DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

No deliberate electrical connection to ground (no grounded conductor). None of the circuit conductors of the system are intentionally grounded to an earth ground such as metal water pipe or building steel.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

An ungrounded system does not have a grounded (neutral) conductor routed between the supply transformer and the service equipment because the supply transformer is not earth grounded.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Equipment ground conductors (EGCs) are used only to detect phase-to-ground fault. Accidental contact between one line and ground (ground fault) does no cause an outage. No automatic tripping of OCPDs. Major benefit for electrical system reliability.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

It is important that the fault be located and cleared immediately.
If not remedied immediately and a second ground fault on another phase occurs, the resultant short circuit current may trip one or more circuit breakers.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Path of current in an ungrounded distribution system resulting from grounds on two different phases.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

GROUND FAULT DETECTING CIRCUITS Single phase or dc Three-phase low-voltage Three-phase high-voltage

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

SINGLE PHASE OR DC

Two lamps should have identical wattage rating and voltage rating equal to line voltage.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

SINGLE PHASE OR DC A ground on either side of the line will cause its respective lamp to go dark and the other to burn brightly. With no grounds, both lamps will be dim.

Push button provides a way for comparing the normal and ground indications.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

SINGLE PHASE OR DC

Fault on line B short-circuits lamp B, causing it to burn dimly or go out, depending on the severity of the ground. Lamp A burns more brightly.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

THREE-PHASE LOW-VOLTAGE

Fault on line C short-circuits lamp C, causing it to burn dimly or go out, depending on the severity of the ground. Lamps A and B burn more brightly.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

THREE-PHASE LOW-VOLTAGE Step-down isolating transformer to provide low voltage for the ground-indicating lamp. Primary: Y-grounded, Secondary: Delta

Secondary is closed through the lamp and resistor.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

THREE-PHASE LOW-VOLTAGE

Wattage rating of the lamp determines the sensitivity of the detecting system. 25W best overall performance.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

THREE-PHASE LOW-VOLTAGE

Without ground fault on the system, the secondary voltages are balanced and no voltage appears across the lamp. Ground fault on phase C, for example, will short primary coil Pc and the voltage on the secondary coil Sc will be zero. Voltage unbalance will cause the lamp to light.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Accidental grounds should be repaired as soon as possible. One ground has bad effect on insulation. A single ground doubles the electrical stresses in the remaining insulation, increasing the possibility if an insulation breakdown in the line of opposite polarity.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Doubled electrical stresses cause twice the electron leakage through the insulation. Thus, hastening the deterioration and shortening its life.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Insulation resistance between conductor and ground is R ohms. With 120V applied, voltage b/w conductor and ground. If one conductor is grounded, voltage b/w the other conductor and ground will rise to 120V.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Voltage stress on the insulation of the ungrounded conductor is doubled. If a weak spot in the ungrounded insulation causes it to blow, a short circuit will result.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING Failure of a device to operate, blown fuses, indication on a ground-detecting apparatus, or smoke. Short circuit-blown fuses. Open circuit-voltage failure

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING Grounds, unless accompanied by a short or open, are located by process of elimination. SINGLE GROUND Grounded circuit is determined by pulling switches on the distribution panel, one at a time, until the ground-detecting device indicates normal.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING SINGLE GROUND Closing each switch before opening the next minimizes the interruption of the service.

The opening of switches of vital auxiliaries should be avoided until standby equipment is placed in operation. If this operation fails, either the ground is in the generator, or more than one ground is present.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING MULTIPLE GROUNDS Grounds may be located by opening the switches, one at a time, leaving them open until the ground detector indicates normal. With the grounded switch left open, others should be closed one after the other until ground is indicated.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING MULTIPLE GROUNDS The switches to the grounded circuit should be left open, and the procedure continued until all switch is tested.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING GROUNDED GENERATOR Transfer the load to another machine and tripping the machine in question from the line. If the generator is grounded, opening its CB will cause the ground detector to indicate normal.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING GROUNDED GENERATOR Transfer the load to another machine and tripping the machine in question from the line. If the generator is grounded, opening its CB will cause the ground detector to indicate normal.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING TRACKING DOWN THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF GROUND Materials Megaohmeter Magneto/Battery Buzzer Set

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING TRACKING DOWN THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF GROUND Other requirements Switch-blocked open Fuses-removed Sign-Do not close-Man working on line

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING Power should be removed in the grounded circuit, disconnect switch must be tested to ensure that the circuit is dead.

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING SUPPLY CABLE Apply megaohmmeter b/w the metal framework of the starter and the top of the switch. Zero reading-grounded switch or grounded cable

UNGROUNDED DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

TROUBLESHOOTING STARTER, MOTOR CABLE, MOTOR Assuming the cable test is clear, as indicated by the absence of zero reading, the test should be made b/w the metal framework and the motor connections at the starter. If ground is indicated, disconnect motor leads from the starter and test the starter and motor individually.