How to select the proper neutralgrounding resistor for a highresistance grounded electrical

system
Littelfuse Startco | January 21, 2015
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Rami Hakam, P.Eng., Applications Engineer, Custom

Products, Littelfuse Startco
High-resistance grounding (HRG) makes a power
distribution system safer and more reliable than the
alternatives. High-resistance grounding can limit
point-of-fault damage, eliminate transient over
voltages, reduce the arc flash hazard, limit voltage
exposure to personnel, and provide adequate tripping
levels for selective ground-fault detection and
coordination. While the decision to use HRG may be a
no-brainer, implementing it is not. In particular, the
selection of a proper neutral-grounding resistor (NGR)
requires a certain amount of design knowledge. This
article will explain how an HRG system works and how
to calculate the value of the NGR for particular
applications.
What is resistance grounding?

In a resistance-grounded system (Fig. 1) the neutral

point (either the center of a
-connected transformer or, for a delta-connected
transformer, an artificial neutral created with the aid
of a zig-zag transformer) is connected to ground via a
resistor (Fig. 2). When a ground fault occurs the unfaulted phases will assume the phase-to-phase
voltage with respect to ground, the neutral point of
the transformer will assume the phase-to-ground
voltage and ground-fault current will flow through the
NGR. The magnitude of this current is determined by
the voltage across the NGR divided by its resistive
value.

Fig. 1: In a resistance-grounded system the neutral point is connected to ground via a neutral grounding
resistor.

Fig. 2: A typical neutral-grounding resistor.

Where is HRG required?

High-resistance grounding is widely used in mining

around the world, including Canada, the U.S., Chile,
Peru, Brazil, China (open-pit), Mongolia, Australia, and
India. It is a recommended practice for use in mining
as described by the IEEE 3003 Standard: Power
Systems Grounding (formerly known as the IEEE
Green Book). The electrical codes for mining in
Canada (CSA M421) and in the USA (MSHA) both
require the use of high-resistance grounding. Highresistance grounding is also becoming widely applied
outside of mining; for example, the IEC/ISO/IEEE
80005-1 standard recommends the use of highresistance grounding for high-voltage connections
feeding ships from shore. The recommended use of
high-resistance grounding is a frequent topic of peerreviewed papers, round-table discussions, and
presentations at IEEE events, including the Petroleum
and Chemical Industry Technical Conference and the
Pulp and Paper Industry Conference. Various
regulations and standards around the world also
commonly require monitoring the continuity of the
NGR.
Designing a high-resistance-grounding system

The main challenge in designing an HRG system is

determining the proper ohm value for the neutralgrounding resistor. The primary rule is that the NGR
should be sized so that ground-fault current is equal to

or slightly greater than the system charging current.

But what is system charging current (a), and how is it
measured (b)?
(a) As shown in Fig. 3 each phase of a three-phase
system exhibits a certain amount of distributed
capacitance to ground, shown here as three
capacitors. A capacitive current flows through these,
but does not show up on a current transformer
installed around the three phases (zero-sequence
current transformer) because the three phase currents
sum to zero.
If one of the phases shorts to ground causing a ground
fault, the charging current for the other two phases
will flow through the ground fault.
(b) This makes for a direct way to measure the
charging current: introduce a deliberate ground fault
on an ungrounded system and the resulting current
through the ground fault will be the charging current
of the system, as shown in Fig. 4. The shorting wire
should be AWG 8 to minimize its voltage drop. The
grounding connection should include a 5 to 10 amp
current-limiting fuse rated for the full system voltage,
a variable resistance, and a switch. At its maximum
value, the variable resistance should be such as to
limit the charging current to half of its estimated
magnitude. Set the resistor to its maximum value, and
then close the switch. Gradually reduce the resistor
setting to zero; this will help prevent transient over
voltages during the test. Zero sequence ammeter A1
will continue to show zero, and ammeter A2 will

measure the charging current. After taking the

reading, gradually bring the resistor back to its
maximum value before opening the switch. Repeat
the process on each of the other phases, and choose
the one with the highest current for the rest of the
calculations. Please note that the system is isolated
from
ground
during
the
test.
In a system that has not yet been built, ground fault
current must be estimated. For a quick estimate, use
the following typical values: 0.5 A/1000 KVA, for lowvoltage systems and 1.0 A/1000 KVA for mediumvoltage systems. For a more precise estimate, use
manufacturers data to sum up the different circuit
elements that contribute to charging currents, such as
cable capacitance per 100 feet, surge arrestors,
motors, etc.

: Each phase of a three-phase system exhibits capacitance to

ground, shown here as lumped capacitors. A charging current
flows through these capacitances, but does not show up on a
current transformer connected to the three phases because the
three-phase currents sum to zero.
Fig. 3

: To measure charging current, connect one phase to ground;

the resulting current through the ground fault will be the charging
current of the system.
Fig. 4

Calculating the value of the NGR

To detect high-impedance faults and provide machinewinding protection, the desired ground-fault-current
pickup level for the ground-fault relay should be less
than 20% of the prospective ground-fault current. To
put it another way, a good rule of thumb is to multiply
the desired ground-fault-current pickup level by an
acceptable tripping ratio (say, 5x), and then use the
next-largest available standard let-through current
rating for the neutral-grounding resistor. For low- to
medium-voltage systems, standard NGR current
ratings are typically 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 25 amps.
For example, consider a system with a charging
current of 0.5 amps (which is quite common on a 480
V system) and a desired ground-fault pickup level of 1
amp. Using a trip ratio of 5, the value of the NGR
should be selected to allow five times the desired

pickup
level
current,
or
5
amps.
Another example: in potash mining the trailing cables
can become quite long, and as such will have
correspondingly large charging currents in the range
from 1 to 2 amps (or more). The tripping current on
each feeder must be above charging current to avoid
nuisance or sympathetic tripping; a tripping value of 3
A would be reasonable. . In this case the NGR should
be selected for a let-through current five times the
desired pickup level, or 15 amps.
It is worth noting that the 2009 edition of Canadian
Electrical Code (CEC) rule 10-1102 says that for
systems up to 5 kV the system may continue to
operate with NGR currents up to 10 amps, but that a
visual or audible alarm must be activated;
The case of mobile equipment in mining

In mining applications, a mobile or movable piece of

equipment is supplied power through a resistively
grounded system. Whats more, the ground-fault
voltage must be limited to a maximum of 100V (M421
4.5.6.a & Annex A, Figure A.1). Ground-fault voltage is
defined as the maximum ground-fault current
multiplied by the resistance in the ground path from
the equipment to the supply. Depending on the size of
the portable cabling used and the length of that cable,
the resistance of the ground wire will limit the
magnitude of the allowable ground fault current. For
systems with large charging current, this could cause
what is known as sympathetic tripping, and as such

the method of selecting the NGR value will have to be

adjusted.
Sympathetic tripping

If the value of the charging current on a specific

feeder is higher than the tripping point on the groundfault relay of that feeder, sympathetic tripping occurs.
Consider
the
example
shown
in
Fig.
5.
The charging current of the system is (I1+I2+I3). The
value of the NGR current is calculated as Ir =5 x
(I1+I2+I3) and the set point of the ground-fault relays
on
the
feeders
is
20%
of
Ir.
If a ground fault occurs on Feeder 3, then Feeders 1
and 2 will each see their charging currents I1 and I2
flow through the current transformer. If I1, for
example, is higher than 20% of Ir, then the protective
relay for that feeder will detect the current and trip.
The obvious solution is to increase the value of the
current flowing through the NGR. However, due to the
limit on the ground-fault voltage, that is not always
feasible. Thus the solution is to calculate the NGR
value based on the largest charging current value
among all the feeders. So lets assume the feeder 1
has the largest charging current value, I1, then the
NGR is selected such as Ir = 5 x I1.
Summary

An HRG system can improve safety, aid in compliance

with regulations, and reduce downtime by providing a
more stable distribution system. The critical part to
consider is that these systems must be properly

designed and receives proper maintenance. The use

of a dedicated NGR continuity monitor is one
recommended method to ensure a continuously safe
and reliable operation of the system.
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