Current I Flow Time: Figure 2-7-b: Effects of 50/60 HZ Electrical Current
Current I Flow Time: Figure 2-7-b: Effects of 50/60 HZ Electrical Current
Current I Flow Time: Figure 2-7-b: Effects of 50/60 HZ Electrical Current
Electrical Distribution
This publication also gives the effects of electrical current on persons in relation to its value and
duration. These effects are shown in figure 2-7-b for alternating current at 50 or 60 Hz.
current I flow time
10000
5000
1000
500
200
100
50
20
10
0,1 0,2 0,5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000
2000
ms
1 2 3 4
A B
C
1
C
2
C
3
mA
current flowing through human body I
S
: not noticeable
: noticeable
: reversible effects - muscular contraction
: possible irreversible effects, risk of death
Figure 2-7-b: effects of 50/60 Hz electrical current
Curve C1 defines the time-current limit of exposition to an electric shock, which must not be
exceeded.
Tables 2-3-a and 2-3-b are based on these data and fix the maximum supply disconnection
times in relation to the prospective touch voltage to which a person is subject. They have been
drawn up using graphs 2-7-a and 2-7-b and taking into account an additional resistance created
by shoes being worn and contact with the ground. They allow conventional limit voltages U
L
,
which can be held without this being dangerous for persons, to be defined in relation to the
type of premises. In other words, a touch voltage below U
L
does not require disconnection.
On the other hand, any touch voltage above U
L
requires the fault to be cleared in a time at the
most equal to the time stipulated in tables 2-3-a and 2-3-b. The conventional limit voltages have
been set at 50 V for dry premises and 25 V for damp premises.
91
Electrical Distribution
The disconnection times to be used in practice and the protections to be implemented for
disconnecting the power supply depend on the earthing systems ( ) TT TN IT , , . They are
specified in paragraphs 2-5-1 and 2-5-2.
Prospective touch voltage (V) Maximum disconnecting time of the protective device(s)
alternating current direct current
< 50 5 5
50 5 5
75 0.60 5
90 0.45 5
120 0.34 5
150 0.27 1
220 0.17 0.40
280 0.12 0.30
350 0.08 0.20
500 0.04 0.10
Table 2-3-a: maximum prospective touch voltage holding time in dry premises ( U
L
= 50 V)
Prospective touch voltage (V) Maximum disconnecting time of the protective device(s)
alternating current direct current
25 5 5
50 0.48 5
75 0.30 2
90 0.25 0.80
110 0.18 0.50
150 0.12 0.25
230 0.05 0.06
280 0.02 0.02
Table 2-3-b: maximum prospective touch voltage holding time in damp premises ( U
L
= 25 V)
92
Electrical Distribution
touch voltage on occurrence of an insulation fault
Let us assume that owing to an insulation fault in a network a phase accidentally comes into
contact with the exposed conductive part of a load (see fig. 2-8). A fault current I
f
is then
established between the load and earth and any person entering in contact with the exposed
conductive part is subject to a difference of potential U
T
referred to as the touch voltage:
U r I
T P f
=
As for the fault current, the touch voltage is closely linked to the value of the impedance Z
N
,
and thus to the earthing system. If the neutral is unearthed, the values of the fault current I
f
and touch voltage U
T
are very low. It is therefore not necessary to disconnect the power
supply. They are, on the other hand, high if the neutral is solidly earthed and, in this case, the
power supply must be disconnected.
zero potential
Z
N
Ph 1
Ph 2
Ph3
I
N
I
C
I
f
C
1
C
2
C
3
load
ground
load
r
N
U
T
r
p
U
T
r
p
r
G
r
N
: neutral earth electrode resistance
r
P
: exposed conductive part earth electrode resistance
r
G
: ground resistance
I
f
: fault current
U
T
: touch voltage
Figure 2-8: diagram of touch voltage
93
Electrical Distribution
2.3.4 Overvoltages
When there is no fault, all networks operate in steady-state conditions. The phase-to-phase and
phase-to-earth voltages are perfectly controlled and equal to the duty voltages.
The occurrence of a fault, a phase-earth fault for example, leads to a modification of the initial
steady state, there is a rise in potential of the healthy phases in relation to earth and transient
voltages develop which may lead to equipment breakdown, if its insulation level has not been
correctly chosen. The earthing system plays a determining role in the development of
overvoltages due to a phase-earth fault. The mechanisms are multiple and complex. See
paragraph 5.1.1.1. dealing with overvoltages for a more detailed analysis.
2.3.5 Damage caused to equipment
The damage that may be caused to the equipment of an electrical network having an insulation
fault depends on the values of currents and overvoltages which are developed in the network
the moment the fault occurs. These are thus limited as far as possible when there are sensitive
loads.
It is advisable to find a compromise as the means which reduce fault currents tend to
encourage the occurrence of overvoltages and vice versa.
MV rotating machines (see chapter 10.1.1. of the Protection guide)
The most frequent fault affecting a medium voltage generator or motor is flashover between a
phase and the magnetic circuit. This type of fault is called a "stator frame" fault.
When a stator frame fault occurs in a machine, the entire phase-earth fault current circulates in
the faulty phase and in the magnetic circuit earthed via the frame. An electric arc develops at
the place where the faulty phase touches the magnetic circuit and a lot of energy is dissipated
leading to deterioration of the magnetic circuit and insulation. The extent of the damage
depends on the fault current value. Experience shows that not very high currents, present for a
very short time, do not lead to deterioration deep in the iron core. It is generally admitted that a
fault current below 20 or 30 A does not result in extensive damage and does not require the
magnetic circuit to be remade. Tests have shown that a 7.5 A fault for 10 minutes does not
cause extensive damage whereas a 200 A fault for 0.3 s does.
For fault times below one second, the empirical law:
I t cte
4
=
relates the fault current value to the time during which it can be applied without causing
considerable damage.
94
Electrical Distribution
To reduce the risks in a medium voltage network comprising motors and generators, the phase-
earth fault current is as far as possible limited to a value of 20 A maximum by choosing the
limiting resistor earthing system: I A
r
s 20
However, in order to limit the amplitude of transient overvoltages which are created when a
phase to earth fault is cleared by a circuit-breaker, the relation I I
r C
> 2 should be respected as
far as possible (see 5.1.3.3).
I
r
: current circulating in the neutral point earthing resistor
I
C
: network capacitive current
For a very long network (high capacitive current), these two relations may be incompatible and
a compromise must therefore be made.
effects of fault currents on MV cable screens
Medium voltage cables, whether they are the individually screened or collectively screened type
(see fig. 2-2-a and 2-2-b), all have earthed metal screens. The earthing mode for these screens
is described in paragraph 6.2.8.
When the insulating material of one phase breaks down, the conductor and screen are
practically joined: all the fault current then flows via the screen which must be able to withstand
it without being damaged. With the fault current being directly dependent on the earthing
system, we can see how important the earthing system is in the choice and sizing of cable
screens.
The screens can be made of copper or aluminium and take various forms, the most notable
being:
- one or several copper or aluminium bands wrapped around the insulating material
- a thin copper or aluminium band installed lengthways
- a flat arrangement of copper or aluminium wires
- a braid of copper wires.
Lead is also used to make screens for very high currents, or when it is necessary to endow the
insulating material with a particularly effective protection against damp or corrosive products.
The permissible current in a screen depends on the material it is made of, its cross-sectional
area, the type of insulating material with which it is in contact and the time during which the fault
current will flow through it.
In all cases, it is important to check that the screen is suited to the operating conditions.
Paragraph 6.2.5. gives the short-time currents allowed in cable screens with extruded synthetic
insulation.
95
Electrical Distribution
2.3.6 Electromagnetic disturbances
Earthing systems leading to the development of high fault currents and their circulation in the
metallic structures of buildings, especially the TNC system in low voltage, encourage the
appearance of considerable magnetic fields which, through induction in the loops created by the
protective conductors, may disturb or damage certain pieces of sensitive equipment
(see fig. 2-9). When confronted with this situation, earthing systems enabling the disturbing
fields to be correctly dealt with should be chosen.
Care must also be taken to reduce the surface of the loops created by all the conductors
contributing to the equipotential bonding of the exposed conductive parts.
PE
N
1.2.3.
H
R
B
U
screen of a digital link connecting
two communicating devices
I
f
|
.
|
(
2
30
25
50
50
=
2 22 5 10 2 2
3
. .
= 99 mO
where:
=
22 5 10
3 2
. . . / O mm m (copper resistivity).
By taking:
U U V
BI n
= = = 0 8 400 0 8 320 . .
to take into account connections AB and IJ , we have:
I A
f
=
320
99 10
3232
3
Ph 1
Ph 2
Ph3
C
1
C
2
C
3
U
C5
frame
ground
zero
potential
N
A B
V
3
V
2
V
1 I J
E F
G
C D H
PE PE
I
f
for a fault on a remote exposed conductive part
r
N
overvoltage
limiter
p
3
p
2
p
1
U
T
4
r
P3
U
T 3
r
G
U
T 2
U
T1
r
G
r
P
r
N
: neutral earth electrode resistance
r
P
: exposed conductive part earth electrode resistance
r
P3
: resistance of the earth electrode of a non-interconnected remote exposed conductive part
r
G
: ground resistance
C C C
1 2 3
, , : phase-earth capacitances
I
f
: fault current
U U U
T T T 1 2 3
, , : touch voltages in relation to the ground
U U
T T 4 5
, : touch voltage between two simultaneously accessible exposed conductive parts
ABCDEFGHIJ : fault loop
Figure 2-19: touch voltage in an unearthed network on occurrence of a second insulation fault
106
Electrical Distribution
The voltage then occurring between exposed conductive parts p
1
and p
2
is equal to:
Z I Z I V
DG f loop f
= = / 2 159
The exposed conductive part p
1
is raised to a potential of:
Z I
FG f
=
|
\
|
.
| =
50
50
22 510
3
I I
f f
.
=
22 510 3 232
3
.
= 73V
and the exposed conductive part p
2
to a potential of:
Z I
ED f
=
|
\
|
.
|
30
25
I
f
=
22 510 12 3 232
3
. .
= 87V
The non-interconnected exposed conductive part p
3
does not undergo a rise in potential.
In the case where the second fault is generated on a non-interconnected remote exposed
conductive part, the fault current I
f
then returns via earth and is limited by the earth electrode
resistances r
P
and r
P3
.
If r
P
=10 O and r
P3
15 = O for example, the interconnected exposed conductive parts are
raised to a potential of:
U
r r
r V
n
P P
P
+
=
3
160
and the remote exposed conductive part to:
U
r r
r V
n
P P
P
+
=
3
3
240
Whatever the case, the touch voltages are dangerous and it is necessary to disconnect the
power supply.
107
Electrical Distribution
In an unearthed network, the touch voltages which develop on occurrence of a first insulation
fault are not dangerous. They only become dangerous on occurrence of a second insulation
fault which necessitates disconnection of the power supply.
The operating rules of an unearthed network are as follows:
- permanent monitoring of the insulation by an insulation monitor
- signalling of the first insulation fault, follow-up of its location and clearance by qualified
personnel
- compulsory disconnection on occurrence of the second insulation fault.
Disconnection is normally performed by devices ensuring protection against phase-to-phase
faults (circuit-breakers, fuses, etc.). It is necessary to check that the current that is generated
on occurrence of a second insulation fault is high enough to make these devices operate. This
is why it is necessary to interconnect up all the exposed conductive parts of the installation by
protective conductors so that the impedances of the loops in which the fault currents develop
are controlled.
As previously mentioned, the remote exposed conductive parts may not be interconnected with
the others. In this case, the currents which develop on occurrence of two insulation faults are
no longer capable of making the phase-to-phase fault protective devices operate. Tripping is
then obtained by residual current protective devices. This type of device must be installed on
each outgoing feeder supplying a load or group of loads whose exposed conductive parts are
not interconnected with those of the other loads (see fig. 2-20).
Ph 1
Ph 2
Ph3
PIM
residual
current
device
r
N
p1 p2 p3
r
P3
r
P
PIM : permanent insulation monitor