Earthing Systems

Design of Low Voltage Electrical Installation

Contents
General rules Different types of Earthing systems

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Earthing systems

General rules
Compliance with natural standards Example : in some countries in Europe TT is imposed for domestic use and schools IT is imposed in several areas. there is no best system as every one has its advantages and weaknesses. They are all very good if you follow the rules. There is no miraculous earthing system look carefully at : - the importance of continuity of service - the level of qualification of the maintenance team

take into account the features of some loads : motors are sensitive to high levels current, some loads have a low insulation level finally : think about the possibility of combining earthing systems. The use of a LV/LV transformer enables you to adapt the earthing system to fit the needs of the loads.

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Earthing systems

General rules according to IEC 364 312.2

system

T T I
1st letter situation of supply/earth : T = direct connection of a point with the earth I = unearthed or impedance-earthed TN system

T N T
2nd letter situation of installation frames/earth : T = frames directly earthed N = frames connected to the supply point which is earthed

complementary letters S = PE protection function separate from N or from the live conductor (Ph) which is earthed C = protection function common to N (PEN)
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Earthing systems

The different types

explanation of symbols according to IEC 617-11 (1983)
Neutral conductor (N) Protective conductor (PE) Combined protective and neutral conductor (PEN)

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Earthing systems

The different types

the TT system has one point directly earthed, the exposed-conductive-parts of the installation being connected to earth electrodes electrically independen of the earth electrodes of the power system.
L1 L2 L3 N L1 L2 L3

PE
Earthing of system Exposed-conductive-parts Earthing of system Exposed-conductive-parts

PE

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TT system
Situation on fault
Dangerous fault voltage (Ud) Mandatory disconnection on the 1st fault Fault current to small to activate short-circuit protection in due time Use of RCD (one per earth electrode) RB = RA = 10 Rd = 0 Id = Uo/(RB + RA + Rd) = 230/20 = 11,5 A Ud = RA x Id = 11,5 x 10 = 115 V RB
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1 2 3 N P Id Rd RA
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TT system
Analysis of a fault
Utility is not responsible for fault protection which relies on private earth electrode and private PE conductor In practice RA >> RB fault voltage Ud U in RA Ud Uo (230V) If total equipotential bonding, touch voltage Uc 0 V As Id is not high, PE cross sectional area may be reduced compared to Phase cross sectional area

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TT system
Advantages
No strong fault currents No additional requirements on cables Easy extension

Drawbacks
Disconnection on first fault Use of RCD Needs 2 separate earth electrodes

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TN system
Situation on fault
Dangerous fault voltage (Ud) Mandatory disconnection on the 1st fault Fault current may be high enough to activate short-circuit protection

Id=Ik1 Ud=UPE If SPE = Sph Ud = 0,5Uph = 115 V If SPE = 0,5 Sph Ud = 0,66 Uph = 153 V

1 2 3 PE RB Id Ud

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TN system
Verification of the disconnection conditions
Circuit-breaker: Imag Id Fuses: Ifu Id (Ifu = current on which fuse melts in due time)

Simplified algorithm
Id = 0,8U0Sph (1 + m)L
1 2 3 N PE

where

m=

Sph SPE RB

L max =

0,8U0Sph (1 + m)Imag

Id L

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TN system
Analysis of a fault
Utility may be responsible for fault protection which relies on PE conductor (continuity, impedance) In case of feeder with great length, disconnection in due time may not be fulfilled to adjust magnetic setting at lower value to increase cross-sectional area of cables to use RCD (TN-S)

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Earthing systems

The different types

TN-C system. Neutral and protective functions combined in a single conductor throughout the system
L1 L2 L3 PEN

Earthing of system

Exposed-conductive-parts

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Earthing systems

The different types

TN-S system : In which throughout the system, a separate protective conductor is used

L1 L2 L3 N PE

L1 L2 L3 PE

Earthing of system

Exposed-conductive-parts

Earthing of system

Exposed-conductive-parts

Separate neutral and protective conductors throughout the system

Separate earthed phase conductor and protective conductors throughout the system
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TN system
TN-C (Common) and TN-S (Separate)
Rules TN-S has to be used if Sph < 10 mm (Cu) or for flexible cables TN-C forbidden downstream TN-S Multiple and regular earthing of exposed-conductive-parts and PEN in TN-C PE or PEN wire must run in vicinity of phase conductors
TN-C TN-S
1 2 3 N PE

RB
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TN system
Advantages
No need of specific disconnecting devices PE and N may be common Easy location of faulty feeder

Drawbacks
Disconnection on first fault Important fault current Verification of installation after fault (ex: tightening torque)

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Earthing systems

The different types

312.2.3 IT system the IT system has all live parts isolated from earth or one point connected to eart through an impedance, the exposed-conductive-parts of the electrical installation being earthed independently or collectively or to the earthing of the system. (See IEC 364-4-41, subclause 413.1.5)
L1 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3

Impedance 1)

Impedance 1)

PE
Earthing of system Exposed-conductive-parts Earthing of system Exposed-conductive-parts

PE

1) the system may be isolated from earth The neutral may or may not be distributed

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IT system
Insulation characteristics
For 1 km of cable R1 = R2 = R3 = 10 M C1 = C2 = C3 = 0,3 F At 50 Hz: total for 1 km of cables 1 1 1 1
R eq = R1 + R2 + R3

1 2 3 R3 R2 R1 C3 C2 C1

R eq = 3,33 M
X eq = 1 3C

equivalent to : 1 2 3

X eq = 3,54 k
Z eq = R 1+ R C
2 2 2

= 3540

Zeq

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IT system
Situation of a single fault
Very small fault current No hazardous fault voltage Disconnection not needed
RB=10W Rd=0W Zeq=3540W (1 km of cable)
Id U RB + R A + RD + Z CT
1 2 3 PE

Zct Rd RB RA Ud

Id=230/3540=65 mA Ud=RAxId Ud=0,065x10=0,65 V

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IT system
Analysis of the single fault
If used for public distribution, high chance to be permanently in situation of a first fault Limit of IT = single fault voltage exceeds 50 V According to interconnection of the exposed-conductive-parts, situation on double fault corresponds to TT or TN Real insulation of an LV electrical installation is always very poor !

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IT system
Insulation Monitoring Device
To signal the presence of a first insulation fault
1 2 3 PE

IMD

RB

RA

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IT system
Insulation fault location
Injection of a specific zero sequence signal Detection of signal by RCD type device
1 2 3 PE

Zero sequence supply

RB

RA

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IT system
Double fault situation
Case where all exposed-conductive-parts are interconnected (one single earth electrode)
situation similar to TN system disconnection by overcurrent protecting device simplified algorithm If no neutral distributed
L max = 3 0,8UOSph 2 (1+ m)Imag

If neutral distributed
L max = 1 0,8UO (Sph or SN ) 2 (1+ m)Imag
m= SPh SPE

1 2 3 P

IMD

with:

RB

RA

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IT system
Double fault situation
Case where all exposed-conductive-parts are not interconnected (several earth electrodes)
situation similar to TT system disconnection by RCD one RCD per separate earth electrode
In 50 RB

1 2 3

IMD

RCD

RB

RA

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IT system
Advantages
Continuity of service (no disconnection on first fault) Optimum safety on single fault May not require separate earth electrodes

Drawbacks
Specific devices needed (IMD, Voltage suppresser) Installation to be monitored by instructed persons No distribution of neutral is recommended

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