Neutral earthing

Solidly earthed neutral

Block diagram
DE57213

An electrical connection with zero impedance is intentionally set up between the neutral point and earth.

Operating technique
Since the neutral is earthed without any limiting impedance, the phase-to-earth fault current Ik1 is practically a phase-to-neutral short-circuit, and is therefore high (fig. 1). Tripping takes place when the first insulation fault occurs.

Advantages
IN Ik1

Ic Fig. 1. Earth fault in a solidly earthed neutral power system.

b This system is ideal for evacuating overvoltages. b Equipment with insulation sized for phase-to-neutral voltage may be used. b Specific protection units are not required: the normal phase overcurrent protection units can be used to clear solid earth faults.

Drawbacks
b This system involves all the drawbacks and hazards of high earth fault current: maximum damage and disturbances. b There is no service continuity on the faulty feeder. b The danger for personnel is high during the fault since the touch voltages created are high.

Protection function
Impedant faults are detected by a delayed earth fault protection unit (ANSI 51N), set in the range of the rated current.

Applications
b This type of system is not used in European overhead or underground MV power systems, but is prevalent in North American distribution systems. In the North American power systems (overhead systems), other features come into play to justify the choice: v distributed neutral conductor, v 3-phase or 2-phase + neutral or phase + neutral distribution, v use of the neutral conductor as a protective conductor with systematic earthing at each transmission pole. b This type of system may be used when the short-circuit power of the source is low.

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