Grounding System of an Uninterruptible

Power System (UPS)

Xiyu Liu
China Information Technology Designing & Consulting Institute
Design Institute of P&T of MII
Zhengzhou, Henan, China
liuxy@dimpt.com

Abstract - Nowadays an uninterruptible power system (UPS) has been widely used in China to protect various
sensitive electrical equipments such as computers, workstations, telecommunications systems, internet data
centers, process control systems, etc. The UPS protects them from problems associated with utility power of poor
quality, or a complete loss of power. Furthermore, a UPS can also perform other functions such as improving the
quality of the power to the critical load.

A suitable grounding system should be installed roperly for UPS system so that the UPS can function correctly. A
grounding system allows circuit protection to clear a ground fault, and provides paths for diverting surge current
away from the UPS and for removing undesirable current from the critical load.

But in practical applications there used to be some problems which are caused by improper grounding of UPS.
This is not a simple subject because grounding techniques depend on several factors such as the configuration of
UPS and the type of load connected to the UPS. In addition, another factor to get the grounding system right is
knowing whether to design for a separately derived system (SDS).

Unfortunately there have been few papers that treat all aspect of UPS grounding system.In this paper the design
principle of grounding system for UPS is introduced. The practical grounding systems of UPS used for telecom,
DATACOM and computer, etc. Are proposed.

I. INTRODUCTION
An Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is an electronic power system which is used for critical load widely
at present time . The primary function of UPS , just as its name implies,is to provide specified continuity of
power to a user's equipment in the event of a partial or total failure of the normal source of power, which is
usually the local electric utility. This is usually accomplished by converting the internal stored energy of
battery to supply power to the user's equipment for a specified period of time when the utility is no longer
available or acceptable. However a UPS can also perform other functions such as improving the quality of
power supplied to the load .That is to say,a UPS can suppress various interferences from the utility power.
Besides,the critical load can be transfer to the ultility power (bypass power) by static transfer switch when
UPS fails to function itself.

In normal condition a UPS takes power from utility power source and supplies high quality of power to the
critical load by means of carrying out some power conversions and regulations. So the UPS acts as a load for
utility power source and acts as a power source for the critical load.

In order to achieve the continuity and quality requirements of power for different load, various types of UPS
need to be used. At present time there are three types of single UPS system architecture (passive standby, line
interactive and double conversion UPS) and mainly three types of redundant UPS system architecture
(parallel redundant, isolated redundant and distributed redundant UPS).

A suitable grounding system should be installed properly for every UPS system to ensure the correct function
of UPS. A grounding system allows circuit protection to clear a ground fault, and provides paths for diverting
surge current away from the UPS and for removing undesirable current from the critical load.

But in practical applications there used to be some problems which are caused by improper grounding of
UPS. This is not a simple subject because grounding techniques depend on several factors such as the
configuration of UPS and the type of load connected to the UPS. In addition, one of steps to getting the
grounding system right is knowing whether to design for a separately derived system (SDS).

UPS acts as a load for utility power source and acts as a power source for the critical load. Therefore the
grounding system of UPS involves upstream and downstream grounding system. The upstream and
downstream grounding system of UPS can be identical or different. Both upstream and downstream
grounding system of UPS must comply with IEC or local standards. Unfortunately there have been few papers
that treat all aspect of UPS grounding system.

This paper describes various low voltage grounding systems available and analyses their performances. The
design principle of grounding system for UPS is then introduced. Finally the practical grounding systems of
UPS used for Telecom, Datacom and computer, etc. Are proposed.

II. BRIEF TECHNICAL REVIEW OF LOW VOLTAGE GROUNDING SYSTEM
A. Classification of Low Voltage Grounding System
Standard IEC60341-1 defines three type of grounding system for low voltage systems.Each grounding system
is indentified by two letters.The first letter denotes the connect relationship between the neutral of power
source and the earth. Letter of T denotes neutral connects to the earth; letter of I denotes neutral does not
connect to the earth or connects to the earth through impedance.The second letter denotes the connect
relationship between the fram of load equipments and the erath. Letter of T denotes fram of load
equipment connects to the earth; letter of N denotes fram of load equipments connects to the neutral which is
already connected to the earth at the power source.

The possible combinations of above two letters define the following three types of grounding system:
TT: neutral of power source connects to the earth and frame of load equipments connect to the esrth.
TN: neutral of power source connects to the earth and frame of load equipments connect to the neutral of
power source which is already connected to the earth at power source.
IT: neutral of power source does not connect to the earth and frame of load equipments connect to the earth.
TN system includes three subsystems of TN-S,TN-C and TN-C-S.

The subsystem is known as TN-S when protection fuction is provided by a separated conductor from the
neutral of power source which is called PE conductor . TN-C denotes the neutral and protection function are
conbined in a single conductor which is called PEN conductor.TN-C-S denotes using of a TN-S downstream
of a TN-C (vice versa is not permitted).
To sum up, there are five types of TN-C, TN-S,TN-C-S,TT and IT low voltage grounding systems altogether
(fig.1).
A low voltage power supply system generally adopts one of the above low voltage grounding systems.But
there also can be multiple low voltage systems in a low voltage powe supply system (see fig.2).It should point
out that the IT system must isolated by other transformer whose neutral conductor of secondary wind does not
connect to the earth.

B. Performances of Various Low Voltage Grounding Systems
(1) TT System
In TT system, when an insulation fault occurs the fault current is far lower than the settings of the over current
protection devices. So the over current protection devices can not act as the isolation fault protection.
Therefore RCD (residual current device) must be fitted at all circuits.





(2) IT System
In IT system the neutral of the power source is not grounded, but in fact it is connected to the ground by stray
capacities of the network or by high impedance. The frames of load equipments are connected to the earth. If
an insulation fault occurs a small current is developed due to the networks stray capacities. So the risk
voltage does not present in the frames of load equipments. But if a second fault occurs and the first fault has
not been eliminated, a short circuit fault will occurs and the overcurrent protection devices must provide the
necessary protection.

(3) TN-C System
In TN-C system, an insulation fault will turn into a short circuit between phase line and neutral line, and the
faulty part will be disconnected by over current protect devices.

The PEN line has the functions of PE line and N line. Therefore one conductor line can be saved. But if there
are nonsymmetrical three phase loads or nonlinear load, triple frequency harmonic current and multiple of
triple frequency current will flow in the PEN line. The load equipment whose frames connect to PEN line will
be disturbed.

TN-C system has also some other disadvantages:
a) for the single phase load equipments, the risk voltage of 220V will presents on the frames of load
equipment if the PEN line disconnects.
b) RCD devices and 4 pole circuit breaker can not be used.
TN-C has now gone out of use in telecommunication and computer system in China.

(4) TN-S System
In TN-S system if there are nonsymmetrical three phase loads or nonlinear load, triple frequency harmonic
current and multiple of triple frequency current will flow in the N line. But no current flow in the PE line and
no voltage present on PE line. So there is no disturbance voltage for the load equipments that their frames
connect to the PE line. At present time all the telecom system and datacom system adopt TN-S system. TN-S
is an ideal low voltage grounding system for telecom and datacom system.

When an isolation fault occurs a large fault current will be produced. So the fault circuit will be disconnected
by tripping the overcurrent protection device.

(5) TN-C-S System
This system uses a TN-S downstream from a TN-C. The front part of the distribution system posses the
characters of TN-C and the back part posses the characters of TN-S.

III. CONCEPTION AND APPLICATION of SEPARATELY DERIVED SYSTEM (SDS)
A The Definition of Separately Derived System (SDS)
Separately derived system (SDS) is one of the most cost-effective measures to improve power quality. This
type of power system can eliminate the common mode noise problem by properly grounding and bonding
(equipotential connections) and is applicable to the sensitive load. Separately derived system is defined as A
premises wiring system whose power is derived from a battery, a solar photovoltaic system, or from a
generator, transformer, or converter windings, and which has no direct electrical connection, including a
solidly connected grounded circuit conductor, to supply conductors originating in another system.

All transformers, except autotransformers, are separately derived because the primary circuit conductors do
not have any direct electrical connection to the secondary circuit conductors. Generators that supply a transfer
switch that open the grounded neutral conductor would be considered separately derived system.

B. Grounding and Bonding of Separately Derived system
Separately derived system must be grounded and bonded in accordance with following:
(1) The secondary neutral must be grounded.
(2) The metal parts of the separately derive System must bond to the secondary grounded neutral terminal by
the installation of system bonding jumper in order to ensure that dangerous voltage from a secondary ground
fault can be quickly remove by opening the secondary circuits overcurrent protection devices.
(3) The system bonding jumper can be installed at the separately derived system or the first system
disconnecting means, and also can be installed at any point in between the separately derived system and the
first system disconnecting means- but not at both locations.
(4) The system bonding jumper must be installed at the same location where the grounding electrode
conductor terminates to the grounded neutral terminal of the separately derived system, which can be at the
separately derived system, the first system disconnecting means, or any point in between the separately
derived system and the first system disconnecting means- but not at more than one location.

As shown in fig.3, Grounding and bonding of separately derived system includes five main ground connection
points: Incoming ground, Chassis gruond connection, Ground electrode connection, Output neutral,
Equipment / Output ground.



whose power has no direct electrical connection to the supply conductor originating in another system.

IV. THE OUTLINE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR UPS GROUNDING SYSTEM
A. Design Basis of UPS Grounding System
As mentioned above, UPS acts as a load for utility power source and acts as an AC power source for the
critical load. That is to say, UPS involves two low voltage power supply systems, namely, the upstream power
supply system which lies between utility power source and UPSas well as the downstream power supply
systems which lies between UPS and critical load. Therefore the both upstream and downstream grounding
system should be considered.

For General application UPS, the insulation fault protection and personal safety should be taken into account
mainly. Upstream and downstream grounding system can be one of the standard grounding systems (TT, TN,
IT) defined by IEC60346. Moreover the upstream and downstream grounding system may be identical or
different grounding system.

General speaking, when the upstream and downstream grounding system is different some transformers are
required for bypass channel or/and UPS upstream channel, UPS downstream channel to isolate UPS
downstream output circuits from UPS upstream circuits. But if the upstream grounding system is TN-C and
downstream grounding system is TN-S, TT or TN-C, the transformers are not required. Fig.4 shows those
UPS grounding systems. The other UPS grounding systems in which the upstream and downstream grounding
system is different will not be discussed in this paper.



B. Design Principle of Grounding System of UPS For telecom, DATACOM and Computer System

When the grounding system for the UPS used for telecom, DATACOM and computer is designed the
following principles should be considered carefully besides fault protection and personal safety.

(1) Both upstream and downstream grounding system of UPS should be TN-S Because TN-S is the ideal low
voltage grounding system for telecommunication, data communication and computer system, these sites
usually adopt TN-S system. Therefore the upstream grounding system must be TN-S. Owing to the
downstream of UPS are critical load the downstream grounding system of UPS has to be TN-S.

(2) UPS output terminal should adopt separately derived system (SDS).

As everyone knows, separately derived system (SDS) can improve power quality and eliminate common
noise disturbance problem, and is applicable for powering the sensitive load. Thus downstream of UPS should
adopt SDS.

V. GROUNDING SYSREM DESIGN EXAMPLES OF THE UPS USED FOR TELECOM, DADACOM
AND COMPUTER SYSTEM, etc
A. Grounding System of Single UPS
The upstream and downstream grounding systems of what follows all are TN-S. But their downstream
grounding systems include two types of isolated and non-isolated grounding system from utility power
source, namely, separately derived system and non-separately derived system respectively.

(1) Non-Isolated Grounding System
In the grounding system circuit shown in Fig.5, UPS upstream and downstream grounding systems all are
TN-S. The main input and bypass input of UPS are connected to the wye connected utility transformer whose
neutral is grounded. UPS output neutral and the load neutral are solidly connected to the utility power neutral
which is bonded to the grounding conductor at the service entrance equipment.

This grounding system is not a preferred grounding system because UPS output neutral and critical load
neutral are not isolated from utility neutral. In other word, it can not provide immunity from common mode
noise and grounding problem. However at present time this grounding system is used widely because of its
circuit simplification.

When there are unsymmetrical three phase loads or non-linear loads the current will flow in the neutral
conductor and produce voltage drop which will result in neutral-to-grounding voltage. There are some factors
that influence the neutral-to-ground voltage: neutral current, distance between load and UPS, impedance of
neutral conductor and downstream devices on the same branch circuit and shared neutrals. In many cases, a
neutral-to-ground voltage over 1 Vac requires further investigation and study. Unfortunately sometimes this
problem can hardly be solved with non isolated grounding system and the isolated grounding systems have to
be considered.



(2) Output Distribution Isolated Grounding System I In the grounding system shown in fig.6 the upstream and
downstream system are all TN-S. UPS AC output distribution panel is separately derived system. The main
input and bypass input of UPS are connected to the wye connected utility transformer whose neutral is
grounded. UPS output neutral and the load neutral are solidly connected to the utility power neutral which is
bonded to the grounding conductor at the service entrance equipment.

Therefore UPS is not separately derived system. But UPS output distribution panel can be considered as
separately derived system because the secondary winding conductors involving neutral conductor of
transformer in the output distribution panel are not connected to the primary windings. The neutral line of
transformer in output distribution panel should be connected to the local electrode.



This is a preferred grounding system. The advantages of this grounding system are as follows:
The transformer in the output distribution panel can provide any isolation or common-mode noise attenuation
for sensitive loads. Locate the output distribution panel as close to the sensitive load as possible. This will
minimizes common-mode noise and neutral-to-ground voltage.

(3) Output Distribution Isolated Grounding System II
Fig.7 is another output distribution isolated grounding system. This grounding system is similar to that shown
in fig.6, except that the utility neutral is not brought into the UPS module. UPS output transformer is
considered a separately derived system. The UPS module neutral is bonded to UPS ground, which is
connected the local ground electrode.

This grounding system must not be used when single phase load need to be directly connected to the UPS,
because it can not provide neutral line when bypass power supplies the load. The load that can be directly
connected to the UPS must be three phase and does not require a neutral from UPS. However single phase
and three phase load can be connected the output distribution panel.

Whenever the UPS module transfers to or from bypass power, two AC power (inverter and bypass power) are
briefly connected together and circulating current must flow. Because the neutral of bypass power is not
connected to the neutral of UPS, the circulating current will flow through the ground path, possibly tripping
ground fault interrupter. Therefore proper adjustment of ground fault interrupter is necessary to avoid
unwanted tripping.



(4) Bypass Power Isolated Grounding System
Fig.8 is Bypass Power Isolated Grounding System. Upstream and downstream grounding system all are TN-S.

As shown in fig.8, the main input and bypass input of UPS are connected to the wye connected utility
transformer whose neutral is grounded. Bypass power is connected to UPS module through another branch
circuit breaker and bypass isolated transformer. Bypass isolated transformer is wye connected and neutral
grounded. The neutral of bypass isolated transformer is connected to the neutral of UPS.

This is also a preferred grounding system. The features of this grounding system are as follows:
a) The UPS receives its bypass neutral from the bypass transformer, by which the UPS does not share neutral
line with other load equipments.
b) The UPS neutral is isolated from the utility neutral by bypass isolated transformer.
c) Some amount of common-mode noise attenuation can be obtained for sensitive loads if the UPS module
and bypass transformer are located close to sensitive loads.



(5) Output Transformer Isolated Grounding System
Fig.9 shows the grounding system in which UPS neutral is isolated from the utility power neutral by UPS
output transformer. UPS output transformer has two input windings and one output winding. The two input
windings are connected to UPS inverter and bypass power through output switch and bypass switch
respectively. The output winding is connected to distribution circuit.

The main input and bypass input power of UPS come from the wye connected utility transformer whose
neutral is grounded. The output windings of UPS output transformer is ywe connected and the neutral is
connected to the UPS ground and local electrode. Accordingly the isolated neutral can be derived in all
instances.

In this manner, the upstream grounding system is TN-S; the downstream grounding system is also TN-S. UPS
output transformer is separately derived system. In other word, the isolated neutral can be derived just by UPS
output transformer itselfwhich will ensure the neutral-to-ground voltage is small. So we need not to equip
the output distribution panel with isolated transformer.

(6) Grounding for UPS Battery System
The most UPS battery systems connected as floating (ungrounded) systems. Whether the battery system is
open-rack or cabinet, the metal rack part or cabinet must be grounded to the UPS module ground bus.



B. Grounding Systems of Parallel redundant UPS
Here we just give an example of grounding system for 1+1 parallel redundant UPS system. Fig. 10
is an extension of the non-isolated grounding system circuit, where each UPS output neutral is
solidly connected to the utility neutral. Both UPS neutrals are then solidly connected to the
paralleling cabinet neutral. This grounding system is especially applicable when an exiting single
UPS is upgraded to the 1+1 parallel redundant system. For three phase load, it is not necessary to
connect a neutral conductor to the paralleling cabinet. For single phase load, each UPS neutral will
need to be solidly connected to the paralleling cabinet.

For the single phase load application, there is other option that it is to run a single neutral conductor
from utility power to the paralleling cabinet. Both UPS will then have their output neutrals solidly
connected to the paralleling cabinet. There must not be a neutral to ground bond inside the
paralleling cabinet or inside either UPS. This 1+1 parallel redundant UPS is non-separately derived
system. So the output distribution panels with transformer are needed if the separately derived
system of downstream circuit is required.

C. Grounding Systems of Distributed redundant UPS (dual bus UPS power supply system)
The distributed redundant UPS system consist of two (or more) independent UPS systems, each
capable of carrying the entire critical load. Each UPS system provides power to its own independent
distribution circuit, which constitute dual bus UPS power supply system. There no power
connections between the two independent distribution circuits.

The grounding systems of that two UPS system are designed according to the requirements of
single
UPS mentioned above and can be isolated or non-isolated grounding system.



For the dual cord load the grounding systems of two power sources from the dual bus are independent. For the
single cord load the power sources are fed to the critical load through static transfer switch (STS). The STS is
fed by two transformers in the power distribution units (PDU). The neutrals of the two transformers are
connected together at one point and a neutral-to-ground bond is made. Each PDU transformer will have a
neutral-to-ground bond, and the PDU ground will be solidly connected to the electrode. So each PDU can
provide a clean neutral and ground reference point for its load.

D. Features and Requirements of UPS Overcurrent Protection
As mentioned early, for utility power adopting TN-S system, if an isolation fault occurs a large fault
current will be produced. So the fault circuit will be disconnected by tripping the overcurrent
protection device. However the UPS adopting TN-S system can not output large fault current
because of its output current limit characteristic. The fault current that UPS can provide is generally
limited to the values of 2-3 times its normal current. Consequently the large branch circuit breaker
of the UPS output distribution circuit can not be trip by UPS fault current. In that case, the bypass
STS will transfer the load to bypass power to trip the circuit breaker of fault circuit. In order for the
branch circuit breaker to work with UPS normally, Maximum branch circuit breaker must be
recommended. In generally, UPS output distribution branch circuit breaker should be limited to the
value of 25% UPS rated output current. Assume that the short circuit current of UPS is equal
to 2.5 times its rated output current. So that the fault current flowing through the branch circuit
breaker will equal to 10 times its rated current.

VI. CONCLUSION
The low voltage grounding systems defined by IEC and the conception of separately derived system
(SDS) are design basis of UPS grounding system. For the UPS used for telecom, DATACOM and
computer system, the upstream and downstream grounding system should be TN-S system.
Moreover the downstream grounding system should be separately derived system in order to ensure
that the UPS output distribution circuit provides a clean neutral and ground reference point for its
connected load equipments.