ELECTRICAL CHEAT SHEET

Theory of Earth Fault Loop Impedence

Earth fault loop impedence means the resistance of circuit loop especially cable should
be low enough means length should be low enough or dia high enough that will allow
considerable amount of current to flow and trip the safety devices within safe time
limit

First refer to “Appendix B4” of AS3000

AS3000 1.5.5.3
(b) Touch-voltage limits In the event of a fault between a live part and an exposed
conductive part that could give rise to a prospective touch voltage exceeding 50 V a.c.
or 120 V ripple-free d.c., a protective device shall automatically disconnect the
supply to the circuit or electrical equipment concerned.
NOTE: Lower touch-voltage limits are required for special electrical installations or
locations by the relevant clauses of Sections 6 and 7.
(c) Earthing system impedance (earth fault-loop impedance) The characteristics of
protective devices and the earthing system impedance shall be such that, if a fault of
negligible impedance occurs anywhere in the electrical installation between an active
conductor and a protective earthing conductor or exposed conductive part, automatic
disconnection of the supply will occur within the specified time.
NOTES:
1 Clause 5.7 contains further requirements and Appendix B provides guidance
regarding earth fault-loop impedance.
2 Refer to Appendix B, Table B 1, for comparison of circuit route length based on
impedance and various voltage drops.
(d) Disconnection times The maximum disconnection time for 230/400 V supply voltage
shall not exceed the following:
(i) 0.4 s for final subcircuits that supply-
(A) socket-outlets having rated currents not exceeding 63 A
(B) hand-held Class I equipment; or
(C) portable equipment intended for manual movement during use.
(ii) 5 s for other circuits including submains and final subcircuits supplying fixed or
stationary equipment.
NOTE: Maximum disconnection times will vary for other voltages and installation
conditions. Appendix B provides further guidance regarding disconnection times.

5.7.3 Earth fault-loop

The path for the circulation of fault current, the earth fault-loop, in a MEN system
comprises the following parts:
(a) The active conductor as far as the point of the fault, including supply mains,
service line, consumer mains, submains (if any) and the final subcircuit.
(b} The protective earthing conductor (PE), including the main earthing
terminal/connection or bar and MEN connection.
(c) The neutral-return path, consisting of the neutral conductor (N) between the main
neutral terminal or bar and the neutral point at the transformer, including supply
mains, service line and consumer mains.
(d) The path through the neutral point of the transformer and the transformer winding.
NOTE: See Appendix B, Figure BS.
5.7.4 Impedance
The earthing system impedance and characteristics of protective devices shall be such
that, if a fault of negligible impedance occurs anywhere in the electrical installation
between an active conductor and an exposed conductive part or protective earthing
conductor, automatic disconnection of the supply will occur within the specified time.
The following condition fulfils this requirement:
Zs x la <= Uo .. . 5.2
where
Zs = the impedance of the earth fault-loop comprising the source, the active conductor
up to the point of the fault and the return conductor between the point of the fault
and the source
la = the current required to cause the automatic disconnecting protective device within
disconnection time
Uo = the nominal a.c. r.m.s. voltage to earth (230 V)
NOTES:
operation of the the required
1 Additional earthing requirements apply in patient areas of hospitals, medical
and dental practices and dialyzing locations. Refer to AS/NZS 3003.
2 The return path will comprise both protective earthing and neutral conductors.
3 Appendix B illustrates a method of complying with the requirements of this Clause
based on the determination of the maximum length of a circuit in relation to the size
of circuit conductors and type of protective device.
4 Guidance on the measurement of the earth fault-loop impedance of each circuit is
given in Appendix B.
Table 8.1 contains calculated examples of the maximum values of earth fault-loop
impedance, Zs, using approximate mean tripping currents for a limited range of
miniature circuit-breakers (MCBs) (taken from AS/NZS 60898 and manufacturers'
time/current characteristic curves) and fuses (taken from IEC 60269 series) and the
appropriate disconnection time.
Method 1
This method is reliable if conductors are in close proximity to each other and not separated by
ferromagnetic materials

Example 1
A three phase 400V three phase circuit, protected by a 30A C-type circuit breaker , using 6mm2
thermoplastic-insulated unsheathed V90 copper cable in PVC conduit. Allowable voltage drop in circuit is
3.5%.
A) What is the Max. Permissible route length satisfying 3.5% VD
B) What is the Max. Permissible route length satisfying Earth fault loop impedence

Solution: Length based on Vd rating Lmax = ?

L = ? Uo = 230V
Vc = 6.8mV/Am (Table 40) Sph = 6mm2
Vd = 400*0.35 = 14V Spe = 2.5mm2 (table 5.1 AS3000)
I = 30A Ia = 225A (mean tripping current for Type C cct
L = 1000 * Vd breaker)
Vc * I r = 22.5X10^-3
= 1000 * 14
6.81* 30
= 68.5V

Lmax = 0.8 * 230 * 6 * 2.5

225 * 0.0225 * ( 6 + 2.5)

Lmax = 65.67m

It is clear that permissible length of EFLI is less then permittted length using CVD consideratio. To
satisfay safe operation of system, increase diameter of protective earthing conductor, lets say 4mm2

Example 2
A three phase 400V
A three core 4mm2 V75 thermoplastic insulated sheathed cable supplies three phase 400v 19A notor in a
factory.Protection is by 20A D type circuit breaker. Allowable Vd is 18V.
C) What is the Max. Permissible route length satisfying 18V Vd
D) What is the Max. Permissible route length satisfying Earth fault loop impedence

Solution: Length based on Vd rating Lmax = ?

L = ? Uo = 230V
Vc = 9.71mV/Am (Table 42) Sph = 4mm2
Vd = 18V Spe = 2.5mm2 (table 5.1 AS3000)
I = 19A Ia = 375A (mean tripping current for Type D cct
L = 1000 * Vd breaker)
Vc * I r = 22.5X10^-3
= 1000 * 18
9.71* 19
= 97.5m

Lmax = 0.8 * 230 * 4 * 2.5

375 * 0.0225 * ( 6 + 4)

Lmax = 21.8m

It is assumed that it is existing facility, and much can not be done to meet the safe operation of
circuit breaker. It is clear EFLI length requirements is not satisfied and breaker probably will not
trip within safe limits, one solution is to install RCD
Method 2
Formula
Z(fault) = Zph + Zearth …………………(1)
I(fault) = 80% Voltage(PN)/Z(fault)…(2)
V(touch) = I(fault) X Z(earth)…………(3)

Example
A 250m, 50mm2 V90 multicore cable conductor is connected to a load and is protected by 100A fuse.
Assuming length of earthing conductor is also 250m, Determine permissible earth conductor size for
A. Circuit breaker having disconnection time of 0.4sec
B. Circuit breaker having disconnection time of 5sec

Solution:
FOR 0.4Sec:
For 250m, 50mm2 copper conductor (refer table 35 AS3000)
R(Phase) = 0.494 * 0.25 = 0.1235
X(Phase) = 0.0751 * 0.2 = 0.0188
Z(Phase) = 0.125 Ohm

From table 8.1, AS3000, Allowable impedence for 100A fuse for 0.4sec is 0.27, I.e Z(fault)<0.27
Refer equation 1
Z(fault) = Z(Phase) + Z(Earth)
Z(earth) < Z(fault) - Z(Phase)
< 0.27 - 0.125 = 0.145

Option 1
Now we need to find earth having impedence <=0.145
From table 5.1, minimum earth conductor size of 50mm2 copper cable is 16mm2,
From table 35, AS3000 impedence/meter of 16mm2 V90 cable = 1.47 = 1.47*0.25 = 0.3675
This value is way higher then allowable earth impedence value of 0.145 Ohms

Option 2:
Consider earth conductor size of 50mm2,
From table 35, AS3000 impedence/meter of 50mm2 V90 cable Z(earth) = 0.494 = 0.494*0.25 = 0.1235
Which is less then 0.145 ohms

Z(fault) = Z(Phase) + Z(Earth)

= 0.125 + 0.1235 = 0.2485
I(fault) = (0.8 * 230) / 0.2485
= 740A
Vtouch = 740 * 0.1235 = 94.1V

From graph below it is clear that for 94V touch voltage, Disconnection time is 0.6sec,it is pretty
close to our requirements.

Therefore, we are going top use 0.4sec fuse with earth conductor size of 50mm2 for safe operation
of system