Modied Differential Ground

Fault (MDGF) Systems

Optimize Your Ground Fault Protection System to
Improve the Reliability of Low-voltage Switchgear
Schneider Electric Field Services offers turnkey solutions to upgrade ground
fault protection systems. If a power system has multiple sources, such as a
main-tie-main conguration with two transformers, there are different paths
for unbalanced neutral current and ground faults to return to the source. This
can cause nuisance tripping of ground fault relays for normal unbalanced loading.
BENEFITS OF MDGF SYSTEMS It can also prevent the ground fault relays from tripping during a true fault.

Complies with the National
Electrical Code
Meets requirements of underwriting
agencies and insurance companies
When two or more grounded sources are tied together, ground fault currents
can ow on the neutral conductors and unbalanced load currents can ow on
the equipment grounding conductors. In addition to main-tie-main line-ups,
this can also apply to combinations of other sources such as transformers,
generators or UPS equipment.

Assures proper ground fault tripping

(or alarming based on application)
Modied Differential Ground
Fault (MDGF) Systems (continued)

Any switchgear modication to Circuit Diagram

accommodate multiple sources of
power must always include an engineering This illustration depicts a circuit arrangement without MDGF
evaluation of the ground fault protection and a possible scenario of ground current ows. Without MDGF,
to assure its proper function. Our power circuit breakers will not sense the correct fault current.
system engineers will evaluate your
switchgear to determine if MDGF is needed Utility Utility
and make recommendations to optimize Source A Source B
protection and maximize reliability.

The Solution to the Problem

Adjusting trip unit settings to provide proper
Closed Open
equipment operation is not a reliable solution
since standard calculations cannot be performed
to determine how unbalanced currents and
ground fault currents will split in a multi-source Closed Ground
equipment conguration. Fault
Sensor
The solution is a partial differential arrangement
which was introduced in the 1960s and
published in an IEEE paper titled Modied
Differential Ground Fault Protection or MDGF. Ground
This system interconnects the ground fault Fault
sensing units of the various circuit breakers
in a special arrangement. The Value of an Engineered Solution
Once properly connected, sensor currents due to Schneider Electric Field Services is staffed with regionally based
load imbalances will cancel out and the trip units professional engineers who will evaluate your power system, then
will only sense a ground fault current when one design and implement code-compliant solutions to improve reliability.
Getting us involved at the earliest stage of any power system upgrade:
actually exists. The ground fault settings for the
main and the ties can even be set to the same
values while still sectionalizing the switchgear Results in savings on equipment and installation labor
for ground fault protection. This allows for
easier coordination with branch devices.

A Properly Implemented Applications for MDGF Systems

MDGF Design Includes:
Establishing necessary sensor placements
and equipment modications
Design records, schematic and
MDGF Systems can be applied to any multiple-source switchgear
installation where reliable/critical power is needed (hospitals, data
centers, water treatment facilities). With the proliferation of generator
backup systems, many more power systems will require MDGF for
proper operation than ever before.
2 0 1 0 S c hne id e r E le c tric . A ll rig hts re s e r ve d .

interconnection wiring diagrams

Detailed test connection summaries,
testing notes and test procedures For more information, call 1-888-778-2733
Summary report of the commissioning results or visit us at www.schneider-electric.us/
go/fieldservices.
Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
9870 Crescent Park Drive
West Chester, OH 45069
Phone: 513-777-4445
Fax: 513-755-5028 This document has been
www.schneider-electric.com printed on recycled paper

Document Number 1910HO1001 January 2010 cw