Feb 2024
Transformer Neutral Grounding
K Rajamani
Types of Grounding
PRC, as usual, has made an illuminating write up on neutral grounding of transformer from
manufacturer’s perspective. I wish to add some comments from user perspective.
The purpose of grounding the neutral of transformer is to provide return path for current from
faulted point to the source transformer. Phase to ground fault current is 1P. For three phase
fault, which is symmetrical, three phase fault current 3P is independent of type of grounding
of neutral of transformer.
By inserting resistor or reactor between the Neutral of transformer and grounding grid, the
ground fault current 1P can be limited to any desired value. The figure of merit defined in this
context is KF = 1P./ 3P.
If KF 0.6, the system fed by transformer is said to be effectively grounded.
If KF < 0.6, the system fed by transformer is said to be non-effectively grounded.
In effectively grounded system, for fault on one phase, voltage on other healthy phases will
not rise too high and will be limited to less than 1.4VP.
In non-effectively grounded system, for fault on one phase, voltage on other healthy phases
can be greater than 1.4VP. In extreme case, when transformer neutral is ungrounded, voltage
on healthy phase will rise to 1.732VP, a well-known fact taught in introductory course in power
engineering.
Solid Grounding
When the neutral of transformer is connected directly to grounding grid, it is called solidly
grounded and, in this case, KF 1. All solidly grounded systems are effectively grounded. In
case of LV system(415V), transformer neutral is solidly grounded as mandated by IE rules. In
this case sufficient ground fault current flows for protective devices like fuse to operate and
isolate the fault positively and quickly. Since LV systems are handled by common public,
safety of people and equipment are paramount.
The other extreme, where neutral of transformer is solidly grounded is in EHV systems (
66kV). In EHV system, cost of insulation is very high. In case of phase to ground fault, the
voltage of healthy phases will not rise beyond its rated value.
Low Resistance Grounding
In case of MV systems (3.3kV, 6.6kV, 11kV and 33kV), different types of neutral grounding of
transformers are adopted. The basic criterion for selection is presence or absence of rotating
machines at these voltage levels. In power plants and industrial plants, motors rated at 3.3kV,
6.6jV and 11kV may be present. In these cases, if a fault occurs between phase and core
(slot) of winding of rotating machine (motors), it leads to core damage. Every manufacturer
gives acceptable ‘Core Damage curve’. This is a function of current and time. In case the
supply transformer neutral is solidly grounded, the ground fault current will be in kiloamps and
is unacceptable from core damage point of view. From years of experience in the past, the
consensus is that ground fault current shall be limited to, say 100A to 400A, to limit core
damage within acceptable value. This is achieved by providing a Resistor between Source
transformer neutral and grounding grid and this called NGR (Neutral Grounding Resistor).
Approximate value of NGR is calculated by simple calculation, R = VP / 1P. For example,
consider 220 / 6.6KV transformer feeding 6.6kV motor loads with ground fault current limited
to 300A.
R = (6600/3) / 300 = 13.
Since the impedance to be connected between neutral of transformer and ground is in the
range of 10 to 15 and current handled is less than 400A, Resistor can be used. Heat
dissipation (2R) is manageable.
Low Reactance Grounding
In case of MV urban distribution systems of electric utilities, rotating machines are not present.
But distribution system has extensive cable network running into thousands of KM of cables
and large number of associated cable joints. More than 70% of faults in distribution system
are only ground faults. Some utilities prefer to limit ground fault current to nearly 60% of three
phase fault current so that system is still effectively grounded and will not lead to over voltage
problem. The forces on cable joints, which is the weakest link, reduce considerably ( 1P2,
36% in this case). It must be emphasized that for a fault at remote end from substation where
transformer is located, all the cable joints from substation to remote end will experience this
force. Thus, every fault in system weakens many joints and any reduction in fault current will
mitigate the effect of short circuit forces on joints. It must be emphasized that even for the
remote fault from substation, the fault current will be sufficient for protective relays to pick up
positively.
For example, a utility in Mumbai distributes bulk power at 33kV. Assume 3phase fault level 3P
= 18kA. Limit single phase fault level 1P = 0.6 x 18 = 10.8kA. The reduction in fault current is
obtained by introducing Reactor between Transformer Neutral and grounding grid. This is also
called NGR but it is Neutral Grounding Reactor. The current handled is so high in kiloamps
that resistor cannot be used in this case as heat dissipation (2R) will be unmanageable
Approximate value of NGR (crude estimate) is given by simple relation, X = VP / 1P. For
example, consider 220 / 33KV transformer feeding 33kV distribution system with ground fault
current limited to 10.8kA. X = (33,000/3)/ 10,800 = 1.76. The true value of X from detailed
analysis will be less.
Note that limiting ground fault current with NGR (Resistor / Reactor) is based on external
system considerations and it has no role in design of transformer to withstand short circuit
forces.
Neutral Grounding Transformer
Neutral Grounding Transformer (NGT) is different. It is used mainly in grounding ungrounded
system. For example, the main power transformer can be 220/33kV, Star – Delta transformer.
This vector group is chosen to achieve zero sequence isolation between secondary and
primary side. Zero sequence isolation has two main advantages in practical power systems:
(i) ground fault on one side will not get reflected s ground fault on other side and (ii) third
harmonic and multiples of third harmonic currents are ‘naturally’ filtered out. However, one
disadvantage is that the system connected to delta winding remains ungrounded. For
grounding ungrounded system to enable ground fault current flow and subsequent fault
detection, NGT is used. NGT is mostly zig zag connected grounding transformer. The
impedance value of NGT can be so chosen to limit ground fault current to any desired value
Earthing of Delta.
Another aspect which has not been widely covered is ‘earthing’ of delta which appears as
oxymoron as delta is inherently ‘unearthed’ system. There are advantages and disadvantages
of earthing delta. There are two methods to earth a delta – centre tap earthed delta and corner
earthed delta. Salient points of these two methods are given below.
Center Tap Earthing
To ‘stabilize’ the delta, one winding (YB in Fig 1) is earthed at its center tap. Since the
grounding is on YB winding, R phase is termed as ‘Red leg’ or ‘High leg’
Following voltage relationships are applicable:
Line voltages: VRY = VYB = VBR = V
Phase Voltages (not in strict sense): VYG = VBG = V / 2; VRG = (3/2) V
This connection is archaic and legacy from delta – delta (center tap earthed) connection used in
the past. It is hardly used in practice now and is only of academic interest.
Figure 1 Central Tap Earthed
Corner earthed delta
Another method to ‘stabilize’ the delta is to earth one corner of delta. Refer Fig 2. In a few
installations, earthing is done through LA. In this case also, line voltage triangle is unaffected.
However, one of the phase voltages (VYG) is zero as it is ‘earthed’. In this case, all line voltages
(VRY, VYB, VBR) and two phase voltages (VRG and VBG) are equal. There is no ambiguity in
phase voltages.
One disadvantage is that the voltage to ground of ungrounded phase is ‘always’ equal to line
voltage. Hence it is mandatory that phase to ground clearance should be same as that for
phase-to-phase clearance.
Figure 2 Corner Earthed Delta
Application of corner earthing in practice is limited to earthing of unloaded delta tertiary of large
ICTs. For example, consider 400/220/33kV autotransformer with 33kV tertiary winding. Each
corner of tertiary has Bushing CT. One corner say Y phase is earthed. In case of earth fault in
tertiary, return path is available as one corner is earthed. Y phase CT is wired to relay for
tripping.
If Bushing CT is not available, any ring type CT on the strip or cable connecting corner of delta
to earth mat can be used.
In case of 3 No single-phase autotransformer banks (e.g. 765/400/33kV, 3 x333MVA), delta
formation is done by external cables. Corner earthing is also done by single or multiple runs
of 1C cables.
Future trends in provision of delta tertiary
In majority of cases, tertiary is unloaded. The purpose of this winding is the compensation or
suppression of 3rd harmonics caused by the magnetization current (no load current) of the
transformer. But in modern transformers, with vastly superior core material, no load current
has been brought down to less than 0.3%. Third harmonic component is about 30% of no load
current which itself is very small. Hence the relevance of tertiary has diminished considerably.
In case of Star-Star or Star-Zig Zag transformer with capacity less than 200MVA delta tertiary
can be eliminated. Even for ICTs of large capacity, consult the manufacturer about the need
for delta tertiary before including the tertiary in the specification.
Application of LA
Lightning Arrestors are provided as close to HV and LV line terminals of EHV transformers.
LAs are seldom provided on neutral side irrespective of type of grounding.
PS:
For more detailed discussions on neutral grounding of transformers, you may refer Chapters
4 to 6 of following book:
“Application Guide for Power Engineers – Part 1- Earthing and Grounding of Electrical
Systems”, K Rajamani, Notion Press, 2018
The book is available on various platforms including Amazon.
