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HPS Grounding Transformers

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Rafael Garay
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11 views

HPS Grounding Transformers

Uploaded by

Rafael Garay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GROUNDING

TRANSFORMERS
Grounding transformers are a critical component in electrical installations, especially
where power generation through solar, wind or traditional generators occurs. A
magnetic grounding device is a cost competitive method to provide “effective”
grounding (Article 100 of NEC Code) in three-phase three-wire systems.

In systems where a delta or ungrounded wye connection is used, often a neutral


ground path is required via a grounding transformer, also often called a neutral
grounding transformer or ground isolation. Hammond Power Solutions has been a
valued supplier of these custom magnetics, typically in a zig-zag or autotransformer
configuration.

By providing a ground path in ungrounded wye or delta connected power systems,


grounding transformers perform several critical functions:
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

• Provide the connection of phase-to-neutral loads.


• Provide a relatively low-impedance path to ground, thereby maintaining the
system neutral at or near ground potential.
• Provide a source of ground fault current during line-to-ground faults.
• Limit the magnitude of transient over-voltages when re-striking ground faults
occur.
• The most common design is the zig-zag autotransformer which offers the best
combination of flexibility, size and cost.

Grounding transformers are not sized by kVA since during normal operation little
to no current will flow through the windings. During a fault, the current will increase
substantially but only for a few cycles to a few seconds depending on the monitoring
and interrupting methods used.

In most cases, the grounding transformer will also be asked to service a small amount
of current continuously. In a perfectly balanced system, the neutral current will be
zero but systems will be designed to trip at a higher limit.

This trip limit would be considered to be the continuous rating and is needed to
verify the transformer’s design won’t overheat during normal operation. As a rule
of thumb, if the continuous rating is not known, a minimum value of 3% of the short
duration fault current should be considered.
To properly specify a grounding transformer, the following parameters must be known:

1. Winding configuration: Zig-Zag Autotransformer


or Wye-Delta
2. Voltage: System Voltage
3. Basic Impulse Level (BIL)
4. Continuous neutral current
5. System available fault current and duration in
seconds
6. Zero Sequence impedance in Ohms per phase.
7. Winding material: Copper or Aluminum
8. Enclosure Type: Type 3R, 3R-Enhanced or
Non-Ventilated
9. Ambient Temperature
10. Other Environmental Concerns

CANADA UNITED STATES


595 Southgate Drive 1100 Lake Street
Guelph, Ontario Baraboo, Wisconsin
TBIRWIN
N1G 3W6 53913-2866 August 2020
1-888-798-8882 1-866-705-4684

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