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4P4D
Role and protection of
Neutral in a LV installation
Technical article
Protection of goods and people
07897411FR - REV. A0 - 1 Schneider Electric
YFJYVIIVGIT
1
Contents
1. Introduction.............................................................. 2
Function of the Neutral in LV distribution......................................... 2
Purpose of the paper ...................................................................... 2
2. The IEC 60364 standard and the Neutral
conductor ..................................................................... 3
2.1 Protecting the Neutral against overloads
and short-circuits ......................................................................... 3
Overloads and short-circuits ........................................................... 3
Neutral conductor with a smaller cross-section than the phases .... 3
Multipole breaking .......................................................................... 4
Conclusion...................................................................................... 5
2.2 Neutral and protection against insulation faults .................. 5
Effect of Earthing systems .............................................................. 5
TT System...................................................................................... 6
TN-S System (separate N and PE) ................................................. 7
TN-C System (PEN) ....................................................................... 8
IT System (ungrounded Neutral) ..................................................... 9
3. Development of the IEC 60364 standard:
harmonics .................................................................... 10
Influence of harmonic currents ....................................................... 10
3.1 Harmonics and protection of Neutral .................................... 11
Switchgears to be installed ............................................................. 12
Harmonic currents created by lighting ............................................ 13
3.2 Harmonics and Earthing System Arrangement ................... 15
Avoid using the TN-C system if harmonics are present .................. 15
Take care with source coupling in TN-S when harmonics
are present ..................................................................................... 15
4. Conclusions ............................................................. 17
2
1. Introduction
Function of the Neutral in LV distribution
When distributed, the Neutral in LV is mainly used to ensure a 230 V single-
phase voltage to supply circuits such as lighting or control and monitoring
auxiliaries, in addition to the 400 V three-phase voltage.
In a well-designed three-phase installation, with the exception of single-
phase terminal distribution circuits, the Neutral conductor does not convey
current (or only very little: less than 15 % of phase current). Its potential with
respect to the ground is consequently often zero.
In practice this conductor is very rarely neutral and can be a source of
disturbance for the operator if no precautions are taken.
Purpose of the paper
This paper aims at treating the Neutral conductor mainly in an upstream
three-phase distribution, without going into the specific constraints of termi-
nal single-phase distribution.
The following points will be defined:
I the protection needs inherent in this conductor, i.e.:
- overload and short-circuit protection of the Neutral conductor,
- breaking of the Neutral conductor, if required, and breaking methods.
I the effect on these needs of the specific function of the Neutral in the
Earthing Systems, i.e. the function of the Neutral conductor to ensure:
- proper operation of the installation (safety with power on)
- proper protection of persons in contact with de-energised parts of the
installation (safety with power off).
The installation rules laid down in the IEC 60364 standard consequently
provide a detailed definition of needs which result in the necessity (or not) to
protect, break or disconnect this conductor.
Finally the increasing development of loads towards a multiplication of non-
linear loads generates an harmonic current flow.
Harmonic currents have not yet been fully taken into acount in the IEC 60364
standard but are being studied in section 444.
The effect of these phenomena on the TN-C and TN-S systems will thus be
described.
In the conclusion, evaluation of these various constraints will show that a
four-pole circuit-breaker with sudden multipole breaking guarantees proper
operation of installations.
3
2. The IEC 60364 standard and the Neutral conductor
2.1 Protecting the Neutral against overloads and short-circuits
Overloads and short-circuits
In the event of overloads on the Neutral or of a Phase to Neutral short-circuit,
the same fault current, ld, flows through the conductors. Consequently 2
possibilities must be examined:
Neutral conductor and phases with the same cross-section
If Sn= Sph, the Neutral conductor is protected in the event of a phase to
Neutral fault by the phase overcurrent protection.
The IEC 60364 standard then stipulates in 431.2.1:
"a) When the cross-section, Sn, of the Neutral conductor is at least
equivalent to the cross-section, Sph, of the phase conductors, there is no
need to provide an overcurrent detector or a breaking device on the Neutral
conductor."
In point of fact, this type of protection is not always reliable or economic. The
use of four-pole 4P 3D-N/2 circuit-breakers ("Half Neutral") is an optimum
solution which also guarantees breaking (often recommended) of the Neutral
conductor.
Imax
Sn = Sph
N 1 2 3
Fig.3: Sn < Sph Fig. 4: Breaking of the
Neutral is not compulsory
Fig. 5: However protec-
tion by 4P 3D-N/2 circuit-
breaker is an optimum
solution
In << Iph
4P3D-N/2
Neutral conductor with a smaller cross-section than the phases
The Neutral conductor only conveys currents when there is a high unbalance
and even then these currents rarely exceed 10 % of phase current in well-
designed installations. Consequently it is tempting and economically
advantageous to reduce its cross-section. The cross-section Sn = Sph / 2 is
the one normally chosen.
Thus if Sn = Sph / 2, the Neutral conductor must be protected against Phase
to Neutral faults by a specific overcurrent protection. If this protection acts
directly on the phases, protection of the Neutral is guaranteed without need
to break.
The IEC 60364 standard then stipulates in 431.2.1:
"b) When the cross-section, Sn, of the Neutral conductor, is smaller than the
cross-section, Sph, of the phase conductors, it is necessary to provide an
overcurrent detector on the Neutral conductor, adapted to the cross-section
of this conductor. This detector must cause the Phase conductors, but not
necessarily the Neutral conductor, to break."
Sn = Sph
N 1 2 3
Ph
N
Id
Id
Fig.1: Sn = Sph Fig 2: Phase protection on the Phase to Neutral fault
4
Nevertheless the IEC 60364 standard accepts that:
I if the current normally flowing in the Neutral conductor is small (around
10 % of Phase current), which means that there is no overload risk for this
conductor,
I then the phase overcurrent protection also guarantees protection of the
Neutral conductor which does not need a specific protection.
The existence of harmonic currents means that this condition may be difficult
to satisfy with a TN type Earthing System.
Multipole breaking
The Neutral conductor is used to supply single-phase loads and, as
such, its upstream breaking must coincide with that of the phases.
Need for Neutral continuity in the case of single-phase loads
If the Neutral is broken but the Phases are not, the Neutral can no
longer perform its original function, i.e. allow current to return to the
source and supply single-phase loads with 230 V. This accidental
breaking may have serious consequences for these loads. For
simplicitys sake we shall consider the diagram in figure 6 which
contains 2 single-phase loads of different impedances on 2 phases.
Fig. 6: Neutral breaking with single-phase loads
U3 U1
U31 = 400 V
load 1 load 2
impedance Z1 impedance 9 Z1
Fig. 7 : equivalent diagram to figure 6
For example, if we take the values of the impedances in figure 7, this
corresponds to moving the potential of the neutral point.
The potential of Phase 1 compared with the Neutral moves from 230 to 40 V
and the potential of Phase 3 from 230 to 360 V: consequently the potential of
Phase 2 moves to 347 V. Thus the Phase with the greatest load is in
undervoltage and the phase with the lowest load in overvoltage. It is thus
necessary to break the Phases at the same time as the Neutral conductor.
1
2
3
N
breaking
Y
load 1 : load 2 :
impedance Z1 impedance 9 Z1
The current delivered by Phase 1 in load 1 and by Phase 3 in load 2 cannot
return to supply via the Neutral, and thus moves from one phase to another
through the two loads and the Neutral. This is equivalent to the voltage
divider in figure 7.
Take two loads connected in series. The voltage at
their terminals is a Phase to Phase voltage of
400 V. We have a voltage divider, thus: U1 and U3
in proportion to the impedances Z1 and Z2.
5
2. The IEC 60364 standard and the Neutral conductor (cont.)
Prevention of problems relating to single-phase loads
To avoid such problems, the IEC 60364 standard stipulates in 431.3 that:
"When breaking of the Neutral conductor is specified, breaking and closing
(making) of the Neutral conductor must be such that the Neutral conductor is
never broken before the phase conductors and that it is closed at the same
time or before the phase conductors."
Thus for the Neutral conductor:
I breaking must take place at the same time or after phase breaking
I closing must take place at the same time or before phase breaking.
Conclusion
The Neutral conductor is protected by:
I short-circuit protection devices (SCPD) protecting the phase conductors if
the Neutral and phases have the same cross-sections
I a Half-Neutral protection for smaller phase cross-sections.
In practice:
Fuse protection
Switchgear with fuses fitted with a compulsory striker must be used on the
Neutral. These switchgear operate in such a manner that if the fuse on the
Neutral conductor blows, the striker trips a multipole breaking system.
However this solution is complex, space-consuming and costly and also calls
for a permanent standby supply of fuses with strikers of all ratings.
Circuit-breaker protection
Article 530.3.1 of the IEC 60364 standard stipulates that:
"All the moving contacts of all the poles of the multi-pole devices must be
mechanically coupled so that their opening and closing is virtually
simultaneous."
In this case a four-pole circuit-breaker must be used which ensures
simultaneous opening and closing of phases and Neutral.
We then have the multipole breaking and sudden closing required to
guarantee proper operation of downstream single-phase loads.
2.2 Neutral and protection against insulation faults
Effect of Earthing systems
The IEC 60364 standard has laid down installation rules to protect persons
against electrical shocks. These rules stipulate the use of standardised
Earthing systems of the TT, TN or IT type.
The Earthing system defines the grounding mode:
I of the Neutral of the secondary of the HV/LV transformer which may be
grounded (directly or via an impedance) or ungrounded
I of the frames of the installation which are always connected to the building
ground where they are installed, either directly or via the Neutral conductor.
The functions and treatment of the Neutral conductor depend on the
installations Earthing system. When the Neutral is distributed we thus need
to check:
I with power on, the effect of the Earthing system on:
its protection
its breaking
if an insulation fault occurs.
I with power off, that the installation or part of the installation which is de-
energised is, and will continue to be, safe. Particular care should be taken to
check that a medium voltage fault will not generate risks on the de-energised
LV part. If the Neutral is a live conductor, it needs to be
I disconnected.
6
TT System
Characteristics
I the Neutral (N) is directly grounded at transformer level (Neutral ground
connection)
I the installation frames are connected by a protective conductor (PE) to a
ground connection which may or may not be separate from the above
connection
I this system calls for the detection of insulation faults using a RCD
(Residual Current Device). This device causes the overcurrent protections to
break as these faults are normally too small to be directly tripped but
nevertheless generate a dangerous contact voltage (Uc).
RA = 20
Rn = 10
Figure 8: example of a TT System
Advantage
Small fault current (limited by the ground resistances) and thus limited
destructive effect
Effect on the Neutral conductor:
I energised installation
protection: no effect as the insulation fault current (small) does not flow
through this conductor
Neutral breaking: no effect for the same reason
de-energised installation
disconnection compulsory as in the IEC 60364 536.2.
Indeed in the event of overvoltage on the MV (transformer breakdown or
fault) the Neutral potential rises causing a very dangerous potential to
appear (a few hundred volts) between the Neutral and the application ground
(fig. 9).
Figure 9: : effect of a fault on MV: dangerous contact risk
Consequently a person performing maintenance on the machine may in this
case be in direct contact with the Neutral conductor at this high voltage and
the risk is at its greatest. Installation standards, in particular the IEC 60364
536.2 take account of this risk by stipulating disconnection of Neutral
conductors. If disconnection is performed by a multi-pole breaking function
ensuring both simultaneous breaking then disconnection of the phases and
the neutral, the result is increased safety of maintenance with power off.
Disconnection is thus a necessity. A four-pole circuit-breaker enabling
multipole breaking and disconnection naturally meets all the requirements of
the IEC 60364 standard.
7
TN-S System (separate N and PE)
Characteristics
I the Neutral (N) and the protective conductor (PE) are directly grounded at
transformer level (Neutral ground connection)
I the Neutral (N) and the protective conductor (PE) are separate
I in the event of an insulation fault, this system requires breaking of the
overcurrent protections, which in turn assumes control of fault loop
impedances (ABCDE) to be certain of trip release effect
I if an insulation fault occurs, the fault current is very high and thus
destructive.
2. The IEC 60364 standard and the Neutral conductor (cont.)
In this case the maintenance operator will be in direct contact with the
overvoltage. We strongly recommend disconnection and thus breaking of the
Neutral in the TN-S system.
Example 2 - High rise buildings
It is harder to guarantee the quality of grounding connections in the various
storeys of high rise buildings. The potential of the frames moves away from
the potential of the ground at the bottom of the foundations due to the
exceptionally long cables used. To avoid generating dangerous situations, we
recommend breaking the Neutral.
Figure 11: consequence of a MV lightning stroke
Advantage
No additional switchgear required. Protection is directly provided by the
SCPD (provided that the condition governing maximum cable length to
guarantee loop impedance allowing tripping is respected).
Effect on the Neutral conductor:
I energised installation
protection: no effect as the fault current does not flow through this
conductor.
breaking: no effect for the same reason
de-energised installation
disconnection: the IEC 60364 standard recommends disconnection in 536.2.
Some countries make disconnection a requirement on the basis that, just as
in TT, the potential of this conductor cannot be guaranteed. The 2 examples
below highlight these problems.
Example 1 : If a lightning wave (frequency around MHz) reaches the MV it
will not be stopped by grounding the transformer (as the inductive
component - L - of the grounding Neutral connection is dominant at these
frequencies since = 2 f) and the potential (dangerous) will be
automatically transmitted to the Neutral conductor.
Figure 10: TN-S System
1
2
3
N
PE
Uc
Uc
8
TN-C System (PEN)
Characteristics
I the Neutral is directly grounded at transformer level (Neutral ground
connection)
I the Neutral (N) and the protective conductor (PE) are combined in one
single conductor (PEN).
I in the event of an insulation fault, this system requires (just like the TN-S)
breaking of the overcurrent protections, which in turn assumes control of fault
loop impedances (ABCDE) to be certain of trip release effect
I if an insulation fault occurs, the fault current is very high and thus
destructive.
Figure 12: TN-C System
Neutral
ground
connection
Advantage
No additional switchgear required, and 4-conductor instead of 5-conductor
distribution. Protection is directly provided by the SCPDs (provided that the
condition governing maximum cable length to guarantee loop impedance
allowing tripping is respected).
Effect on the Neutral conductor:
I energised installation
The Neutral and the PE are combined:
=> the fault currents flow through the Neutral
=> the normal Neutral currents flow through the PE.
This will give rise to a certain number of problems (see following chapter).
protection: forbidden as the PEN, in its capacity as PE protective
conductor, has to withstand all normal and abnormal currents (IEC 60364
543.1.),
breaking
(1)
: forbidden as the PEN, in its capacity as protective conductor,
must never be broken.
de-energised installation
disconnection: forbidden just like breaking. This calls for a systematic,
multiple grounding of the PEN conductor in order to guarantee
equipotentiality.
(1) the PEN must have a "mechanical" resistance (to prevent its rupture) with
a cross-section of at least 10 mm in Cu and 16 mm in alu (IEC 60364
543.1.).
9

2. The IEC 60364 standard and the Neutral conductor (cont.)
IT System (ungrounded Neutral)
Characteristics
I the Neutral (N) is ungrounded (in fact it is connected by a capacitive
leakage impedance due to cables of around 3500 /km)
I the installation frames are connected by a protective conductor (PE) to a
ground connection
I unlike the last two systems, this system only stipulates breaking the power
supply if two insulation faults occur. This is because the first fault, limited by
the ground resistances, presents no risk for persons but must be detected
and eliminated.
Rn RA
Figure 13: IT system in a first fault situation
The Neutral of B is designed for 100 A. The phase of A, designed for 1000 A,
will not protect it, hence:
protection: compulsory
breaking: compulsory (multipole)
de-energised installation
disconnection.
As the Neutral is not grounded, the effects of MV overvoltages are greater
than with a TN/TT grounding system, and disconnection is compulsory.
(IEC 60364 431.2.2).
Conclusion
The effect of Earthing Systems on a Neutral conductor is two-fold:
I generally disconnection is required as soon as the Neutral is broken
I more specifically, in the IT system, the Neutral conductor must be
protected separately from the Phases.
Advantage
Continuity of service on the first fault. However to preserve this advantage
Continuous Insulation Monitors (CIM) must be used (recommended by the
IEC 60364 and a requirement of certain national standards) together with
Fault Tracking Devices (FTD).
Effect on the Neutral conductor:
I energised installation
It is recommended not to distribute the Neutral.
If a double fault occurs, one of which concerns the Neutral conductor, the
conductor may be subjected to overload independently from the current
flowing in the Phases (see fig. 14).
Figure 14: IT system in a double fault situation


10
3. Development of the IEC 60364 standard: harmonics
Influence of harmonic currents
Effects of order 3 and multiple of 3 harmonics
Harmonics are generated by the non-linear loads of the installation
(computers, ballast lighting, rectifiers, power electronic choppers) and can
produce high currents in the Neutral.
In particular order 3 or multiple of 3 harmonics of the three Phases have a
tendency to cumulate in the Neutral as:
I fundamental currents are out-of-phase by 2/3 so that their sum is zero
I on the other hand, order 3 harmonics of the three Phases are always
positioned in the same manner with respect to their own fundamental, and
are in phase with each other (fig 15).
I
1 H3 +
+
+
I
N + =
I
2 H3
I
3H3
I
1 H1
I
2 H1
I
3 H1

3
1
I
kH1
0
+
3 IH3
I
k H3
3
1
Figure 15: order 3 harmonics are in phase and cumulate in the Neutral
These order 3 harmonic generators are increasingly numerous, and the IEC
is looking into how this problem can be handled. In the absence of standards,
the following recommendations are made:
Management of harmonic current in the Neutral conductor
The installation rules particularly IEC 60364 - take into account valorisation
of harmonic current H3 in the Neutral conductor for correct sizing of live
conductors; this depends on THDi
H3
in the phases:
THDi
H3
< 15 %: we can consider that there is no significant H3 current value.
There is no specific protection or sizing of the Neutral conductor.
15 % < THDi
H3
< 33 % the H3 current is significant, which implies 2
constraints:
I constant currents in the 4 conductors: consideration in the thermal sizing of
cables (normally a derating of around 0.85),
I sizing of the Neutral conductor at least equal to that of the Phase, and
setting of the Neutral conductor protection is equivalent to that of the Phase.
33 % > THDi
H3
the H3 current is very high: the 2 above-mentioned
constraints become:
I thermal sizing of Phase conductors remains the same (same derating of
around 0.85),
I sizing of the conductor considering the maximum neutral current (1.7 times
that of phases), but without allowing for thermal derating and specific Neutral
conductor protection (greater than that of the Phase).
Positioning problems in electrical distribution
The influence of non-linear loads generating H3 currents in the neutral is
particularly great at the single-phase load grouping point.
- Downstream, in final distribution, the conductors of these single-phase
loads require no specific oversizing arrangements
- Upstream, in power distribution, as a rule three-phase linear loads supplied
in parallel lead to a small to very small valorisation of the H3 current
compared to phase current and thus require no specific precautions (current
in neutral around 50 % of phase current).
As a result, these problems are more particularly significant in the current
value range of 100 A and 630 A, i.e. Medium Power Distribution.
11
3.1 Harmonics and protection of Neutral
Upstream
Main LV board and Power
Distribution, the average
THDI is normally less than
15 %
D
B
1
0
3
8
1
6
At intermediate level
Medium Power
Distribution, on feeders
grouping non-linear single-
phase loads, the THDI can
be very high (> 50 %)
Downstream
Final Distribution
Sizing of single-phase
feeders is not specifically
affected by the THDi
Typical diagram of LV installation with the sum up of single phase non-linear loads in the sub-distribution
switchboard.
M
37 kW
16 A
NS400
4P 3D
400 A
100 A
THDi
H3
= 85 %
NS160 OSN
4P 3D
NS250 OSN
4P 3D
NS160
3P 3D
L1 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3
1000 A
THDi = 15 %
160 A
NT10 NT12
1000 kVA GE GE
200 A
THDi = 85 %
100 A
THDi = 65 %
400 A
THDi = 30 %
OF or SDE
Harware
PC
Workshop
Fluorescent lighting
Workshop motor
Fluorescent lighting office
NS100
4P 4D
+
THDi
measurement
NS400
4P 4D
+
THDi
measurement
Air conditionning
Modbus Ethernet Wiring
THDi
measurement
THDi
measurement
PM500/
PM800
NS400 + TCU
2 34 5 6 78 10
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test
Io
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alarm 90 105 %Ir
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Oversized Neutral
STR 23 SE-OSN
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test fault
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alarm 90 105 %Ir
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Oversized Neutral
STR 23 SE-OSN
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push
push
O OFF discharged
Compact NS400 N Ui 750V. Uimp 8kV.
Ue (V) 220/240 380/415 440 500 525 660/690
85 50 42 30 22 10
IEC / EN 60947-2 UTE VDE BS CEI UNE NEMA
Icu (kA)
In = 250A
50/60Hz Ics = 100% Icu cat A
OF/SDE
MCH
.
Micrologic 7.0 H
.4 .5 .6.7 .8 .9.95 .98
1
delay
short time I i
tsd (s)
on I2t .2 .3.4 .4
.1
.2 .3
.1 0off
instantaneous
long time alarm
Ir
x In
setting x Ir 2 2.53 4 56
8 10 Isd
1.5
.5 1 2 4 8 1216
20 tr (s)
@ 6 Ir24
x In
test
I (A)
U (V)
P (kW)
E (kWh)
Harmonics
2 4 10
3 6 8 12 15 off
800
earth leakage
1 23 5 710
20
30
t
(ms)
60
.5
140230 350
In (A)
Advantys
OTB Modbus
12
2
3
4
5 6 7
8
10
.8
.85
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test
Io
x In
Ir
x Io
Isd
x Ir
alarm
90
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Ir Isd
U < 525V
Oversized Neutral
STR 23 SE-OSN
.3
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push
to trip
push
to trip
mP
>Ir
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test fault
250/630A
4P4D 4P4D
2
3
4
5 6 7
8
10
.8
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1
test
Io
x In
Ir
x Io
Isd
x Ir
alarm
90
105 %Ir
Ir Isd
U < 525V
Oversized Neutral
STR 23 SE-OSN
.3
.37
.42
.48 .54.63
push
to trip
push
to trip
Compact
NS400 N
Ui 750V. Uimp 8kV.
Ue (V)
220/240
380/415
440
500
525
660/690
85
50
42
30
22
10
IEC / EN 60947-2
UTE VDE BS CEI
UNE NEMA
Icu (kA)
In = 250A
50/60Hz
Ics = 100% Icu cat A
NS100 OSN I
NS160 OSN I
NS250 OSN I
NS400 OSN I
NS630 OSN I
Switchgears to be installed
Protection in case of a high H3 harmonic level (15 % to > 33 %)
Switchgear to be implemented.
THDi > 33 %
The current flowing in the Neutral conductor is greater than that of the phase
conductors (1.7 maximum)
For protection of feeders with high H3 current, an offer of the Compact NS
OSN (OverSized Neutral) type must be implemented
This consists of installing a Compact NS circuit-breaker
I sized in rating for the Neutral current (i.e. 1.6 times phase current)
I whose Phase protection is set for the phase current,
I and (if necessary), the Neutral protection is set specifically at 1.6 times
phase protection.
The following table gives the various possibilities
Compact NS OSN Feeder I phase
25 A 63 A 100 A 160 A 200 A
to to to to to
63 A 100 A 160 A 250 A 400 A
THDi of around 33 % but unknown
Installation rules allow 2 solutions
I sizing all the conductors for the maximum constraint: safe but costly and
totally improbable.
I sizing the installation normally and guarding against Neutral conductor
overload risks, i.e.
providing Neutral protection Compact NS 4P, 4D
monitoring THDi (particularly for the third-order harmonic) of the network
For feeder protection, implement a Compact NS 4P 4D sized for the
characteristics of the feeder to be considered equipped with a
communication module. This module is used to directly retrieve THDi
information on a PM measurement module or centrally on a data
concentrator. A dedicated software for use of these data on a PC is available.
D
B
1
0
3
7
9
6
possible
I recommended
test
+
In=250A STR22SE OSN
-
90
alarm
105
%Ir
Isd Ir Io
x Ir x Io x In Isd Ir
.8
.88
.85
.9 .93
.95
.98
1 2
4
3
5 6
7
8
10 .3
.42
.37
.48 .54
.63
STR22SE OSN
Compact NS250 4P
4P4D
4P4D
alarm
90
105
%Ir
2
3
4
5 6 7
8
10
Ir Isd
test
.8 .85
.9 .95
1
.88
.93
.98
.3
.37
.42
.48 .54
STR 22 SE-OSN
x Ir
Isd
x Io
Ir
In=250A Io
x In
.63
alarm
90
105
%Ir
2
3
4
5 6 7
8
10
Ir Isd
test
.8 .85
.9 .95
1
.88
.93
.98
.3
.37
.42
.48 .54
STR 22 SE-OSN
x Ir
Isd
x Io
Ir
In=250A Io
x In
.63
push
to
trip
push
to
trip
200/250
NS250 N
Ui 750 V Uimp 8 kV
Ue
Icu
(V)
220/240
380/415
440
500
525
660/690
(kA)
250
85
36
35
30
22
8
50
50/60Hz
cat A
Ics = 100% Icu
Ph
160 A
N
250 A
D
B
1
0
3
8
0
3
13
Lamp type Typical Setting mode Typical THDi
H3
power
Incandescentlamp 100 W Light dimmer 5 to 85 %
with dimmer
ELV halogen lamp 25 W Electronic ELV 5 %
transformer
Fluorescent tube 100 W Magnetic ballast 10 %
< 25 W Electronic ballast 85 %
> 25 W + PFC 30 %
Discharge lamp 100 W Magnetic ballast 10 %
Electrical ballast 30 %
Harmonic currents created by lighting
The principle of an electronic ballast is to supply the fluorescent tube with a
high frequency AC voltage. It consists of an AC-DC converter (rectifier)
associated with a DC converter generating the high frequency voltage (20 to
60 kHz).
For low power lamps (particularly fluo-compact lamps), the rectifier draws a
very deformed network current, the standard form of which is shown below:
The third-order harmonic can reach 85 %.
For devices of higher power (> 25 W), the rectifier is equipped with a filtering
or power factor correction device (Power Factor Correction, PFC), used to
reduce the third-order harmonic to less than 30 %.
H3 harmonics created by lighting
0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045 0.05 0.055 0.06 0.065
0
T(s)
3. Development of the IEC 60364 standard: harmonics (cont.)
14
Example of distribution of H3 currents and loads in office premises
Load type Number Unit current drawn Total current THDI
H3
Total third-order
(A) (A) (%) harmonic current
(A)
PC 10 0.5 5 85 4.25
PC + printer 5 1.45 7.3 35 2.55
Photocopier 2 0.32 0.64 65 0.42
Fluo tubes 20 0.2 4 25 1
Heating 10 10 0 0
Total 27 8.2
Calculation of THDi
H3
gib=ves:
H3 level is thus considerably reduced: the over-sizing of Neutral conductor is
very rare and it is often due to specific applications (computer room,
greenhouse...).
i
h3
(%) = 100. = 0.30
8.2
27
15
Avoid using the TN-C system if harmonics are present
The Neutral and PE are combined in a PEN which is connected to as many
points as possible on the buildings metal structure in order to guarantee
equipotentiality. This gives rise to two types of problems:
I electromagnetic radiation of stray currents.
The currents flowing in the PEN and in particular the 3rd order harmonics,
may take uncontrolled paths (frames of communicating equipment cables - a
variety of conductive components). Consequently the vectorial sum of the
currents ceases to be zero in the cableways (3Ph + PEN) and
electromagnetic radiation occurs. The same phenomenon is observed in
conductive structures.
To give an example, a cathode tube (TV, microcomputer) is disturbed by a
0.7 A/m magnetic field which is the field generated by a 10 A current at a
distance of 2 metres! This value can be easily reached.
The TN-C system is thus unsuited to modern ElectroMagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) requirements.
I voltage drop in the PEN
The flow of currents in the frames and structures and the unbalance currents
resulting from the single-phase loads cause potential drops in the PEN which
affect its equipotentiality.
Figure 16: insulation fault with Neutral not broken
Take care with source coupling in TN-S when harmonics are
present
Figures 17 and 18 show the diagram of an electrical distribution supplied by
2 normally separate sources (coupling normally upstream) where each
source is grounded using a TN-S system. This distribution can supply 2
separate private networks. Fire protection is provided by GFP type
switchgear (GFP: Ground Fault Protection).
I general problem relating to source coupling in the event of an
insulation fault and Neutral not broken
When two sources, S1 and S2, are coupled using the TN-S system without
breaking of the Neutral (fig. 17), if an insulation fault occurs, part of the fault
current (ld1) returns normally to the source via the PE, but another part (ld2)
may return to the source via the metal structures.
This ld2 current is detected by the GFP protection of source S2.
According to current distribution, the protection of source S1 where the fault
occurred may not trip as the sensitivity threshold is no longer reached.
However the ld2 current may, on the contrary, disturb the GFP and cause
untimely tripping if its threshold is lower than that of the coupling switch.
3. Development of the IEC 60364 standard: harmonics (cont.)
3.2 Harmonics and Earthing System Arrangement
16
Neutral Id2
GFP
S1
PE
Ground bus
Loads
GFP
S2
Service
ground
Service
ground
Neutral Id2
GFP
S1
PE
Ground bus
Loads
GFP
S2
Service
ground
Id2
Id1
Service
ground
Figure 17: insulation fault with Neutral not broken
Figure 18 : harmonic current without insulation fault with Neutral not broken
I problem relating to source coupling when harmonics are present
Let us now reconsider the two sources, S1 and S2, still coupled in TN-S
without breaking of the Neutral but this time without an insulation fault and
with the presence of 3rd order harmonics (fig. 18).
These harmonics cumulate in the Neutral which conveys a non-negligible
current. As a result of the Neutral connections with the metal frames, this
current may return to the source S1 via the Neutral conductor and the PE of
the installation, and a non-negligible current may thus flow in the structures
even if the 2 networks are independent.
This natural pollution of S2 can be considerable and serious if the
equipment supplied is sensitive.
For example, if in figure 18 a distribution of 3000 A is considered, 5 % of 3rd
order harmonics cumulating in the Neutral generate a flow of 3 x 3000 x 5 %
= 450 A. With 10 % of current returned via the coupling, this gives a current
of 45 A in the PE and structures, a zero sequence current, which thus
generates electromagnetic radiation.
Multipole breaking on the coupling switch will eliminate this harmonic
pollution. Moreover if breaking is performed on both the source circuit-
breakers, proper operation of the installation is guaranteed in all
circumstances.
A transfer switch of 4-pole is recommended by IEC 60364 444.4.9.
D
B
1
0
3
8
1
1
D
B
1
0
3
8
0
5
17
4. Conclusions
This concise study shows that in all three-phase distributions:
The TN-C system requires Neutral continuity, as the Neutral is also the PE
protective conductor. This Earthing System is not recommended if the
devices supplied are harmonic current generators as is more and more
frequently the case.
For the other Grounding Systems, specific protection, breaking and
disconnection of the Neutral conductor may not be necessary. However for
the sake of:
I safety with power off, disconnection is recommended and in some cases is
a requirement
I proper operation, multipole breaking is recommended.
As a result, protection of circuits using a four-pole circuit-breaker/
disconnector guarantees the quality of the electrical power supply during
operation, and safety with power off.
As standards, specifications and designs develop from time to time, always ask for confirmation of
the information given in this publication.
Published by: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Printed by:
This document has been printed on ecological paper
DBTP152ART2/EN
03/2004
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Schneider Electric Industries SAS
Direction Commerciale France
89, boulevard Franklin Roosevelt
92506 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex
Tl : +33 (0)1 41 29 85 00
http://www.schneider-electric.fr