Measurement of total Earth Fault Loop Impedance (Zs) (By Engr.

Wilson)
Measurement of Distribution Company Supply Impedance (Ze) Measurement of Total Earth Fault Loop Impedance (Zs)

0.1
B

1
3
Zs = Total Earth Fault Loop Impedance
0.3

4
2

5 A

R1

Figure 1: Testing at Main Distribution Board

Notes: R2
Step 1: This test is carried out under live conditions but with the main isolator secured in the off position.
Step 2: Earth bar Test link remove R1: Phase Conductor Impedance
Step 3: Ze may be measured directly at the Electricity Intake with a Earth Loop Impedance tester. The test R2: Earthing Conductor Impedance
draws a current of around 20A but is only applied for a few cycles (e.g. 40ms). Figure 2: Testing at Final Distribution Board
* The device measures the drawn current and divides this into the measured supply voltage to give the loop Notes:
impedance (the test resistance applied by the device is subtracted). Step 4: This test is carried out under live conditions but with the main isolator secured in the On position.
Step 5: Earth bar Test link is connected
The value of external earth loop impedance (Ze) measured or otherwise determined in accordance with Regulation may differ Step 6: The instrument is directly connected to a socket-outlet (in Note: B) (using the test plug provided) and should be used at
from the applicable typical maximum value declared by the electricity distributor, which is usually: the farthest point on a radial circuit or the mid point of a ring circuit.
· 0.8 Ω for TN-S system Step 7: Repeatedly the instrument used an Accessory connection point (lighting ceiling rose in Note:A) with the test probes.

· 0.35 Ω for a TN-C-S system Zs = Ze + ZR1+R2

· 21 Ω plus the resistance of the installation earth electrode for a TT system. Zs = Total Earth Fault Loop Impedance
Ze = Distribution Company Supply Impedance
ZR1+R2 = Impedance of the longest circuit in the Installation, taken by measuring a circuit phase
conductor impedance R1, and the same circuit’s Earthing Conductor impedance R2.

Zs = 0.1 + 0.2 = 0.3

COMPANY DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY CONSUMER INTERNAL SUPPLY

TRANSFORMER MAIN LV PANEL

BODY FRAME
BODY FRAME

ACB (4P) LINE 1 (R) LINE TO LINE: 400V ACB (4P) LINE 1 (R)

R Y LINE 2 (Y) LINE 2 (Y)

N LINE 3 (B) LINE 3 (B)

IFC
NUETRAL (N) LINE TO NUETRAL: 230V NUETRAL (N)
B
MET

ARMOUR STEEL
PE
0 Volt
EARTHED

IFC
EARTH CONDUCTOR
EARTH CONDUCTOR

IFC PE = Protective Conductor

PEN = Protective Conductor Nuetral
MET = Main Earth Terminal
IFC = Fault Current

Ze: External Resistance IFC

T:EARTH PIT T:EARTH PIT
Rn = __ . T:EARTH PIT
Ra = __ .
"TNS"- "TT" SYSTEM
COMBINATION OF "TNS" & "TT" EARTHING BY: WILSON FERNANDEZ (REE)
What is the earth fault impedance? What is the loop and why do we test it?
Earth fault loop impedance is the path followed by fault current when a low impedance fault occurs between the phase conductor If a fault occurs in an electrical system, we must prove that the over-current device will operate within the prescribed time by ensuring that the circuit
and earth, i.e. “earth fault loop”. Fault current is driven round the loop by the supply voltage. The higher the impedance, the lower
impedance is low enough to allow sufficient current to flow. The required values of impedance and time will change dependent upon the type of
the fault current will be and the longer it will take for the circuit protection to operate. So in short it is the impedance of the earth fault
current loop starting and ending at the point of earth fault. This impedance is abbreviated to Zs. The earth fault loop impedance can installation (TN/TT etc.) and the type of protection, whether it be a miniature circuit breaker (MCB), cartridge fuse or re-wireable fuse for example.
be used with the supply voltage to calculate the earth-fault current, and hence, to properly determine earth cable size. The fault current can either be in the Line-Neutral or Line-Earth circuit, so there is a need to confirm the loop impedance of each.

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 COMPANY DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY CONSUMER INTERNAL SUPPLY

TRANSFORMER MAIN LV PANEL

BODY FRAME
BODY FRAME

ACB (4P) LINE 1 (R) LINE TO LINE: 400V ACB (4P) LINE 1 (R)

R Y LINE 2 (Y) LINE 2 (Y)

N LINE 3 (B) LINE 3 (B)

IFC
NUETRAL (N) LINE TO NUETRAL: 230V NUETRAL (N)
B
MET

PE
0 Volt
EARTHED

IFC
EARTH CONDUCTOR
EARTH CONDUCTOR

IFC

Ze: External Resistance = 0.8 . IFC

T:EARTH PIT T:EARTH PIT
Rn = __ . T:EARTH PIT
"T" "T" SYSTEM Ra = __ .
PE = Protective Conductor
PEN = Protective Conductor Nuetral
TT: TRANSFORMER NUETRAL EARTHED AND THE EQUIPMENT BODY FRAME IS EARTHED BY: WILSON FERNANDEZ (REE)

COMPANY DISTRIBUTION SUPPLY CONSUMER INTERNAL SUPPLY

TRANSFORMER MAIN LV PANEL

BODY FRAME
BODY FRAME

LINE 1 (R) LINE TO LINE: 400V LINE 1 (R)

R Y LINE 2 (Y) LINE 2 (Y)

N LINE 3 (B) LINE 3 (B)

NUETRAL (N) LINE TO NUETRAL: 230V NUETRAL (N)

B
MET
PE

0 Volt
ARMOUR STEEL

EARTH CONDUCTOR

T:EARTH PIT

"TNS" SYSTEM
TN: TRANSFORMER NUETRAL EARTHED, AND THE EQUIPMENT BODY FRAME IS CONNECTED TO NEUTRAL PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR. BY: WILSON FERNANDEZ (REE)

Earth Fault Loop Impedance values for MCBs (at 230 V)

*The above values are given for conductor temperatures of 70˚C. As measurements are normally taken at room temperature the
measured values must be approximately 20% less than tabulated above.
*The above values are used as an alternative to calculating the disconnection time for each specific situation, i.e. MCBs will operate in
the instantaneous mode if the Earth Fault Loop Impedance value is kept below the above levels.
*For impedance values higher than shown above, it is still possible to comply with the requirement of 0.4s disconnection for all
Circuits in an Electrical Installation.

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