceived and

realized by the Schneider competence group for "LV electrical
installations".

2 Charter for LV electrical installations

LV neutral-connection schemes

Earthing system IT
International letter code 3
N

The earthing system consists of the

connections to earth of the neutral point of
the supply system i.e., the LV neutral PE
connection scheme, as well as the
masses
conductive parts* of the installation.

The several systems of connections to earth

are defined by two (or three) letters:
c first letter: neutral (N) of the transformer:
v I: isolated from earth,
v T: connected to earth; Earthing system TT 3
c second letter: exposed conductive parts N
(M) of the loads: N
v T: connected to earth,
v N: connected to the neutral conductor;
c third letter (optionnal): PE
v S: neutral conductor (N) and the masses
protective conductor (PE) are separated,
v C: neutral conductor (N) and the
protective conductor (PE) are common.

Earthing system TN-S 3

N
N

PE

masses

Earthing system TN-C 3

N
PEN

masses

* conductive parts are defined as:

c all parts of electrical apparatuses, many of them
being accessible (see IEV 826 Exposed conductive
parts);
c as well as supporting and building structures, made
of conductive material (generally metal) not intended to
be alive or to carry current in normal operating
conditions. Some of them are likely to transfer a
hazardous voltage and correspond to the extraneous
conductive parts of IEV 826.

Charter for LV electrical installations 3

The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
The position of Schneider

The range of choice in No neutral-connection scheme is universal

standard neutral-connection
While the choice of neutral-connection scheme is possible,
schemes Schneider recommends a choice, case by case, dictated by
constraints particular to a given proposed installation, and to the
requirements of the client, within the framework of the rules
established by legislation or by the power-distribution authority.

It is often advantageous not to make a unique choice for an entire

installation.
The choice(s) of neutral-connection scheme(s) most appropriate to
an establishement, is (are) the most important initial choice(s) for
the safety and reliability of an electrical installation.

4 Charter for LV electrical installations

Questions
What is the earthing system
of an electrical installation?
What is the choice of a neutral-
connection scheme for a distributor
of electrical energy?
What is the choice of a neutral-
connection scheme within a building?
Charter for LV electrical installations
Answers
The earthing system of an installation cover the methods of
connecting the system of live conductors to earth (i.e. the LV power
source), as well as the exposed conductive parts of the LV loads.
The earth-connection mode of the live-conductors system is called
the "neutral-connection scheme" and can be realized in 3 different
ways in the electrical installation of a building.
On the other hand, the exposed conductive parts are always
connected to the earth electrode of the building in which they are
installated, by either protective or neutral conductors. If no building
electrode exists (in some TN-C schemes), they are connected to
the neutral supply conductor.
For a distributor of electrical energy, it is the choice related closely
to natural conditions, technical or historic, of the value of global
resistance of the earth electrodes of his distribution network, and of
the extent of the responsibilities he wishes to take, or avoid to take
in the protection against electric shock for the user-clients.
It is the association of the simultaneous choice made concerning
three distinct technical issues within the framework of the relevant
standards:
c choice of earthing the LV neutral point of the transformer
supplying the installation: direct, via an impedance, or isolated from
earth; the neutral point is connected to an earth electrode, which is
either:
v the electrode for the building,
v coupled electrically to the electrode for the building,
v completely separate;
c choice of realizing the protective conductor (PE) function:
separate conductor, or a conductor which acts both as the neutral
and PE conductor, designated PEN;
c choice of circuit-interruption devices used for the protection
against indirect contacts: either a circuit breaker or a fuse,
or a residual current device.
The use of residual current devices at the origin of the installation
achieves, very simply, the separation of responsibilities between the
distributor of energy (the contractor) and the client (the user).
5
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
The position of Schneider (continued)

Compliance with the criteria The Schneider offer and related documents
of choice must aim at proposing satisfactory solutions
for the realization of all the neutral-
connection schemes
The proposed solutions respect the six criteria:

c protection against electric shock;

c protection against fire of electrical origin;
c continuity of power supply;
c protection against overvoltage;
c protection against electromagnetic disturbances;
c designed performance limits of the installation.

A synthesis of features characterising each LV neutral-

connection scheme leads to the following technical
comparisons.

Protection against electric shock All the LV neutral-connection schemes are equally effective in the
protection against electric shocks, providing that the schemes are
correctly installed in strict conformity with the standards.

Protection against the risk of fire In the TT and IT systems, the occurrence of a first insulation failure
of electrical origin phase/earth, will produce fault currents which are weak and verry
weak respectively, so that the risk of fire is correspondingly low.

On the other hand:

In the event of a short circuit to earth of low impedance on a

TN system, the value of fault current will be very high and the risk
of damage and fire is increased accordingly.

In the case of a partial short circuit to earth, i.e. the fault current
is limited due to the impedance of the fault, TN systems that do not
include differential protective devices do not provide sufficient
protection against damage or fire risk. Modification of the
TN system to that of a TN-S system is recommended, together with
the use of residual current protective devices or at least ground
fault protection.

In normal operation, the TN-C system presents a greater fire risk

than the other systems. In fact, any (normal) out-of-balance current
passes back to the source, not only through the PEN (neutral/PE)
conductor, but also through element to which the PEN conductor is
connected, such as steel beams and girders, metallic housings,
screens, etc.
During a short circuit to earth, the heat energy dissipated in these
extraneous current paths increases considerably. It is for this
reason that the TN-C system is forbidden in locations where the risk
of explosion and/or fire exists.
6 Charter for LV electrical installations
Continuity of power supply
Protection against overvoltage
Protection against electromagnetic (EM)
disturbances
Designed performance limits
of the installation
Charter for LV electrical installations
The choice of an IT system avoids any serious consequences on
the occurrence of an earth fault, such as:
c voltage dip;
c disturbances caused by fault current;
c damage to equipment;
c tripping of the faulty circuit, i.e. normal supply is not interrupted.
The correct exploitation of the IT scheme minimizes the probability
of a second concurrent earth fault.
Note: in general, supply continuity is assured by an association of
circuit elements: duplication of power sources, inverters, selective
protection, IT systems, service maintenance, etc.
In all earth connection schemes, some kind of protection against
overvoltage is generally necessary. In order to choose an
appropriate protection scheme, the degree of exposure of the
installation (to atmospheric electrical disturbances) and the nature
of the establishment and its activities, must be considered.
Then the number and quality of its equipotential zones must be
defined, in order to install suitable protective devices (lightning
arrester etc.) on the incoming and outgoing circuits of the different
systems.
Note:
c the TT system very often requires the use of lightning arresters
(overhead-list service);
c no system can dispense with these measures;
c in the IT system the protection against overvoltage on the LV
system due to earth faults at the HV side of a supply transformer,
must be realized by an overvoltage limiter at the LV neutral point.
The following applies to all systems:
c for all disturbances in the differential mode;
c for any disturbance (common or differential mode) at frequencies
in the MHz range.
The TT, TN-S and IT systems are all amenable to satisfying the
criteria of EM compatibility. It may be noted however, that the TN-S
system creates more disturbance than the others during short-
circuit earth-faults, because of the higher level of fault current.
The systems TN-C and TN-C-S are not recommended where EM
compatibility is important: in these schemes, the PEN conductor,
cable armouring and other conductive parts, all carry current
permanently in normal operation; such current being part of any
unbalanced-load current. This permanent current creates disturbing
potential differences between sensitive equipments, which are
connected to the PEN conductor. The presence of third- (and
multiples of third-) harmonic currents have substancially increased
these disturbing-current levels in modern installations.
The TT system, together with the TN-S system, are, when using
residual current protection, the least difficult to realize.
The TN-S system, when designed without residual current
protection, must respect the requirements of circuit length, imposed
by the indirect-contacts protection scheme.
Likewise for:
c the IT system, which, additionally, requires a competent
maintenance service;
c the TN-C system, which is, moreover, not allowed for non-fixed
circuits, or for circuits of cross-sectional-area (c.s.a.) of i 10 mm2
for copper, or i 16 mm2 for aluminium.
7
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
The position of Schneider (continued)

Practical recommendations Comparaison of the several standard LV

neutral-connection schemes leads to the
following recommendations
The TT system is recommended for unsupervised installations
which are likely to be frequently extended.
In practice, the TT scheme is the simplest to realize in private or public
distribution systems.
However, because of its use of widely-separated earthing electrodes,
the installation of overvoltage protection devices is generally required.

The IT system is recommended when continuity of supply is

imperative.
In practice, the IT scheme ensures the highest level of power-supply
availability.
However, it requires:
c an assessment of overvoltage withstand capability levels for the
installation cabling and apparatuses, and the avoidance of
excessive leakage currents;
c a competent maintenance service, capable of rapidly locating and
eliminating a first earth fault, and of reviewing the (possibly new)
installation requirements following extensions.

The TN-S system is recommended for installations which are

closely supervised and unlikely to be frenquently extended.
It is often implemented without medium-sensitivity residual current
protection.
Current levels due to insulation failure are high and produce:
v transitory disturbances,
v risk of significant damage,
v fire risk.
The TN-S system requires an accurate study.
If residual current protective devices of medium sensitivity are
installed a greater degree of fire protection is afforded, and a more
flexible installation is achieved, both in its conception and exploitation.

In terms of overvoltage-withstand levels and electromagnetic-

disturbance performance, the IT, TT and TN-S systems,
installed in conformity with the current state-of-the-art
standards, are all equallly satisfactory.

Notes
The TN-C (or TN-C-S) are not recommended.
In fact:
c the scheme presents a number of permanent risks, in particular:
v voltage drops along the PEN conductor,
v circulating currents in the cable armouring, conductive parts and
associated bonding conductors (risk of destruction and/or fire),
v wide magnetic fields,
c no protection against resistive short circuits;
c in the case of a solid short circuit, the level of fault current is high.
The TN-C scheme requires very careful study.

8 Charter for LV electrical installations

Questions Answers
Why is the TT system the simplest to The length of circuits is not limited by considerations of protection
realize? against electric shock (because the residual current protection
functions at less than one ampere of fault current, while the circuit
breakers or fuses operate at current levels equal to several times
the rated current of the circuit). No calculations of maximum
permissible circuit length are therefore necessary at the design
stage.
A single residual current protective device can protect several
circuits, in particular, those added when carrying out extensions.

What are the consequences of a first
fault to earth in the IT system?
It has no significant influence on the protection of persons if the
installation conforms to the relevant standard furthermore, there are
generally no disturbances due to the leakage currents in the
conductive parts.
On the other hand, transient phenomen occur, mainly governed by
the global capacitance of the installation with respect to earth
(length of cabling, filter circuits of equipments).
Furthermore, the voltages on the conductors of the healthy phases
increase, from phase values to line values, with respect to earth.
Electronic materials employed must therefore conform with the
requirements of IEC 950 relevant to the IT scheme or have
equivalent overvoltage withstand capabilities.

Why is it recommended that no neutral
conductor be used in IT systems?
This recommendation is simply an effective means of avoiding the
use of any material not capable of withstanding line to line voltage
with respect to earth.
It also avoids having an installation which is unduly extended, since
the calculated circuit cable lengths allowed, which satisfy the
requirements for protection against indirect-contact hazards, are
greater.

What is the influence of the existence The simple existence of a length of PEN conductor causes
of a PEN conductor in an electrical circulation currents in the conductive parts and armouring of
installation? equipments and cables, the latter materials being part of a
phase PEN TN-S system.
N The corresponding voltages can cause disturbances.
i PEN PE Under fault conditions, these currents and voltages increase and
equipment 11
quipement
can be the origin of damage and fire.
Finally, the stray currents, i on the figure, and those shunted from
the neutral conductor, create electromagnetic fields, which may
U interfere with the correct functioning of sensitive electronic
coaxial cable
cble coaxial
equipment (medical measuring instruments, VDUs, etc.).
N
PEN PE equipment 22
quipement

section TN-C section TN-S

Charter for LV electrical installations 9

The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
The position of Schneider (continued)

Practical recommendations Tabulated comparison of LV neutral

(continued) connection schemes in an establishment
Les recommandations d'emploi dcoulent des choix techniques
prsents dans le tableau ci-dessous.

LV neutral- technical choice:

connection method of PE conductor protection against recommendations
scheme earthing connection indirects contacts
IT transformer neutral PE conductor circuit breaker, recommended when
point isolated or separated from fuse, sometimes continuity of supply
earthed through high all active conductors residual current is imperative
impedance to building device (4 poles)
earthing electrode
TT transformer neutral PE conductor residual current recommended for
point earthed separated from device (4 poles) unsupervised
and not directly all active conductors installations which
connected to the are likely to be
earth-electrode extended
of building
TN-S transformer neutral PE conductor residual current recommended for
with residual current point, the neutral and separated from device (4 poles) unsupervised
protection at the PE conductors, all all active conductors installations which
origin of the connected to the are likely to be
installation transformer earth extended
electrode
TN-S transformer neutral PE conductor circuit breaker recommended for
without residual point, the neutral and separated from (4 poles) or fuse well supervised
current protection PE conductors, all all active conductors installations which
at the origin of the connected to the are unlikely to be
installation transformer earth extended
electrode
TN-C (or TN-C-S) transformer neutral the neutral conductor circuit breaker not recommended
in an establishment point or PEN conductor also acts as the or fuse because of fire risk
connected to the PE conductor and and problems of
building earth is referred to as the electromagnetic
electrode PEN conductor compatibility

10 Charter for LV electrical installations

Questions Answers
How do the component parts of the TN In this classic example of a consumer's substation, connected in the
system react under fault conditions? TN scheme the LV installation and connected loads remain
U1 U
unaffected during LV faults, U = 230 V.
HT BT L3
However, a voltage (Uf) created by a HV fault or by the discharge
L2
L1
current of a lightning arrester passing through the earthing-
PEN electrode resistance (shown as R) will raise all LV active
conductors, plus associated exposed conductive parts, to a
Im common potential of Uf volts.
R Uf

How to the component parts of the TT
system react under fault conditions?
U1
HT
In this typical example, the HV fault, or lightning-discharge current,
does not affect the LV installation.
U However, a lightning-induced current surge passing to earth
through the LV neutral-point earthing electrode, will raise all active
BT L3
LV conductors to a potential U with respect to their associated
L2
L1 exposed conductive parts.
N

Im
R RB RA Uf

What precautions must be taken to avoid It is necessary to supply sensitive equipments (data processors,
the rise in potential of the exposed etc.) through separate dedicated circuit. Use of local transformers;
conductive parts of unfaulted systems of transmission via isolating transformers (galvanic
components which are disturbed isolation) can be effective, notably on TN systems.
transitorily? The close-mesh bonding of exposed conductive parts and
conducting elements attenue to some extent, the effects of these
disturbances.

Charter for LV electrical installations 11

The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
The position of Schneider (continued)
The economic balance sheet
12
Any economic balance sheet must include
all the costs: the conception,
the maintenance, the modifications
or extensions, the delays in production
Attention is drawn to the fact that only comprehensive economic
balance sheets truly reflect the viability of a scheme for the user
concerned.
Charter for LV electrical installations
Questions
What procedures are necessary to
protect a site against overvoltages?
Are touch voltages higher on TT
schemes than those of TN schemes?
Corrosion?
Charter for LV electrical installations
Answers
Evaluate the kinds of disturbances which have to be addressed,
independently of the neutral-earthing connection scheme, as a
function of:
c site exposure (overvoltages due to the indirect effects of lightning or
to a nearly lightning stroke);
c the kind of power-supply network (insulation failure);
c the kind of building establishment (choice of a reasonable level of
safety).
This evaluation is carried out at the industrial power-frequency of
the system, and then for higher frequencies, up to several MHz.
Then, the number and quality of equipotential zone must be
established (local, building, site) in order to arrange the protection of
each of them.
In practice, in the arrangement of sites with several buildings, supplied
from a common source, but interconnected by communication
systems, a possible choice could be, for example:
c either the interconnection of the buildings:
v by the conductors interconnecting the earthing electrodes,
v by paralled earthing conductors at least 35 mm2, dimensioned
according to the levels of anticipated fault current,
v by a close-mesh system of conductors for particular cases;
c or the complete isolation of equipotential zones, using optical-fibre
links with non-conducting sheaths.
Lastly, the overvoltage protective devices (lightning arresters, etc.) are
installed on the incoming and outgoing lines of the different systems.
Notes:
c no LV neutral connection scheme can be realized without these
preliminary measures;
c in an IT system, the protection against overvoltage due to LV faults
must, in addition, be provided by a voltage limiter.
On TN systems, the highest touch voltages are close to 50% of the
phase/neutral voltage if the size of the PE and phase conductors are
equal; more, if the PE conductor is smaller.
On TT systems, the touch voltage is very small between a healthy
equipment and a faulty one, because the earth-fault current is small.
On the other hand, it is close to the nominal phase voltage between a
faulty equipment and a point on the ground distant from the building
earth electrode.
An electric current, particularly if dc (rectified ac or natural earth
current) can corrode earth electrodes, conducting elements of an
earth mat and the exposed conductive parts of equipments, structural
metal, etc.
This must be taken into account for the earth electrodes and meshes
(data processing systems, lightning-protection systems) and
connections made at a PEN conductor.
The TN-C scheme is the most vulnerable to corrosion.
13
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
Features of the neutral-connection schemes

IT system

CPI
IMD LS

earthing electrode LV earthing

prise de terre prise de terre BT
of aposte
du HV/LVMT/BT electrode
substation

E Method of earthing
The LV neutral point of the transformer is isolated from earth. In
practice, it is connected to earth by the inherent capacitance to earth
of the installation conductors and by an additional earthing resistor. A
voltage limiter (LS) is obligatory in many countries.
The exposed conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts are
connected to the earthing electrode of the LV installation by protective
conductors.

The protective conductors PE are entirely separate from the neutral

PE Protective conductors conductor and are dimensioned according to the highest possible
value of fault current (for example, if two concurrent earth faults occur
on different phases).

The first fault to earth is not dangerous.

PIC Protection against indirect-contact
hazards
Note:
the symbols E, PE and PIC defined above, are
used again on the next page as a reminder of
their origins and operational features.
The fault current is very small.
A second earth fault (on a different phase or on the neutral conductor)
concurrent with the first, constitutes a dangerous short circuit. This
possibility must be made extremely improbable by a rapid location and
repair of the first fault. An insulation monitoring device (IMD) affords
permanent surveillance of the insulation to earth for the entire
installation.
Protectives devices are set to operate in the case of double faults.
Whether protection is by fuses or by circuit breakers, the rules are
similar to those used for TN schemes. Residual current devices can
also be used when appropriate or necessary. If two concurrent faults
occur on circuits downstream of a residual current device, it will
remain inoperative, since it detects an apparent overload condition
only. This means that a residual current device is necessary for each
individual circuit.
If two sites have common IT installation, and their installation-earthing
electrodes are not interconnected, a residual current device is
imperative at the origin of each installation. This arrangement will
ensure that, if a first fault occurs at one installation and a first fault
occurs concurrently on a different phase (or on the neutral) of the
other installation, a potentially dangerous condition will be avoided.

14 Charter for LV electrical installations

Fire PIC The presence of an alarm relay which
permanently monitors the insulation-resistance to
earth of the installation. This device, together with
the possible use of residual current devices of
Overvoltages E In normal operation the exposed conductive
parts, the earthing electrode and the neutral
conductor are all at similar potentials.
E A voltage limiter must be provided to
prevent any increase in voltage that would
exceed the rated overvoltage-withstand capability
of the LV installation and equipments, on the
occurence of a HV fault. Overvoltage protection
in the LV distribution circuits of the installation is
then carried out according to measures which are
common to all schemes.
E After a first fault, the supply to all loads is
maintained, and line voltage appears between
the phase conductors of the healthy phases and
the exposed conductive parts. The equipments
must therefore be selected accordingly.
Continuity of E The fault current level for a first fault is very
supply, low, being due only to the stray capacitive
electromagnetic currents of conductors and equipment HF filters
compatibility etc., plus the current through the high-resistance
star-point earthing resistor (if one is installed).
E The LV first-fault condition causes no
voltage drop at the loads, or electromagnetic
disturbances of extensive frequency spectrum,
normally associated with short-circuit faults to
earth.
E The second fault could occur on a different
phase than that of the first fault (or on a neutral
conductor) thereby creating a short-circuit of very
low impedance with all its consequential problems.
Design and PIC A competent maintenance team must be
exploitation available at all times to locate and repair a first
fault as quickly as possible.
PIC A rigorous design study of the electrical
installation is necessary: application of the
IT scheme, where justified by the continuity of
supply it affords; isolation of load elements
having large leakage currents (industrial ovens,
certain information technology equipments);
leakage-current studies including transitory
currents, in particular, on residual current
devices; subdivisioning of the installation...
PIC Where residual current devices of 30 mA
are installed for the protection of socket-outlet
circuits, the downstream capacitive and leakage
currents must not exceed a total of 10 mA. The
estimation of these currents must be based on
Charter for LV electrical installations
sensivity i 500 mA, will assure a certain
prevention of fire due to a faulty electrical
installation.
E If lightning arresters are used, the
standards require that their rated voltage be
based on the line to line voltage of the system
concerned.
E If a neutral conductor is provided, the
equipments, even if supplied at phase voltage,
must withstand line voltage between phase and
accessible conductive parts: in general
equipments insulated for (2U + 1,000) V are
suitable. For electronic equipments, it is
necessary that they satisfy the IEC 950 (or EN
60950) specifications, or an equivalent, relative to
the IT scheme. These equipments can also be
supplied through separate dedicated
transformers.
The user of an IT system must ensure that such
a situation can never occur, even though the
standards envisage the possibility with suitable
protection schemes, in the interests of safety.
PE In normal system operation, and even on
the occurence of a first fault, the PE conductors
do not cause any voltage drops. The
equipotentiality of protective conductors,
conductors of functional earth electrodes, the
exposed conductive parts and conducting
structures, etc. of the building to which the
protective conductors are connected, is
maintained.
line voltage for phase conductors, and on phase
voltage for a neutral conductor.
If a circuit is not of critical importance, a residual
current device could trip the circuit for a first fault,
which is thereby eliminated. If not their use
should be avoid and other measures adapted.
Note: If a neutral conductor is provided it must be
protected by the fourth pole of a 4-pole circuit
breaker, or, on single-phase circuits, by bipolar
units. In final-circuit distribution boards, unipole +
neutral tripping protections are allowed, providing
that their calibrations are equal or very close to
each other and as long as a residual current
device of medium sensitivity exists upstream.
15
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
Features of the neutral-connection schemes (continued)

TT system

prise de electrode
earthing terre prises de terre BT
LV earthing
du
of aposte
HV/LVMT/BT electrode
substation

E Method of earthing The LV neutral point of the transformer is connected solidly to earth.

The exposed conductive parts of equipments are connected by

protective conductors to the earthing electrode of the installation,
which is generally remote from the transformer earthing electrode.
However, if the transformer is installed in the same building as the
installation the earthing electrodes may be unintentionnaly
connected together.

PE Protective conductor The protective conductors PE are independent of the neutral

conductors, and are dimensioned according to the highest possible
level of fault current available.

PIC Protection against indirect-contact In the case of a short-circuit fault, circuit-breaker tripping is
hazards obligatory. The level of earth-fault current is very low.

In practice, tripping is achieved by residual current devices, which

are sufficiently sensitive to detect the low fault-current levels
resulting from the resistance of the two (source and installation)
earthing electrodes in services.

Note:
the symbols E, PE and PIC defined above, are
used again on the next page as a reminder of
their origins and operational features.

16 Charter for LV electrical installations

Fire PIC The use of residual current protection PIC Residual current devices of sensitivity
ensures correct operation for high impedance i 500 mA assures a certain prevention of fire
faults. due to a faulty electrical installation.

Overvoltages E If, as in the TN systems, the potential of the
exposed conductive parts and of the earthing
electrode are equal, it does not necessarily
follow for the neutral conductor, connected to a
different earthing electrode, sometimes located
in a certain distance from the installation (e. g. at
a supply-authority's substation) (case of lightning
on public-distribution rural systems).
At industrial sites or in urban areas, this is not
generally the case. In such cases, the
interconnection of the two earthing electrodes is
a necessary compromise (since the zones of
influence of the two electrodes overlap).
The installation of lightning arresters afford the
level of protection required.

Continuity E The current level for an earth fault is
of supply, relatively low: a current of 100 A corresponds to
electromagnetic a resistance for the two earthing electrodes of
compatibility 230/100 = 2,3 , which is an unusually low
value. This means that the voltage drop caused
by the fault; the consequent electromagnetic
disturbance, and the fleeting potential difference
between two equipments (e. g. two PCs)
interconnected by an armoured cable, are much
more-easily tolerated than those occuring on a
TN-S scheme.
PE In normal operation, there are non voltage
drops along the protective conductors none of
the undesirable features of the TN-C scheme are
present. On the occurence of an earth fault, the
voltage impulse along the PE conductor is weak
and any induced disturbance are negligible.
In the distributed circuits, the PE conductors can
be of smaller cross-sectional-area than those
required for a TN-S scheme.
E Short circuit to earth fault currents are of
very short duration.

Design and PIC Residual current devices, in the form of

exploitation relays, must be added to circuit breakers, while
residual current load-break switches must be
series-connected with fuse-protected circuits.
They may protect a single circuit, or a group of
circuits, and the sensitivity of the devices will
depend on the maximum value that R, the
resistance of the earthing electrode of the
protected installation, can attain.
They must avoid a voltage rise of the exposed
conductive parts exceeding the magnitude and
period of time prescribed by the designed
overvoltage withstand capabilities of the
installation.

PIC The use of residual current devices reduces

design and exploitation constraints to a minimum.
No knowledge of the source impedance is
necessary. The length of circuits is unlimited
(except for considerations of voltage drop).
Installation modifications or extensions can be
carried out without calculations or measures in
situ.

PIC The use of an alternative power source by

the distribution authority or by the user, is easily
accommodated.

PIC The distribution authority has no

responsibility concerning the protection against
electric shocks in private installations: the
protection is independent of the continuity of the
neutral conductor (or PEN) of the public
distribution system.

Charter for LV electrical installations 17

The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
Features of the neutral-connection schemes (continued)

TN-S system with residual current protection at the origin of the installation

N
PE N
PE

earthing
prise deelectrode
terre LV earthing
prise de terre BT
duaposte
of HV/LVMT/BT electrode
substation

E Method of earthing The neutral point of the transformer or the supply neutral conductor
(see note) are connected once, to the LV earthing electrode, at the
origin of the installation.

The exposed conductive parts of equipments and associated

extraneous conductive parts, are connected to the PE conductor
which, in turn, is connected to the neutral, at the origin of the
installation only.

Note:
in countries where the TN-C-S system is standard for the distribution, the
neutral point of the transformer is always solidly earthed, and the neutral
conductor of the public distribution system is earthed at intervals along its
length. The consumer is often required to provide an earth electrode and
to connect the neutral conductor to it at the head of the installation. From
this point a TN-S system begins and the installation is according to the
TN-S system.

PE Protective conductors The protective conductors are independent of the neutral conductor
and are dimensioned according to the maximum possible level of fault
current.
The separation of neutral and PE conductors allows the application of
residual current devices.

PIC Protection against indirect-contact Circuit-breaker tripping is obligatory in the event of a fault.
hazards The fault-current level is high in this scheme.

This tripping is achieved by residual current protective devices.

Note:
the symbols E, PE and PIC defined above, are
used again on the next page as a reminder of
their origins and operational features.

18 Charter for LV electrical installations

Fire PIC The use of residual current protection
ensures correct operation for high impedance
faults.
PIC Residual current protection devices of
sensitivity i 500 mA assures a certain prevention
of fire due to a faulty electrical installation.
Overvoltages E In normal operation the LV neutral point of
the transformer, the exposed conductive parts
and the earthing electrode are all at the same
potential. However transitory phenomena can
occurr and require the use of lightning arresters
between phases, neutral and PE.
Continuity E The influence of HV/LV faults, insulation
of supply, faults at HV and at LV, is similar to that
electromagnetic experienced on a TN-C scheme. In particular, the
compatibility large fault currents at LV, which are not limited by
an earthing electrode, are important, and can
reach several kA.
E During the period of a LV fault, the potential
of the neutral conductor in the installation is
displaced, so that the phase voltage to exposed
conductive parts increases on some phases to
exceed the normal phase/exposed conductive
parts voltage. A value of 1.45 Un is
representative.
E During the period of a LV fault the voltage
depression on the faulty phase, electromagnetic
disturbances and damage (fire, windings, motor
magnetic circuits, etc.) are important.
Design PE Connection of the neutral conductor of the
and exploitation installation to earth is not allowed again.
This prohibition ensures that a TN-C condition is
avoided with all its short-comings. It precludes, in
particular, any possibility of permanent currents,
shunted (in the normal steady-state condition)
from the neutral conductor.
Earth faults are isolated in 0.2 to 0.4 seconds.
PIC The residual current device current setting,
is set at a level which exceeds that of the
leakage current of the installation, but is lower
than that of the fault level in the fault loop.
PIC In order to avoid unintended tripping, the
trip-setting levels may be set relatively high, so
that setting of 1 amp or more are not unusual.
Charter for LV electrical installations
E Because of the localised influence of the
earthing electrodes, the potential can be different
at some points distant from them.
So that, during a period of insulation failure at
HV, some current* will pass to earth, via the LV
neutral earthing electrode, and a power-system
frequency voltage will appear between the PE of
LV equipment and remote earth.
* electrodes in close proximity are (loose) "connected"
through the soil and behave in an inefficient way as a
single electrode.
PE In normal operation, the PE conductor, as
opposed to the PEN conductor, occasions no
voltage drops, so that none of the drawbacks of
the TN-C system in this respect, exist. The TN-S
system is similar, in this way, to the TT system.
PE In earth-fault conditions however, significant
current and associated voltage impulses can
occur on a PE conductor which are similar to
those of the TN-C scheme, and detrimental to the
aims of electromagnetic compatibility.
PIC The inclusion of residual current devices
removes many constraints in the design and
exploitation of an installation. An accurate
knowledge of the source impedance is not
essential. The lenght of circuits is unlimited (apart
from volt-drop considerations). Modifications or
extensions can be carried out, without the need
for further calculations or on-site measurements.
PIC The use of an alternative power source by
the distribution authority or by the user is easily
accommodated.
19
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
Features of the neutral-connection schemes (continued)

TN-S system without residual current protection at the origin of the

installation

N
PE N
PE

earthing
prise de electrode
terre LV earthing
prise de terre BT
du
of aposte
HV/LVMT/BT electrode
substation

E Method of earthing The neutral point of the transformer or the neutral conductor (see note
page 18) are connected once, to the LV earthing electrode at the
origin of the installation.

The exposed conductive parts of equipments and associated

extraneous conductive parts, are connected to the PE conductor
which, in turn, is connected to the neutral, at the origin of the
installation only.

PE Protective conductors The protective conductors are independent of the neutral conductor
and are dimensioned according to the maximum possible level of fault
current.
The separation of neutral and PE conductors allows the application of
residual current devices.

PIC Protection against indirect-contact Circuit-breaker tripping is obligatory in the event of a fault.
hazards The fault-current level is high in this scheme.

This tripping is achieved by circuit breaker or fuses.

Note:
the symbols E, PE and PIC defined above, are
used again on the next page as a reminder of
their origins and operational features.

20 Charter for LV electrical installations

Fire PIC No protection is afforded in the case of a
resistive fault, which limits the level of fault
current, thereby presenting a fire hazard.
Note: The use of residual current devices set
at i 500 mA would have been effective in
reducing the risk of fire due to resistive faults.
It would have also provided, like ground fault
protection, some prevention of the effects of
high-level short-circuit faults.
Overvoltages E In normal operation the LV neutral point of
the transformer, the exposed conductive parts
and the earthing electrode are all at the same
potential. However, transitory phenomena can
occur and require the use of lightning arresters
between phases, neutral and exposed conductive
parts.
Continuity E The influence of HV to LV faults, HV faults
of supply, and LV faults, is similar to that of the TN-C
electromagnetic scheme. In particular LV earth faults produce
compatibility very high currents (several kA) since no earthing
electrode is involved.
E During the period of a LV fault, the potential
of the neutral conductor in the installation is
displaced, so that the phase voltage to PE
increases on some phases to exceed the normal
phase/PE voltage. A value of 1.45 Un is
representative.
E During the period of a LV fault the voltage
depression on the faulty phase, electromagnetic
disturbances and damage (fire, windings, motor
magnetic circuits, etc.) are important.
Design PIC Connection of exposed conductive parts to
and exploitation the neutral conductor of the installation is not
allowed.
This prohibition ensures that a TN-C condition is
avoided with all its short-comings. It precludes, in
particular, any possibility of permanent currents,
shunted (in the normal steady-state condition)
from the neutral conductor.
PIC It is necessary to calculate and to verify by
measurement the source impedance and the
circuit-length resistances periodically, to ensure
that each circuit is correctly protected.
PIC The foregoing calculations and checks
must be repeated for each source, if the
installation has more than one possible source
(standby generators, inverters, etc.).
Charter for LV electrical installations
E Because of the localised influence of the
earthing electrodes, the potential can be different
at some points distant from them.
So that, during a period of insulation failure at
HV, some current* will pass to earth, via the LV
neutral earthing electrode, and a power-system
frequency voltage will appear between the
exposed conductive parts of LV equipment and
remote earth.
* electrodes in close proximity are (loose) "connected"
through the soil and behave in an inefficient way as a
single electrode.
PE In normal operation, the PE conductor, as
opposed to the PEN conductor, occasions no
voltage drops, so that none of the drawbacks of
the TN-C system in this respect, exist. The TN-S
system is similar, in this way, to the TT system.
PE In earth-fault conditions however, significant
current and associated voltage impulses can
occur on a PE conductor which are similar to
those of the TN-C scheme, and detrimental to the
aims of electromagnetic compatibility.
PIC The circuits have a maximum length that
must not be exceeded.
PIC Any modification of the installation requires
a complete re-assessment of the conditions of
protection.
PIC An absence of protection if the installation
is supplied from a source, such as a standby
generator, which has an internal impedance
exceeding that for which the maximum circuit
lengths were calculated.
21
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations
Features of the neutral-connection schemes (continued)

TN-C system

PEN

earthing
prise de electrode
terre LV earthing
prise de terre BT
du
of aposte
HV/LVMT/BT electrode
substation

E Method of earthing The neutral point of the transformer is solidly earthed, and the
neutral conductor is earthed at intervals throughout its length.

The installation extraneous conductive parts and equipment

exposed conductive parts are connected to the neutral conductor.

PE Protective conductor The neutral conductor also acts as a PE conductor, and is referred
to as a PEN conductor.

PIC Protection against indirect-contact Automatic and rapid clearing of a short-circuit fault is obligatory.
hazards The fault-current level is very high.

This clearing must be by means of a circuit breaker or fuses, since

the employment of residual current devices is not possible with a
common PEN earthing conductor. A phase/exposed conductive
parts fault constitutes a phase/neutral short circuit.

Note:
the symbols E, PE and PIC defined above, are
used again on the next page as a reminder of
their origins and operational features.

22 Charter for LV electrical installations

Fire PE The TN-C system is not allowed in areas at
risk from fire and/or explosions and classified
respectively BE2 and BE3 by the international
standard IEC 364. In fact, the bonding of all
extraneous metal (structural steel members, etc.)
to the PEN conductor provides shunt parallel
paths for normal (out-of-balance) load currents.
Such currents increase enormously at times of
short-circuit-to-earth faults, with a risk of
sparking, or arcing, resulting in an explosion,
Overvoltages E In normal operation, the neutral point of the
transformer, the exposed conductive parts, and
the earth are all at a similar potential.
E Due to the limited area of influence of
earthing electrodes, the potential of the surrounding
earth becomes less and less with distance from an
electrode passing current.
So that, during the period of earth-fault current flow
from a HV fault, a current will pass through the LV
Continuity E Short-circuit faults can give rise to currents of
of supply, several kA, since there is no resistance due to earth
electromagnetic electrodes in the TN-C system.
compatibility During the passage of LV fault current, the supply
voltage drops considerably; electromagnetic
disturbances are severe, and the risk of fire and
damage to equipment are high (burnt-out motors,
damage to magnetic-circuit laminations, etc.).
PE In normal system operation voltages appear on
a PEN conductor at supply frequency. These are
mainly due to the normal voltage drop along the
neutral (PEN) conductor, due to loading imbalance.
Closed circuits through conductive parts are formed
by PE bonding conductors, co-ax cables, cable
armouring, etc. of electronic systems, the exposed
conductive parts and the PEN conductor, so that the
potential differences along the PEN conductor cause
currents to circulate around the closed loops.
Design PE The PEN conductor must satisfy the
and exploitation requirements of its two functions. In the case of
contradicting circumstances, the PE function has
priority.
PE The TN-C system is not allowed for any circuit
of less than 10 mm2 section (for copper) or less than
16 mm2 section (for aluminium), or if the installation is
made up of flexible conductors (i.e. not rigidly fixed).
PE Corrosion has two principal causes: a
(possible) dc component carried by a PEN conductor,
and earth currents due to galvanic action of elements
occurring naturally (acid or alkaline soils, etc.) on the
(often) dissimilar metals of earthing rods, structural
steel, etc. in the presence of moisture.
PIC The use of circuit breakers and fuses as
protection against indirect-contact hazards implies
that the impedances of the source, the circuits
upstream of the CB or fuses, and of the circuit being
protected must be known at the design stage of the
installation, and will remain unchanged. Any
Charter for LV electrical installations
and/or a fire. Widely distributed currents as
described, can also give rise to severe problems
of electromagnetic compatibility.
PIC The protection against certain types of fault,
such as high-resistance faults which do not
develop rapidly into solid short circuits is not
assured. Only residual current devices can
provide such protection. This situation (persistent
resistive faults) constitutes a serious fire hazard.
earth-electrode, thereby raising its voltage and that
of the connected conductive parts, to some value
(at power-system frequency) above remote earth.
E During a LV earth fault, the neutral
conductor at the installation will acquire a
potential, and the voltage phase/PE applied to
connected loads will exceed that of the rated
value of phase voltage.
In practice, a value of 1.45 Un is representative.
This phenomenon is more prevalent in modern
installations which include equipment that generates
3rd-harmonic currents. The currents are of zero-
phase-sequence, so that the resultant neutral
harmonic current is three times that of each phase
conductor.
PE In a more insidious manner, these circulating
currents lead to an unbalance of current in the
distribution circuits of the installation, as well as
creating random magnetic fields which interfere with
the correct functioning of cathode-ray tubes, VDUs,
and certain electronic medical equipment... above a
(weak) field strength of 0.7 A/m (being equal to 5 A
flowing through a conductor at a distance of 1 metre
from a sensitive electronic device).
This phenomenon is (evidently) greatly magnified
when fault current is flowing.
subsequent change will require redefining the
protection parameter values. These impedance
values must be checked at the initial commissioning
of the installation and periodically there after. The
protection settings will, if necessary, have to be
adjusted according to the check-test values.
PIC In the case of alternative supply being provided
by more than one source (standby generator,
inverter, etc.) the protective devices must be checked
for satisfactory operation on any one of them.
PE Every circuit is determined once and for all,
and must not exceed a maximum length, given in the
design tables, as a function of the protective device
employed.
An overdimensioning of cable cross-sectional-area
may be necessary in some cases.
PE Any modification of the installation requires a
redetermination and verification of the conditions of
protection.
23
The know-how and appropriate selection of earthing systems in LV electrical installations

24 Charter for LV electrical installations