Difference between Unearthed Cable & Earthed Cables Introduction:

In HT electrical distribution, the system can be earthed or unearthed. The selection of earthed/unearthed cable will depend on system. If distribution system is earthed then we ha e to use cable which is manufactured for earthed system. !"hich the manufacturer specifies#. If the system is unearthed then we need to use cable which is manufactured for unearthed system. The unearthed system re$uires hi%h insulation le el compared to earthed &ystem.

'or earthed and unearthed ()*E cables, the I& +,-. part/ 0-.1 does not %i e any difference in specification. The insulation le el for cable for unearthed system has to be more.

Earthed System:

Earlier the %enerators and transformers were of small capacities and hence the fault current was less. The star point was solidly %rounded. This is called earthed system. In Three phases earthed system, phase to earth olta%e is 0.+2/ times less than phase to phase olta%e. Therefore conductor. olta%e stress on cable to armor is 0.+2/ times less than olta%e stress between conductors to

"here in unearthed system, !if system neutral is not %rounded# phase to %round olta%e can be e$ual to phase to phase olta%e. In such case the insulation le el of conductor to armor should be e$ual to insulation le el of conductor to conductor.

In an earthed cable, the three phase of cable are earthed to a %round. Each of the phases of system is %rounded to earth. Examples: 1.9/3.3 KV, 3.8/ . KV system

!nearthed System:

Today %enerators of 1,,345 capacities are used and therefore the fault le el has increased. In case of an earth fault, hea y current flows into the fault and this lead to dama%e of %enerators and transformers. To reduce the fault current, the star point is connected to earth throu%h a resistance. If an earth fault occurs on one phase, the olta%e of the faulty phase with respect to earth appears across the resistance. Therefore, the olta%e of the other two healthy phases with respect to earth rises by 0.+ times. If the insulation of these phases is not desi%ned for these increased olta%es, they may de elop earth fault. This is called unearthed system.

In an unearth system, the phases are not %rounded to earth .5s a result of which there are chances of %ettin% shoc6 by personnel who are operatin% it. Examples : . / . KV, 3.3/3.3 KV system. Unearthed cable has more insulation stren%th as compared to earthed cable. "hen fault occur phase to %round olta%e is 72 time the normal phase to %round olta%e. &o if we used earthed cable in unearthed &ystem, It may be chances of insulation puncture. &o unearthed cable are used. &uch type of cable is used in 8.8 94 systems where resistance type earthin% is used.

"omenclature:

In simple lo%ic the 00 94 earthed cable is suitable for use in 8.8 94 unearthed system. The process of manufacture of cable is same. The si:e of cable will depend on current ratin% and olta%e le el. 4olta%e ;rade !Uo/U# where Uo is *hase to Earth 4olta%e & U is *hase to *hase 4olta%e.

Earthed system has insulation #rade o$ KV / 1.%& x KV. 'or Earthed System (!o/!): 1.9/3.3 *V, 3.8/ . *V, .3&/11 *V, 1+.%/++ *V and 19/33 *V. !nearthed system has insulation #rade o$ KV / KV. 'or !nearthed System (!o/!): 3.3/3.3 *V and 11/11 *V. 2 phase 2 wire system has normally Unearthed %rade cables and 2 phase < wire systems can be used earthed %rade cables, insulation used is less, and cost is less.

,hum- .ule:

5s a thumb rule we can say that 8.894 unearthed cable is e$ual to 006 earthed cable i.e. . / . */ !nearthedca-le can -e used $or . /11*/ earthed system . because each core of cable ha e the insulation le el to withstand 8.86 so between core to core insulation le el will be 8.86 =8.86 > 006

'or transmission of HT, earthed cable will be more economical due to low cost where as unearthed cables are not economical but insulation will be %ood. ;enerally 8.8 64 and 0064 systems are earthed throu%h a neutral %roundin% resistor and the shield and armor are also earthed, especially in industrial power distribution applications. &uch a case is similar to an unearthed application but with earthed shield !some times called solid bondin%#. In such cases, unearthed cables may be used so that the core insulation will ha e enou%h stren%th but current ratin% is de?rated to the alue of earthed cables. @ut it is always better to mention the type of system earthin% in the cable specification when orderin% the cables so that the cable manufacturer will ta6e care of insulation stren%th and de ratin%.

An Overview Of Grounding System (Ungrounded)

Published on Oct 11, 2013 12:29 am by Asif Eqbal | Subscribe to Monthly Download Updates

Recommended - Guide To Forms Of Separation In LV Switchgear

An Overview Of Grounding System (Ungrounded) (On photo: installed ground clamp. The 2" x 0.022" copper strip is treated with a copper based anti oxidation grease and then clamped to the clean copper plated 8' ground rod - by beevo.com )

Topics:
Ungrounded system Derivation of current expression in ungrounded system Advantages & disadvantages of ungrounded system Concept of effective and non-effective grounding Coefficient of earthing and earth fault factor

Underground Neutral Or Undergrounded System

Before 1950 power system were often without neutral grounding. Such system had repeated arcing grounds,insulation failure and difficult earth fault protection. Every phase has inherent distributed capacitance with respect to earth. If earth fault occurs on phase B, the distributed capacitance discharges through the fault. The capacitance again gets charged and gets discharged. Because of this sever voltage oscillation is reached in healthy phases. These voltage oscillation causes stress on insulation of connected equipment.

Figure 1 - Ungrounded neutral or ungrounded system Ic2 = jCwv2 Ic3 = jCwv3 Ic = jCwv2 + jCwv3 Ic = jCw(v2 + v3) // Equation-01 Now by drawing the phaser diagram as shown below wecan write: VN + V2 = v2 // Equation-02 VN + V3 = v3 // Equation-03 Substituting equation -02 and equation-03 in equation-01: Ic = jCw(VN + V2 + VN + V3) Ic = jCw(2VN + V2 + V3) // Equation-04

Figure 2 - Ungrounded neutral or ungrounded system

Voltage phasers V3 can be resolved in the direction of VN and in direction perpendicular to VN as V3Cos and V3Sin . Similarly voltage phaser V2 can be resolved as V2Cos and V2Sin Hence: V2 + V3 = V3Cos + V3Sin + V2Cos V2Sin

// Equation-05

V3 = V2 V3Cos + V2Cos = VN Substituting in equation-05 we get: V2 + V3 = VN = V1 (Since V1 is shorted to ground soVN = V1) // Equation-06 Substituting equation-06 in equation- 04 we get: Ic = jCw(2VN + VN) Total capacitive charging and discharging current of healthy phase is: Ic = j3CwV1 For ungrounded system: If = IC2 + IC3 = IC = j3CwV1 // Equation-07 As seen from equation -07, in unearthed system ground fault current is totally dependent on capacitive current returning via the network phase-earth capacitances. This is the reason for sever voltage stress in healthy phases of ungrounded system. Since there is no return path available for fault current in ungrounded system so detection of earth fault current is difficult. This is other disadvantage of ungrounded system. Go back to Topics

Advantages of Ungrounded System

There are some advantages of ungrounded system:

1. Ungrounded system has negligible earth fault current

2. Some continuous process or system and essential auxiliaries where single phase to ground fault should not trip the system. Go back to Topics

Disadvantages of Ungrounded System

However below listed disadvantages of ungrounded system are more adverse than advantages: 1. Unearthed system experience repeated arcing grounds. 2. Insulation failure occurs during single phase to ground faults. 3. Earth fault protection for unearthed system is difficult. 4. Voltage due to lightning surges do not find path to earth. In order to overcome the above mentioned technical and operation issues the concept of system grounding was introduced. System grounding is connecting the neutral of system to earth. At every voltage level neutral of transformer is considered as neutral of system.

System grounding is of two types:

1. Effective grounding: Effective grounding is also called solid grounding that is without
resistance or reactance. In this case co-efficient of earthing ismore than 80%

2. Non effective grounding: When neutral to earth connection is made through resistance or
reactance than the system is said to be non-effectively grounded. In this case coefficient of earthing is greater than 80% Go back to Topics

Coefficient of earthing and earth fault factor

Coefficient of earthing is the ratio which is measured during single phase to ground fault: Ce = Highest phase to ground voltage of healthy phase / Phase to phase voltage In a system without neutral earth (refer Figure 1), phase to earth voltage phase-1 and phase-2 rises to 3times phase to phase voltage Vrms during single phase to earth fault on phase 3. In a neutral earthed system the voltage ofhealthy phase rises to Ce times Vrms. Therefore value of Ce: For non-effectively earthed system Ce = 1 For effectively earthed system Ce < 0.8. Hence surge arrester rated voltage is > 0.8 V rms Surge voltage kV instantaneous is taken as 2.5 times of critical flashover voltage (CFOV) of line insulation. Thus discharge current is given as:

I = (2.5(CFOV) Residual voltage of arrester) / Surge impedance of line Earth fault factor is a ratio calculated at selected point of the power system for a given system. Earth fault factor = V1/V2 V1 = Highest RMS phase to phase voltage of healthy phases ( phase 2 and 3 refer to Figure 1) during earth faulton pahse-1 V2 = RMS value of phase to earth voltage at same location with fault on faulty phases removed Go back to Topics

References:
1. Industrial electrical network design guide By Schneider electric 2. Switchgear protection & power system By Sunil S Rao, Khanna publications 3. EARTHING: Your questions answered By Geoff Cronshaw 4. IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants

Jump to original technical article at EEP - An Overview Of Grounding System (Ungrounded)

Category & Tags: Energy and Power, Power Substation, earth fault, earthing, effective grounding,

grounding system, unearthed system, ungrounded neutral, ungrounded system Subscribe to Monthly Download Updates Recently published technical articles:
4 General Safety Practices To Remember ALWAYS Whats Really Important When Youre Designing The Low Voltage Switchgear? Heat vs. Current in a Resistor What Is a Good Ground Resistance Value? Why Community Acceptance Is Important for Planning, Design and Construction of Substation? Do Your Substation Devices Speak IEC 61850? They Should, Its Time. 5 Most Common Offshore Oil and Gas Production Facility Types (You Can See Today) Special Transformers for Industrial Applications Testing and Commissioning Procedure For Motors

An Overview Of Grounding System (Grounded)

Published on Oct 14, 2013 12:25 am by Asif Eqbal | Subscribe to Monthly Download Updates

Recommended - Generator Condition Assessment In Hydropower Plant

Forward this article to your colleagues

An Overview Of Grounded Grounding System (on photo: Grounded solar panel by J.E.M. Solar; jemsolar.com)

Continued from technical article: An Overview Of Grounding System (Ungrounded)

Topics covered
1. Solidly grounded system 2. Resistance grounded system 3. Reason for resistance grounding

4. System earthing at EHV level

Solidly grounded system

Figure 3 - Solidly grounded system

Let us assume that R phase (Phase-3 in figure-3) is shorted to ground than: If = Current through shorted path (Fault current) In = Current through neutral to earth connection Icy = Capacitive current returning via the network Phase-2 ( Y phase)-earth capacitances IcB = Capacitive current returning via the network Phase-1 (B phase)-earth capacitances We can write: If = In + IcY + IcB + Ir
// Equation-08

Where Ir = Current returning via network insulation resistance which is always negligible In case of LV, system voltage available between phase and earth is 415/1.732 = 240V. Resistance of earth plate, grounding connections etc is of the order of 1.5 Ohms so the earth current is limited to approximately240/1.5 =160 Amperes. This is not very high magnitude hence any intentional impedance is not required in neutral to earth connection. As per equation -08 for If one can see that if IcY and IcB is negligible than If = In which is the case in LV system. At 415V level capacitive ground currents are not significant hence we can write: If = In for solidly earthed LV system // Equation-09 Go back to Index Top

Resistance grounded system

Figure 4 - Resistance grounded system

In case of MV system (3.3kV onwards to 33kV) voltage between phase and earth is high. Also capacitive charging current is not large enough to compensate the same, so earth fault current is likely to be excessive. Hence resistance is connected between neutral to ground connection. Current through neutral is limited to100-400 Amperes.

Restricting the earth fault current / current through neutral

Although all the component of power system at MV level are rated at full MV system fault level, for instance: Winding of transformer, Cables, Bus ducts, Rotating machine winding, etc. Than what is getting protected by restricting the earth fault current/current through neutral?

The neutral of transformer or generator are grounded through impedance, the principal element of which is resistance. This method is used when the earth fault current would be too large if not restricted (e.g.) MV Generators. Here, a resistor is connected intentionally between the neutral and earth. This is to limit the earth fault current. Go back to Index

The reasons to limit the earth fault current

The reasons to limit the earth fault current are: 1. In rotating electrical machines like motors and generators, if the earth fault current is high, as in the case of solid earthing, the core damage would be high. To limit the damage to the core, machine manufacturers allow only a limited ground fault current. This is given in the form of a core damage curve. 2. A typical value would be 25A-100A for 1 second. This value is used as a guide in selecting NGR and setting stator earth fault relays in generator protection. 3. Winding damage in rotating electrical machines is not of serious concern (Though windings are rated for full fault level). The repairs to winding damages can be done by the local re-winder. But, in case of core damage, repairs cannot be carried out at site. The machine has to be sent back to the manufacturers works for repairs thus resultingin prolonged periods of loss of production. Since rotating electrical machines are not present in voltage levels from 22kV onwards, these systems are usually solidly grounded. 4. X0/X1 ratio of the system also decides type of neutral earthing. If the corresponding X0/X1 ratio falls under that predefined range. It is a choice between to weather to deal with higher voltage or higher current while under short circuit. Effectively earthed lowers the over voltage limit of the healthy phases while another phase is short circuited to earth. But the ground fault current is very high. That means system will need a high capacity breaker but insulation system has to be moderate BIL rating. But as the neutral to earth impedance increases ground fault current reduces but doing so the over voltage factor will rise even up to 1.73 times! So requires a breaker with low current capacity but a HIGH BIL for all insulation system. Let us assume that R phase (Phase-1 in figure-4) is shorted to ground than: If = Current through shorted path (Fault current) In = Current through neutral to earth connection

 Icy = Capacitive current returning via the network Phase-2 ( Y phase)-earth capacitances IcB = Capacitive current returning via the network Phase-3 (B phase)-earth capacitances Repeating equation-8 we can write: If = In + IcY + IcB + Ir Neglecting Ir and substituting the following: In = -V1/Rn (Negative sign indicates that capacitive charging & discharging current are in phase opposition to current through neutral) IcY + IcB = Total capacitive charging and discharging current of healthy phase = j3CwV1 from equation07 Phasor diagram representation will be:

Figure 5 - Phasor Diagram

So finally after substitution of In and IcY + IcB expression for ground fault current in MV system would be: If = -V1/Rn + j3CwV1 // Equation -10 Magnitude of ground fault current will be: |If| = |V1|(I/Rn)2+ 9C2w2 Go back to Index Top

System earthing at EHV level

In case of HV system (above 33kV) Capacitive ground current is large enough to neutralize the earth fault currents hence no resistance is required in neutral to earth connection. Solid grounding is universally adopted for following reasons:

1. As we already understood that it is a choice between weather to deal with higher voltage or higher current while under short circuit. At EHV level if we opt for higher voltage than due to higher costof insulation at EHV selection of higher voltage will not be a viable idea. It is better to opt for higher current by selecting solid grounding. 2. Rotating machines are not present at EHV system so there is no use of limiting the ground fault current as we do in MV system. Even if rotating machines are present because of higher voltage capacitive ground current is also large enough to neutralize the earth fault current. Go back to Index

References:
1. Industrial electrical network design guide By Schneider electric 2. Switchgear protection & power system By Sunil S Rao, Khanna publications 3. EARTHING: Your questions answered By Geoff Cronshaw 4. IEEE Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for Industrial Plants

Jump to original technical article at EEP - An Overview Of Grounding System (Grounded)

Category & Tags: Energy and Power, Power Substation, capacitive current, earth capacitances, earth fault, earth fault current, fault current, ground-fault, grounded system, resistance, solidly grounded

Subscribe to Monthly Download Updates Recently published technical articles:

An Overview Of Grounding System (Ungrounded) 4 General Safety Practices To Remember ALWAYS Whats Really Important When Youre Designing The Low Voltage Switchgear? Heat vs. Current in a Resistor What Is a Good Ground Resistance Value? Why Community Acceptance Is Important for Planning, Design and Construction of Substation? Do Your Substation Devices Speak IEC 61850? They Should, Its Time. 5 Most Common Offshore Oil and Gas Production Facility Types (You Can See Today) Special Transformers for Industrial Applications

"hat type of earthin% systems are thereA

There are fi e types listed in @& +8+0 "irin% Be%ulationsC

0. /. 2. <. 1.

TDE& TDECE& TT TDEC IT

0hat do these codes relate to1

The first letter relates to the connection between earth and the source of power supply, i.e. %enerator or transformerF and the second relates to the connection between earth and the electrical de ice the power is supplyin%F with each letter meanin% as followsC T > Earth. Direction connection with Earth !'rom the 'rench word for %roundC Terre#. D > Deutral. Connection to earth ia the supply networ6. & > &eparate.

C > Combined. I > Isolated. Do connection with earth, unless throu%h a hi%h impedance.

The three systems used in the U9 areC TDE&, TDECE& !*3E# or TT. Howe er, because TT systems are not directly earthed they are prohibited for low olta%e public supply in the U9. &tart of pa%e

"hich type of earthin% system should be usedA

It is imperati e that the ri%ht type of electrical earthin% system is chosen since it will affect both safety and the electroma%netic compatibility of the power supply. *ro idin% a 2rotecti/e Earth (2E) connection will ensure that all eGposed conducti e surfaces ha e the same electrical potential as the earthHs surface, thereby pre entin% anyone touchin% the de ice in the case of a short circuit from sufferin% an electric shoc6. 5 short circuit will also cause a *E connection to %i e rise to a %reatly increased current flow, tri%%erin% fuses and circuit brea6ers and disconnectin% the power supply. 5 'unction Earth ('E) connection is used for de ices such as antennas, and may carry a current durin% normal operation.

,he three common types o$ earthin# systems operate as $ollo3s:

,"4S This type of electrical earthin% system connects the neutral source of ener%y with the earth at one point only !or as near as practically possible#, and with the consumerHs earthin% terminal commonly connected to the metallic sheath or armour of the distributorHs ser ice cable into the premises. "ith a TDE& the *E connection and D are separate conductors that are connected to%ether only near the power source.

,"454S (26E) 5 TDECE& earthin% system, typically 6nown as *rotecti e 3ultiple Earthin% !*3E#, connects the supply neutral conductor of a distribution main with earth at course and at inter als alon% its stretch. The neutral conductor is also used to return earth faults currents safely to source by the pro ision of a consumerHs earthin% terminal lin6ed to the incomin% neutral conductor. ,, The neutral of the ener%y source is connected as with the TDE& system, howe er there is no pro ision for the consumerHs earthin%, therefore they must pro ide their own connection to earth. &tart of pa%e

*oints to consider in @& +8+0 re%ulations

Earth electrodes @& +8+0 lists a wide ran%e of earth electrodes reco%nised by wirin% re%ulations, includin% earth rods, earth plates and under%round structural metalwor6. The sin%le most importance decidin% factor in which type of electrode to use is resistance capacity of the soil in the %round. Ideally it should ir%in, undisturbed %round, and the effects of soil dryin%, free:in%, and the potential for corrosion, should also be considered, with tests carried out in the worst weather conditions.

Si7in# o$ 5ircuit 2rotecti/e 5onductors &e eral factors must be considered when wor6in% out the re$uired si:e of circuit protecti e conductor. 5 minimum crossEsectional area of /.1mm/ copper is necessary for any separate circuit protecti e conductor, meanin% one which is not part of a cable or created by/contained inside a wirin% enclosure.

Earthin# 5onductors Earthin% conductors defined by @& +8+0 as a protecti e conductor connectin% the main earthin% terminal of an installation to an earth electrode must be si:ed appropriately, especially if partially buried. They must be made from suitable material and protected a%ainst corrosion and mechanical dama%e. The appropriate si:e is determined in the same way as for a circuit protecti e conductor, eGcept for with buried earthin% conductors, in which case chec6 @& +8+0 for further %uidelines. In addition, earthin% conductors for a TDE CE& supply should not be smaller than the main bondin% conductors.

Special 8ocations These are locations where eGtra precautions need to be ta6en. 'or eGample *3Es cannot be used for cara ans or boats as the combined neutral and protecti e conductor is not allowed to be connected electrically to any metalwor6 in them, whilst a TT system is recommended for ha:ardous areas such as petrol stations, and should be accompanied by the supply of a separate electrode and circuit brea6er such

as an BCD, in order to ensure that the earthin% in the petrol fillin% area and the *3* earth of the distribution networ6 are separated. Earthin% is not a subIect to be ta6en li%htly and all factors should be carefully considered, ma6in% reference and adherin% strictly to all rele ant electrical and safety %uidelines. 'ailure to do so could result in potentially fatal accidents, with the electrician responsible facin% prosecution.