Power topic #6005 | Part 1 of 2 | Technical information from Cummins Power Generation

Grounding of AC generators and

switching the neutral in emergency
and standby power systems

> White paper

By Lawrence A. Bey, Senior Sales Engineer
Jim Iverson, Senior Applications Engineer

This is the first part of a two part white paper. enclose the circuit conductors. A grounding electrode
Part one addresses system grounding arrange- or several grounding electrodes tied together as a
system provides the reference ground and the means
ments for AC generators used in emergency
for connection to earth.
and standby systems. The methods of system
grounding covered include solid grounding System grounding refers to the intentional connection
between a conductor of an AC power system and
and high-resistance grounding, with additional
ground. The source of normal power for the system is
discussion of systems that are ungrounded. typically a utility supplied transformer and the source
The second part addresses switching the of emergency or standby power is typically an owner-
neutral conductor with 4-pole transfer switches supplied on-site generator set. The power system
where ground fault protection systems are conductor connected to ground becomes the grounded
provided on the normal power source and conductor, which is typically the neutral circuit conductor
where ground fault indication is provided on UTILITY SERVICE
the emergency/standby generator. System and Equipment Grounding Connections

System and equipment grounding Power Company Supply Transformer

Solidly Grounded System
Careful consideration of the grounding arrangements of
AC generators used in emergency and standby power
systems is essential for optimum continuity of power for 3-Phase 4-Wire Service
Service Equipment
critical loads and for the safety of personnel. Specific
Sevice Disconnect
considerations for emergency and standby systems
Ungrounded Circuit
include selection of a system grounding method for conductor (Phase)
the generator, when to use four pole transfer switch Main Bonding
equipment, requirements for indication only of a ground Jumper
Grounded Circuit
fault on the generator, and the methods used in transfer Conductor (Neutral)
equipment for switching the neutral pole.
Equipment
The term “grounding” describes and encompasses Ground
both systems grounding and equipment grounding.
The basic difference between system and equipment
grounding is that system grounding involves grounding G L N G L N
circuit conductors that are current carrying under
Grounding Electrode Conductor Grounding Electrode System
normal operation, where equipment grounding involves
grounding of all non-current carrying metallic parts that FIGURE 1
Power topic #6005 | Page 

on a 3-phase 4-wire system. System grounding, in grounded to limit the voltage to ground during normal
other words, describes the practice of grounding one operation and to prevent excessive voltages due to
conductor of an AC power system. lightning, line surges, or unintentional contact with higher
voltage lines. Solid system grounding also facilitates the
Equipment grounding refers to the bonding and
automatic clearing of ground faults by circuit protective
grounding of all non-current carrying (during normal
equipment (fuses and circuit breakers). The National
operation) metal conduit, equipment enclosures,
Electrical Code, Article 250.20, requires AC power
supports, frames, etc. for current carrying circuit
systems of 50-1000 V to be solidly grounded where
conductors and equipment. Equipment grounding
the maximum voltage to ground on the ungrounded
contributes to personnel safety by limiting the voltage
conductors will exceed 150 V. Systems that supply
to ground on these metallic parts and reduces the
phase-to-neutral loads are also required to be solidly
hazard of electric shock. All of those metallic parts are
grounded. AC power systems that are not required
bonded together to make an equal potential conductor.
to be solidly grounded may be solidly grounded,
This provides a sufficiently low impedance path for
impedance grounded, or ungrounded Systems are
ground fault current to flow back to the system power
impedance grounded or ungrounded if it is desirable to
source, through a bonding jumper to the grounded
limit the magnitude of ground fault current or minimize
circuit conductor (neutral) located at the service
the interruption of power due to ground faults.
equipment. FIGURE 1 shows a solidly grounded utility
service and identifies the grounded circuit conductor The National Electrical Code Article 250 defines the type
(neutral), the equipment ground, the main bonding of AC power systems to be grounded and the system
jumper, the grounding electrode, and the grounding grounding methods permitted, the circuit conductor to
electrode conductor. ground for various systems, the location of grounding
connections, types and sizes of grounding conductors
There are several types of system grounding typically
and electrodes, and methods of equipment grounding
in use for low voltage (600 volts and below) AC power
and bonding. The IEEE Green Book, Standard 142,
systems. Three-phase electrical systems may be solidly
contains useful reference information on system
grounded, impedance grounded, or ungrounded as
grounding factors in selecting a system grounding
shown schematically in FIGURE 2. Systems are solidly
method and equipment grounding and methods. The
IEEE Orange Book, Standard 446, contains a chapter of
SYSTEM GROUNDING METHODS
recommended practice that is specific to grounding of
Zero Sequence Components of Neutral Circuit
emergency and standby generator systems.

Ungrounded
X0
Solid system grounding
Circuit
The National Electrical Code requires commonly used
low voltage (600 V and below) AC power systems that
supply line to neutral loads to be solidly grounded
including emergency standby generator, as follows:

X0
120/240 volts, single phase, three wire;
Solidly Grounded
Circuit
208Y/120 volts, three phase, four wire;
480Y/277 volts, three phase, four wire;
120/240 volts, three phase, four wire delta and
347/600 volts, three phase, four wire.
A system is solidly grounded when the connection
between the neutral and ground has been made
X0 3X N
Resistance without inserting any intentional impedance in the
Grounded Circuit
connection. In other words, a conductor specifically
referred to as the grounding electrode conductor,
sized according to 250.66 of the NEC™, connects the
neutral or grounded circuit conductor of the system to
X 0 = Zero-Sequence Reactance of Generator
R N = Resistance of Grounding Resistor
a grounding electrode system, with only the negligible
impedance of the grounding electrode conductor itself
FIGURE 2 (and its terminations).

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Power topic #6005 | Page 

Solid grounding facilitates the automatic clearing of be corrected in a planned manner. High resistance
ground faults by circuit protective equipment (fuses and grounding permits continuity of power with the first
circuit breakers) because solid grounding results in the ground fault, but subsequent ground faults will result
highest magnitude of ground fault current. The higher in a high magnitude phase to phase fault current
the fault current, the higher the probability that fuses that will operate the phase over current devices and
and circuit breakers will operate in the “instantaneous” power would be lost. Other reasons for high resistance
range. Note that in FIGURE 2 the generator reactance system grounding are that system overvoltages are
shown in series with ground is the zero sequence held to acceptable levels during ground faults, and the
reactance. The zero sequence reactance is included potentially destructive effects of arcing ground faults
with the positive and negative sequence reactance that occur in high capacity, solidly grounded systems
in calculations of the amount of ground fault current are reduced or eliminated.
to flow. Reactance data is used because it should be
The 1987 NEC was the first edition to include a change
readily available and will closely approximate the results
the: permits use of high resistance grounding of three
from using the actual machine impedances. The zero
phase AC systems of 480 volts to 1000 volts that do
sequence reactance is typically lower than the positive
not serve L-N loads, and where several other conditions
and negative sequence generator reactance which
are also met. These conditions include: only qualified
determine three phase and line to line fault currents,
personnel will service the system, continuity of power
The first cycle (symmetrical) line to ground bolted fault
is required, and ground fault detection is installed.
current at the terminals of a solidly grounded generator
High resistance grounded systems are commonly
is given by the equation:
found in industrial facilities supplying power to critical
3E LN processes. Most typical low voltage emergency
IG = standby systems are required to serve line to neutral
X1+ X2+ X0
loads. The generator windings are wye connected and
X1 is the Direct Axis Subtransient Reactance. the neutral is brought out for use as a circuit conductor.
X 2 is the Negative Sequence Reactance. In this case the generator would not be permitted to
X0 is the Zero Sequence Reactance.
be high resistance grounded. However, where line to
For example, using typical generator reactance, a neutral loads need not be served, or where delta-wye
bolted three phase fault near the generator terminals isolation transformers are used to derive a neutral for
may result in an initial symmetrical current of 11.6 L-N loads, a 480 volt 3-phase 3-wire generator may be
times the generator rated current, where a bolted L-G high resistance grounded. In such applications meeting
fault on a solidly grounded system may result in 12.6 the conditions set down by the NEC, the advantages of
times rated current initially due to the zero sequence high resistance grounding would be gained in terms of
reactance term in the equation. continuity of service with a single ground fault.

Impedance grounding (high resistance) Ungrounded

In addition to solid grounding, there are several A power system not having any intentional connection
types of impedance grounding where an intentional to ground is referred to as an ungrounded system.
impedance, resistance or reactance, is inserted in the However, because of the capacitive coupling between
ground circuit. The most common impedance ground the phase conductors and ground, an ungrounded
used, 600VAC and below, is high resistance ground- system is in reality grounded through the distributed
ing. A system is high resistance grounded when the capacitance of the system conductors to ground. A line
connection between the neutral and ground has been to ground fault on an ungrounded system cause a very
made with intentional impedance (grounding resistor) small ground fault current to flow through the capaci-
in the connection. The neutral resistance is selected tance of cables, transformers, and other electrical
to limit the ground fault current that can flow to a level equipment on the system. Thus, ungrounded systems
sufficient to pick up ground fault detection relays. One are designed to operate such that phase overcurrent
of the reasons for using a high resistance grounding devices do not trip for the first phase to ground fault.
system is that no trip is required on the first ground If a second ground fault occurs on another phase,
fault. The ground fault current, being limited by the the result is a line to line fault with high fault current
resistor to a low value can be tolerated for some time, The relatively high current of the L-L fault should trip
so that continuity of power to the critical load may be phase overcurrent devices, as it would with the high
maintained until such time as the first ground fault can resistance grounded system.

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Power topic #6005 | Page 

About the author Essential Electrical Systems for Health Care Facilities,
and CMP 20 of the National Electrical Code. Larry
Lawrence A. Bey is a Senior Sales
also represents Cummins Power Generation on the
Engineer and a 1978 University of
Canadian Standards Association for Emergency Power
Minnesota graduate. Larry has been a
Supply Systems. Larry is active with the National
Cummins Power Generation employee
Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) on the
and a CPG Distributor Sales Engineer
Automatic Transfer Switch Subcommittee. He has
for a total of 29 years. Larry represents
written articles for industry publications on grounding
Cummins Power Generation on Technical Committees
of generators, overload protection of generators, as
of the National Fire Protection Association for NFPA
well as starting motors from generators.
110 Emergency and Standby Power Systems, NFPA 99

UNGROUNDED SYSTEM
Normal Voltage (A) Fault Voltage (B)
Summary
Neutral
The method of system grounding used has a significant
Full Line-to-Line Line-to-Ground effect on the continuity of power to critical loads under
Voltage Voltage During Fault
(Equal to Full
ground fault conditions. Solidly grounded systems
Line-to-Line Voltage) provide the highest ground fault current to facilitate
clearing of circuit protective devices. A line to ground
Neutral
fault generally results in an immediate operation of
the circuit breaker or fuse and continuity of power to
the load is lost. Most low voltage power systems are
required by the National Electrical Code to be solidly
Normal grounded High resistance or ungrounded systems may
Line-to-Ground
Voltage Ground Potential be used where permitted and continuity of power to the
load with a single ground fault is desired.
(B) Single Line-to-Ground
(A) No Fault on System Fault on System For additional technical support, please contact your
(Neutral Floats at Ground Potential) (One Line at Ground Potential)
local Cummins Power Generation distributor. To locate
FIGURE 3 your distributor, visit www.cumminspower.com.

When the neutral of a system is not grounded, a ground

fault on one line causes full line to line voltage through-
out the system, between ground and the two unfaulted
phases. This voltage is 73% higher than normal as
shown in FIGURE 3. Usually the insulation between
each line and ground is adequate to withstand full line
to line voltage. However, if the insulation has deterio-
rated and the overvoltage is sustained sufficiently long,
a second ground fault may occur due to insulation
failure. In spite of these considerations, ungrounded
systems may be used to gain an additional degree of
service continuity.

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© 2006 | Cummins Power Generation and Cummins are registered
trademarks of Cummins Inc. “Our energy working for you.” is a
trademark of Cummins Power Generation.
PT-6005 Part 1 of 2 (12/06) formally 900-0262