Triconex Corporation

Triconex Corporation
System
System
Grounding
Grounding
TRICON Hardware
TRICON Hardware
Electrical systems must be connected to ground
in order to:

Protect personnel from electric shock.
Protect personnel from electric shock.

Protect equipment from damage.
Protect equipment from damage.

Protect the site from lightning damage.
Protect the site from lightning damage.

Ensure the reliability and electrical integrity of the
Ensure the reliability and electrical integrity of the
system.
system.

To have interference free operation
To have interference free operation
What is Ground?
What is Ground?

It is a connection to the earth, or to something used
It is a connection to the earth, or to something used
in place of the earth.
in place of the earth.
Why do we require a ground?
Why do we require a ground?

The ground is required as it is used to establish and
The ground is required as it is used to establish and
maintain the potential of the earth.
maintain the potential of the earth.
TRICON System typically utilizes three (3)
separate ground references:
AC safety or chassis ground (protective earth
ground) - TRICON Chassis Ground
Signal or Instrument (or Master Reference) ground
- TRICON Signal Ground (TSG)
Field loop shield ground
AC Safety ground is applied to each chassis
Signal or Instrument (or Master Reference)
ground is the field loop power supply return
Field loop shield ground is for referencing
instrument loop wiring shields typically to
instrument or Master Reference ground
TRICON TRICON
Main Main
Chassis Chassis
AC Safety Ground Bar
TRICON TRICON
Expansion Expansion
Chassis Chassis
Each chassis Each chassis MUST BE MUST BE
connected to AC Safety connected to AC Safety
ground to ensure personnel ground to ensure personnel
safety! safety!
TRICON TRICON
Expansion Expansion
Chassis Chassis
TRICON TRICON
Chassis Chassis
AC Safety Ground Bar AC Safety Ground Bar
Each V5 Each V5 - - V8 Digital I/O V8 Digital I/O
Term Panel Term Panel MUST BE MUST BE
connected to AC Safety connected to AC Safety
ground to ensure personnel ground to ensure personnel
safety! safety!
Digital Input Term Digital Input Term
AC Safety Ground MUST be applied to each
chassis (Main, Expansion & RXM) regardless of
floating or non-floating systems.
AC Safety Ground MUST be applied to each V5 -
V8 DI/DO Term Panel. (floating/non-floating) as
the V5 - V8 I/O ELCO cables do not have a
connecting wire to chassis. Connection to AC
Safety Ground for V9 Terms are not required.
AC Safety Ground MUST NOT be applied to
AI/AO Term Panels and #3504E.
AC Safety Ground Analog System
AC Safety Ground Analog System
AC Safety AC Safety
TRICON TRICON
Chassis Chassis
Isolated +24 Isolated +24
Power Supply Power Supply
V+ V+ V V- -
Analog Input Term Analog Input Term
Once V Once V- - is connected to a is connected to a
AI/AO Term Panel, it is AI/AO Term Panel, it is
connected to the internal connected to the internal
TRICON Signal Ground TRICON Signal Ground
(TSG). (TSG).
If the TRICON RC Clip is If the TRICON RC Clip is
installed installed, TSG is connected , TSG is connected
to AC Safety Ground via a to AC Safety Ground via a
parallel resistor/capacitor parallel resistor/capacitor
circuit. circuit.
TSG V TSG V- - is referenced to AC is referenced to AC
Safety within Safety within millivolts millivolts
range. range.
Dedicated Ground Analog System
Dedicated Ground Analog System
If the TRICON RC Clip is If the TRICON RC Clip is
removed, TSG is removed, TSG is
disconnected from AC disconnected from AC
Safety Ground. Safety Ground.
TSG TSG MUST BE MUST BE connected connected
to a dedicated ground. to a dedicated ground.
One connection is required One connection is required
and is completed at the and is completed at the
Main Chassis location Main Chassis location & any & any
remote RXM locations. remote RXM locations.
The dedicated ground is The dedicated ground is
typically considered a quiet typically considered a quiet
earth ground or DCS earth ground or DCS
Master Reference Ground. Master Reference Ground.
Isolated +24 Isolated +24
Power Supply Power Supply
V+ V+ V V- -
TRICON TRICON
Chassis Chassis
Analog Input Terms Analog Input Terms
Dedicated Ground Dedicated Ground
AC Safety AC Safety
Dedicated Ground Analog System
Dedicated Ground Analog System
AC Safety AC Safety
Dedicated Ground Dedicated Ground
Field loop wiring shields Field loop wiring shields
are typically connected to are typically connected to
TRICON Term Panels. TRICON Term Panels.
The TRICON Term Panel The TRICON Term Panel
shield ground screws shield ground screws
should be tied to should be tied to
instrument ground or the instrument ground or the
dedicated ground. dedicated ground.
TRICON TRICON
Chassis Chassis
Isolated +24 Isolated +24
Power Supply Power Supply
V+ V+ V V- -
Analog Input Terms Analog Input Terms
TRIOCN RC network
TRIOCN RC network
V5
V5
-
-
V8 System
V8 System
#8300/#8301/#8305/#8306 TRICON Power
#8300/#8301/#8305/#8306 TRICON Power
Modules are equipped with a simple RC network
Modules are equipped with a simple RC network
connected between the signal and chassis ground
connected between the signal and chassis ground
#8300A/#8301A/#8305A/#8306A TRICON Power
#8300A/#8301A/#8305A/#8306A TRICON Power
Modules allows one to disconnect the internal RC
Modules allows one to disconnect the internal RC
network and directly access the TRICON signal
network and directly access the TRICON signal
ground.
ground.
TRIOCN RC network
TRIOCN RC network
V9 System
V9 System
The RC network is external to the TRICON Power
The RC network is external to the TRICON Power
Modules.
Modules.
TRIOCN RC network
TRIOCN RC network
Stand
Stand
-
-
Alone Digital
Alone Digital
-
-
Only System
Only System
Connecting the RC jumper will be sufficient
Stand
Stand
-
-
Alone Analog
Alone Analog
-
-
Only or Mixed
Only or Mixed
Analog/Digital System
Analog/Digital System
Connecting the RC jumper will be sufficient
TRIOCN RC network
TRIOCN RC network
Integration with DCS
Integration with DCS
If TRICON is a stand-alone digital-only system, connection of the
RC jumper (at the power module for V5 to V8) is sufficient
If TRICON is a stand-alone analog-only or mixed analog/digital
system, a single connection must be made between TRICON signal
ground and the common tie point of the DCS signal ground
A TriStation Link with model #410x ICM/EICM may cause a
problem if the TriStation PC does not share the safety ground
connection as the TRICON.
Exercise caution especially if the TRICON and the DCS are
physically separated or reside in separate buildings. The same
problem could also occur with any RS232 connection including any
MODBUS connections.

Connecting two pieces of equipment located in
Connecting two pieces of equipment located in
different buildings
different buildings

TRICON I/O bus RS
TRICON I/O bus RS
-
-
485 connection
485 connection
extended beyond the control room.
extended beyond the control room.

Current flow via the Shield ground which is
Current flow via the Shield ground which is
not held at a constant, non
not held at a constant, non
-
-
varying voltage.
varying voltage.

Implementing a floating ground system.
Implementing a floating ground system.

In most industrial control systems, the return side
In most industrial control systems, the return side
of the field power supply is directly connected to
of the field power supply is directly connected to
earth.
earth.
Emergency Shutdown (ESD) and Fire & Gas
Emergency Shutdown (ESD) and Fire & Gas
detection applications very often require the
detection applications very often require the
I/O system to be "floating".
I/O system to be "floating".
In a floating ground system, the field power
In a floating ground system, the field power
supply is not directly connected to earth
supply is not directly connected to earth
ground , but is connected to an artificial
ground , but is connected to an artificial
ground which can be created with a high
ground which can be created with a high
-
-
impedance resistor voltage divider.
impedance resistor voltage divider.
24VDC POWER
SUPPLY UNIT
+
-
24VDC POWER
SUPPLY UNIT
+
-
EARTH GROUND
TO ETP POWER
24VDC
0VDC
R1
R2
The main use of a floating ground system with a
The main use of a floating ground system with a
suitable Ground Fault Detector allows for the
suitable Ground Fault Detector allows for the
implementation of a "no
implementation of a "no
-
-
fail system".
fail system".
A no
A no
-
-
fail system is fault
fail system is fault
-
-
tolerant of any
tolerant of any
single
single
field
field
-
-
wiring fault to earth ground.
wiring fault to earth ground.
These ground faults should be detectable by
These ground faults should be detectable by
the GFD, and if repaired in a timely manner, a
the GFD, and if repaired in a timely manner, a
shutdown or disturbance to the application
shutdown or disturbance to the application
should be avoided.
should be avoided.

The main purpose of a GFD is to detect the
The main purpose of a GFD is to detect the
presence of an unintentional connection to
presence of an unintentional connection to
earth ground, other than that of the fixed
earth ground, other than that of the fixed
high
high
-
-
impedance connection.
impedance connection.

A GFD should provide some means of alarming
A GFD should provide some means of alarming
upon detecting an ground fault.
upon detecting an ground fault.
The HOLEC GFD has a sensitivity of 20mA
The HOLEC GFD has a sensitivity of 20mA
minimum (between +
minimum (between +
ve
ve
and
and
-
-
ve
ve
), when used with
), when used with
an external 1.2k
an external 1.2k
resistor divider in 24VDC
resistor divider in 24VDC
applications.
applications.
24VDC POWER
SUPPLY UNIT
+
-
24VDC POWER
SUPPLY UNIT
+
-
EARTH GROUND
HOLEC
+
-
R1
R2
It is common to install multiple
It is common to install multiple
GFDs
GFDs
in a
in a
system, either one per Marshalling
system, either one per Marshalling
Cabinet or one per termination panel.
Cabinet or one per termination panel.
After a ground fault has been detected,
After a ground fault has been detected,
only the field wiring of the points
only the field wiring of the points
attached to the alarmed GFD needs to be
attached to the alarmed GFD needs to be
searched for the earth short.
searched for the earth short.
Ground Fault Detection with D.I. Module
Ground Fault Detection with D.I. Module
EARTH GROUND
R1
R2
HOLEC
24VDC
0VDC
PS+
PS-
+
-
DI ETP
DI MODULE
Ground Fault Detection with D.I. Module
Ground Fault Detection with D.I. Module
The following limitations apply to the use
The following limitations apply to the use
of
of
GFDs
GFDs
with digital inputs
with digital inputs
:
:

A GFD always detects ground faults on
A GFD always detects ground faults on
the positive side of the contact.
the positive side of the contact.

A GFD always detects ground faults on
A GFD always detects ground faults on
the negative side of the contact when the
the negative side of the contact when the
contact is closed. When the contact is
contact is closed. When the contact is
open, the GFD might not detect the fault.
open, the GFD might not detect the fault.
Ground Fault Detection with D.I. Module
Ground Fault Detection with D.I. Module

When the contact is open, the impedance
When the contact is open, the impedance
of the input circuitry is in series with the
of the input circuitry is in series with the
fault impedance.
fault impedance.

If the sum of the impedances exceeds
If the sum of the impedances exceeds
the sensitivity of the GFD, then the GFD
the sensitivity of the GFD, then the GFD
might not detect the fault.
might not detect the fault.
Ground Fault Detection with D.O. Module
Ground Fault Detection with D.O. Module
EARTH GROUND
R1
R2
HOLEC
24VDC
0VDC
PS+
PS-
+
-
DO ETP
FROM DO
MODULE
Ground Fault Detection with D.O. Module
Ground Fault Detection with D.O. Module
The following limitations apply to the use
The following limitations apply to the use
of
of
GFDs
GFDs
with digital outputs:
with digital outputs:

A GFD always detects ground faults on
A GFD always detects ground faults on
the negative side of the load.
the negative side of the load.

A GFD always detects ground faults on
A GFD always detects ground faults on
the positive side of the load when the
the positive side of the load when the
load is energized. When de
load is energized. When de
-
-
energized, a
energized, a
GFD might not detect the fault.
GFD might not detect the fault.
Ground Fault Detection with D.O. Module
Ground Fault Detection with D.O. Module

When de
When de
-
-
energized, the impedance of the
energized, the impedance of the
load is in series with the fault impedance.
load is in series with the fault impedance.

If the sum of the impedances exceeds
If the sum of the impedances exceeds
the sensitivity of the GFD, then the GFD
the sensitivity of the GFD, then the GFD
might not detect the fault.
might not detect the fault.
Ground Fault Detection with A.I. Module
Ground Fault Detection with A.I. Module
EARTH GROUND
R1
R2
HOLEC
24VDC
0VDC
PS+
PS-
+
-
AI ETP
Tx
250
180
Ground Fault Detection with A.I. Module
Ground Fault Detection with A.I. Module
From test results and the electrical
From test results and the electrical
circuit analysis, we confirmed that the
circuit analysis, we confirmed that the
accuracy degradation in the presence of a
accuracy degradation in the presence of a
ground fault is inherent in any 4
ground fault is inherent in any 4
-
-
20mA
20mA
instumentation
instumentation
loops.
loops.
TRICONEX
TRICONEX
Your supplier for all
Your supplier for all
your Safety and Critical
your Safety and Critical
Control Needs
Control Needs
Defects
Down Time
False Trips
BACKPLANE 8-POINT ANALOG OUTPUT MODULE
PWRA (22A)
RTN (22E)
PWRB (24A)
CABLE
Selector
Logic
DAC
TERMINATION
PANEL
RTN (24E)
OUT1 (2A)
RTN1 (2E)
Selector
Logic
DAC
Selector
Logic
DAC
Loop power
Current
loopback
Current
loopback
Current
loopback
A
B
C
32-POINT ANALOG INPUT MODULES BACKPLANE CABLE
to
s pare
TERMINATION PANEL
Is olation/filtering
ADC Amp 1
32
Mux
Hi-Ref
Low-Ref
ADC Amp 1
32
Mux
Hi-Ref
Low-Ref
ADC Amp 1
32
Mux
Hi-Ref
Low-Ref
PS1
PS2
PS1
PS2
to
other
points
180 ohms
Note 3
Types of Power
Utility Power
Mains Power
UPS
Clean
Floating
AC / DC
Types of Earth Connection
Clean Earth
Dirty Earth
Utility Earth
Low noise
System
Computer
Basically on two types of
Ground :-
a) AC - dirty
b) DC - clean
System earth
Instrument earth
EMC
Electromagnetic Compatibility
-> Started by the military application 15 yrs ago
Use 3 core power cables for optimal line filtering
Power source is reference to earth
Floating power contains much more noise than earth reference
Floating power needs isolation transformer
Floating power may drift to any common mode potential
Line filtering requires earth connection
Impedance if 3 core power is 100 ohms
I/A designed by National Electrical Code
Normal and Common mode signals by :
potential equalisation
Galvanic isolation
Shielding
Enclosures
Signal to noise ratio
GROUNDING the TRICON
GROUNDING the TRICON
Expansion Chassis
(Protective Earth)
AC
SAFETY
GROUND
1/4" Bolt on left side
of each chassis
Main Chassis
Expansion Chassis
AC Safety Ground
Bus Bar