Protection from fault current by automatic power supply disconnection

Fault loop and fault current

The use of protective conductors linking all the exposed conductive parts of all equipment creates a circuit called the “fault loop” designed for circulation of the fault current that arises following an insulation fault.

The fault current may or may not be carried to earth, depending on the neutral earthing system, but in all cases the objective is to keep the voltage of the exposed conductive parts to a value below the conventional limit voltage of 50V.

The fault current value will determine the breaking device to use in each case:

1. TN system – Overcurrent device to break a high current similar to a short circuit
2. TT system – Residual current device to break a low fault current
3. IT system – No need to break the 1st fault current, as it is very low

The application of the protective measure of disconnecting the power supply involves the use of class I equipment. For devices, this requirement generally simply means connection of the protective conductor. For the creation of assemblies, the application of class I construction rules must be subject to a number of precautions.

All the protective conductors are connected to a general equipotential link to which the metal trunking and conductive elements from outside the building are also connected. The equipotential link reduces the touch voltage in the event of a fault, whatever the earth connection scheme (neutral earthing system).

Operating principle of protection in TT configuration

In the event of an insulation fault in a receiver, the fault current I_f (I fault) flows in the circuit called the fault loop. This comprises the impedance of the fault on the exposed conductive part of the receiver, the connection of this exposed conductive part to the protective conductor, the protective conductor itself, and its earth connection (R_A).

The loop is closed by the transformer windings and the power supply circuit. Logically, therefore, the impedance of the loop should be calculated from all of the elements in series which make up this loop.

The condition R_A × I_f < 50V must be satisfied for alternating current installations. The sensitivity threshold I_Δn of the residual current device is chosen so that I_Δn<50/R_A.

Operating principle of protection in TN configuration

In the event of a fault at any point in the installation affecting a phase conductor and the protective conductor or an exposed conductive part, the power supply must be disconnected automatically within the specified disconnection time t and the condition Z_s × I_a < U₀ must be fulfilled.

Where:

• Z_s – impedance of the fault loop including the power supply line, the protective conductor and the source (transformer windings).
• I_a – operating current of the protective device in the specified time.
• U₀ – nominal phase/earth voltage.

The maximum times should be applied to circuits that might supply Class I mobile devices (generally, all power outlets). In practice, these times are observed by the use of non-delayed circuit breakers.

This formula verifies that the ratio of the protective conductor’s impedance to the total fault loop impedance is such that the potential of the exposed conductive part at fault will not exceed 50 V, but it does not verify that disconnection occurs within the required time limit.

Operating principle of protection in IT configuration

At the first fault, the current I_f is limited by the sum of the resistances of the power supply earth connections (R_B), the exposed conductive parts (R_A), and the impedance (Z). In the example below, this gives:

The non-disconnection condition is verified, whilst ensuring that the current will not raise the exposed conductive parts to a potential greater than the limit voltage U_L. SWe must therefore have:

R_A × I_f < 50 V, i.e., in the example, 30 × 0.112 = 3.36 V

The exposed conductive parts will not reach a dangerous voltage, and non-disconnection is authorised. To ensure continuity of operation, the fault notified by the permanent insulation controller (PIC) must be found and eliminated as quickly as possible by qualified personnel.

At the second fault affecting another phase, on the same exposed conductive part or a different one, a loop is formed by the exposed conductive parts and the supply conductors. It will result in the flow of a high current (short circuit), which can be eliminated via the conditions shown in the TN or the TT diagram.

The lengths of protected line are reduced accordingly. In the event of a fault, the potential of the neutral could go as high as the phase at fault (simple voltage). The potential of the other phases will tend to rise to the value of the compound voltage.

That is why it is advisable not to supply devices between phase and neutral in an IT configuration and therefore not to distribute the neutral.

Maximum disconnection times t₀ (s) – iEc 60364-4-41

(1) Disconnection may be required for reasons other than protection against electric shock

Reference // Electrical hazards and protection persons by Legrand