Elegant Ground Fault Protection Systems considers Zero Phase Sequence Currents in Three Wire Power Systems

By David L. Swindler P. E.

Introduction: Power Systems associated with data centers have become very complex in an effort to maintain power system reliability. Such systems typically employ multiple sources of power involving multiple grounds. In an effort to reduce the complexity of the power system, three-wire, three-phase, low voltage power systems are often employed in place of the usual 4 wire systems typically found at 480 Volts. It is generally felt that by getting rid of the system neutral, one will make the Ground Fault Protective System much simpler and easier to design, install, and test. This might be true except for the possibility of Zero Phase Sequence Currents that may flow on a three-wire system due to the existence of multiple bonds to ground. This paper discusses how Zero Phase Sequence Currents can exist and then how they are accounted for in an Elegant Ground Fault Protective System. Background: An Elegant GF system is one that has ideal characteristics in the face of multiple sources and grounds in very complex power systems. Such a protective system permits the power system to be arrange in zones where the GF protective observes the current flow into and out of the zone and then is arranged to trip all breakers that can supply power to that zone in the event of a Ground Fault. A Ground Fault current may be considered as a Zero Phase Sequence Current as is passes through the system enrout to the location of the Ground Fault. This Zero Phase Sequence Current may be supplied from several sources and then delivered to the particular zone involving the Ground Fault. The Ground Fault Protective system knows the location of the fault and responds by opening all breakers that can supply power to the zone involved in the fault. At the same time one can also have a Zero Phase Sequence Currents for a number of other reasons. One might be because of an imbalance in impedances and sources within the power system that has multiple grounding. Another might be harmonic current. These currents would not necessarily be involved in a Ground Fault. Under these conditions, we would not want the Ground Fault Protective system to cause false tripping. In addition we would not want a Zero Phase Sequence Current flowing through an unaffected zone on its way to some other zone involved in a Ground Fault to cause unnecessary tripping activity in the unaffected zone. Zero Phase Sequence Current as a result of System imbalance: Let us consider two grounded power sources connected in parallel where V1a. and V2a are different while the other two are equal. Ia = (V - V )/ Z
1a 2a p

Zp V1a I0 V1c Zp V1b Zp

Ic = 0 Ib = 0

V2a

V2c

V2b

I0 = (Ia + Ib + Ic) In the case above, Zero Phase Sequence Current (x3) is equal to the difference in phase voltages divided by the phase impedance. 1

The figure shown on the previous page demonstrates the flow of Zero Phase Sequence currents that might flow in a three wire system having two paralleled sources, each having its own separate bond to ground. In this illustration we assume that the potentials of two of the three phases are exactly equal but the potentials of one phase are not. In this case we assume the impedances are equal. In this illustration it can clearly be seen that there will be a current that would flow in the unbalanced phase and cause current to circulate in the ground path. A practical Case Demonstrated: Lets suppose we have a rather simple power system as shown involving a co-generation system. In this illustration we are showing a Zero Phase Sequence Current (ZPS) flowing into the service entrance bond connected to the neutral of the service transformer. As a function of the origin of this current, it may divide and flow in each of the three conductors or simply flow in one conductor as illustrated. Such an occurrence would be caused if the voltage in that phase were not matched between the two sources with the others matched. Note that this ZPS (Zero Phase Sequence) current flows out of the generator Neutral and into ground where it has an opportunity to return to the service bond. Note that in the secondary of the sense circuits for the Elegant Ground Fault Protective System that this primary Zero Phase Sequence current has a path to flow that does not flow through either of the two breaker Ground Fault Trip functions. Thus this circuit is immune to all such circulating currents.

Feeder Bus M GF

G GF

Gen.

This illustration is quite simple involving just two zones of protection. In this case the Zones are defined as the Feeder Bus between the two breakers and then the Generator Circuit. For Elegant GF systems, each of these zones are protected as follows: Elegant Ground Fault Protection by Zones: Given the circuit as shown above, the system may be operated with either the Main or the Generator breaker closed or as a Co-Generation system with both breakers closed. The design goal is to keep power on the Feeder Bus as much as possible and also to minimize damage to the system in the event of a ground fault. Assuming both breakers close, if there is a ground fault on the Feeder Bus we would want both breakers to trip removing power to the Ground Fault. If, however, the Ground Fault occurred on the generator cables or within the generator then we would only want to trip the Generator Breaker to isolate the fault from the balance of the system permitting the Main breaker to remain closed and supply power to the Feeder Bus.

Feeder Bus M GF
2 2 2

GF

G GF

Gen.

As shown to the left, we have a ground fault having a magnitude of two per unit on the A Phase of the Feeder Bus. The utility service at the top and the generator power at the bottom support this ground fault current with each supplying one per unit of current each. The ground fault current returns to the system by means of the bonds at both the utility service entrance and at the generator neutral bond to ground. Also shown is the same Zero Phase Sequence current as discussed above. When analyzed on the secondary side of the three groups of sensors, it will be noted that in some cases the ground fault current tends to add to the ZPS currents while in others they tend to cancel. As will be determined by detailed analysis, only the Ground Fault current will pass through the breaker Ground Fault Trip Function. In this case a 2 per unit current will pass from left to right through the Main GF trip function and then on through the Aux. CT. The Aux. CT secondary 2 per unit current will then pass through the Generator Ground Fault Trip Function. The ZPS component of the Sensor secondary current will simply circulate in the circuit without passing through either of the two Ground Fault Trip Functions. Now in the case to the left we are showing a 2 per unit ground fault within the generator on A Phase. This current is supplied by the Utility Service and the Generator power. The direction of fault current flow in the generator breaker sensors reverses. In this case, the secondary circuit is arranged such that the summation of the Ground Fault currents flows through the Generator Breaker Ground Fault Trip Function only and not through the Main Breaker Ground Fault Trip Function. Again the ZPS component of the Sensor secondary current will simply circulate in the circuit without passing through either of the two Ground Fault Trip Functions. In summary, the Elegant Ground Fault Protective circuit not only causes the proper breaker to trip under given conditions, the circuit also does not trip with circulating Zero Phase Sequence currents flowing through the system nor is the trip current adversely modified by the ZPS Currents.

Feeder Bus M GF

G GF

Gen.

GF

M
M GF Feeder Bus G GF

Conventional Ground Fault Systems: The above discussion can be best illustrated in contrast by comparing the performance with a conventional Ground Fault Protective system commonly used. To the left is a diagram of a typical simple system with Ground Fault protection on both the Main and Generator breakers. Here we are illustrating the flow of Zero Phase Sequence Currents as we have for the Elegant system. Note that in both the Main and Generator Breaker Ground Fault Circuits the ZPS currents are reflected into the Main and Generator Trip Functions. It is obvious that if the ZPS current becomes too high then false tripping may occur. For this reason the pick-up setting is often set higher than desired in an effort to precluded unnecessary Ground Fault Tripping. As shown to the left and below, we are illustrating a two per unit Ground Fault current on the Feeder Bus as in the case above. One per unit of fault current is being supplied by the Utility Service and a second by the Generator. A detailed analysis will show that in this case the Main Ground Fault Trip Function only sees that Ground Fault Current that passes through the Main breaker. In the Elegant circuit above, the Main Breaker saw a two per unit current, that current that was flowing in the actual ground fault. Since the fault level is two per unit and the breaker is seeing only one per unit, the conventional type of circuit is basically less sensitive to actual Ground Faults.

Gen.

M
M GF Feeder Bus G GF

Looking at the Main Breaker Trip Function, it appears that in this case the ZPS current is aiding in the tripping of the Main Breaker Ground Fault Trip Function. In the case of the Generator Ground Fault Trip Function, we see that it only recognizes that ground fault current that happens to flow through the Generator Breaker and not the full two per unit current that is flowing in the ground fault. Also we note that under the conditions illustrated, the ZPS current tend to cancel the ground fault currents that would flow in the Generator Ground Fault Trip Function. In this case we see that the proper operation of the ground fault protection system is not sure and is a function of the nature of the ZPS currents.

GF

Gen.

M
M GF Feeder Bus G GF

In the case to the left, we have moved the Ground Fault to the Generator winding. Again we have assumed a two per unit fault current with one being supplied by the Utility Service and the other by the generator. As in the last case, the breakers trip as a function of what current it is able to see through its internal sensors. The Main Breaker sees the contribution to the ground fault from the Utility Service and also any ZPS sequence currents that may be flowing. In this case we are assuming the two currents happen to be adding to cause the breaker to trip, however, the opposite could also be true. In the case of the generator breaker, it is not seeing the contribution of current to the fault from the generator. The current it sees is that contribution made by the Utility Service to the fault that is passing through the generator breaker. Comparing this circuit with the Elegant circuit, the Generator breaker trips as a function of the actual fault current flowing into the ground and not the contribution through the generator breaker from some other source if any. Again whether the ZPS current contributes or cancels tripping is problematical.

Gen.
2

GF

Conclusion: For three wire power systems that have multiple sources and multiple grounds, Zero Phase Sequence Currents can flow in phase conductors and circulate back through ground paths. Such currents might have a significant affect on the operation of conventional ground fault protective systems. The use of Elegant Ground fault systems is essential in nullifying the affect of Zero Phase Sequence Currents that may be caused by harmonics, imbalances in impedances, unbalanced loads, and unequal phase voltages between systems. Elegant Ground Fault Systems are designed to detect and measure only actual Ground Fault Currents leaving the system and entering the ground. Elegant Ground Fault Protective Systems become exceedingly important in large, complex, Data Processing power systems where the quality of operation is essential. Attached is a sketch of a typical Data center. This system has six sources of power each having its own bond to ground. In addition the UPS Sources are also bonded to ground. The general arrangement of this power system is a three-wire three-phase system. The Elegant Ground Fault Protective System (as shown) is divided into 25 independent zones. Each color represents a different zone.

G G

Utility Service 1

Gen

Utility Service

Loa
Z Z Z 5 X Z Z Z 5 X 5 X 5 X Z

3 X Z
C

Z Z

Z 5 X 5 X

5 X

Z
C

5 X

A D D A

A D D A

A D D A

A D D A

Z 4 X Z 4 X

Z 4 X

Z 4 X

A D D A

A D D A

A D D A

A D D A

4 X

Z 4 X

4 X

4 X

4 X

Z 4 X

4 X

4 X

Z
4

Z
4

Loa
Z Z Z

4 X Z

Z Z 4 X Z Z

4 X Z Z Z
4

Z Z

4 X Z

4 X4 X

(Editors note: The above illustration is not acceptable for a number of graphic reasons. The graphic needs to be moved to a faster computer for editing. It is acceptable to communicate the relative size and complexity of typical power systems.)