I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 1

The Case for Hybrid Generator Grounding

Sergio Panetta
March 10, 2014
VP of Engineering, I-Gard

Medium Voltage Generators are not designed to withstand full fault current during a single phase
to ground fault. This is the main reason that medium voltage generators are connected to a system
with either low or high impedances. There are many methods to ground Generators. This paper
will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method of grounding.

Low Impedance Grounded

A low impedance grounded system comprises of a connection of the generators neutral terminal to
ground through an impedance as shown in Fig, 1. The resistor typically limits ground fault currents
from 200 to 800 Amperes for a short duration. The fault current is selected in order to minimize
damage at the point of fault as well as providing selective coordination of the protection system.

Grounding Resistor Utility

R

Grounding
Resistor
R

Fig. 1 Low Impedance Grounded System

As well as minimizing the damage at the point of fault, low impedance grounded systems also
minimize shock hazards caused by stray currents, minimize thermal and mechanical stresses on
equipment, and control transient overvoltages. Low impedance grounded systems are used when
the charging current of the facility is larger than 10 A and/or if the protection system cannot detect
a ground fault of less than 5A.
I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 2

Grounding Grounding Grounding Grounding

Resistor Resistor Resistor Resistor Utility
R R R R

Grounding
Resistor
R

Fig. 2 Multiple point grounded System

As the generation capability within facility increase, as shown in Fig. 2, the value of ground fault
current also increases. As an example, if 4 generators are connected to a common bus the
maximum ground fault current may be anywhere between 200 A., if only 1 generator is on line, to
3200 A., if all 4 generators are online with a 800 A low resistance grounded system. As more and
more generators are connected, the advantages previously listed quickly diminish.

The greatest drawback of this type of system is witnessed when a ground fault occurs within the
stator winding of a generator. Experience has shown that the ground fault will not be removed from
the generator even though the generator breaker has opened [1]. The generator will continue to
supply the current through the ground fault until the field excitation decays. The physical damage
caused to the generator is caused by the duration of the fault and not the magnitude of the fault.

A different approach must be considered to maintain the advantages of the low impedance
grounded system.

Single Point Grounded

Single point grounding ensures that only one source is grounded at any given time. There are
three ways in which this can occur. Fig. 3 shows a multiple generated connected system where
neutral isolators ensure that only one resistor is connected to the electrical system at one time.
This system is complex as the isolator switches are necessary. It is also necessary to implement
an operation procedure for any kind of transfers. The other disadvantage of this type of system is
that the system will become ungrounded should the connected grounded source become isolated.
This would put the entire system at risk. As generators ramp up and placed into service they as
well would be ungrounded until they are connected to the power system.
I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 3

Grounding Grounding Grounding Grounding

Resistor Resistor Resistor Resistor
R R R R
Utility

Grounding
Resistor
R

Fig. 3 Variation of Single Point grounded System

The disadvantages of the ungrounded system described in Fig. 3 are addressed with the system in
Fig. 4. In this scenario the neutrals are all connected together and there would exist only 1 return
path for any ground faults. The concern of generators going off line is also addressed. There are 2
major disadvantages of this kind of system, one being the circulating third harmonic currents
through the connected neutrals, and the other being the complex serviceability of a generator. With
the neutrals all connected together, a ground fault anywhere in the system will elevate the potential
of the neutral whether the generator is connected to the system or not. This posses a safety
hazard for any personnel working on the generators.

Grounding
Resistor
R
Utility

Fig. 4 Common Neutral, Single Point Grounded System

The following schematic addresses the single point ground with an artificial neutral. This method is
much simpler than the one in Fig. 3; however the disadvantage is the ungrounded state of the
generators when not connected to the electrical system.
I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 4

Utility

Grounding
Resistor
R

Fig. 5 ZigZag, Single point grounded System

Multiple Point Grounded

The schematic shown in Fig. 2 is an example of a multiple point grounded. Each generating source
is grounded through its own grounding resistor. There is no risk of leaving a source generator
ungrounded. There is also no safety hazard when servicing a generator.

With many generators connected, the amount of ground fault current can exceed levels that will
limit the damage at the point of fault. This is extremely evident should the point of fault occur in the
stator winding of the generator. With the fault in the stator winding, fault current would not be
interrupted, even with the occurrence of an interruption of the circuit breaker connecting the
generator to the electrical distribution system. This type of fault in a multiple point grounded
system will have severe damage in the stator windings.
I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 5

High Impedance Grounded

A high impedance grounded system comprises of a connection of the generators neutral terminal
to ground through an impedance as shown in Fig, 1. The resistor typically limits ground fault
currents to a low value for an extended duration. The fault current is selected in order to be equal
to or greater than the system capacitive charging current. The advantages of the high impedance
grounded system are numerous, minimal fault
current at the point of fault, continuity of operation,
and a reduction of transient overvoltages as far as
the ungrounded system is concerned. High
resistance grounded should be the first choice when
considering new installations. Other advantages
include the ability to locate the location of the ground
fault without power interruption. This makes high
resistance grounding an ideal solution for Data
Centers, Hospitals, and Water treatment Facilities, to
mention a few.

During a ground fault, the user may detect and locate the fault. During the location process, should
another fault occur on a different phase, a phase to ground to phase fault will result. Protection
systems such as the i-Gard DSP OHMNI, can detect this scenario and isolate the feeder with the
lowest priority using Selective Instantaneous Feeder Tripping.

As the charging current increases in large

distribution networks or as more generators are
placed on line, it may not be feasible to have a
high impedance grounded system.

The optimal solution is a combination of the low

impedance grounded system and the high
impedance grounded system. The system
would effectively be low resistance for all
ground faults. If, however the fault is a ground
fault within the generator, the system would revert to a high impedance grounded system and
minimize the damage. This schematic is seen in Fig. 6 (page 6).
I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 6

Hybrid Grounding

LRG HRG
R 400A R 10A
10 s.
50
51

Fig. 6 Hybrid Grounded System

The generator shown in Fig. 6 is grounded through both a Low Impedance and a High Impedance
device. This scenario would allow all the benefits of the Low impedance grounded systems in that
all through ground faults will have the selective coordination; there is also minimal damage at the
point of the fault. The ground fault current would be limited to the sum of the Low impedance
system and the high impedance system. In the case shown the ground fault current would be 410
A. If the ground fault was downstream then the isolating device closest to the fault will isolate the
ground fault. The true benefit of this scheme is observed when a ground fault occurs in the stator
winding of the generator. If the ground fault occurs within the stator winding, the ground fault
current would be limited to 410 A. until the differential protection isolates the generator from the
supply and opens the contactor for the LRG device. Thus limiting the ground fault to 10 A. until the
generator slows down to standstill.

This system is safer for the generator in that the generator is never left in an ungrounded state.
The stator windings are protected unlike the straight Low Impedance Grounded system.

When multiple units are placed on line and each unit is protected by the Hybrid system, the
tendency will be to have all hybrids identical. This would cause extremely high ground fault current
when the system is in Low Impedance, and the benefits would be lost. To compensate for this, the
schematic can be reconfigured to that of Fig. 7 and all the benefits would once again be
experienced.
I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 7

HRG HRG HRG HRG

10 A. 10 A. 10 A. 10 A. Utility
R R R R

LRG
400 A., 10 s.
R

Fig. 7 Variation of Hybrid Grounded System

This schematic indicates that the maximum ground fault current is in the order of magnitude of 400
A., regardless of how many sources are connected to the system,. Ground faults downstream will
be isolated by the breaker closest to the fault by selective coordination and Ground faults within
the stator will be isolated by the differential scheme shown in Fig. 6, but isolation will only occur in
the supply breaker for that particular breaker. This will leave the generator in a High Impedance
grounded state and minimize the damage to the stator.

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I-Gard Hybrid Generator Grounding Whitepaper 8

[1] L.J Powell, “ Stator Fault Damage Considerations for Generators on Solidly Grounded
Systems” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 37, No. 1, January/February,
2001
[2] Wu, Y. Tang, D. Finney, “MV Generator Low-resistance Grounding and Stator ground Fault
Damage” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 40 No. 2, March/April, 2004
[3] IEEE/IAS Working Group on Generator Grounding, P. Pillai chair, A. Pierce, B. Bailey, B.
Douglas, C. Mozina, C. Normand, D. Love, D. Shipp, G. Dalke, J. Jones, J. Fischer, J.
Bowen, L. Padden, L. Powell, N. Nichols, R. Young, N. Stringer. “Grounding and Ground
Fault Protection of Multiple Generator Installations on Medium-Voltage Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems, Part 1: The Problem Defined”. IEEE IAS Conference record,
October, 2002
[4] IEEE/IAS Working Group on Generator Grounding, P. Pillai chair, A. Pierce, B. Bailey, B.
Douglas, C. Mozina, C. Normand, D. Love, D. Shipp, G. Dalke, J. Jones, J. Fischer, J.
Bowen, L. Padden, L. Powell, N. Nichols, R. Young, N. Stringer. “Grounding and Ground
Fault Protection of Multiple Generator Installations on Medium-Voltage Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems, Part 2: Grounding Methods”. IEEE IAS Conference record,
October, 2002
[5] IEEE/IAS Working Group on Generator Grounding, P. Pillai chair, A. Pierce, B. Bailey, B.
Douglas, C. Mozina, C. Normand, D. Love, D. Shipp, G. Dalke, J. Jones, J. Fischer, J.
Bowen, L. Padden, L. Powell, N. Nichols, R. Young, N. Stringer. “Grounding and Ground
Fault Protection of Multiple Generator Installations on Medium-Voltage Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems, Part 3: Protection Methods”. IEEE IAS Conference record,
October, 2002
[6] IEEE/IAS Working Group on Generator Grounding, P. Pillai chair, A. Pierce, B. Bailey, B.
Douglas, C. Mozina, C. Normand, D. Love, D. Shipp, G. Dalke, J. Jones, J. Fischer, J.
Bowen, L. Padden, L. Powell, N. Nichols, R. Young, N. Stringer. “Grounding and Ground
Fault Protection of Multiple Generator Installations on Medium-Voltage Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems, Part 4: Conclusion and Bibliography”. IEEE IAS Conference
record, October, 2002
[7] IEEE/IAS Working Group on Generator Grounding, D. Shipp, chair, P. Pillai , B. Bailey, C.
Mozina, D. Love, L. Powell, N. Nichols, T. Dionise, T. Locker, S. Panetta, A. Wu, R.
Hoerauf, D. Paul, J. Jones, “Switching Transient Analysis and Specifications for Practical
Hybrid High Resistance Grounded Generator Applications ”. IEEE ICPS Conference
record, 4-8 May 2008.

*Modification of this document is not permitted

without written permission from I-Gard Corporation.