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of all the users connected to that case of a very efficient earth rod and a phase to neutral voltage rises above
distribution system would try to flow very low earth return loop impedance, a critical level.
significant level of current would return Devices that detect and operate a
through the single foundation earth.
to the source via the earth circuit, even in rise in the potential of the neutral
The consequential overheating and
the absence of a fault. A crude solution conductor above critical level.
the danger of incendiary ignition are
was to decrease the sensitivity of the
obvious. In the event of a break in the neutral
monitoring device.
conductor upstream of the point of
Early solutions supply, the former type devices will
The over-voltage problem
During the mid to late 1980s and early operate and open the protected circuit
Overvoltages in single phase installations
1990s ageing electrical installations in the event of an increase in phase to
that result from a break in the neutral
with poor electrical connections spurred conductor will invariably result in neutral voltage. In the event of neutral
researchers to address the phenomenon damage to most appliances and other shift, a voltage increase could result
of lost neutral conductors. The more connected electrical equipment. As a due to a higher load drawn on one of
commonly used distribution systems at general rule, any protection system that the other phases in the network.
that time were the so-called protective is designed to detect such overvoltages A break in the upstream neutral
multiple earthing (PME) or multiple will be arranged to disconnect the conductor will also result in voltage
earthed neutral (MEN) systems. In affected part of the installation from between neutral and earth. This voltage
most cases these types of distribution the source of electricity. Furthermore, will also increase in the event of an
system also included an earth rod protection systems must be designed so increase in load on a phase other than
at or near to the point of supply to that they are not too sensitive, since this the one being monitored.
individual end-users. The main purpose would result in unacceptably high levels
of the local earth rod was to ensure of nuisance operation. Applicability of protection
that the neutral conductor would be systems
According to the Electricity Act, electricity
held at earth potential in the event supply utilities in South Africa are Overvoltage detection and protection
of a high impedance or break in the permitted to deliver electricity at the systems based on standard earth
neutral conductor. In the event of such nominal voltage up to 110% of the leakage circuit breakers are most suited
a break in the neutral conductor, the nominal voltage. For this reason, to customer-level protection. With the
load current would return via the earth devices designed to detect overvoltages installation of sensitive earth leakage
connection. on standard 230 V single phase systems protection mandatory in South Africa
It was however conceded that in typically are usually preset at an operating value over the last quarter century, this can be
dry South African conditions, the exceeding 253 V (230 V x 110%) plus achieved easily and cost effectively by
probability of obtaining low resistance some additional margin to cater for the simply replacing the existing earth leakage
earth connections was not particularly possibility of short-duration temporary circuit breaker with a device that includes
good. Any significant load current overvoltages. the chosen type of overvoltage protection.
could result in a rise of potential in the An unprotected window of overvoltage
local earth circuit. In extreme cases may remain for practical reasons. Protection sensitivity
the development of hazardous touch Even for temporary overvoltages of An alternative to monitoring the voltage
potentials on the exposed conductive very short duration, it is highly unlikely increase on the neutral conductor