Zero-sequence components in unit-connected generator

with ungrounded neutral during ground-faults

M.Fulczyk
ABB Corporate Research
Krakbw. Poland

Abstract: An analysis of voltage zero-sequence components in

generator during normal operation (pre-fault conditions) and during
ground-faults in stator winding of generator with ungrounded
neutral is presented. The changes in voltage zero-sequence
components of fundamental frequency and 3d harmonic during
generator pre-fault conditions, ground-faults in generator stator
winding and ground-faultsin power system are shown. The analysis
was done for generator with ungrounded neutral for different values
of the generator and main transformer parameters and additional
capacitance to ground of the generator breakers. Different
resistances of a breakdown channel and different locations of the
ground-faults in the generator stator winding were considered in
analysis. It has been found that in the generator with ungrounded
neutral, the parameters of generator and transformer, additional
capacitance to ground of the generator breakers, phase of interrupted
arcing ground-fault (level of the fault resistance) and the groundfault location have a substantial influence on the zero-sequence
voltages feeding different generator protection systems. The voltage
zero-sequence components in generator neutral and the distribution
of 3d harmonic voltages in generator stator winding are determined
mainly by all these parameters.
Keywords: generators,grounding, protection, windings.
I. INTRODUCTION
The ground-faults in the generator stator windings are very
dangerous for the unit-connected generator. These faults are
the most frequent causes of damage to the stator winding of
the unit-connected generator and also the direct cause of
phase-to-phase faults. Faults that are not detected can cause,
that fault transforms into phase-to-phase fault what may
immediately damage generator. The additional capacitance to
ground of the generator breakers connected into the zerosequence circuit of the unit-connected generator increases the
value of ground-fault current. So high current values can
cause very extensive damage to the generator magnetic
circuit. Therefore it is necessary to reduce or even totally
eliminate such dangers. To ensure maximum safety for the
generator stator magnetic circuit, a system grounding the
generator neutral should operate with a ground-fault
protection covering 100%of the generator stator windings.
Considering the results of investigations of the groundfault processes and the results of analysis of failures of
currently used unit-connected generators it is thought that the
ground-fault protections of the stator windings should detect
ground-faults at any point of the winding, including the
generator neutral [1,2,3]. Moreover, in order to minimise the
possibility of improper operation of the generator groundfault protection system, the particular types of protections
forming this system should use different excitation

0-7803-6338-8/00/$10.00(~)2000
IEEE

parameters [4,5,6]. Additionally it would ensure maximum

redundancy in protection for the generator stator.
By influencing the parameters of the system grounding the
generator neutral it is possible to create conditions under
which erosion of the magnetic circuit caused by a groundfault arc is insignificant or is even totally eliminated and
ground-fault overvoltages are not dangerous to the stator
main insulation. Then the occurrence of phase-to-phase faults
in the generator circuits, if the ground-fault protection
operates property, is practically impossible.
The grounding methods of the generator neutral and the
capacitance to ground of the generator breakers can improve
the operating conditions of the particular ground-fault
protection schemes. However these parameters influence the
level of voltages and currents in generator neutral and in the
breakdown channel at ground-fault location. To ensure the
proper operation of ground-fault protection schemes it is
necessary to know the levels of these voltages and currents
and to determine the relation between elements grounding
neutral and voltages and currents feeding these systems.
In this paper, the influence parameters of the generator and
transformer, the additional capacitance to ground of the
generator breakers on voltage and currents zero-sequence
components in generator with ungrounded neutral was
determined. The analysis of zero-sequence components was
carried out for unit-connected generators of power up to 1110
MVA. The voltage zero-sequence components feeding the
measuring element of the protections were determined at
ground faults along the whole length of the generator stator
winding.
Results of experimental studies of ground-fault
phenomena, carried out in real conditions on the unitconnected generators, were taken into account in the analysis.
This refers mainly to the fault resistance of the breakdown
channel in the main insulation of the generator stator
windings during interrupted arcing ground-faults. The
breakdown channel resistances in range from 1052 (the
resistance in the quasi-galvanic phase of the ground-fault
after carbonisation of the organic parts in the main insulation
of the stator winding) to 2k!2 (the resistance of the groundfault during first arc ignitions) were assumed in analysis

WI.
II. GENERATOR-TRANSFORMERUNIT SCHEME
The analysis of the zero-sequence voltages feeding the
generator protection systems were carried out for a generatortransformer unit equipped with the additional capacitance to
ground of generator breakers and without this capacitance.

83 1

The voltage zero-sequence component feeding the measuring

element of the generator protection system at a ground fault
in the generator stator and in power system were determined
on the base of the system equivalent scheme shown in Fig. 1.
In this scheme the generator neutral is not connected with
ground. The simplifications introduced into this scheme do
not have any significant effect on the voltages feeding the
measuring element of the protection system.
CT1-2

&Fig.3. Scheme of generator with grounded neutral

The effective value of the voltage zero-sequence component

in generator neutral, when there is no element connected
between generator neutral and ground, during steady state of
the ground-fault in stator winding after carbonisation of
insulation organic parts is determined by following relation:
1

Rg.1. Scheme of unitconnectedgenerator with ungrounded neutral;

G-equivalent phase capacitanceof stator winding to ground, C g c - p h a s e
capacitanceto ground seen h m generatorterminal, C@-phasecapacitance
to ground of generator breaker, N-neutral,Rrfault resistance,
CT,.Z-capacitance between low and high Windings of transformer,

III. ZERO-SEQUENCE VOLTAGES IN GENERATOR

A. Voltage zero-sequence component in generator neutral
during faults in generator stator winding
The voltage zero-sequence in generator neutral in primary
winding of voltage transformer can be determined using the
simplified equivalent scheme of the unit-connected generator
shown in figure 2.

Rf

+*]

where:
w - pulsation for fundamental frequency.
It is seen from (2) that the voltage zero-sequence
component in generator neutral depends only on the
parametas of generator and parameter of elements seen from
generator terminal (transformer, generator breaker and
elements connected directly to the buses connecting generator
and transformer). But it also significantly depends on the
resistance of breakdown channel and ground-fault location in
the stator winding. These zero-sequence components in
secondary winding of grounding transformer are shown in
Fig.4. For low fault resistance this voltage depends linearly
on number of shorted coils during fault (fault location). In
case of fault with higher fault resistance this is also linear
relation but maximum voltage reach only part of total zerosequence component in generator.

Fig.2. Equivalent scheme of generatorduring ground-fault;;U,-generator

phase voltage, x-lwation of ground-faultin generator stator winding (01).
U~-zemsequencevoltage in generator neutral,

Zero-sequence component ( IJ, ) in secondary winding of

grounding transformer connected in generator neutral (Fig.3)
can be recalculated using formula (1).

where:

.B - ratio of grounding transformer ( 6 = Un ).

100

832

gmun&fault resistance [Ohm]

gmundfautt location [XI

Rg.5. Equivalent scheme of generator during ground-faultin power system;

Uos-zero-sequencevoltage in power system recalculatedto generator
voltage, Uw-zeresequence voltage in generator neutral
2ooo-0
ground-fault resistance [Ohm]

ground-fault location [%I

c)

The value of the voltage zero-sequence component in

generator neutral during faults in power system through low
resistance can be determined using following relation:

After some simplification can be transformed to following

form:

generator capacitance IF]

gmund-fault resistance [Ohm]

Hg.4. Voltage zero-sequence component in generator neutral during groundfault in generator stator winding; a) C#.2 p,C e O @; b) C 8 . 6 @,
C&.4 @; c) cgt=o.2pF, x=l

During faults at particular locations in the stator winding the

voltages take higher values in the systems with lower total
capacitance to ground (Fig.4a,4b). For lower capacitance to
ground the voltages in generator neutral decrease linearly as
fault resistance increases, whereas for higher capacitance this
decreasing is not linear (Fig.4~).
B. Voltage zero-sequence component in generator neutral
during faults in power system
During faults in power system zero-sequence component
may transform from power system to unit-connected
generator through capacitance between winding of main
transformer. The level of transformed voltage is determined
by parameters of particular component forming this system.
The voltage zero-sequence component in generator neutral
during ground-fault in power system can be determined using
the simplified equivalent scheme of the unit-connected
generator shown in figure 5.

Then the zero-sequence component in generator neutral

transformed from power system is given per units in relation
to the zero-sequence voltage at fault location in power system
recalculated to generator level.
It is clearly seen from (4) that in the generator with
ungrounded neutral the voltage zero-sequence component in
generator neutral during faults in power system depends only
on the capacitance to ground of generator, transformer,
generator breaker and elements connected directly to the
buses connecting generator and transformer.
These zero-sequence components in generator neutral are
shown in Fig.6. For lower capacitance to ground of generator
the zero-sequence voltages take higher values. Influence of
capacitance between windings of main transformer is more
visible in generators with lower capacitance to ground
equipped with generator breaker without additional
capacitance to ground Oi;ig.6a, 6b). In generators with higher
capacitance to ground of stator winding the additional
capacitance to ground of generator breakers do not influence
analysed phenomena (Fig.6b). Zero-sequence component in
generator with ungrounded neutral transformed from power
system during faults in this system assumes the lowest values
in generators with high capacitance to ground of stator
winding and additional capacitance to ground of generator
breakers (Fig.6b).

833

distribution of 3rd harmonic voltage vectors in the generator

stator winding during pre-fault conditions and during ground
fault in stator winding at point x through fault admittanceL.

"

.
I

transformator capacitance [F]

breaker capacitance F1

Hg.7 Equivalent scheme of unitcamaected generator for 3rd harmonic and

distributionof voltage 3rd harmonic vectors in generator stator; a) during
normal operation b) during ground-faultat point x; Emi-total3rd harmonic
voltage between neutral and terminals,
E3n-voltages 3rd harmonic
between neutral and fault location and between fault location and terminals,
Ym, Yn-admittaucein neutral and at terminals, Yrfault admittance at
ground-faultlocation, N,T-generator neutral and terminal.
x 10.'
breaker capscdance [F]

0.5

Y 1u

transformator capacdance [F]

Hg.6. Voltage mo-sequence in generatorneutral during ground-faultin

power system; a) C d . 2 pF, b) w . 6 pF

The equivalent admittance Y N 3 and Y n of fault admittance

connected in generator neutral and at generator terminals can
be evaluated using the following relations:

C . Third harmonic voltage in generator neutral

In the unit-connected generator the total 3rd harmonic

phase voltage between the generator neutral and generator
terminals is a vector s u m of the voltages induced in the
particular bars of a one phase of the generator stator winding.
Because the generator current influences the resolution of the
curve of the magnetic induction in the generator air-gap, the
3rd harmonic voltages also change in adequate proportions
with changes in generator load [6,7,8]. The third harmonic
voltages in generator neutral and at generator terminals were^
determined on the base of detailed analysis of the 3rd
harmonic voltage distribution in the generator stator windings
[3,4]. The analysis was made using an equivalent scheme of
the unit-connected generator for third harmonic component
during pre-fault conditions and during ground-faults in the
stator winding (fig.7). The voltages in generator neutral and
at its terminal during generator normal operation (pre-fault
conditions) and during ground-faults in stator winding were
analysed considering all parameters of the unitconnected
generator having a significant effect on the value of the
voltage 3rd harmonics. Figure 7 shows the simplified real

834

3
xT3= y3G f +j(2w3c,
+-3cz

(6)

where:
G-phase conductanceof generator stator winding,
- pulsation for 3Tdharmonic.
When determining the 3rd harmonic voltages between
generator neutral and ground-fault location x (or ground z ) it
is necessary to take into consideration the real resolution of
this voltage along the stator winding and non-linear
dependence on the number of shorted coils [3,4,7]. Therefore
admittances of breakdown channel which are splinted into
two separated equivalent admittances (YN3f and Ymf) can be
calculated from the following equations:
YN3f

=[1-k(x)I.Y,

x3Tf = ! d X ) - x f

(7)

where:
k-coefficientreflecting non-linear distribution of 3d harmonic
in generator stator winding:

-k(x) = p 2 5 (1- eix'2n)

0.25. (3 + eJ'Xzn)

0 I x 5 0.5
0.5 Ix I1 .

(8)

1) generator normal operation (pre-fault conditions)

The relative value of the third harmonic voltages during

generator normal operation were determined in relation to the
total third harmonic voltage induced in generator stator
U voltage between
winding which is represented by ,
generator neutral and terminals. The relative value of the
voltages U,, in generator neutral during pre-fault conditions
can be determined using formula:

In Fig.8 the voltage 3d harmonic in generator neutral during

normal operation (pre-fault conditions) for different
capacitance to ground of generator stator winding insulation
and capacitance to ground of generator breaker is shown. It is
clearly seen that in generator without fault the 3d harmonic
voltage in generator neutral is higher then 50% of total
3d harmonic voltage induced in generator stator windings.
Additionally it can be noticed that capacitance to ground of
the generator breakers increases this voltage for any
generator, but this influence is more visible for the generators
with lower capacitance to ground of the stator winding
insulation (Fig.8).

In Fig9 the voltage 3d harmonic in the neutral of generator

during ground faults along the whole length of the stator
winding for different capacitance to ground of generator
stator winding insulation and capacitance to ground of
generator breaker is shown. For low fault resistance this
voltage varies from minimum at faults close to the generator
neutral to maximum during ground faults at the terminals. At
these faults 3d harmonic voltages in the generator neutral
reach values of total 3d harmonic voltage induced in the
generator stator winding. The fault resistance influences more
significantly 3d harmonic voltages in generators with lower
capacitance to ground of stator winding insulation and
without additional capacitance to ground of the generator
breakers (Fig.9).

-2 0 8
.0

E 06

m
m

04

B02
>

2m

fault resistance [Ohm]

0 '0

fault location [%I

b)
1
1

708

-.f

0.8

O6

f 0.6

g 0.4

m
m

m 0.4
E

5 0.2

gm* 0.2

0
0

pm
x 10"
generator capacltance [FI

im
breaker capacltance [Fl
fault resistance [Ohm]

Fig.8. Voltage 3d harmonic in generatorneutral during normal operation

2) ground-fault in stator winding (fault conditions)

During faults in the generator stator the distribution of 3d
harmonic voltages is mainly influenced by the fault resistance
(admittance) at fault location. Then the 3d harmonic in stator
winding between the generator neutral and fault location x (or
ground Z) was determined applying relation:

0 -0

fault location [%I

Fig.9. Voltage 3d harmonic in generatorneutral during faults;

a) CF0.2 P,C g 4PE b) W.6PEC d . 4 PF

The 3d harmonic in generator neutral changes significantly

during fault in stator winding. Fig.10 shows the absolute
difference in voltages 3rd harmonic in generator neutral
during normal operation and during fault in stator winding for
different capacitance to ground of generator stator and
capacitance to ground of generator breaker at different fault
locations and fault resistances. The maximum differences in
these voltages occur for low fault resistance in neutral of

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generator with higher stator capacitance to ground and

equipped with the generator breakers with capacitance to
ground. In such systems during faults till 20% of generator
stator length these differences reach 50% of total
3d harmonic voltage induced in generator stator (Fig.lOb).
a)

-2o.e
0

0.6

c
0

04
m
m

go 2
-

,
0

0
0

The zero-sequence voltage transformed from power

system to generator during faults in power system takes
higher values for generators with lower capacitance to
ground. The minimum values are reached in the
generators with high capacitance to ground of stator
winding and additional capacitance to ground of the
generator breakers.
The 3d harmonic voltage in generator neutral depends on
the capacitance to ground of the generator breakers and
capacitance to ground of the stator winding insulation.
The fault resistance influences more significantly neutral
3d harmonic voltages in generators with lower stator
capacitance to ground and without additional capacitance
to ground of the generator breakers. The change in the
neutral 3d harmonic caused by fault takes maximum for
low resistance fault in the neutral of generator with
higher stator capacitance to ground and equipped with
the generator breakers with capacitance to ground.

VI. REFERENCES
fault location [%]

fault resistance [Ohm]

b)

-2 0 8
0

606

<E

0.4

m
m

50 2
,
0

0
0
0

fault resistance [Ohm]

faun location [%I

Rg.10. Absolute difference in voltages 3 harmonic in generator neutral

during normal operation and during ground-fault in generator;
a) C ~ 0 . 2p,C& @
I , b) C#.6
p,C 6 . 4

V. CONCLUSIONS

J.W.Pope, A comparison of 100% stator ground fault protection

schemes for generator stator windings, ZEEE Trmuction on Power
Apparafus andSystems, vol. PAS-103, no.4. April 1984. pp.832-840.
X.G.Ym, O.Malik, G.Hope., D.Chen, Adaptive ground fault
protection schemes for turbogenerators based on third harmonic
voltages, ZEEE Tr-ctzons
on Power Delivery, ~01.5,no.2, 1990,
pp. 595-603.
SShiwen, S.Binhua, Analysis of ground protection of unit connected
generator using third harmonic, Fourth Znternational Conference on
Developments UIPower Protection, Edinburgh, UK 1989, pp.254-258.
W.W.Xie Xiaoping, Zxiling, New developments of third harmonic
ground fault protection schemes for turbine-generator stator
windings, Fourth Znternational Conference on Developments in
Power System Protection, Edinburgh, UK 1989, pp. 250-253.
MZelichowski., M.Fulczyk, Influence of voltage transformers on
operating conditions of ground-fault protection system for unitconnected generator, Inremational Journal of Electric Power &
Energy Systems, ~01.20,no.5,1998, pp.313-319.
J. Basilesco, J. Taylor. Report on methods for earthing of generator
step-up mansformer and generator winding neutrals as practised
throughout the word. CIGRE. N0.121,pp.86-101,1988.
M. Zelichowski. Erosion du circuit magnetique des stators de
turbogeneratem pendant les courts-circuits a la terre. Revue
Electricite. vol. IX,No. 12, pp. 226-234,1980.
G.W.Buckley, R.L.Schalke. Performance of third harmonic ground
fault protection schemes for generator stator windings. IEEE
saction on Power Apparatus and Systems, vol. PAS-100, No.7,
pp. 3195-3202,1981.

W.
BIOGRAPHY
In generator with ungrounded neutral, the parameters of
Marek Fulczyk (1968) received the M.Sc. and
generator and transformer, additional capacitance to,
Ph.D. degree in Elect~icalEngineering from the
Wroclaw University of Technology, Poland in
ground of the generator breakers, fault resistance and the
1993 and 1997, respectively. In 1997 he joined
ground-fault location have a substantial influence on the
ABB Group as a research scientist. Now he is a
zero-sequence components in generator during pre-fault
leader of Engineering Systems & Automation
conditions and during ground-faults.
Group at ABB Corporate Research in Krak6w,
The voltage zero-sequence component in generator
Poland. His fields of interests include power
system
protection,
voltage
stability,
neutral during faults in stator significantly depends on
collaborative technology, 3D mcdelling and
the fault resistance and ground-fault location in the stator
simulations of phenomena in power system.
winding. For low fault resistance this voltage depends
(ABB Corporate Research, Starowisha 13A,
31-038 Krakow, Poland,
mainly linearly on fault location, whereas for higher fault
Phone 4 8 12 14295027,
resistance it depends also on the total capacitance to
Fax.48-12 I4224906, E-mail:marek.fulczyk@pl.abb.com)
ground of the system.

836