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Electrical 

Engineering  Knowledge
Cl
Class 2
2

Ghayoor Abbas
g.abbas@gcns.ac.uk
bb @ k

4 October 2009 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 1


Insulated & Earthed
Insulated & Earthed
Distribution System
Distribution System

4 October 2009 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 2


Past Questions

Diet Q No. About


October
Oc obe 2008
008 9 Affects
ec s
December 2006 10 Two types of E/F detection

1‐Feb‐10 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 3


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Introduction
ƒ A system that is totally electrically insulated from earth (ship’s
hull) is known as Insulated Neutral Distribution System
ƒ This scheme is favoured on LV systems e.g. 440V
ƒ Primarily adopted to avoid the risk of loss of essential services

L1

L2
G Load G Load
L3

N
Single Phase a.c. Insulated Three Phase a.c. Insulated
N
Neutrall Distribution
Di ib i System
S Neutral Distribution System

4 October 2009 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 4


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Introduction
ƒ An earthed system has the supply neutral point connected to
earth (ship’s hull)
ƒ This scheme is favoured on HV systems e.g. ≥1000V
ƒ Main claim for this system: faulty circuit is automatically isolated
by operation of protective device and approximate location of
fault
au t will be known
o
L
L1

L2
G Load Load
L3

N
Single Phase a.c. Earthed Three Phase a.c. Earthed
N
Neutrall Distribution
Di ib i System
S Neutral Distribution System

4 October 2009 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 5


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Circuit Fault

Insulation

G Load

Conductor

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 6


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Circuit Fault – earth fault

Earth Fault

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 7


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Circuit Fault – short circuit fault

Short-circuit

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 8


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Circuit Fault – open circuit fault
Open Circuit

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 9


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Short Circuit
Earth Fault
Earth Fault
Open Circuit Two conductors 
Live conductor 
Results in non‐ come into contact 
touches the hull 
flow of current  by‐passing the 
of the ship due to
of the ship due to 
when the  load due to two 
break in 
conductor breaks breaks in 
insulation
insulation

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 10


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

A 10 A motor operates from a 220V insulated system. The supply 
cables have a total impedance of 0.01Ω. What circuit current 
would flow in each case?

Open Circuit
Open Circuit Earth Fault
Earth Fault Short Circuit
Short Circuit
I = V/Z No Effect I = V/Z
I = V/∞ I = 220/0.01
I = 0 A I = 22,000 A

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 11


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System
Purpose of Earthing
ƒ To prevent electric shock to personnel
ƒ To minimise the damage to equipment when excessive current
passes between the conductors and the casing or frame during an
internal fault condition
ƒ To prevent the fire hazard
ƒ Metal enclosures (and non current carrying parts) of the
equipment are earthed
ƒ Earthing means electrical connection of non current carrying
parts to ship’s hull (earth)
ƒ Earthing ensures that the equipment remain at same electrical
potential as earth – zero potential

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 12


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Earthing

Load
Red

Yellow

3Φ a.c. Blue

Load

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 13


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

“Single” Earth Fault On Earthed System


Single  Earth Fault On Earthed System

Blown fuse: loss of power


p Load

3Φ a.c.

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 14


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System
“Single” Earth Fault On Earthed System

ƒ Equivalent to short circuit fault across generator – large fault


current
ƒ While earth fault exists,, the voltage
g to earth of the two healthyy
phases will be at line volts – increases possibility of second earth
fault, further stress the insulation
ƒ Line protective devices immediately trip out to isolate the faulty
circuit
ƒ Loss of electrical power could create a hazardous situation

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 15


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

“Single”
Single  Earth Fault On Insulated System
Earth Fault On Insulated System

Source: DT Hall

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 16


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System
“Single” Earth Fault On Insulated System

ƒ NOT equivalent to short circuit


ƒ Therefore, NO E/F current flows – due to circuit path being
incomplete
p
ƒ Line protective devices do no operate
ƒ Equipment continues to operate
ƒ E/F detection system raises alarm

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 17


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

“Double”
Double Earth Fault On Insulated System

Source: DT Hall

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 18


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System
“Double” Earth Fault On Insulated System

ƒ Equivalent to short circuit


ƒ Flow of large E/F current through ship’s hull
ƒ Line protective devices operate
ƒ Faulty circuit looses power supply and is rendered safe

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 19


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System
Comparison of Insulated and Earthed System
ƒ Insulated Neutral System
ƒ Avoids risk of loss of power to essential services
ƒ Requires two E/F on two different lines to constitute a short‐
circuit
ƒ Single E/F raises warning on earth leakage detection system –
allows operator to search and clear fault
ƒ Single fault raises the phase voltage of healthy phases to line
voltages which will further stress the insulation
ƒ Difficult to pin‐point fault location – requires selective opening
of circuits until E/F monitor clears fault
ƒ Negligible risk of fire
ƒ Insensitive to high impedance E/F /
8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 20
Insulated & Earthed Distribution System
Comparison of Insulated and Earthed System

ƒ Earthed Neutral System


ƒ Single E/F constitutes a short‐circuit
ƒ Line protection operates rendering equipment safe from
damage – approximate location of the fault will be known

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 21


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

High Voltage (≥1000V) Systems


High Voltage (≥1000V) Systems

ƒ HV Distribution Systems are invariably Earthed Neutral


Systems
ƒ Earthing is achieved by one of the following means:
ƒ Resistance Earthingg
ƒ Reactance Earthing
ƒ Earthing Transformer

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 22


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Resistance Earthing
Resistance Earthing

ƒ Generator neutral connected to earth (ship’s hull) via a


resistor – neutral earthing resistor NER
ƒ Ohmic value of NER is such that the maximum E/F current is
not more than generator FLC
ƒ With a single fault on the system, E/F current travels back to
generator neutral (no current under normal conditions)
ƒ A relay is arranged to monitor current through neutral and
create alarm and trip

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 23


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

NER

Source: DT Hall

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 24


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

NER

Current Transformer

NER

3-Phase Busbar

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 25


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Earthing Transformer
Earthing Transformer

ƒ A three‐phase transformer is connected to the busbar


ƒ Impedance of this special earthing transformer is chosen to
be high
ƒ High impedance of the transformer limits the amount of
maximum E/F

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 26


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Regulations

ƒ Tanker to have only insulated system – prevents circulation of


E/F currents in hazardous zones
ƒ In case tanker has a HV system, earthed neutral is permitted
but earthing not to extend forward of engine room bulkhead
ƒ E/F monitor be fitted to MSB to indicate the presence of E/F
ƒ Each isolated section of the MSB to have independent
p E/F
/
monitor

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 27


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

E/F Monitor
E/F Monitor

ƒ Most common type E/F


/ monitoring schemes;
1. E/F Monitoring Lamps
2. Instrument Type Monitor

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 28


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

E/F monitoring lamps


E/F monitoring lamps

ƒ Most common,
common inexpensive,
inexpensive user‐friendly
user friendly
ƒ Not very sensitive, fail to indicate the presence of high
i
impedance
d E/F (60mA)
(60 A)
ƒ System healthy (no E/F) → Glow with equal half brilliance
ƒ If E/F occurs on one of the lines, the lamp connected to that
line goes dim or extinguish
ƒ Rest of the lamps will glow brightly due to increased voltage

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 29


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

E/F Lamps
E/F Lamps
ƒ Most common type E/F monitoring schemes;

Test
Switch

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 30


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

E/F Lamps
E/F Lamps

Test
Switch

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 31


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Instrument type
Instrument type
ƒ More sensitive (1mA), expensive
ƒ Gives both visual and audible indication
ƒ Can be set to trigger the alarm at a pre‐set value of insulation
resistance
i
ƒ Injects a small d.c. voltage to the distribution system
ƒ Any resulting d.c. current is a measure of the insulation
resistance (directly displayed in kΩ or MΩ)
ƒ This type has been developed to meet regulations which
demand that on tankers, for circuits in or passing through
hazardous zones, there must be continuous monitoring of the
system insulation resistance
8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 32
Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Instrument type
Instrument type

Load

Transformer
Earth Fault

Relay kΩ (mA)

Current Limiter (R)


EF Indicator & Alarm

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 33


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

EF Causes
EF Causes

ƒ Dampness – condensation/ingress of moisture inside fittings


ƒ Mechanical Damage – physical puncturing of cable protective
i l i
insulation
ƒ Contamination due to dirt
ƒ Temperature rise – IR has negative temperature co‐efficient
ƒ Loose wire

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 34


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Detection & Clearance of E/F


Detection & Clearance of E/F

ƒ E/F must be cleared ASAP by the staff – while E/F exists the
voltage to earth of two healthy phases will further stress the
insulation and could increase the possibility of a second E/F
occurring
ƒ On
O insulated
i l t d systems,
t selective
l ti tripping
t i i off circuits
i it is i to
t be
b
carried out until E/F clears
ƒ Tripping
i i off circuits
i i must be b coordinated
di d as random d and
d
unauthorised tripping of circuits jeopardises the safe
operation
ti off ship
hi

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 35


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

G G 440/220

3-ph, 440V 60Hz MSB 3-ph, 220V Section

E/F Monitor E/F Monitor

Dist.
Board

A B C
E/F Monitor

d.f.b.
1 2 3 4

a b

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 36


Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Clearance an E/F
Clearance an E/F
ƒ Clearing of E/F requires breaking circuits in small part
ƒ Achieved by selectively opening the circuit breakers until E/F
lamps are cleared of the fault – gives a general direction of
the fault zone
ƒ Suppose 220V d.b. E/F monitor indicates the presence of and
E/F
ƒ Switches A, B and C are sequentially opened and closed in
turn untilil the
h E/F
/ monitor
i indicates
i di the
h faulted
f l d circuit
i i
ƒ Suppose B supplies a d.f.b. Located near its lighting circuits
ƒ Since there is no monitor available at location so an IR test
must be used
8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 37
Insulated & Earthed Distribution System

Clearance an E/F
Clearance an E/F
ƒ At d.f.b fuse pair # 1 is removed to isolate the supply to the
load
ƒ IR test is now carried out
ƒ C
Connect one lead
l d off the
h megger to earth h (hull)
(h ll) and
d the
h other
h
to “b” – apply the test
ƒ If circuit is healthy (i.e., insulation is intact) megger will show
reading > 1MΩ
ƒ If circuit is faulty megger will show a low resistance value
ƒ Once the fault circuit is identified, switches should be opened,
fuses removed then lamp is taken

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 38


Insulated & Earthed Neutral System

Repairing an E/F
Repairing an E/F

ƒ A damaged lamp fitting must be replaced


ƒ Dampness in the insulation must be dried out – gentle heating
ƒ Place a precaution such that moisture (dampness) does not
gain access again
ƒ If insulation is weakened due to mechanical damage/ over
heating – it is to be made good again
ƒ If surface dust was the cause – then thorough cleaning must
be carried out

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 39


October 2008

Question 9

a)) C
Compare the effect of earth leakage in an earthed 
th ff t f th l k i th d
distribution system and in an insulated distribution 
system (8)
b) Explain the method of earthing high voltage 
Explain the method of earthing high voltage
installations (2)

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 40


October 2008
Suggested Answer (a)

Insulated System Earthed System
1. Double not single E/F constitutes 
g 1. Single E/F constitutes short‐circuit
g
short‐circuit 2. With single E/F protective devices 
2. Single E/F raises alarm but load  disconnect the load
continues to be supplied with power
continues to be supplied with power 3. E/F do not cause the rise of phase 
E/F do not cause the rise of phase
3. Single E/F raises phase voltages of  voltages
healthy phase to line voltage 4. No risk of further stressing the 
4 Higher phase voltages further stress 
4. Higher phase voltages further stress insulation
the insulation 5. Operation of protective device 
5. Locating and E/F is difficult – circuits  roughly indicated the location of the 
are individually broken into small 
i di id ll b k i ll f l
fault
circuits

8 February 2010 School of Marine Engineering ‐ GCNS, "GA" 41

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