628

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. 33, NO. 3, MAY/JUNE 1997

Considerations for Generator Ground-Fault

Protection in Midsize Cogeneration Plants
Rasheek M. Rifaat, Senior Member, IEEE

AbstractGenerator ground-fault protection aspects are analyzed for midsize cogeneration plants. In these plants, the generators may be connected to a common generator bus. The
overall bus-connected system should be considered when applying generator high-resistance grounding schemes. Calculations
are reviewed for sizing generator neutral-ground resistance and
evaluating third harmonic originated in the scheme. The relevant
applications of third harmonics in applying 100% stator groundfault protection schemes are examined. Practical considerations
are presented for establishing selectivity of ground-fault protection schemes in the case of common generator bus.
Index Terms High-resistance grounding, stator protection,
third harmonic.

I. INTRODUCTION

ECENT advances in overall generator protection systems

have been noted [4], [15], especially in the areas of
developing new protection schemes and the application of
digital processors to relay hardware. Adaptation of true numerical relays is leading to improvement in the performance and
economics of relay applications. As a result, comprehensive
generator protection schemes are finding applications in cogeneration plants. The development and maturity of the stator
100% ground-fault protection scheme is a relevant example.
The correct applications of such comprehensive schemes to
certain cogenerating plant configurations represent notable
engineering challenges.
In power systems, the chances of line-to-ground-fault occurrences are higher than two-phase and three-phase faults.
Accordingly, generator ground-fault protection schemes are
given special attention in cogeneration plants. This paper discusses critical considerations when applying generator groundfault protection schemes in midsize cogeneration plants. The
effects of plant electrical system configuration and the overall
plant operating duties on selecting and setting ground-fault
protection systems are also discussed. The cases discussed are
based on typical engineering design experience for 100-MW
cogeneration plants.

II. COGENERATION PLANT CONFIGURATIONS

Capacities in the range of 25100 MW are typical for
midsize cogeneration plants. Many of these plants are multiplegenerator facilities. An individual generator output will be in
the range of 1560 MVA. Generators are driven by prime
movers, such as gas or steam turbines, in simple or combined
cycle arrangements. Economic justifications for most of these
plants are based on continuous duty operation (base load) at
nominal outputs.
Configurations of main output systems for cogeneration
plants can be different from those of traditional thermal
power plants. Large generators in thermal power plants are
typically arranged in a dedicated generatortransformer arrangement [Fig. 1(a)]. In midsize cogeneration plants, a common generator-bus/common-transformer configuration may be
used [Fig. 1(b)]. Connecting more than one generator and a
number of loads to a common bus introduces additional factors
which should be considered when devising the ground-fault
protection system.
III. HIGH-RESISTANCE NEUTRAL GROUNDING SCHEMES
High-resistance grounding of the generator neutral is expanding to be a preferred scheme for midsize generators [7],
[16]. The scheme confines phase-to-ground-fault currents to
a maximum value in the range of 325 A, limiting associated damages. High-resistance grounding can be achieved by
insertion of a resistance between the generator neutral and
ground. Alternatively, an endorsed scheme is composed of a
distribution transformer and loading resistance. The primary
side of the distribution transformer is connected between
the generator neutral and ground. The loading resistance is
connected to the secondary side of the distribution transformer.
The equivalent resistance reflected at the generator neutral
equals the value of loading resistance multiplied by the square
of the distribution transformer turns ratio. (Fig. 2). The latter
scheme allows using a resistance at lower voltage, reducing
its insulation requirements.
IV. NEUTRAL RESISTANCE CALCULATION

Paper ICPSD 9523, approved by the Power Systems Protection Committee

of the IEEE Industry Applications Society for presentation at the 1995
IEEE/IAS Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Technical Conference,
San Antonio, TX, May 711. Manuscript released for publication November
20, 1996.
The author is with Delta Hudson Engineering Ltd., Calgary, Alta., T2H
2N7, Canada.
Publisher Item Identifier S 0093-9994(97)03621-9.

Ideally, the neutral resistance shall be as large as possible, to

minimize the line-to-ground-fault current. However, maximum
resistance size is dictated by the capacitive charging currents
of the electrical system connected to the generator. To avoid
the buildup of destructive overvoltage caused by spitting or
restriking phenomena during a single phase-to-ground fault,

00939994/97$10.00 1997 IEEE

RIFAAT: CONSIDERATIONS FOR GENERATOR GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION

629

(a)

(b)
(a)

Fig. 2. High-resistance grounding schemes. (a) Using resistors. (b) Using

distribution transformer and loading resistor.

Fig. 3. Fault current distribution.

phases) with phase

will be (Fig. 3)

grounded, the total charging current

Charging Current
(1)
where
-phase capacitive current;
-phase capacitive current;
line-to-line voltage;
line-to-ground voltage;
line-to-ground charging capacitance;
line-to-ground charging current;

(b)
Fig. 1. Typical plant bus configuration. (a) Dedicated bus/transformer used
in large thermal generating plant. (b) Common bus/transformer used in
cogeneration plants.

the resistive fault current

shall be larger than the capacitive current [6], [7], [9]. Accordingly, the equivalent neutral
shall be less than the system relevant
grounding resistance
capacitive reactance. In a three-phase system
, and

(2)
since
(3)

630

Fig. 4.

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. 33, NO. 3, MAY/JUNE 1997

An example of system charging-current capacitance in a common bus configuration (single-line diagram).

and

switchgear

gen. 1 cables

gen. 2 cables

trans. 1 cables

trans. 2 cables

trans. 3 cables

(4)
Therefore,
(5)
the charging capacitances of system
To calculate
components should be identified. Information on the generator stator capacitances and surge-protection capacitor can be
acquired from the generator supplier. At the early design stage,
the charging current capacitances for other system components
can be estimated from available references. A practical method
to evaluate capacitances of typical system components is
depicted in [7]. Fig. 4 represents typical system chargingcurrent capacitances. An example of numerical values of these
capacitances may be as follows:
generator 1

generator 2

surge capacitor 1

surge capacitor 2

transformer 1

transformer 2

transformer 3

Component phase-to-ground capacitances can then be

lumped by direct addition (parallel capacitances), with
and
resultant capacitance of 1.2536 F. The equivalent
can be calculated as
(6)
(7)
The minimum value of ground-fault current to be used can
be calculated by dividing the line-to-neutral voltage (in this
example, 8000 V/
A). It may be observed that
connecting more components to the generator common bus
will result in decreasing generator neutral resistance value
and increasing allowable resistive fault current. In the above
example, considering the resistive current contributions from
only one generator is a conservative assumption. The actual resistive fault current will be contributed from the two connected
generators, as they are both equipped with neutral resistance
schemes. In a simplified calculation, the two generator neutral

RIFAAT: CONSIDERATIONS FOR GENERATOR GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION

631

Fig. 6.

Generator ground-fault protection.

one common neutral ground for the two generators will allow
high third-harmonic current circulation. In contrast, having a
separate high neutral ground resistance for each generator adds
high resistance in the pass of the third-harmonic current
[Fig. 5(b)], reducing such currents and their heating effects.

(a)

VI. GENERATOR GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION

(b)
Fig. 5. Third-harmonic current distribution. (a) Common neutral resistance.
(b) Separate neutral resistance.

resistances can be assumed to be in parallel. The equivalent

total resistance is represented as
(8)
If the two generator neutral resistances are equal, the total
resistive current will be doubled. A substantial increase in the
total fault current increases fault effect (damage) and defeats
the original purpose of high-resistance grounding.
V. THIRD-HARMONIC CIRCULATION
Modern, high-efficiency generators are fabricated with an
armature winding pitch factor close to 5/6. These generators
constitute third-harmonic voltage sources stronger than those
constituted by generators with an armature winding pitch
factor near 2/3. Precautions should be taken to avoid high
third-harmonic circulation between two generators connected
to a common generator bus. Fig. 5(a) shows that the use of

Fig. 6 depicts a single phase-to-ground fault occurring in

a generator winding. Fault-current circulation in the neutral
resistance will introduce corresponding voltage on the neutral
resistance. The fault current decreases as the fault moves
toward the neutral end of the generator, vanishing when a
fault occurs at the neutral bus. An overvoltage relay across
the neutral resistance will detect a line-to-ground fault in the
machine, as long as that voltage exceeds the relay threshold.
For practical considerations, the relay setting will allow protection coverage of up to 90%95% of the winding, leaving
5%10% of the winding on the neutral side uncovered.
A near neutral fault current is relatively small. Its damaging
effects are also small with respect to high current faults.
However, identification of the fault will prevent more serious
damage, as in the case when a second fault develops in the
system. Different schemes have been developed to cover the
remaining 10% of the winding for a single phase-to-ground
fault and also to detect open circuit in neutral grounding
connections. Two of these schemes are well known: the subharmonic injection scheme and the third-harmonic detection
scheme. The third-harmonic scheme is more economical and,
hence, may be justifiable in some cogeneration cases. The
debate continues about the type and application of thirdharmonic schemes in cogeneration plants. This paper is not
intended to referee different relays and types. Instead, it
presents some considerations that should be addressed when
applying the third-harmonic scheme to common generator-bus
configurations.
The theory of relay operation is based on detecting thirdharmonics voltages originating from the generator. The system
shown in Fig. 4 will be considered, with only generator
#1 operating (generator #2 breaker open). Fig. 7 depicts
the reduction of generator and system capacitance and neutral resistance into two impedance components, one on the
generator-terminal side
and the second at the neutral
side
The capacitance at the generator terminal side will
equal the total of those of surge capacitor
cables

632

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. 33, NO. 3, MAY/JUNE 1997

Fig. 7. Generator third-harmonic voltage distribution.

switchgear
transformers
and 1/2
for a total of 0.5486
generator #1 capacitance (0.5
F for this example. Assuming a selected neutral resistance
of a value of 740 referred to the primary side of the
neutral-distribution transformer, the corresponding calculated
impedances are as follows:
(9)
(10)
angle

(11)

In this example, generator third-harmonic voltage

will
be assumed to be 160 V (given by generator manufacturer
upon request). Such a voltage shall be divided between the
impedances on the line and neutral sides of the generator. The
third-harmonic voltage at the neutral side will then be
V

(12)

The neutral third-harmonic voltage is then reflected to the

secondary side of the neutral distribution transformer. Assuming a transformer ratio of 8400240 V,
will be reflected
at the secondary side of the distribution transformer as 1.86
V. The undervoltage relay is normally set at less than the
calculated value (typically, about 50% of calculated value, i.e.,
in this example, it may set at 0.93 V). The relay manufacturer
will normally provide some recommendations in this regard.
The relay is generally equipped with necessary filters, to filter
out fundamental and harmonics other than third harmonic.
Considering the filter attenuation for the fundamental, the
overall scheme performance can be evaluated.
The connection of two generators to a common bus involves
more elaborate calculations. Such calculations are the subject
of future work. However, to illustrate the concerns that shall be
addressed, Fig. 8 depicts a simplified impedance circuit where

the two generators are included. The following concerns need

to be addressed.
1) The capacitance and neutral ground-resistance values of
each generator and their effects on the third-harmonic
voltage distributions in
and
must be considered.
2) Does the protection cover all possible operating cases?
These cases include the states when two generators
connected to the bus are running, or only one generator
is running and the second is down. (Overall system
ground-fault protection shall also address the case when
no generator is connected to the bus at the plant start-up)
3) Third-harmonic voltages vary with changes in each
generator real and reactive power output conditions [5],
[12], [13]. Maximum third harmonic could be typically
in the order of 2%9% of the fundamental phase-toground voltage. On the other hand, minimum thirdharmonic voltage could be about 50% of the maximum,
with some cases where the minimum is a mere fraction
of a percentage of the fundamental. In most cases when
the ratio between the minimum and the maximum is
in the order of 50%, the relay can be set to cover the
balance of the stator winding under extreme values,
without false tripping.
4) Some schemes [5] claim to overcome the above problem
in 3) by measurement of the third-harmonic voltages at
both sides of the generator, which could prove to be
more important in the case of two generators connected
to the same bus.
VII. SELECTIVITY OF GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION
FOR COMMON GENERATOR-BUS CONFIGURATION
Typical protection zones are shown in Fig. 9. Ideally, a fault
within a generator zone will result in tripping of the relevant
generator or zone breaker, leaving the balance of the system
uninterrupted.

RIFAAT: CONSIDERATIONS FOR GENERATOR GROUND-FAULT PROTECTION

633

Fig. 8. Two generators third-harmonic distribution.

Fig. 9. Common bus/transformer used in cogeneration plants.

Fig. 10.

In a high-resistance grounding scheme, locating a phaseto-ground fault may be a challenging task. A simple overvoltage ground-fault relay (59G) mounted on the generator
neutral loading resistance, will be sensitive to faults from
approximately 10% of the respected machine neutral, past the
generator terminal, through the bus, up to all connected transformers, and into the feeders of other generators connected to
the same bus. Fault discrimination by current values cannot be
applied in this case. Also, discrimination by time intervals is
not applicable in its mere radial sense, as the feeders are not
in radial arrangements. Using restricted ground-fault protection
or directional ground-fault protection may provide a solution.
However, certain verifications are required.
When applying a restricted ground-fault protection, as
shown in Fig. 10, practical limitations emerge. The line-side
current transformers should be designed to carry generator
full-load current. For example, a generator of 40-MVA output
at 13.8 kV will probably have line-current transformers with
a ratio of 2000-5 A or 400:1. With a phase-to-ground fault
current in the order of 15 A, the corresponding CT secondary
ground fault will be 37.5 mA, or 0.75% of the full range of
the line-side current transformers circuit. Although such a low
current may satisfy some modern relay operating ranges, the

Restricted ground-fault protection.

sensitivity of current transformers and their circuits should be

checked. Also, using zero-sequence current sensors may not
be practical in certain bus arrangements. However, if such a
scheme can be implemented on one generator, time stepping
can coordinate the rest of the system components. Issues of a
similar nature may be encountered when applying directional
ground-fault relay schemes.

VIII. CONCLUSIONS
Elaborate considerations may be required when devising
and setting ground-fault protection schemes in midsize cogeneration plants. Design calculations for such schemes are
dependent on the plant main output configurations and their
electrical parameters. When applying schemes such as thirdharmonic generator-stator 100% ground-fault protection, consideration should be given to both machine and system extreme
conditions. Selectivity may be established by schemes such
as restricted ground fault or directional ground overcurrent.
However, prudent examinations should be applied to sizing
the current transformers serving such schemes.

634

IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. 33, NO. 3, MAY/JUNE 1997

Future work is anticipated to model in detail third-harmonic

circuits for multiple generators connected to the same bus.
The objective of such a work will be to establish a calculation
procedure for setting third-harmonic relays and checking their
performance.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wishes to thank A. Childs of Delta Catalytic for
his valuable editorial assistance and critique.
REFERENCES
[1] Protective Relaying for Power System, S. H. Horowitz, Ed. New York:
Wiley, 1980.
[2] F. A. Woodbury, Grounding considerations in cogeneration, IEEE
Trans. Ind. Applicat., vol. IA-21, pp. 15231532, Nov./Dec. 1985,
[3] D. J. Love and N. Hashemi, Considerations for Ground Fault Protection
in Medium-Voltage Industrial and Cogeneration Systems, IEEE Trans.
Ind. Applicat., vol. IA-24, pp. 548553, July/Aug. 1988.
[4] R. M. Rifaat, Protection scheme considerations for common generator
bus configurations used in cogeneration plants, presented at the IEEE
WESCANEX Conf., Saskatoon, Sask., Canada, 1993.
[5] R. G. Marttila, A new generator stator ground relay for 100% coverage of the stator winding, presented at the Pennsylvania Electric
Association Spring Meeting, Johnstown, PA, May 2122, 1987.
[6] J. R. Dunki-Jacobs, The reality of high resistance grounding, IEEE
Trans. Ind. Applicat., vol. IA-13, pp. 469475, Sept./Oct. 1977.
[7] D. S. Baker, Charging current data for guesswork-free design of high
resistance grounded system, IEEE Trans. Ind. Applicat., vol. IA-15,
pp. 136140, Mar./Apr. 1977.
[8] M. J. Rook, L. E. Goff, G. J. Potochney, and L. J. Powell, Applications
of protective relays on large industrial-utility tie with industrial cogeneration, IEEE Trans. Power App. Syst., vol. PAS-100, pp. 28042812,
June 1981.
[9] J. Bermann, A. Kripsky, and M. Skalka, Protection of large alternators
connected to step-up transformers against the consequences of earth
faults in the stator winding, presented at the Int. Conf. Large High
Tension Electric Systems (CIGRE), Paris, France, Aug. 28Sept. 6,
1972.
[10] L. Pazmandi, Stator earth-leakage protection for large generators, presented at the Int. Conf. Large High Tension Electric Systems (CIGRE),
Paris, France, Aug. 28Sept. 6, 1972.

[11] R. L. Schlake, G. W. Buckly, G. McPherson, Performance of third harmonic ground fault protection schemes for generator stator windings,
IEEE Trans. Power App. Syst., vol. PAS-100, pp. 31953202, July 1981.
[12] J. W. Pope, A comparison of 100% stator ground fault protection
schemes for generator stator windings, IEEE Trans. Power App. Syst.,
vol. PAS-103, pp. 832840, Apr. 1984.
[13] C. H. Griffin and J. W. Pope Generator ground fault protection using
over-current, overvoltage, and under voltage relays, IEEE Trans. Power
App. Syst., vol. PAS-101, pp. 44904501, Dec. 1982.
[14] IEEE Guide for Generator Ground Protection, ANSI/IEEE Standard
C37.101-1985.
[15] IEEEPES Relaying Committee, Working Group on Generator Protection with Digital Computers, Survey of experience with generator
protection and prospects for improvements using digital computers,
IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol. PWRD-3, pp. 15111522, Oct. 1988.
[16] M. Stien and J. R. Linders Ground Fault protection of the complete
generator winding, presented at the 4th Annu. Western Protective Relay
Conf., Spokane, WA, Oct. 1820, 1977.
[17] N. Nichols, Electrical considerations in cogeneration, IEEE Trans. Ind.
Applicat., vol. IA-21, pp. 754761, May/June 1985.
[18] R. J. Marttila, Design principals of a new generator stator ground relay
for 100% coverage of the stator winding, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery,
vol. PWRD-1, pp. 4151, Oct. 1986.

Rasheek M. Rifaat (M76SM92) received the

B.Sc. degree from Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt,
in 1972 and the M.Eng. degree from McGill University, Montreal, P.Q., Canada, in 1979, both in
electrical engineering.
He was originally with Egyptian Iron and Steel
Co. and ELMACO Transformer and Switchgear Co.,
both in Cairo, Egypt, and then with Union Carbide
Canada Ltd., Beauharnois, P.Q., Canada. In 1981,
he joined Monenco Consultants Ltd., Calgary, Alta.,
Canada, and Saskmont Engineering Ltd., Regina,
Sask., Canada, where he was involved in thermal-power generating plant
projects, with a special interest in generator protection systems and power
plant systems. He is currently with Delta Hudson Engineering Ltd., Calgary,
Alta., Canada, where his work involves large power cogeneration projects
and industrial power systems.
Mr. Rifaat is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Provinces of Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec, Canada.