WILSON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING BOOKS (Simplified Edition 2020)

Earthing System

Types of Earthing Systems

A low voltage (LV) distribution system may be identified according to its earthing system.
These are defined using the five letters
T (direct connection to earth) N (neutral) C (combined) S (separate) I (isolated from earth)

The first letter denotes how the transformer neutral (supply source) is earthed while the second letter denotes how
the metalwork of an installation (frame) is earthed. The third and fourth letters indicate the functions of neutral
and protective conductors respectively.

There are three configurations:

1) TT: transformer neutral earthed and the equipment body frame is earthed
2) TN: transformer neutral earthed, and the equipment body frame is connected to neutral.
3) IT: unearthed transformer neutral, earthed body frame.

TT Earthing Systems:
Transformer neutral directly connected to an independent earth electrode and body frame directly connected to an
independent earth electrode. Consumer has independent directly to earth electrode.

The structure of TT System is shown:

Author by: Engr. Wilson (REE)

 WILSON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING BOOKS (Simplified Edition 2020)

Earthing System

TNS Earthing Systems:

The neutral of the source of energy is connected directly earthed at one point only.
and the consumer’s earthing terminal is typically connected to the metallic sheath or armour of the distributor’s
service cable into the consumer premises, whereas the exposed conductors are connected to the same earthing
arrangement of the neutral. The protective conductor and the neutral conductor are separate.

The structure of TNS System is shown:

Author by: Engr. Wilson (REE)

 WILSON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING BOOKS (Simplified Edition 2020)

Earthing System

TNS-TT Earthing Systems:

TN-S: separate protective earth (PE) and neutral (N) conductors from transformer to consuming device, which are not
connected together at any point after the building distribution point.

TT: (terre-terre) earthing system, the protective earth connection for the consumer is provided by a local earth
electrode, (sometimes referred to as the Terra-Firma connection) and there is another independently installed at the
generator. There is no 'earth wire' between the two. The fault loop impedance is higher, and unless the electrode
impedance is very low indeed, a TT installation should always have an RCD (GFCI) as its first isolator.

The structure of TNS & TT System is shown:

Author by: Engr. Wilson (REE)