We reserve all rights in this document and in the information contained therein.

Reproduction, use or disclosure to third parties without express authority is strictly forbidden. ABB

Background Most of the generators delivered uses high resistance grounding, but several of the generators delivered also uses low resistance grounding. These are in operation all over the world, both on-shore and off-shore.

Neutral grounding When choosing the size of the neutral grounding resistor it is important to be aware of the consequences for the generator due to the continuous current and fault current through the resistor and machine. We recommend high resistance grounding either with a grounding resistor or a grounding transformer with a secondary resistor. High resistance grounding means: Continuous current of maximum 1A Fault current for maximum 10 seconds of maximum 10 A

Low resistance grounding If it is not possible to choose a high resistance grounding and a low resistance will be used, there are a couple of items, which have to be fulfilled: 1. When using low resistance grounding it is imperative to only have one connection point to ground at a time. No parallel grounding can be allowed (parallel grounding means two or more generator in parallel both with neutral grounding or one generator grounded and other parallel grounding connections e.g. in a transformer neutral). 2. If there is no parallel grounding, there will still be capacitive leakage currents through the cables connected to the machine. This current will flow through the machine and neutral grounding resistor and must be less than 1-2% of rated generator current. Item 1 and 2 is due to the 3rd harmonic and multiples of the 3rd harmonic. The 3rd harmonic voltage can be 20% of the phase voltage. Item 1 reduces the 3rd harmonic current flow. If a ground fault in the stator winding occurs together with low resistance grounding, also the stator core will be severe damaged, see figure 1. For system with a neutral bus connected to two or more generators and one grounding resistor should be arranged so that the connection between the grounded neutral bus and the individual generator neutrals are by means of switches or contactors. These switches or contactors should be arranged so that it is impossible to connect more than one generator neutral to the neutral bus at a time.

Prep. Appr. Resp. dept.

SEMOT/MKE Jan-Olof Lamell SEMOT/MKE Holger Persson SEMOT/MK ABB Motors AB

01-05-02 Neutral grounding of generator 01-05-02

Document number Lang. Rev. ind.

No. of sh.

3
Sheet

3BSM 006656-1

en

TEMPLATE: MOT TECHN DOC STAND, A4 P EN, R0.DOT; FILENAME: NEUTRAL GROUNDING OF GENERATOR.DOC; PRINTDATE: 2004-02-09 08:50; SAVEDATE: 2003-10-08 15:20

Effect of arc burning on the stator core laminations during earth fault.
16 15 14 13 12 11 10
Fault duration [sec]

Negligible arc burning area Slight burning area Severe damage area

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0 50 100 150 200 250

Fault current [A]

Figure 1

Document number

Lang.

Rev. ind.

Sheet

ABB Motors AB

3BSM 006656-1

en

TEMPLATE: MOT TECHN DOC STAND, A4 P EN, R0.DOT; FILENAME: NEUTRAL GROUNDING OF GENERATOR.DOC; PRINTDATE: 2004-02-09 08:50; SAVEDATE: 2003-10-08 15:20

REVISION Rev. Page (P) ind. Chapt.(C)

Description

Date Dept./Init.

Document number

Lang.

Rev. ind.

Sheet

ABB Motors AB

3BSM 006656-1

en

TEMPLATE: MOT TECHN DOC STAND, A4 P EN, R0.DOT; FILENAME: NEUTRAL GROUNDING OF GENERATOR.DOC; PRINTDATE: 2004-02-09 08:50; SAVEDATE: 2003-10-08 15:20