ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATIONSOF BUILDINGS:THE IEC/CENELEC PROTECTION
AGAINSTINDIRECT
CONTACT BY GROUNDING ANDAUTOMATIC DISCONNECTION
OF THE SUPPLY UP TO AND EXCEEDING 1 KV AC
Giuseppe Parise, Member E E E
Electrical Engineering Department, University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Via Eudossiana, 18 - 00184 Rome, ITALY
Abstract- The paper proposes a generalized approach of
the IECKENELEC protection against indirect contact by
grounding and automatic disconnection of the supply for
electrical installations of buildings, in both the cases of IOW
voltage system (electrical installations up to 1 kV ac) ( IEC
publications 364) and of high voltage system (electrical
installations exceeding 1 kV a.c, ( CENELEC HD 637 Sl).
The risk evaluation and the admissible limit values of the
touch voltages in the IECKENELEC documents for the
two cases are very different. In each case, conventional
safety rules are fixed.
Index Ternis- Protection Against Electric Shock, Electric
Risk, System Grounding
SYMBOLS
The symbols in the Figures and in the text are :
CP circuit protection
ECRI(t) risk index of electric contact
k(t) probability that someone touches conductive part
S(t) probability that an electrical equipment remains in service
without failure on the conductive enclosure that bridges
the isolation distance
u(t) probability that the conductive part under consideration
doesn't perform the condition U, S U L ~
I, automatic operating current of the disconnecting
protective device within the & time stated in Table II
Ij, current I, with &=5 s
I, minimum current causing the instantaneous tripping of the
overcurrent protective device
Ib rated residual operating current of the protective device
disconnecting time of the protective device
Id fault current of the first fault ( IT-system)
IT ground-fault current
PE ground-fault conductor
PEN PE with function of neutral conductor also in LV system
RA resistance of ground electrode for the equipment system
grounding
& resistance of body, hand to feet
RN resistance of ground electrode for the neutral point of
supply
RT resistance of ground electrode for the system grounding
U nominal voltage, a.c. r.m.s.
UL conventional voltage limit, that is the admissible limit
value of the touch voltage persisting for a time that
48
-
exceeds or is equal to 5 s (in normal conditions, 50 V a.c.
r.m.s. or 120 V ripple-free d.c. )
U,, (t) conventional voltage limit in & time stated ,that is the
admissible limit value of the touch voltage persisting for a
time t that doesn't exceed ta seconds
U, voltage to ground; a.c. r.m.s.
U, ground potential rise, voltage between a ground system
and reference ground.
Ut touch voltage, the part of the U, which can be picked up
by a person; ax. r.m.s.
ZL1 impedance of line conductor, source impedance included
ZN impedance of neutral conductor
ZpE impedance of ground-fault conductor
Zs impedance of the complete ground-fault circuit (fault loop
impedance)
Z, impedance of prospective touch voltage
Z, residual impedance equal to ZS- ZLI-Z,
OF THEELECTRICAL
INTRODUCTION. EVALUATION RISK
In electrical installations an indirect contact with exposed
conductive parts of electrical equipment as a result of a fault in
the basic insulation, could cause physical injury or other harm
to persons or domestic animals. The IEC standard 364-4-41 [I]
prescribes technical design methods that provide protection
against electric shock. A criterion for selecting appropriate
measures to achieve the objective of a sufficient level of
protection against electric shock can be determined by
evaluation of actual risk ( ECRI(t) I 1) of electric contact.
The actual risk in any time t depends on:
- the probability (I - S(t)) that a conductive part is live;
- the probability k(t) that someone touches it and u(t) related
to the actual value of the touch voltage :
ECRI(t) = k(t)*(l - S(t)) *U(t) (1 1
where the parameters S(t), k(t) and u(t) will be introduced
following.
The classic definition of risk don't consider the u(t) parameter
and introduces the damage evaluation in the product (1).
Indirect contact can accidentally occurs in electrical
installations of buildings, in Figure 1 it is shown a general
scheme. When a failure of the basic insulation develops along a
conductor or in a circuit part that results in an electrical
 Hi
-

Fig.1. General scheme for protection by automatic supply disconnection: fault-current path during a ground fault on the low voltage side. It is
shown also a fault I T ( ~ ~onP the
) high voltage side.
TABLE I
PARAMETERS AND VALUES FOR SAFETY CONDITIONS

CONVENTIONAL
APPROACH BASED ON
SAFETY
CURVES Rule 1 (LV systems) Rule 2 (LV systems) Rule 3
TIME TOUCH VOLTAGE Prospective UL& (variable &) (Lv systems) U F U ~always (ta=5s) (HV systems)
1 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
ta[sl Hv ULt [VI LV ufl, [p.u.] u,,m, [p.u.l u,[vl uLpq u,/u,[p * [P.u.]
.u.] UUHV/UULV
5.00 80.00 50.00 1.oo 1 50 50 1 1.60
0.80 120.00 67.50 1.35 111.77 120 50 112.4 1.78
112.30 230
0.40 290.00 100.00 2.00 50 114.6 2.90
112.77 277
0.20 500.00 200.00 4.00 112.00 400 50 1/8 2.50
0.10 660.00 340.00 6.80 <1/1.17 2400 50 cl18 1.94
HD637 SI 12E13 TN-system (branch circuits)
IT-sysm (2" fault as TN- For Uo=120
it is
'
Note: U=d3.U0 *TT-sysm
m-system (maincircuits)
IT-system (first fault) (2" * Suggested Ratio
Ed'1999 E?. 1996 system) fault as TT-system)
Columns
1. Admissible limit value of the time during which the ULt can persist
2. Admissible limit actual value of the touch voltage according to HD 637 SI (Ed. 1999) for high voltage systems. [2]
3. Admissible limit prospective value of the touch voltage according to IEC 1200-413 (Ed. 1996) for low voltage systems.[6]
4. Relative values of UL,referred to the conventional voltage limit (50 V) (for rule 2 too).
5. Maximum prospective limit value of the ratio Zt/Zs (conventional approach: rule 1)
6. Nominal voltage to ground (the correspondencebetween Uo values and ta values of column 1
follows the Table 41-A of IEC 364-4-41 Amendment 1 1996 [l]
7. Conventional voltage limit (in normal conditions 50 V)
8. Maximum limit value of the ratio u Z s(conventional approach: rule 2)
9. Ratio between the values of the column 2 over the values of the column 3

connection between the energized conductor or circuit part and
a metal enclosure; or when the intervening air gaplisolation
distance is accidentally bridged. Unless all metal enclosures
have been grounded in an effective manner, there exists a
tendency to raise the enclosure to the same electrical potential
that exists on the power conductor.
In a general case of electrical installations of buildings, the
failure can occur whether in the high voltage system
(exceeding 1 kV a.c. and frequently up to 30 kV) or in the low
voltage system (up to 1 kV as.) ( Figure 1).
The probability of the failure can be evaluated by the insecurity
l-S(t), where S(t) is the security of the electrical equipment.
The k(t) parameter is the probability of someone
simultaneously touching the conductive enclosure or the
conductive element, that bridges the isolation distance.
In case of portable (mobile) electrical equipment, for which
k( t)= 1.
Following a contact, a fault-current flows through the human
body. For a given current path through the human body, the
danger to persons depends mainly on the magnitude and
duration of the current flow .
The relationship between current and voltage is not linear
because the impedance of the human body varies with the
touch voltage.

49
The impedance from one hand to both feet ZlhQ is 75 % of the
impedance from hand to hand Zlhhl, while the impedance from
hands to both feet Zzhn is 50 % ZIMl[5]. For different current
paths, currents with the same magnitude give different danger
of ventricular fibrillation.
For the calculation of permissible values of touch voltage the
following assumptions were made:
for high voltage power installations (European Standard
CENELEC HD 637 S1 [2])
- Current path one hand to feet;
- 50 % probability of body impedance;
- 5 % probability of ventricular fibrillation;
- no additionalresistances:
- actual values of U,
for low voltage installations(IEC Tech. Rep. 1200-413 [6])
- Current path two hands to feet;
- 5 % probability of body impedance;
- lower than 5 % probability of ventricular fibrillation(zone
AC3) PI;
- additional resistance 1000 S2;
- prospective values of U,.
The different assumptions for high voltage installations are
justified by European Standard HD637 S1 affirming that the
same assumptions lead to a touch voltage curve whit an
estimated risk due to experience, specific trained personnel,
arguable expense etc, which is acceptable in case of ground in
high voltage installations.
In practice for designing protection against an electric shock,
the necessary criterion is the admissible limit of touch voltage
UL,(t)as a function of time .
In Table I column 1 the values of the maximum admissible
time t, are reported and in column 3 the corresponding
admissible limit values of touch voltage U,,(&) for low voltage
installations of buildings (Fig.2). These touch voltages are
prospective values; which appears during a ground fault
between conductive parts and ground when this parts are not
being touched (source voltage).
10 100 10
TouchVoltage(V)
Fig.2 Maximum touch voltage UL, duration curves
according to columns 2 and 3 of Table I.
50
The European Standard HD637 S1 gives the UL, actual values
reported in column 2 of Table I for high voltage installations
(Fig.2).
IEC publication 364-4-41 Amendment 1 1996 [l] doesnt give
ULtvalues.
The IEC Pubblication 364-2-21 (1993) [4] defies the
conventional voltage limit UL,that is the admissible limit value
of the touch voltage persisting for a time that exceeds or is
equal to 5 s. For low voltage installations,in normal conditions,
UL is assumed equal to 50 V a.c. r.m.s. or 120 V ripple-free
d.c.. Lower values may be required in special conditions. For
high voltage installations the equivalent ULis assumed equal to
80 V a.c. r.m.s.
The probability of the part of the power system under
consideration to perform the condition U, 5 ULt, that means a
touch voltage does not exceed the ULtvalues for the time in
which the conductive part remains live (any t) or the failure
persists ( generally coincident with disconnecting time td of
protective device). It is evaluated by the unit step
u(t) = USW,(t)~L,(ta))- 111
the function is zero for all negative values of the variable
-
[(UXt)/UL,(t)) 13 and equal to unity for all positive values.
Obviously, if U or U, is guaranteed less than UL for any time t
or even U=O, u(t) is always equal to zero (U= 0 intrinsically).
The aim of the protection measures against electric shock is to
maintain at the lowest value the risk of contact, containing the
components parameters 1-S(t), k(t), u(t) close to zero value as
far as possible.
When one of these parameters assumes the unit value, the
author suggests to consider the case as a worst case, which is
suitable to prevent.
PROTECTION
BYAUTOMATIC SUPPLYDISCONNECTION:
TYPESOF SYSTEM GROUNDING
In Figure la it is shown a general scheme. The protection by
automatic disconnection of supply provides that the exposed
conductive parts of electrical equipment must be connected to
ground.
To realize the grounding of exposed conductive parts, in each
building the performance of the grounding arrangements must
satisfy the safety and functional requirements of the electrical
installation, as resistant against thermal, thermo-Aechanical
and electro-mechanical stresses.
Simultaneously accessible exposed conductive parts must be
connected to the same means of grounding (main equipotential
bonding system ).
Additional interconnections of metallic parts of the building
structure and other metal pipe-work is recommended
(supplementary equipotential bonding )
The system grounding in low voltage systems are classified as:
TN-system, IT-system and IT-system. The fist letter T or I is
for system respectively solidly grounded or ungrounded, the
second letter N or T is for the connection of the exposed
conductive parts respectively to the same grounded point of the
supplying power system ( Fig. 3) or to an independent ground
electrode ( Fig. 4).
 UNIT SUBSTATION
TRANSORMER SWrrCHGEAR CP
0

Fig. 3. TN-system: fault current path during a ground fault on the low voltage side (LVF). A ground fault on the high voltage side presents a
touch voltage on the exposed conductive parts of electrical equipment
UNIT SUBSTATION
TRANSORMER SWTTCHGEAR
CP

RN +: I,
t
I
RA

Fig. 4. TT-system: fault current path during a ground fault on the low voltage side (LVF). A ground fault on the high voltage side presents a stress
voltage

The use of TN-system or TT-system is conditioned by the 2) the conventional touch voltage limits U&) (Table I1
property of the high/low voltage transformer :i.e., in a power column 3) that define the correspondent maximum times
system supplied by an utility transformer, 'IT-system can be t.(Table I1 column 1) in which ULtcan persist (Fig. 7);
realized only. Figures 3 and 4 show TN- and 'IT-system. 3) the time current characteristic curve I-t of the protective
that by comparison with these resistances the other impedances device.
Following a fault IT in a part of the installation supplied by U, ,
PROTECTION BY AUTOMATIC
SUPPLY DISCONNECTION
IN LOW the touch voltage U, = (WZs) U, cannot be maintained at any
VOLTAGESYSTEM point of the installation in excess of the maximum time & ,
admissible for the voltage U,&) = U, ( clause 413.1.1.1 [ 13).
1. General conditions of safety It is necessary to adopt a protective device with an operating
current 1, ensuring the automatic disconnection within the time
In Figure la it is shown a general scheme. The component tp stated in Table I. These requirements are met if the following
elements to consider are: a) the faulting electrical equipment conditions are fulfilled
and the supplying part of the power system; b) the operator; c)
IT =uo/&j (2)
the protective device. The two measures "grounding with
disconnection of supply", after the occurrence of a fault, are ut = %.IT= uo (3)
respectively intended to immediately "sound the alarm" and to ut ULdh ) (4)
prevent touch voltage from persisting for such time that a Ia (G.15IT (5)
danger could arise (Fig. 4).
The design parameters that characterize this protection measure It is clear that this protective measure necessitates coordination
at any point of the installation are: of:
1) the fault current IT = UJZ, and the touch voltage - thec~C~~stiCsofProtectivedevices
Ut=&-I~=(&/Zs)4Jo. Since U, is generally fixed,
- the me of System grounding (m-system, 'IT-system and
depends on the fault loop impedance Z, and U, depends on IT-system).
the ratio &/Z, ,where Z,is the impedance of prospective It must be considered that:
touch voltage. - overcurrent protective devices with an inverse time
characteristic are characterized by a long disconnecting time
which in any case must fulfil td It.;
51
- overcurrent protective devices with an instantaneous tripping
characteristic or residual-current protective devices are
characterized by a short disconnecting time , which can
guarantee high values of UL&) until U,.
In general, at each point of installation where the conditions (4)
and (5) cannot be fulfilled or is very difficult to be realized :
- it is possible to evaluate if the risk is acceptable, considering
the actual probability k(t) of the electrical contact during the
time until the disconnection;
- in order to perform the clause 4 13.1.1.1 [ 11, it is necessary to
provide local bonding, defined as supplementary
equipotential bonding, that is eqEivalent to reduce the value
of z, .
The fixed-in-place equipments have exposed conductive parts
with a lower probability of contact (k(t)<l) than portable or
mobile equipments (k(t)=l). In the case of a fault occurring in
portable equipment, which needs to be hand-held during use,
contact is simultaneously guaranteed. It is suitable to prevent
the appearance of the electrical potential.
For parts of installations (as branch-circuits) intcnded to supply
portable, mobile and other equipment having hand-held
exposed conductive parts, the touch voltages and the times of
the Table I1 must be respected (conditions (4) and (5)).
2. Conventional approach two rules . Specific conditions of
safety for each system grounding.
A simplified approach allows to reduce the four requirements
(2), (3), (4) and (5) to a sole safety condition.
This simplified approach is based on assuming the ratio
ZJZ,=UW, stated on conventional limit values, depending on
U, and on the type of system grounding. When U, is known,
the maximum admissible ULt =Ut=(ZJZs) U, remains fvred and
consequently the fa time (i.e. Table I TN-system: for Uo=230V
column 6, ZJZs = 1/23 ~ 0 1 ~ m5,n ULt = 100 V column 3,
t,=0.4 s column 1).
Since & remains conventionally fxed, it is possible to define
the following sole safety condition referred to impedance 2 s
(TN-system) or Z, ('IT-system)
that is the most general condition, which summarizes the above
mentioned four conditions.
In practice, the IEC approach adopts the two following rules
for the tatime:
- rule 1 (variable fa time), the maximum ratio Z/Zs is stated
on an actual prospective limit value depending on the U,
(Table I1 column 5). In general this rule is adopted for TN-
system and in particular for branch circuits.
- rule 2 (fa time fixed equal to 5 s or more exactly Ut =UL
always), the maximum ratio WZs,that allows to satisfy the
condition U, I UL, is automatically fvred equal to UL /U,
(Table I1 column 8). In general this rule is adopted for 'IT-
system and IT-system and it is accepted for distribution
circuits of TN-system (for feeders and main circuits of
distribution)
5i2
2.1 TN-systems (clause 413.1.3 [l]) (ZS=ZPE+ZLI
, &=ZPE).
Whit reference to the rule 1, the expression of the safety
condition (6) remains the same
Ia (tal5 Uo 1ZS (6')
The approach based on the rule 1 is obviously affected by the
handicap that if the actual value of the ratio &lZs = zpE/zS is
more than the
- conventional prospective value of Table I column 5, the
condition (4) is not respected ( u(t) =l).
Irrespective of values of Table 11 (clause 413.1.3.5 [l]),
conventional times of operation which do not exceed 5 s are
admitted for feeders and main circuits of distribution ( low risk
of contact). In other words, with reference to the rule 2, the
expression of the safety condition (6) changes in the following
15,< U, / Zs (7)
2.2 'IT-systems (clause 413.1.4 [l]) (ZS=RA+~,
&=RA+ZpE&A )
RN is a parameter of the utility power system and it can be
unknown or out of a direct supervision. With reference to the
rule 2, the third term of the safety condition (6) changes
1,sULJRA (8)
Given that the value of UL= 50 V is fixed, the RA value must
be low enough that in each point of the installation, where the
fault can occur, the protective device provides an operating
current I, which satisfies the condition (8)
When the protective device (according clause 413.1.4.2 [l]) is
one of the following, I, shall be as specified :
- For an overcurrent protective devices with an inverse time
characteristic, in the (8) I, shall be the current 15, causing the
operation within 5 s (i.e., if Is, = 50 A, RA.I 50V/50A=1 0);
- For an overcurrent protective devices with an instantaneous
tripping characteristic, in the (8) I, shall be the minimum
current I, causing the instantaneous tripping (which really can
guarantee UL,(t.J > UL, until UL,(&) > U, : if td I 0.17s it is
admitted U L ~ &>)230 V, if I, < IT actual value );
- For a residual-current pmtective devices, I, shall be the rated
residual operating current Ib (short disconnecting time):
i.e., if IA,, = 0.03 A, RA. S 50/0.03 = 1666 C2. Considering that
an high value of RA is easier to realize and, on the contrary, if
RA is realized with a low value, it is possible to protect the high
values of the total ZS (arcing-fault, high value of RN), in the
'IT-systems the use of residual-current protective devices is
preferred.
A disconnecting time not exceeding 1s is permitted in
distribution circuits.
In general, when overcurrent protective devices are used, the
worst point of a TT-system installation, where this condition
cannot be fulfilled or is very difficult to be realized, is the start
point of the main distribution circuit, in other words where the
operating current I, is highest (the lowest RA are necessary).
The approach based on the rule 2 is affected yet by the The condition for a common grounding system for high
handicap that if the actual value of the ratio VZS=RA/(RN+R~) voltage system and low voltage system, both a TN-system and
is more than the fixed value of table II column 8, the condition 'IT- system, is always satisfied if the relevant installation
(4)U,5 UL is not respected ( u(t) =l), becomes a part of a global grounding system. A global
grounding system is defined as an equivalent grounding system
An important consideration is that: created by the interconnection of local grbunding system that
- in the =-system (Fig. 5): R ~ I Twhere
, IT is the effective ensures, by the proximity of the grounding system, that there
ground-fault current, is the ground-potential rise of the are no dangerous touch voltages. Such systems permit the
ground electrode; the impedance ZpEis generally very low division of the ground fault current in a way that results in a
in comparison to RA; reduction of the ground potential rise at the local grounding
- in the TN-system ZpE IT is the touch potential. system. Such a system could be said to form a quasi-
It is possible to see that: equipotential surface.
- for TN systems is very important to have supplementary
equipotential bonding for reducing the touch potential Ut; B) Condition for a common grounding system with a TN-
- for the TT-system it can be sufficient to have a good main system, if it is not a part of a global grounding system.
equipotential bonding system for reducing the effective The low voltage neutral or PEN conductor can be grounded at
touch potential. the high voltage grounding system forming a common
grounding system, if during a ground fault in the high voltage
2.3 IT-systems (clause 413.1.5 [l]) installation, the following condition is applied
According to the rule 2, the following condition must be ut 5 ULt(t, ) (4)
fulfilled in the low voltage network or in the connected consumer
installation no dangerous touch voltages U, appear (clause 9.4.1
RAId I UL (9) [2]). The admissible values UL& ) of fig. 9-1 [2] are shown in
If an insulation monitoring device is provided to indicate the column 2 of Table I.
occurrence of a first fault from a live part to exposed This will be achieved (clause 9.4.1 [2]) if the ground electrode
.conductive parts or to ground, this device must release an potential Uc of the common grounding system does not exceed
audible and/or visual signal, or automatically disconnect the the values given in the column 2 Table I
supply. UG=RTr ITSU~t(h ) (10)
It is recommended that a first fault must be eliminated with the Where r is the reduction factor, ratio of the actual ground
shortest practicable delay. return current over the total IT.
Conditions for disconnection of supply in event of a second The ground potential rise, determined by measurement or
fault as specified for TT-systems and TN-systems must apply, calculation, can assume the double of the value of the
depending on whether all exposed conductive parts are permissible touch voltage in accordance whit column 2 table I,
interconnected by a protective conductor (individually or in when the PEN of low voltage system is connected to earth at
groups for 'IT-systems, collectively for TN-systems). several points: this condition is not approved by all European
States.
PROTECTION BY AUTOMATIC SUPPLY DISCONNECTION IN HIGH C) Condition for a common grounding system with a IT-
VOLTAGE SYSTEM system, if it is not a part of a global grounding system.
The low voltage neutral or PEN conductor can be grounded at
A) General conditions of safety the high voltage grounding system forming a common
In a general case of electrical installations of buildings, the grounding system, if during a ground fault in the high voltage
supply is in high voltage (exceeding 1 kV a.c.). The failure can installation, the following condition is applied
occur whether in the high voltage system or in the low voltage
system: a common grounding system is recommended for two - the magnitude of the stress voltage (whit power frequency)
voltage levels. of the low voltage equipment at the consumer installations
The design parameters that characterize the grounding system does not exceed the values possible as a consequence of a
dimensioning are: potential rise of the low voltage neutral point given in table
1) the fault current IT 6PI
2) the fault duration & U ~ 1 1 2 0 0 Vi f t 5 5 s and U ~ 1 2 5 0 V i f & > 5 s (1 1)
3) soil characteristic.
The parameters 1) and 2) are mainly depending on the method D) Conventional approach rule 3 for H V.
of grounding the neutral of high voltage system. The high
voltage system of electrical installations of buildings is The risk evaluation and the admissible limit values of the touch
frequently up to 30 kV and with isolated neutral. voltages for the HV and LV cases are very different. The
Following the maximum fault IT in a part of the installation higher values of column 2 than the column 3 of Table I, are
supplied by high voltage system, the touch voltage Ut cannot justified for the power substations by elements which assume a
be maintained at any point of the installation in excess of the lower validity in the common grounding system for
installations of buildings than substations. Surely, a substation
admissible value U&) during the fault duration time (
clause 9.2 [2]) ( see column 2 in Table I). ground system in comparison with a grounding system of a
building generally has: - a better dimensioning, - a smallest
53
probability k(t) during a fault, which in case of common [6] Measures against indirect contact by automatic disconnection
ground system can involve a lot of people, - reasonably higher of suppb , International Electrotechnical Commission ,Geneva,
additional resistances, in addition the U,, are actual and not Switzerland, Tech. Rep., type 3, 1 ed., 1996-03, 1200-413,
1996.
prospective values, - specific trained personnel. All these
introductions validate the adoption of the column 3 of Table I [7] G. Parise, A Summaly of the IEC Protection Against Electric
Shock, IEEE Trans. Ind. App., vol. 34. Pp.911-922, sep./ott
as UL, adrmssible values. 1998.
The EU Standard [2] for the common grounding systems
recommends the (10) which prefers the Uc to the U, for satisfy
the (4). On the basis of this conservative criterion it is possible Giuseppe Parise (M82)was bom in Luzzi (CS) Italy on
to introduce the following rule 3 : September 3, 1947. In 1972 he received his degree in
the ratio U1w/vLa~ for each to, shown in the column 9 of Electrotechnical Engineering from the University of Rome. In
Table I, is the acceptable ratio between the Uc and the actual this University, from 1973 to 1979 he was researcher and
U , in correspondence of an automatic disconnection Assistant Professor. In 1980, he was appointed Associated
guaranteed within the time & stated in column 1 of Table I. Professor of Electrical Power Systems at the University of
The clause 9.2.4.2 [2] judges as normal a ratio up to 2, Rome. His research, design, consultant activities cover the
exceeded in the column 9 in the range from tp = 0,4 s to tp = areas of design, planning, safety, security, energy management
0,2s. of power systems. Since 1983, he is member of Superior
The rule 3 presupposes in the execution of the ground system a Council of Ministry of Public Works as expert of power
special care to the equipotential bonding. The approach based systems. He is member of the Italian Electrotechnical
on the rule 3 is obviously affected by the handicap that if the Commission (CEI) CT/SC 11A Generation, transmission and
actual value of the ratio U, / U, is higher than the conventional distribution systems of electric power and of the IEEEVAS
prospective value of Table I column 9, the condition (4) is not Power Systems Grounding Subcommittee. He is president of
respected ( u(t) =l). the Electrical CommiSsion of Engineers Association of Romes
CONCLUSIONS Province.
In conclusion, if the conventional approach is adopted
according IEC publication 364-4-41, a criterion to avoid or
mitigate the injury or damage of an indirect contact occurring
with an electrical equipment is to consider as worst case, all
times that one of the parameters I-S(t), k(t), u(t) of the ECRI
assumes the unit value.
In case of portable (mobile) electrical equipment, for which k(t)
is equal to 1, it is necessary to prevent the appearance of the
electrical potential, by using Class 11equipment.
Some cases are shown for which ones the parameter u(t) is
equal to 1, in particular when for the TN-system it is not
possible to satisfy the rule 1 , for the IT-system the rule 2 and,
corresponding to an HV fault, for the common ground system
it is not possible to satisfy the rule 3.
Solutions to these handicaps can be the following:
design ZS with a low value that allows &e adoption of
protective device with short disconnecting time ta (high
U,, ) in TN-systems;
adopt residual-current protective device, which can make
easier the protection coordination in IT-system and TN-
systems;
realize supplementary equipotential bonding;
adopt other special measures for HV systems (annex D
[21)*
REFERENCES

Electrical installations of buildings, pr. 4 : Protection for dkty,

ch 41: Protection against electric shock IEC Publication 3 6 4 4
41 Amendment 1, 1996.
Power installations exceeding I kV a.c., European Standard,
CENELEC HD 637 S1: 1998-12.
Recommended Practice for Elect& Power Distribution for
Industrial Plants. ANSYIEEE STD 141-1993, ch. 7 .
Electrical installations of buildings pt 2: Definitions, ch. 21,
Guide to general terms, IEC Publication 364-2-2 1 (1993).
[5] Eflects of-the currents on human beings and livestock, pt ,.I
General aspects, IEC Publication 479- 1 (1994). * 54