4/26/2020 Earth and Unearth Cable - Introduction and Differences | Electrical Concepts

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Earth and Unearth Cable – Introduction and

Differences
April 26, 2020 by admin

Earth and Unearth cables are two types of power cables. The selection of cable is decided on
the basis of system in which it is to be used. There are two different types of system on the
basis of neutral earthing: Earth and Unearth System. Cable used in system where the neutral is
grounded is called Earth Cable. Whereas cable used in Unearth system is called Unearth
Cable.

Before we discuss about these types of cable, it is imperative to know the voltage nomenclature
of power cables. As per IEC 60502 Part-2, the rated voltage of cable is specified as

“U0/U where U0 is the rated power frequency voltage between conductor and earth or metal
screen to ground and U is the rated power frequency voltage between conductors of cable.”

Based on the above nomenclature, a cable having voltage rating of 3.8 kV / 6.6 kV means the
phase to ground voltage of cable is 3.8 kV whereas that of phase to phase voltage is 6.6 kV. Let
us now try to understand the requirement for segregation of cable into Earth and Unearth cable.
For this, first of all we need to understand the Earth and Unearth system and variation of phase
to ground voltage in both the systems during fault condition.

Earth Cable:

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4/26/2020 Earth and Unearth Cable - Introduction and Differences | Electrical Concepts

An electrical system in which neutral point is grounded is called Earth System. Such a system is
shown in figure below:

The main advantage of the Earth system is that neutral voltage is always clamped to earth
potential irrespective of the system operating condition. This means even when phase to ground
fault occurs, the neutral potential will be maintained zero. This means healthy phase to ground
voltage will remain fixed to its normal phase to ground voltage. For example, if the system
voltage is 6.6 kV, the phase to ground voltage will be (6.6 / √3) = 3.8 kV. Under the condition of
phase to ground fault (say R ph to earth fault), the voltage of remaining healthy phases i.e Y-E
and B-E voltage will be maintained at 3.8 kV.

The cable used for such system should be designed to withstand voltage stress equal to phase
to ground voltage. Thus, for our example, the insulation of between conductor to armour (Earth)
should be designed to withstand 3.8 kV. Therefore, the voltage rating of Earth cable will be 3.8
kV / 6.6 kV.

Unearth Cable:

A system in which system neutral is grounded through resistor/reactor or not grounded at all is
called Unearth System. Generally, to limit the fault current in electrical distribution system,
neutral is grounded through resistor. The value of resistor is so chosen to limit the earth fault
current to safe level. This is required to prevent damage of the system components viz.
transformer, generator etc. form high value of earh fault current.

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4/26/2020 Earth and Unearth Cable - Introduction and Differences | Electrical Concepts

In such system, during phase to ground fault, the fault current passes through the resistor
connected in the neutral. This causes neutral point voltage to shift from zero to negative (equal
to faulted phase voltage). This causes, voltages of other two healthy phases (B and Y in our
example) to rise with respect to the earth by √3 times. To better understand, how to healthy
phase voltage rises, you may read Ungrounded System.

Thus, we see that in an Unearth system, the phase to ground voltage rises to √3 times of
normal phase to ground voltage. In view of this, a cable used for such system should have
insulation to withstand √3 times (which is equal to phase to phase voltage) of normal phase to
ground voltage. This is required as during fault condition the voltage of healthy phases to
ground voltage becomes equal to phase to phase voltage.

Thus, the voltage rating of Unearth Cable must be 6.6 kV / 6.6 kV unearth cable or 6.6 kV / 11
kV earth cable for a 6.6 kV System.

From the above voltage rating, it is clear that 6.6 kV / 11 kV (Earth) cable may also be used for
an Unearth System of 6.6 kV (Phase to phase voltage). Mind that during phase to ground fault,
the voltage of healthy phase to ground voltage will become 6.6 kV. This is the reason, earth
cable having voltage rating of 6.6 kV / (6.6x√3 =11) kV is used for Unearth System.

Difference between Earth Cable and Unearth Cable:

The insulation strength of Unearth Cable is more as it has to sustain phase to phase
voltage during earth fault condition. Earth cable should never be used for an Unearth
system. This may lead to puncture of insulation of cable during earth fault.
The voltage rating of earth cable is in the form of 3.8 kV / 6.6 kV, 6.6 kV / 11 kV.
However, the voltage rating of Unearth cable is given in form of 3.3 kV / 3.3 kV, 11 kV /

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4/26/2020 Earth and Unearth Cable - Introduction and Differences | Electrical Concepts

11 kV. Notice that, while specifying the voltage rating of Unearth cable, the phase to
ground and phase to phase voltages are equal.
A 6.6 kV / 11 kV earth cable can be used for a 6.6 kV Unearth Cable. This is because
each core of cable is designed to withstand a voltage of 6.6 kV phase to ground.
Similarly, a 6.6 kV / 6.6 kV Unearth cable can be used for 6.6 kV / 11 kV Earth System.
This is because, each core of unearth cable is designed to withstand 6.6 kV phase to
ground and hence a phase to phase voltage equal to 6.6x√3 kV = 11 kV.

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