Ground Fault Protection Overview

Presentation Synopsis

Ground faults often go unnoticed and cause havoc on plant production processes.
Shutting down power and damaging equipment, ground faults disrupt the flow of products
leading to hours or even days of lost productivity.

Undetected ground faults pose potential health and safety risks to personnel. Ground
faults can lead to safety hazards such as equipment malfunctions, fire and electric shock.

Ground faults cause serious damage to equipment and to your processes. During a fault
condition, equipment can be damaged and processes shut down, seriously affecting your
bottom line.

This presentation provides an overview of ground fault technology and the impact of
ground faults.
 Power System Grounding

“System grounding” means the connection of earth ground to the neutral points of current
carrying conductors such as the neutral point of a circuit, a transformer, rotating machinery,
or a system, either solidly or with a current limiting device.

METAL ENCLOSURES

TO
LOAD
 System Options

Three Main Types of Grounding Systems

Ungrounded
Systems 3 Phase , 3 wire

Solidly Grounded 3 Phase, 3 Wire or 4 Wire

Impedance Grounded 3 Phase, 3 Wire

 Ungrounded Systems

An ungrounded system is one in which there is no intentional connection between the

conductors and earth ground. However, in any system, a capacitive coupling exists
between the system conductors and the adjacent grounded surfaces. Consequently, the
“ungrounded system” is, in reality, a “capacitively grounded system” by virtue of the
distributed capacitance. This is shown I below. Under normal operating conditions, this
distributed capacitance causes no problems. In fact, it is beneficial, because it
establishes, in effect, a neutral point for the system and as a result, the phase
conductors are stressed at only line-to-neutral voltage above ground.

Phase A Conductor

Phase B Conductor

Phase C Conductor

Delta Configuration
 Ungrounded Systems

However, problems can arise under ground fault conditions. A ground fault on one line results in full
line-to-line voltage appearing on the other two phases. Thus, a voltage 1 .73 times the normal voltage
is present on all insulation on the ungrounded phases. Phase A and B are now at full

line-to-line voltage above ground.

A B

Line-to-line voltage
A B

Each phase is at C

line-to-Neutral Phase C is now at ground

Neutral point
voltage above ground.. established potential. No fault current

C by distribution flows as there is no return

capacitance.. path back to the source.

Voltage relationships.

(a) (b)

NORMAL OPERATIONGROUND FAULT ON PHASE C

The interaction between the faulted system and its distributed capacitance may cause transient over-voltages
(several times normal) to appear from line to ground during normal switching of a circuit having a line to
ground fault (short). These over-voltages may cause insulation failures at points other than the original fault. In
addition, a second fault on another phase may occur before the first fault can be cleared. This can result in
very high line to line fault currents, equipment damage and disruption of both circuits.
 Ungrounded Systems

In addition to the cost of equipment damage, ungrounded systems present fault locating
problems. This involves a tedious process of trial and error; first isolating the correct feeder,
then the branch, and finally the equipment at fault. The result is unnecessarily lengthy and
expensive downtime.

Despite the drawbacks of an ungrounded system, it does have one main advantage. The
circuit may continue in operation after the first ground fault, assuming it remains as a single
fault. This permits continued production, until a convenient shutdown can be scheduled for
maintenance

IEEE Std 242-1986 Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Industrial
and Commercial Power Systems

7.2.5 Ungrounded systems offer no advantage over high-resistance grounded systems in terms
of continuity of service, and have the disadvantage of transient over-voltages, locating the first
ground fault and burn downs from a second ground fault. For these reasons, they are being
used less frequently today than high-resistance grounded systems and existing ungrounded
systems are often converted to high resistance grounded systems.
 Grounded Systems

The intentional connection of the neutral points of transformers, generators

and rotating machinery to the earth ground network provides a reference
point of zero volts. This protective measure offers many advantages over an
ungrounded system, including:

•Reduced magnitude of transient over-voltages

•Simplified ground fault location
•Improved system and equipment fault protection
•Reduced maintenance time and expense
•Greater safety for personnel
•Improved lightning protection
•Reduction in frequency of faults.

IEEE 142-1991
1.4.2. Numerous advantages are attributed to ground systems,
including greater safety, freedom from excessive system over-
voltages that can occur on ungrounded systems during arcing…and
easier detection and location of ground faults when they do occur.
 Solidly Grounding

A solidly grounded system is one in which the neutral points have

been intentionally connected to earth ground with a conductor having
no intentional impedance. This partially reduces the problem of
transient over-voltages found on the ungrounded system, provided
the ground fault current is in the range of 25 to 100% of the system
three phase fault current. However; if the reactance of the generator
or transformer is too great, the problem of transient over-voltages will
not be solved.

While solidly grounded systems are an improvement over

ungrounded systems, and speed the location of faults, they lack the
current limiting ability of resistance grounding and the extra
protection this provides. The destructive nature of arcing ground
faults in solidly grounded systems is well known and documented
and are caused by the energy dissipated in the fault. A measure of
this energy can be obtained from the estimate of Kilowatt-cycles
dissipated in the arc :

Kilowatt cycles = V x I x Time/1000.

 Time Coordination – Fault Damage

IG = Amperes
Va = 100V
t = cycles

Typical Transformer R 24 Cycles

(0.4 seconds)
 1000 kVA, 5%
impedance
R 12 Cycles
 Ground condition (0.2 seconds)
IG=20kA
 KWC = 48,000 R

6 Cycles
(<10,000 acceptable)
(0.1 seconds)
 Arcing Ground Fault Damage

100 Kilowatt Cycles

 Fault location identifiable by close inspection - spit marks on metal
and some smoke marks.
2000 Kilowatt Cycles
 If no damage equipment can usually be restored by painting smoke
marks and repairing punctures in insulation.
6000 Kilowatt Cycles
 Minimal amount of damage results, but fault may be easily located.
10,000 Kilowatt Cycles
 The fault will probably be contained by the metal enclosure.
20,000 Kilowatt Cycles
 The fault will probably burn through a single thickness enclosure
and spread to other section of the equipment
Over 20,000 Kilowatt Cycles
 Considerable destruction in proportion to the let-through energy
ARCING FAULT DAMAGE
(KILOWATT CYCLES)
 Zone Protection

Zone Selective Instantaneous

100A
Protection –ZSIP- achieves the
0.5 SEC
objective of instantaneous response to
ground faults with maximum protection
and minimum disruption. If there is a RESTRAINT

ground fault on a circuit protected by a

ZSIP relay, the relay for that zone trips
instantaneously and sends a restraint
signal to all relays upstream. Should
the relay fail to trip, the restraint signal
would not be sent and the next relay in
the zone scheme would trip ensuring
protection with minimal time delay. 30A 100A 100A

3A, INST 10A, INST 10A, INST

 What Does IEEE say?

IEEE Std 242-1986 Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of

Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
7.2.2 One disadvantage of the solidly grounded 480 V systems involves the high
magnitude of ground-fault currents that can occur, and the destructive nature of
arcing ground faults.

IEEE Std 141-1993 Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for
Industrial Plants
7.2.4 The solidly grounded system has the highest probability of escalating into a
phase-to-phase or three-phase arcing fault, particularly for the 480 and 600V
systems. A safety hazard exists for solidly grounded systems from the severe flash,
arc burning and blast hazard from any phase-to-ground fault.
 Resistive Grounded Systems

Resistance grounding is by far the most effective and

preferred method. It solves the problem of transient over-
voltages, thereby reducing equipment damage. It
accomplishes this by allowing the magnitude of the fault
current to be predetermined by a simple ohms law
calculation.Thus the fault current can be limited, in order to
prevent equipment damage.

I=E/R

Where: I = Limit of Fault Current.

E = Line-to_neutral Voltage of System
R = Ohmic Value of Neutral rounding Resistor

In addition, limiting fault currents to predetermined maximum

values permits the designer to selectively co-ordinate the
operation of protective devices, which minimizes system
disruption and allows for quick location of the fault.
 Resistive Grounded Systems

There are two broad categories of resistance grounding: low resistance and high
resistance.

In both types of grounding, the resistor is connected between the neutral of the
transformer secondary and the earth ground,.
TRANSFORMER SECONDARY

NEUTRAL

SYSTEM VOLTAGE
LINE TO NEUTRAL

NEUTRAL VOLTAGE GROUNDING

RESISTOR

LINE TO NEUTRAL VOLTAGE EQUALS

SYSTEM VOLTAGE DIVIDED BY 1.732
 Low Resistance Grounding

Low resistance grounding of the neutral limits the ground fault current to a
high level (typically 50 amps or more] in order to operate protective fault
clearing relays and current transformers. These devices are then able to
quickly clear the fault, usually within a few seconds. The importance of this
fast response time is that it:

· Limits damage to equipment,

· Prevents additional faults from occurring,
· Provides safety for personnel,
· Localizes the fault.

The limited fault current and fast response time also prevent overheating and
mechanical stress on conductors. Please note that, like the solidly grounded
neutral system, the circuit must be shut down after the first ground fault.

Low resistance grounding resistors are typically rated 400 amps for 10
seconds, and are commonly found on medium and high voltage systems.
 High Resistance Grounding

High resistance grounding of the neutral limits the ground fault current to a very low
level (typically under 25 amps). It is used on low voltage systems of 600 volts or less,
under 3000 amps By limiting the ground fault current, the fault can be tolerated on the
system until it can be located, and then isolated or removed at a convenient time. This
permits continued production, providing a second ground fault does not occur.

High resistance neutral grounding can be added to existing ungrounded systems without
the expense of adding fault clearing relays and breakers. This provides an economical
method of upgrading older; ungrounded systems.

The resistor must be sized to ensure that the ground fault current limit is greater than the
system's total capacitance-to-ground charging current. If not, then transient over-
voltages can occur
By strategic use and location of ground fault sensing relays, trouble shooting can be
greatly simplified.

In mining applications, high resistance neutral grounding combined with sensitive ground
fault relays and isolating devices, can quickly detect and shut down the faulted circuit. This
provides operating personnel with the added safety that's essential in this hostile
environment.
 What Does IEEE say?

IEEE Std 242-1986 Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of

Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
7.2.4 High-resistance grounding helps insure a ground-fault current of known
magnitude, helpful for relaying purposes. This makes it possible to identify the
faulted feeder with sensitive ground-fault relays.

IEEE Std 141-1993 Recommended Practice for Electric Power Distribution for
Industrial Plants
7.2.2 High-resistance grounding provides the same advantages as ungrounded
systems yet limits the steady state and severe transient over-voltages associated
with ungrounded systems. There is no arc flash hazard, as there is with a solidly
grounded system, since the fault current is limited to approximately 5A.
 What Does IEEE say? Continued

IEEE Std. 142-1991 Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and

Commercial Power Systems.
1.4.3 The reasons for limiting the current by resistance grounding may be one or
more of the following.
1) to reduce burning and melting effects in faulted electric equipment, such as
switchgear, transformers, cables and rotating machines.
2) to reduce mechanical stresses in circuits and apparatus carrying fault currents
3) to reduce electric-shock hazards to personnel caused by stray ground fault currents
in the ground return path
4) to reduce arc blast or flash hazard to personnel who may have accidentally caused
or who happen to be in close proximity to the fault current
5) to reduce the momentary line-voltage dip occasioned by the occurrence and
clearing of a ground fault
6) to secure control of transient over voltages while at the same time avoiding the
shutdown of a faulty circuit on the occurrence of the first ground fault
 Strategy

System Type
High
Productivity Impact Solidly Low Resistance Resistance
Ungrounded Grounded Grounded Grounded
System System System System

Overvoltages Severe None Limited Limited

Equipment
Overcurrent - Damage
Damage
at point of fault Unknown Severe Minimal None
Maintenance Costs High Reasonable Reasonable Low
Continuous Operation Possible but not
with Ground Fault recommended Not possible Not possible Ideal
Relay Co-ordination
Downtime
(Appropriate Equipment
Tripped, Ease of fault
location) Difficult Difficult Good Excellent
Personnel Safety to Personnel Poor Good Reasonable Excellent
 A Product For All Systems

UNGROUNDED SOLIDLY GROUNDED RESISTANCE GROUNDED

GADD GADP DGF-CT

MGFR Turbo Sleuth

Neutral Grounding GFR-RM DSP

Fusion
Turbo Sleuth

Stoplight Gemini Sleuth

 Integral Relays

System Protection
Ungrounded or High
Add Pulsing
Resistance Grounded
on HRG
systems to
facilitate
fault finding
GADD

Feeder Protection and Second Fault

Protection

GADP

DSP
 GADD Mk III

GADD Mk III Relay Timely and reliable indication of faults prevents

damage to equipment and eliminates health and
safety risks to personnel. Unfortunately, the minimal
three-lamp system, while meeting the minimum code
requirement, cannot reliably alarm and allows a single
fault to remain unnoticed. The three-lamp system fails
to prevent an arcing situation potentially resulting in
the equipment damage in the event of a second fault.

Detection
The GADD Mk III Relay works on the principle of a
change in line-to-line voltage that occurs when a fault
appears on one of the phases of an ungrounded or
high resistance grounded system.
 GADP Relay

The GADP switchgear pulsing relay is a compact,

fully functional ground alarm relay indicating phase
and magnitude of fault. Measuring a mere 8” x 8”
with the remote Ohmni pulsing resistor the GADP is
small enough to fit into Switchgear without the need
for a separate enclosure resulting in a smaller
footprint and less cost.

With its new integral pulsing feature for use on high

resistance grounding systems, the GADP relay
enables users to find faults fast without shutting
down the system.
 DSP Second Fault Protection

The DSP is designed to provide an alarm but not trip when one ground fault
occurs on the system thus retaining system continuity. The relay does provide
phase and feeder indication as well as fault magnitude.

The DSP is the only relay to offer second fault protection through the SIFT system
(Selective Instantaneous Feeder Trip). This enables the user to prioritise the
feeders and upon the occurrence of a second fault on a different phase to select
which feeder will instantaneously trip.

Fault finding is made even easier with the new optional pulsing module,
 DGF-CT

High Resistance Grounded Systems or Solidly

grounded systems distribution systems must be
constantly monitored to ensure that they remain
fault free. The IPC DGF-CT-A provides a Cost
effective solution to the problem of Ground Fault
Detection and Protection. It is designed for use on
Low Voltage Systems

Protection
IPC DGF-CT-A Relay provides isolated NO and
NC set of contacts for alarm or trip.

Detection
The IPC DGF-CT-A relay works on the principle of
detecting Zero Sequence Ground Leakage current
by the use of built in Sensor for smaller load
conductors and it permits the use of external
remotely mounted sensor for larger conductors
It provides adjustable pick up level and adjustable
definite time delay
 GFR-RM

In Resistance Grounded Systems distribution systems the neutral grounding resistor is

constantly monitored to ensure that the 3phase 3 wire distribution system is remains fault
free. The IPC GFR-RM provides a Cost effective solution providing monitoring of the
resistance value and Ground Fault Detection and Protection. It is designed for use on 480 V
to 27.6 KV systems

The IPC GFR-RM relay is a combination NGR monitor and a Ground fault Relay. A
separately mounted sensor measures the Ground current and the Voltage across the NGR is
measured by using a sensing resistor. The values measured are compared with settings and
trip and alarms are indicated when abnormal condition is detected. It provides adjustable
pick up level and adjustable definite time delay for the Ground current and the NGR
resistance is considered abnormal if it exceeds 150% or becomes less than 70% of the set
value.
 High Resistance Grounding Systems

SLEUTH
Add Pulsing to
Facilitate Fault
Finding

Add Fail-safe
redundant path and
resistor monitoring

Add current
STOPLIGHT limiting device GEMINI

FUSION
 STOPLIGHT TM

Detection
The StopLight™ system uses a unique indicator light system to provide visual
detection of a ground fault. A red signal indicates an active ground fault, an
amber light indicates a ground fault has occurred and a green light signifies
there are no active ground faults on the system.

Protection
Allowing a plant to operate safely, even with a ground fault on the system,
StopLight™ virtually eliminates equipment damage and safeguards personnel
by controlling the fault to a minimal level. Capable of detecting a ground fault
as it is happening through the use of an innovative circuitry system,
StopLight™ ensures both personnel and equipment are protected from
ground faults and provides fault indication by both indicator lights and audible
annunciation.

Location
Specially suited for installations with several transformers in a campus, the
pulsing capable StopLight™ is a very cost-effective solution. It allows the low
level current in the ground fault path to be varied and does not adversely
affect any electrical equipment. The hand-held pulse tracing sensor allows
users to follow the pulses from their source through to the point of line-to-
ground fault, without disruption of ongoing plant activities
 SLEUTH TM

Detection
Alerting personnel of a ground fault immediately, the Sleuth™
system features a ground fault sensing transformer and relay that
provides indication of a fault through visual alarm or optional
audible horn. Allowing users to trace the faulted current all the way
to the point of the fault, the automatic pulsing system found in the
Sleuth™ system varies the low-level current pulses in the ground
fault path. This does not adversely affect any electrical equipment.

Protection
Protecting your equipment and processes from damaging ground
faults, a resistor connected to the wye-point of the transformer or
generator feed to the plant, limits ground fault currents to non-
damaging levels under a single line-to-ground fault condition.

Location
Locating a ground fault is easy with the use of the hand-held pulse
tracing sensor. Allowing users to follow the pulses from their source
through to the point of the line-to-ground fault, this device isolates
the faulted circuit and provides for easy removal or repair of the
faulted device, preventing disruption of plant activities.
 GEMINI TM

Detection
Instantly detecting a ground fault, the Gemini™ system’s GFR-
RM Neutral Grounding Resistors compare the measured values
against the field settings of the relay, providing relay outputs
and visual indication during abnormal conditions. By alerting
personnel of normal conditions through visual indication, the
Gemini™ system also provides an audio alarm when an active
ground fault or fault caused by resistor failure is detected.
Detecting a ground fault quickly and easily allows personnel to
clear the ground fault from the system and repair any damage.

Protection
Providing protection against resistor failure caused by ground
faults, the patent-pending Twin Resistance Paths, in
combination with IPC’s GFR-RM (neutral grounding resistor
monitor and ground fault relay) form the heart of the Gemini™
system. The parallel resistance circuit limits any ground fault to
predetermined levels, protecting against the damaging effects
Patent Serial No. of ground faults. If one resistor path fails, the second resistor
09/656 328 path will ensure the ground fault current is still limited to
predetermined levels providing continuous ground fault
protection.
 FUSION TM

Detection
Protecting personnel from damaging ground faults,
Fusion™ provides visual indication of a fault condition. If a
ground fault occurs, users will be notified of the fault and
can alarm or trip the circuits reducing the potential
damaging effects to equipment and personnel. This
virtually eliminates unplanned plant shutdowns and
downtimes caused by undetected ground faults.

Protection
Protecting equipment and processes, the Fusion™ system
solidly grounds the path between the neutral and ground.
During a ground fault, Fusion™ limits damaging fault
currents and damping transient over-voltages by
converting your system from a solidly grounded to a
resistance grounded system. This provides an almost
immediate reduction in fault current, preventing damage
and potential plant shutdowns

Patent No. 5 867 358

 Next Generation

Digital Display
Communications
Pulsing
Resistor
DISPLAY
Monitoring MODULE

FEEDER
MODULE
At least 50% CONTROL
POWER MODULE
smaller SUPPLY
MODULE
WITH COMMS