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Understanding Earth Fault Current
Understanding Earth Fault Current
A
n adequate grounding system is I = 3Io = 3E
t ————————————————
able to deal successfully with fault 3Rf + R1 + R2 + R0 + j(X1 + X2 + X0)
conditions. Put crudely, an electri-
where
cal fault is a breakdown in insulation that
I0 is total zero sequence fault current at the location, in rms amperes
sends current in an unwanted direction. The
(note that 3I0 is total ground fault current)
current must return from the fault point to
its source. For personnel safety, protection E is phase-neutral prefault voltage, in rms volts
of equipment, and continued functioning Rf is estimated minimum resistance, in ohms
of the electrical system, such current must (Rf = 0 may be assumed)
be quickly diverted and normal operation R1 + jX1 is positive sequence equivalent fault impedance, in ohms
restored. R2 + jX2 is negative sequence equivalent fault impedance, in ohms
Return to source may be accommodated (usually R1 + jX1 = R2 +jX2 is assumed)
through the earth, through metallic conduct- R0 + jX0 is the zero sequence equivalent fault impedance at the fault
ing paths, or both. When soil is the means location, in ohms
of return, a voltage gradient develops in the
vicinity of the grounding system. Magnitude For double-line faults, between two phases and ground, the equation
of this gradient is directly proportional to becomes:
soil resistivity and inversely to distance.
Safe and effective grid design depends on a I = 3I0 = 3E(R2 + jX2)
knowledge of current distribution and what t ————————————————————————————
(R1 + jX1) (3Rf + R2 + R0 + j(X2 + X0)) + (R2 + jX2) (3Rf + R0 + jX0)
the grid must accommodate under various
conditions. A so-called “ground” may occur Total symmetrical grid current (Ig), the current flowing from the grid
by a fallen conductor contacting earth, or the into surrounding soil, is therefore a component of It with its magnitude
grounding system may be directly involved, dependent upon specific conditions. The location of the fault has a major
as in a flash-over. Single-circuit transmis- impact on current distribution. Consider first a fault within a substation
sion lines and feeders tend to have faults on the secondary side of a typical delta/wye-grounded transformer. There
of low magnitude. These can be difficult to already exists a low impedance metallic path through the grid from the
clear and also make shock hazards of long point of the fault and the source, the transformer. Current need only travel
duration. On double or multicircuit lines, as far as the grid and back to the transformer. In this case, negligible current
fault currents are of greater magnitude but flows into surrounding soil, so overall grid current and ground potential
also clear more quickly. rise (GPR) are negligible (Ig = 0). However, suppose the fault were on the
For grid design, in order to mitigate primary side. The on-site transformer does not now contribute to the fault
ground potential rise, touch potentials, and current. It all originates from a remote source, beyond the substation. In
step potentials, it is necessary to begin with this case, there is no direct metallic path as previously described; all of the
the ability to calculate total symmetrical fault current must return through the soil. Symmetrical grid current, that
ground fault current, It: flowing from the grid in a radial pattern, comprises 100% of total current
(Ig = It). GPR may be high.