KEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995 GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, S. PUGAZHENTHI, and N. SUDHEENDRA UNIT V - TRANSFORMER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ABSTRACT One of the factors influencing reliability of high voltage equipments the type of grounding provided. Under unsymmetrical fault conditions, the voltages on ‘sound phases may exceed the rated phase voltage. These over voltages can be expressed in terms of the coefficient of earthing. A system can be described as effectively earthed when the zero sequence reactance is less than or equal to three times the positive sequence reactance and ratio of zero sequence resistance to positive sequence reactance is less than one. An expression for coefficient of earthing is derived in terms of sequence impedances for single line to earth fault. A case study of specifyingimpedance value for an earthing transformer to achieve effective earthing is presented. INTRODUCTION Earthing of a power system is very important since the reliability, overvoltages, short circuit fault ‘current withstand capability, basic insulation levels, etc. depend on the characteristics of neutral grounding (1,2). Zero sequence impedance plays a significant role in the effectiveness of earthing, Coefficient of earthing is an useful parameter to assess over voltages on healthy phases during line to earth fault. When the neutral is not available in delta connected power systems, the Interstar (zig-zag) connected transformer is used to provide neutral point METHODS OF GROUNDING POWER SYSTEMS Different methods of grounding are used in practice namely, - Solid or effective grounding - Resistance grounding = Reactance grounding - Neutral transformer grounding Resonant grounding or arc suppression coll grounding, The advantages, limitations and application aspects of these types of earthing are given in Appendix-1. The healthy operation of the power system and voltage to ground on sound phases depend on the effectiveness of earthing and is expressed in terms of coefficient of earthing. COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING The coefficient of earthing is defined as the ratio of the highest RMS voltage to earth of the sound phase or phases at the point of installation during a line-to-earth fault (irrespective of fault location) to the normal line-to-line RMS voltage expressed as a percentage of the latter. The term EARTH FAULT FACTOR is defined as ¥3 times coefficient of earthing (3,4). Depending on the fault condition, it is possible to establish a relationship between voltages and impedances using the method of symmetrical components.KEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL. JANUARY - MARCH 1995, METHOD OF SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS AND PHASE SEQUENCE NETWORKS. itis well known that during unsymmetrical faults on three phase systems, any unbalanced three phase vectors can be resolved into three sequence components namely positive sequence, negative sequence and zero sequence (5.6, 7). The details of symmetrical components are given in Appendix- 2. Phase sequence networks are conveniently used for analysis. The impedance offered by a circuit to: - apositive sequence component current is called positive sequence impedance, ~ anegative sequence component current is called negative sequence impedance, = @Zero sequence component current is called zero sequence impedance. Positive sequence network, considered for symmetrical faults, is same as impedance diagram. Negative sequence networks are like positive sequence networks except normally there are no negative sequence voltage sources, negative sequence impedances of rotating machines are generally different from their positive sequence impedances. ~ _ the phase displacement of transformer banks for negative sequence is of opposite sign to that Of positive sequence impedances. Zero sequence network differs greatly from positive sequence networks Zero sequence reactance of transmission lines is greater than that for positive reactance - Equivalent circuits for transformers are different - The neutral grounding should be considered in zero sequence network, Zero sequence networks for transformers are shown in Fig. 1a & b (7,8). |_nererence 1 ferenence f 4 | h | | i 1g ae 2 (b) Sotidty grounded neutral H (c) Grounding through impedance Z, (¢) Zero sequence circuit of delta. FIG-1a. Zero sequence equivalent circuits K.BHEEMA PRAKASH, et all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF (COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING 2KEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995 Zeosgare sri a a Er oie: Heit |g SE Lange wy i | ryt = | aR ames ni Big ia E TEN oS AAD “hoe Bp Ba Ls yD | i v — cS ES ' c a, a He | 1 —# FIG-1b. Zero sequence For star connected windings without neutral, the zero sequence network is open. Beyond the neutral point, the zero sequence currents see infinite impedance, hence no Zero sequence current flows. | In delta connection, the return neutral path is absent. Hence the zero sequence currents have infinite impedance ahead, However zero sequence currents may circulate in closed delta, it zero sequence voltages are induced in the delta For three phase systems, Thevenin's equivalent circuits are drawn for each sequence network. seegetisioerotwesk, equation (or coefictentol eating derived for typical single line to ground fault. EQUATION FOR COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING The most commonly experienced fault in power systems is single line to ground fault (9). The sequence network for typical single line to ground fault on an unloaded three phase generatoris shown in Fig. 2 (10). — — | — FIG-2(A). Circuit condition of line to FIG-2(B). Connection of sequence ground fault networks for fault on ‘A’ phase =() i 5, ] a 8 Zaz eZ, K, BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all; GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ° COEFFICIENT OF EARTHINGKEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995, Fault current = 3x1, Vy = Ey Ral) ~®) 2x6 = & a (4) Z,+2,+Z, # = “Ey Ss ~(6) 2442, Ve = ZX ~(6) Ex = ” (7) 7 zeae B Vo = =Zpae ~@ , we! (pce =) ‘The voltage of "A" phase (fault on "A" phase) to ground is: Yio = VytVaHy (10) Ee | iy i. emez, Voltage on ‘B" phase to ground is Ve = Vat Vet My = (12) = aV,+a°V,+V, (13) where operator ‘a’ = cos 120 +jsin 120 Substituting for V,,, V.. and V,, Y= a (Z,4Z,)-aZ,- a ee | ni Z+Z,+2Z, Similarly voltage on °C’ phase to ground Vos V2 a, = (15) ~- (16) V. = (17) IFresistances are neglected in Z = R + j X, then (a’-a)Z, + (a Vo = Ex Oran 24242, see | ~~ (18) K.BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF COEFFICIENT OF EARTHINGKEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL g, a s —e iX, +X, +1X Earth fault factor = — 3 x Coefficient of Earthing -{*) 2% Led =| \, = (/V3X,) = (1.5 + | 0.866) X, [ X,+K +X ] XJ? + (V3 X, + 0.886 X,)? X,+X+X, | WG X3+3X2+3XX) . 1K VB VKE +X, + XX) . X, +X, 4X, | 13 WK? +X + XX) aa V KP + XUK, +X.) X+K 4X, VOLTAGE TO GROUND ON SOUND PHASE Voltageonb phase = _E,, x(EARTH FAULT FACTOR) V3 [WKS +X + XX) oo X+X +X, 0 Co-otficient of Earthing ForX, =X, ee +X 064%) Co-efficient of Earthing = = |" X, +X, 4X, (et XP, X) X +X +X X#X, (KX) 2X, +X, | JANUARY « MARCH 1995 (19) (20) (1) ~= (22) ~~ (23) ~ (24) ~~ (25) (26) ~~ (27) ~ (28) ~~ (28) ~~ (80) K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS ANO SIGNIFICANCE OF COEFFICIENT OF EARTHINGKEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995 Dividing by X,, VIIOIX,) + 17 X,1- XXX) - ~~ (31) 2X, +X, VIKYK,) + 1P KK, Coeflicient of Earthing == TS OT ~~ (82) 2+ 0K) A curve representing Coefficient of earthing vs. (X,/X,) is shown in Fig. 3. |"the ratios of XX, is less than or equal to three and R,/X, is less than or equalio 1, then the voltage on healthy phases will never exceed 80% of the line vollaga. FIG.3: CO-EFFICEIENT OF EARTHING Vs X/, TT Tole 10 08 ~ 06 ai falta | LTT | [aia 05 10 18 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 CO-EFFICIENT OF EARTHING (K) [TTT 02 Xam, FIG-3. Coefficient of earthing vs XX, INTERSTAR CONNECTED (2) TRANSFORMERS Interstar connected (Z) transformers are very commonly used to provide neutral Point ina delta Connected system. These are economical compared to two winding transformers. Typical inter connected star transformer connection is shown in Fig. 4 (11). Z connected transformers offer zero sequence impedance and provides neutral point, By various combinations of winding arrangements coaxial or concentric, it is possible to achieve the desired zero phase sequence impedance values. Normally these transformers are rated for short time current rating, Auxiliary loads of nominal continuous rating are also connected to an additional winding of these transformers, Sometimes itis required to estimate the zero sequence impedance value of earthing transformer to achieve effective earthing. Typical case study is presented below. K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF (COEFFICIENT OF EARTHINGKEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995 esky (FAULT LEVEL aso ava sus Cc ae eannsky Ae Zerit ‘ens 272% B, a . FAULT LEVEL 110MvA VL = Viva + (via) 20078) (V8) cos 120 (V3) - 2¢V/3) (V/3) cos 120 -V2(Vi3}? - 2(¥13) (VIB) (0.5) EARTHING TRANSFORMER RATING: 115 «v = VWN3 FIG-5. System of transformers along °° "*FORSSEC. FIG-4: Interconnected star transformer wath oarling bensionner gracing ESTIMATION OF ZERO PHASE SEQUENCE IMPEDANCE FOR EFFECTIVE EARTHING Letus consider a case of two transformers 4 MVA, 66/11.5KV, Yd connected: ‘operating in parallel as shown in Fig. 5. For effective earthing XX, should be less than three. From the single line diagram of Fig. 6. - Transformer MVA Positive sequence impedance = = | ———________ System fault level MVA 4MVA X= ————_ = 0.03636 per unit 110 MVA 0.03636 (11.5 KV)? = 1.2020 4MVA X=X, = 1.2029 Total impedance of the 11500 system required for 500A = ~=——_____ = 5691 3 x 3500/3 K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING 7KEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995 X+X4X, = 5.6919 X, = 5691-2404 = 3.2870 | the whole of this 3.287 Q is to be obtained from interconnected star transformer itself and no external impedance is to be connected to the neutral of earthing transformer, then WK) = 3.287/1.202 = 2.7346 For effective earthing, ¥((3.287)? 1,202 (1.202 + 3.287)) Coefficient of earthing = = |—___ 1,202 + 1,202 + 3.287 = 0.7072 As this is less than 0.8, for three phase earthed neutral system if the coefficient of earthing does not exceed 0.8 under all conditions of operation, then the system is effectively earthed, CONCLUSIONS 1. Effective earthing is essential for healthy and reliable operation of power system. 2. Zero sequence impedance plays an important role in achieving effective earthing, 3. Using symmetrical component method of analysis a relation between phase sequence impedances can be established. 4. Inter connected star transformers are economically used for effective earthing of delta connected systems. KEC has expertise in design and manufacturing interconnected star transformers for various system requirements and many of them are already in service. REFERENCES 1, R. WILLHEIM AND M. WATERS: "Neutral grounding in high voltage transmission’ - Book RAZEVIG: "High voltage engineering’ - Book \S: 2026-Specification for transformers |EC:76 - Specification for transformers. D. STEVENSON: "Power system analysis’ - Book RT. LYTHALL: ‘J & P Switch gear’ - Book SUNIL S. RAO: “Switch gear and protection’ - Book BLUME, BOYJIAN, ET AL.: ‘Transformer Engineering’ - Book CPRI REPORT - Failure analysis of distribution transformers. 10. K. BHEEMAPRAKASH, PROF. B.. GURURAJ, DR. B.N. JAYARAM: Brief note on calculation of coefficient of earthing, KEC Internal report, 1979 11, A.C. FRANKLIN & D.C. FRANKLIN: ‘J & P Transformer’ - Book ©P2NOHA WH K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF COEFFICIENT OF EARTHINGECTECHNICAL JOURNAL —_JANUABY BMAROH 195, | APPENDIX-1 SALIENT FEATURES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF GROUNDING PRACTICES ‘aces eewrmen| oman mat | ones METHOD OF GROUNDING | “GRounpeD | GROUNDED | GROUNDED | GROUNDED NEUTRAL, 4 ao. sowemues | Repucen, tagces | REDUCED, CONSIENABLY Sy aware | “ow ctecnve’ | Uncee poor creme psc exon UND FAULT CURRENT srver 5c | Tew coscme | Uae new ove ease air Guan ‘Sine ‘ebeeeN eo (als 8 Acaseerei vemos | snus oe _ BRE KES ELEC Oa EYCAMY | nu yee | ru ween «(ie F eee | § _SUTICHING SURGES ‘LOWEST “CONTROL ABE “CONTROLLABLE HOHEST (Dorman | SiR Sa ewreres wo | gave aro | space wm sent crown raurs | Sloe oncit |oONTOUED FAlkt] CONTROLLED FAULT ‘suPpRESSED ‘APACE ARC aneece Sparen. ot | ar we sencus | _reaueco neve woe ornate rm an ‘wrmeauE Rewer ‘oncom areaeR oun Se, | See reer Seat Sematon. seen pet ogee ee eae | oe Lar toes eae ‘as Bes, | AREA are a Para reine TaN REN 2 : sitter y vor esas wg hese Joma | SaneeD UT BeLow RATING Fat "SIPS bate ur Bem fa | een Sire Sms | ck oe, rowamumet | auene ono) echt. ox |soon To 108 = 1008 1008 100% 10 105 he vac | ott VE, MUSE To A wooeee | POSSE So * . TO A MODERATE. EXTENT, NEUTRAL scammer | ‘ore | "ri ea 108 cal swrcn cer wsuumon | ABE Asn] [ILFOR 100% UGHRING ARRESTOR skeonoy eres OFT Uae PERCENTAGE afmeuer Lace PERCENTAGE GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.al!KEC TECHNICAL JOURNAL JANUARY - MARCH 1995, APPENDIX - 2 SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS OF THREE PHASE SYSTEM ‘Any unbalance ona three phase system lke line to ground fault ine to line fault etc., can cause unsymmetry, in other words, unbalance in the system. The unbalance on the system can be analysed by a method called "symmetrical component transformation’, where the unbalanced voltages and currents are resolved into three sets of balanced voltages and currents namely positive sequence components, negative sequence components and zero sequence components. The positive sequence components are represented as Vyy, Ver. Vers lars ler: ley ANG Z,;. Zyr. Zor AS POSitive Sequence voltages, positive sequence currents and positive sequence impedances respectively. Similarly, the negative sequence and zero sequence components are represented a8 Vio, Veo, Ver las laos leas Zaes Zeon Ze AN Ye Voor Veo lao lho leo Za0s Zt, ZF @SRclively. The phasor representation of these components are given in fig. 6, ze vine, ies ae ee ee pence 8b & FIG-6: Phasor b= “ “Th representation of « a 5 . sequence components The phase voltages of the balanced system under fault condition are given as Y= Ve 4p Ng Vi= Vio + Va + Vie Ve = Va + Va + Veo Leh +l se lhe he le ly le Za lo +2y +Ze Z=ko +2y + Le Zo= lo +2y +2e In general, the sequence impedances can be defined as follows: The positive sequence impedance is the impedance that a positive sequence network offers to ihe flow of positive sequence current. The negative sequence impedance is the impedance that a negative sequence network offers to the flow of negative sequence current. The zero sequence impedance is the impedance that a zero sequence network offers to the flow of Zero sequence current. The mathematical relation between these sequence components with the balanced system parameters are given as: he 144) |), i} = (3) ]t a al | le i aal LI, y, 114] [y, ve} = (8) }1 a af | Vy va taal |v. Where,a~ = 1.2120" = cos 120+ jsin120 = -0.5+) 0.666 a = -0.5-] 0.866 K. BHEEMA PRAKASH, et.all: GROUNDING PRACTICES OF POWER SYSTEMS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘COEFFICIENT OF EARTHING 10