Effects of Ground Faults on the Safety of Persons and Low-voltage Installations in 22.9 kV-Y Distribution Systems

This paper presents experimental results on the safety of persons and protection of low-voltage equipments of the sub-station due to a single-phase ground fault in 22.9 kV-Y distribution system. In order to evaluate the hazard voltages and the stress voltage of the low-voltage(LV) equipment due to faults between high-voltage systems and earth based on the newly prescribed KS C IEC 60364 standard series, the verification tests in a 22.9[kV] neutral multiple grounding system were carried out. From the experimental results, we introduce serious problems causing some discomfort when applying KS C IEC 60364 standard series to the existing domestic distribution system and the effective protective measures against temporary overvoltages due to a ground fault in the common grounding which is combined the 22.9 kV-Y grounding and the customer`s installation grounding are proposed. As a consequence, it was found that the equipotential bonding is an important prerequisite for the effectiveness of the protective measures for the safety of persons and LV equipment in the combined 22.9 kV-Y and low-voltage grounding system.