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Reasons for using solidly grounded neutral star in LV Power Supply systems

 In case of a single phase to ground fault the Line to ground voltage does not rise
to the line to line level. Normally a single phase to ground fault indicates that the
insulation to ground is already weak somewhere and an voltage rise in the
“healthy phases” rises the probability of a second ground fault. This may happen
in another feeder so that the current rises to the two phase fault level and more
than one feeder might get lost. In case of a solidly grounded neutral a properly
designed protection coordinated system makes sure that only the faulted feeder is
lost.
 The fact that the voltage to ground does not rise to line to line values permits a
better design of surge suppressing devices, whose rated operating voltage does
not need to be designed for the line to line value and thus permits better
overvoltage protection of sensitive electronic devices respectively UPS supplies
 The high current of the single phase to ground fault in solidly grounded system
permits a “simple” design of the feeder protection. The protection can rely on the
magnetic fault detection of the feeder breaker respectively on its thermal
characteristic. No additional equipment is required to switch off a single phase to
ground fault of the feeder.
 In a solidly grounded LV power supply system a hot wire connection to a panel
wall results in an immediate trip of the faulted feeder and removes the voltage
from the panel wall. This significantly enhances the safety of any personnel in the
plant
 The use of a high resistor in the neutral of the power supply system limits the fault
current for those faults, which happen more often. However the supply system
and the cables have to be designed for the three phase fault case anyway both
mechanically and thermally and therefore the economic benefit is not significant
on the investment side
 The more sophisticated fault detection system introduces an additional source of
malfunction into the supply system
 The high current in the solidly grounded LV supply results in a proper selectivity
as already mentioned, which means only the faulted feeder is lost and the voltage
dip due to the fault is short
 The direct grounding has following advantages :
-clear situation when earth faults occur (as an earth fault on one of the 3 phases
means short circuit)
-easy identification of location of earth fault
-(higher) minimum short circuit values will ensure reaction of protective devices
-selectivity of protection devices can be easier handled
-earthing and lightning protection system / concept can be clearly set-up and
realized.
 Low resistance grounded and isolated Networks mean always an undefined
situation (floating voltages,low short circuit currents) which can be only
handledwith sophisticated supervision systems.
The theoretical advantage is that the installation could run with existing earth
faults (indication only) but as it can not be seen what happens if an other earth
fault occurs,the earth fault have to be eliminated quickly.