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IEC GROUNDING TERMINOLOGY

How it relates to typical North American installations
BY PAUL G. CARDINAL

NTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNIcal Commission (IEC) grounding terminology provides concise descriptions of system configurations requiring a sentence or more

ground worldwide is earth (E). Translated to French, earth is terre (T) defined in IEC 60364 [1] as a direct connection of one point to a ground, earth, or terre. (While the triple definition was fun once, in the remainder of the article, the North American term ground will be used.) Systems without a direct connection to earth or connected through a high impedance are called isolated (I). Placing resistance grounded systems in the same category as ungrounded is best reconciled by understanding an ungrounded system has infinite neutral-to-ground resistance. Infinite resistance blocks the flow of current with lesser impedances, allowing increased current levels as system grounding options progress from ungrounded to high resistance, to low resistance, to the direct connection of a T configuration. In an IEC system grounding configuration, T or I in the first position describes source grounding with a second letter indicating the connection between earth and the electrical device being supplied. For the device grounding, T is again a direct connection of exposed-conductive parts to ground. Neutral (N) indicates connection to ground via the supply network. While sharing the term neutral with the grounded conductor as defined by the National
1
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using familiar North American verbiage. However, without relation to known systems, simple representations using only five letters of the alphabet join the list of meaningless acronyms that clutter our life. This article begins with definitions of the five letters used to describe IEC grounding systems and follows with wiring diagrams that include North American terminology. Examples of global configuration applications are included. System variations are presented along with strengths and weaknesses to provide additional understanding of both grounding and grounded conductors. IEC Grounding Terminology IEC grounding terminology provides a general system grounding description with five simple initials. When discussing what in North America is called grounding, of primary importance is the understanding that the term for
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MIAS.2011.943103 Date of publication: 8 November 2011

1077-2618/12/$31.002012 IEEE

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Source L1 L2 L3 N G

Load Ground Grounding in Distribution

1
A TN-S system.

Electrical Code (NEC) [2], N, in TN system terms, serves separately as a neutral (grounded conductor) with a separate conductor acting in the protective earth (PE) (grounding conductor or G) role in a variant called TNseparate (S). As can be deduced from the name, a TNcombined (C) variant uses a combined protected earthed neutral (PEN), which is a configuration typically frowned upon by the NEC. A transition from combination to a separate system somewhat like a North American utility to service connection is considered a third TN variant called TN-C-S. The next section provides a functional description along with advantages and issues of each TN system.
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TN Systems With the TN-S configuration, the ground (G) and neutral (N) as seen in Figure 1 are separate conductors connected near the power source. This is the configuration dictated by NEC guidelines where systems serve both line-to-line and line-to-neutral loads. In addition to supporting line-to-neutral loads, the TN-S system ensures that the ground will only see current during fault conditions. This enables very sensitive, high-

Source L1 L2 L3 NG

speed ground fault settings required for personnel protection as seen in ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). The disadvantage of a solidly grounded TN-S system is high available ground fault current along with the additional cost of neutral conductors or distribution equipment neutral buses. Notable in the TN-S illustration is a separate neutral connected to ground only at the source. The ground may be connected to earth at multiple locations intentionally or through contact with grounded equipment or raceways. Explanation of the need for multiple ground connections for lengthy runs begins with a definition of the terms local ground and remote ground. A local ground is part of the earth in electric contact with a ground electrode that may have an electric potential of other than zero [3]. A remote ground has a potential commonly taken as zero because of being outside the influence of ground electrodes. Without bonding at the remote location, a ground conductor tied to local earth along with any equipment tied to that conductor may exhibit an elevated potential relative to the remote ground. Potentials in the millivolt range have been noted to cause discomfort for cows, while the same phenomena can result in dangerous voltages for lengthy utility circuits. To ensure that both the ground and neutral potentials remain close to that of remote ground, utilities often combine the neutral and ground as a common conductor tied to electrodes in multiple locations. The IEC term for a circuit where a single conductor is both G and N is TN-C as shown in Figure 2. Multiple ground points throughout distribution ensure equipotential references over long distances. As with any neutral with multiple grounds, some neutral current flow will return via the earth making sensitive ground fault protection impractical. While the common NG conductor is the difference between a utility circuit and a typical commercial or industrial application, where insulated conductors are applied, the utility preference is for mdium-voltage cables with concentric neutrals as seen in Figure 3(a) versus the taped shield preferred in industrial applications shown in Figure 3(b). Concentric neutral cables are wrapped with wires that sum to either one third or one hundred percent of the phase conductor rating. The difference between typical cables used by utilities and NEC applications segues to the TN-C-S system of Figure 4 where the circuit begins with a combined NG.

(a)

Load Ground Grounding in Distribution (b)

2
A TN-C system. (a) Concentric neutral and (b) taped shield.

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Source L1 L2 L3 NG N G

Load Ground Grounding in Distribution

4
A TN-C-S system.

100,000

1,000 kcmil Con. N 250 kcmil Con. N 1,000 kcmil Tape Shield 250 kcmil 100Tape Shield

10,000

1,000 1 10 Cycles (60 Hz)

5
Shield short-circuit safe operation curves.

During design, it should be recognized that utility concentric neutral circuits may be specified as three conductors without mention of ground or neutral conductors. At the transition to NEC jurisdiction with taped shield conductors, the circuit must be specified as four conductors with ground. In addition to providing functional properties of both phase and neutral conductors, cables with concentric neutrals can better withstand the higher fault current typical of solidly grounded systems. These values can be calculated using (1) [5] to enable comparison of short-circuit operational capabilities of both concentric neutrals and tape shields for cable sizes presented in Figure 5. t A2 k , I2 (1)

where TS is the tape thickness (mils), SD is the shield diameter (mils), PL is the tape lap (percent), and typical tape is 5 mil. While a conductor to shield fault will likely damage any cable beyond repair at the point of fault, high currents can damage a taped shield for the length of the cable run. In addition to the industrial cable requirement of four conductors where a utility circuit requires three, the lower fault capabilities of the shield should be addressed. Decreased protective relay trip time is typically required where taped shields are used. Where utility distribution voltages are stepped down at the point of industrial services, resistance grounding is often applied on the transformer secondary to ensure fault current levels are within operating levels of taped shields. Low-voltage residential services connections may include a local direct connection to ground designated in IEC terms as a TT system. While the user system is a TT configuration, in the United States, this is a jurisdictional handoff from the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) [6] recommended TN-C system that becomes a TT with connection to the NEC required ground electrode at the service as shown in Figure 6. When all components of the utility to TT system are properly installed, the neutral conductor is the medium by which the majority of imbalance currents are carried back to the source. The distributed electrodes again equalize voltages between local ground and remote equipment. The disadvantage of the TT source and load grounds is a parallel path for neutral current through earth. In the case shown, the earth is a significant conductor only if the neutral is damaged or absent. To avoid use of earth as a neutral return path, care must be taken at the utility to customer connection to ensure that the NG is properly bonded from the meter to the neutral bus in a users grounded panel. IT Systems The ghost neutral grounding resistor (NGR) of Figure 7 is there to emphasize that in addition to ungrounded systems, IT is also the nomenclature for impedance grounded applications. At what point a system meets the

Current (A)

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Source L1 T T L2 L3 NG

where A is the total cross-sectional area of concentric neutral, tape shield, lead sheath, or phase conductor (circular mils), I is the fault current (amperes), t is the duration of fault (seconds), and k is the constant for conductor or shield material (k for copper 5.215 3 103). Effective cross-sectional area of tape (A) including lap conduction is determined by r 50 , 3 3 TS 3 SD 100 PL
Ground Grounding in Distribution

Load Ground

(2)
A TT system.

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IEC specification of through a sufficiently high impedance leads to a general discussion of resistance grounding classes and benefits. As illustrated, there is no ground conductor, but a typical installation will include either a ground conductor or a raceway ground path. For ungrounded IT systems, fault current through infinite resistance should be zero; however, capacitive coupling will allow some level of flow. That same coupling under normal circumstances maintains IT system phase-toground voltages at near nominal levels. Grounding of a phase conductor increases line-to-ground voltages of the remaining phases to nominal line-to-line values. In theory, an ungrounded IT system can operate indefinitely with one phase faulted. If a second phase then faults to ground, however, it is a serious line-to-ground fault with arcing likely at the point of the original fault. For this reason, indication is required of a faulted condition on ungrounded systems, and, in general, ungrounded systems are no longer recommended. High-resistance grounded systems incorporate a resistance selected to provide a fault current level higher than system capacitive charging current. Manufacturers typically label any resistor that limits current to less than 25 A as high resistance; however, practical applications are in the 510 A range. System charging currents limit how low the current can be chosen with prevention of equipment damage setting the upper limit. Further, to limit damage within generators, sensitive relays may trip upon detection of the current levels associated with high-resistance grounding. In typical applications, however, indication of the fault is provided, but operation may continue indefinitely. As with ungrounded systems, fault condition line-to-ground voltages may rise to phase-to-phase levels leading to the requirement of cable with a 173% insulation rating. Critical to note during conductor specification is that cable insulation is rated for line-to-ground voltages rather than the line-to-line value printed on the cable sheath. Introduction to IT systems at low voltage bypasses this limitation with a natural tolerance built into U.S. 480-V systems utilizing 600-V cable. Additional tolerance is provided where minimum insulation thickness for physical strength couples with 500 V/mil [7] intrinsic strength for functional capabilities above

Source L1 I T L2 L3

RN

Load Ground
An IT system.

Ground

labeled voltage ratings. A 600-V cable following 100 or 133% NEC guidelines is typically more than adequate for 600 V or less IT systems. However, local jurisdictional requirements or manufacturer recommendations may require 2,000-V cable where a 173% rating is called for in low-voltage IT applications. At 5 kV, the insulation delineations are clearly addressed by manufacturer offerings and NEC application tables. A 5-kV cable with 100% insulation is rated for 2.89 kV measured from conductor to shield. A 133% 5kV cable is commonly available. For IT systems, 5/8 kV rated cable meets the 173% duty requirement. At 15 kV, with less-frequent application of IT systems, the need for 25-kV class cable for high-resistance grounding applications may be overlooked but must be taken into account for proper system design. Where the ghost resistor is shown in Figure 7, IEC standards for IT systems indicate the insertion of sufficiently high impedance. Without further system types that include intentional insertion of impedance, it may be concluded that the high impedance mentioned has a broader definition than what North Americans call high resistance grounding. For systems where reduced current flow is desired and capacitive charging current exceeds 5 10 A, low-resistance grounding can provide a reduced ground fault current option. For 15-kV systems, low-resistance neutral grounding is frequently used for industrial distribution. These systems commonly restrict ground fault current to 200400 A levels appropriate for conductors with taped shields. With 10-s NGR ratings, tripping is required for faults and insurance that relays can detect reduced fault currents is a priority. With faults being limited in duration, 133% cable insulation is allowed for low-resistance systems. Although short in duration, voltages on unfaulted phase conductors can rise to line-to-line levels preventing use of low-resistance grounding for systems with line-to-neutral loads. Incompatibility with line-to-neutral loads is a common thread among ungrounded and resistance grounded systems that make up the IT family. Absence of a star point for connection of a neutral conductor makes it obvious that ungrounded systems lack the ability to support line-to-neutral loads. With resistance grounding, that clarity is blurred by a point called neutral. Neutral points of transformers or generators in an IEC IT system may be connected by a conductor labeled as a PEN for cases such as the use of a common NGR. That conductor may not be connected to current-using-equipment and a warning note to that affect shall be attached to it or placed adjacent to it. While line-toneutral loads might function on resistance grounded systems under normal conditions, voltage surges will likely cause equipment damage should a ground fault occur. For systems where very low zero-sequence impedance leads to ground fault current in excess of phase fault currents, low-impedance grounding provides an option. Between low-resistance and low-impedance applications is the transition from IT systems to either TN or TT systems. While IEC definitions refer to a direct connection to ground, acknowledged impedance in any connection leads to the broader term effectively grounded. For systems having impedance intentionally inserted to reduce fault currents, when the ratio of X0/X1 remains less than three

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[8], the system is considered effectively grounded and lineto-neutral loads can be supported. IEC Transformer Winding Specification When designing a system, the proper transformer configuration must be selected to provide the isolation of a delta connection or the star point needed for neutral connection. Like the abbreviations that simplify system designations, IEC transformer standards provide descriptions for transformer winding configurations. Three-phase windings without a star point are designated as D for delta. Wye connections are indicated as Y. A leading capital letter indicates the primary winding configuration with a lower case letter providing secondary winding type [9]. N indicates a neutral brought out for connection. Phase shift is represented by numbers from the face of a clock that graphically indicate shift between primary and secondary for a 1-2-3 phase rotation as seen in Figure 8. Examples are DdDelta Delta, Dy11Delta Wye 30 leading, and Dy2Delta Wye 60 lagging. A clear description of the transformer winding configuration, in addition to quickly enabling identification for different system types, also provides confirmation of suitability for paralleling. Selection of transformers for phase shifting for harmonic mitigation is simplified. The four windings for a 24-pulse drive transformer can be easily shown as Dy11, Dd, Dy1, and Dy2. Conclusions Earth is the term for ground in many parts of the world, while terre is earth in French and abbreviated to T indicates an effectively grounded system for IEC system descriptions. T as the first letter of a system abbreviation indicates a ground at the source, while T as the second letter represents a separate ground at the load. N for the second letter represents the presence of a neutral conductor and the ability to support line-to-neutral loads. Added clarification of systems with neutrals includes S for separate, meaning a separate ground and neutral conductor as typical for installations guided by the NEC. C indicates the ground and neutral are combined as is often found in North American utility circuits. C-S systems transition from a combined neutral to separate typically at the customer service. If the C portion of a medium-voltage circuit uses three concentric neutral cables, the customer S portion of the circuit using tape shields requires threephase conductors, a neutral, and a ground for NEC compliance. Isolated medium-voltage systems, whether ungrounded or high resistance, require cable with a 173% insulation rating. Possibilities of phase-to-ground voltages equaling phase-to-phase ratings preclude connection of line-to-neutral loads on isolated systems. With subcategories of ungrounded, high-resistance grounding and debatably, low-resistance grounding, the simple IT abbreviation requires additional clarification verbiage for either IEC or North American applications. Those with an IEC background coming to North America can translate TN-S to NEC for familiar user distribution applications. TN-C translates to NESC named for the utility standard in the United States with the knowledge that utility standards are separate in most parts of the

30 ging a L g

12 11 10 1 6 La 0 gg ing

9 1-2-3 Phase Rotation 8 7 6 5 4

8
A clock for phase shift between primary and secondary.

world. Familiar circuit configurations provide practical safeguarding from electrical hazards with less notable differences across oceans than across the typical utility to user interface. References
[1] Electrical Installations of BuildingsPart 1: Fundamental Principles, Assessment of General Characteristics, IEC 60364, June 2002. [2] National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, 2008. [3] M. Mitolo, M. Tartaglia, and S. Panetta, Of international terminology and wiring methods used in the matter of bonding and earthing of low-voltage power systems, IEEE Trans. Ind. Applicat., vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 10891095, May/June 2010. [4] [Online]. Available: http://www.southwire.com/products/ProductCatalog. htm [5] [Online]. Available: http://www.kerite.com/catalog/catalogfiles/short circuit limitations.htm [6] National Electrical Safety Code, ANSI/IEEE C2-2007. [7] J. C. Das and R. H. Osman, Grounding of AC and DC low-voltage and medium-voltage drive systems, IEEE Trans. Ind. Applicat., vol. 34, no. 1, Jan./Feb. 1998. [8] D. Paul and S. I. Venugopalan, Low-resistance grounding method for medium-voltage power systems, in Conf. Rec. IEEE Industry Applications Society Annu. Meeting, 1991, pp. 15711578. [9] L. Lawhead, R. Hamilton, and J. Horak, Three phase transformer winding configuration and differential relay compensation, in Proc. Georgia Tech Protective Relay Conf., May 2006.

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Paul G. Cardinal (paul.g.cardinal@shell.com) is with Shell Exploration and Production in Houston, Texas. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE. This article first appeared as IEC Grounding Terminology Related to Typical North American Installations at the 2011 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Technical Conference.

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IEC GROUNDING TERMINOLOGY PROVIDES A GENERAL SYSTEM GROUNDING DESCRIPTION WITH FIVE SIMPLE INITIALS.

SYSTEMS WITHOUT A DIRECT CONNECTION TO EARTH OR CONNECTED THROUGH A HIGH IMPEDANCE ARE CALLED ISOLATED.

FOR UNGROUNDED IT SYSTEMS, FAULT CURRENT THROUGH INFINITE RESISTANCE SHOULD BE ZERO.

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INCOMPATIBILITY WITH LINE-TONEUTRAL LOADS IS A COMMON THREAD AMONG UNGROUNDED AND RESISTANCE GROUNDED SYSTEMS.