8/21/2017 Earth loop impedance and prospective short circuit (PSC) testing methods - EE Publishers

(http://www.energystorage.co.za/)

http://www.ee.co.za/article/earth-loop-impedance-and-prospective-short-circuit-psc-testing-methods.html 1/4
8/21/2017 Earth loop impedance and prospective short circuit (PSC) testing methods - EE Publishers

(http://safehousesa.co.za/latest-info/)

EE Publishers (http://www.ee.co.za)

Earth loop impedance and prospective short circuit (PSC) testing methods

http://www.ee.co.za/article/earth-loop-impedance-and-prospective-short-circuit-psc-testing-methods.html 2/4
8/21/2017 Earth loop impedance and prospective short circuit (PSC) testing methods - EE Publishers

(http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Energy-storage-market-research-and-report-available-for-sub-Sahara-Africa.html?
soid=1101623328228&aid=s0nvIAAJhOM)

Why earth fault loop impedance test is necessary

Earth fault loop impedance is the path followed by fault current when a low impedance fault occurs between the phase conductor and earth, i.e. “earth fault loop”. Fault current is driven round the loop by the supply voltage. The higher the impedance, the
lower the fault current will be and the longer it will take for the circuit protection to operate.

To make sure the protection operates fast enough, the loop impedance must be low. Every circuit must be tested to make sure that the actual loop impedance does not exceed that specified for the protective device concerned. It is recommended that the
Ze test be done first. This test, done at the distribution board, gives the loop impedance of the circuit, excluding the installation. The Zs test, which includes the circuit tested in the Ze test as well as including the installation resistance, must be done next.

In most homes, basic shock protection is done by coordinating an earthing circuit with automatic switches in the indoor wiring circuits. This quickly cuts off supply to an earthing circuit where a fault occurs and touch voltage exceeds an acceptable limit.
Proper protection against electric shock hazards is given when the TT wiring system complies with: Ra x Ia <50, where Ra is the sum of the resistances of earth bars and protective conductors and Ia is the maximum current of the protection system. Ra
multiplied by Ia should not be more than 50 V, i.e. the maximum voltage one can touch will not exceed 50 V in the event of an earth fault.

(http://www.ee.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IndiN-Earthloop-impedance.jpg)

Earth fault loop impedance testing

The value of the earth fault loop impedance is the sum of transformer coil winding resistance, phase conductor (L1) resistance and the protective conductor (PE) resistance as well as the source earth resistance and installation resistance.

The Ze earth fault loop impedance measurement is made on the supply side of the distribution board and the main means of earthing, with the main switch open and all circuits isolated. The means of earthing will be isolated from the installation’s earthing
system (earth rods) bonding during the test. The Ze measurement will confirm the earth fault loop impedance as the sum of the resistances of the transformer coil winding, phase conductor or supply side and protective conductor resistance, but not the
installation earth resistance.

The Zs earth fault loop impedance should be tested at the furthest point of each circuit. In most cases the circuit breaker needs to be bridged out. The total earth fault loop impedance can be measured by plugging a loop tester into a socket outlet, or in
some cases with an external earth probe. The value of the earth fault loop impedance is the sum of the resistances of the transformer coil winding , phase conductor (L1) and protective conductor (PE) as well as source earth and installation earth
resistance.

When using an external earth probe, the earth fault loop impedance can be measured by touching an external probe directly to an earth bar, collector and connection point of an earth bar. The same measurement can be done by touching the earth probe to
exposed, conductive parts of equipment in the circuits and exposed metal parts.

Anyone on site must avoid shock hazard while establishing contact and while doing the test. When buying a loop tester ask for distribution board test leads so that Ze and Zs measurements can be done.

Prospective short circuit current (PSC) testing

The prospective short circuit or fault current at any point in an electrical installation is the current that would flow in the circuit if no circuit protection operated and a complete (very low impedance) short circuit occurred. The value of this fault current is
determined by the supply voltage and the impedance of the path taken by the fault current. Measurement of PSC can be used to check that protective devices within the system will operate within safety limits and as per the safe design of the installation.
PSC is normally measured between the phase and neutral at the DB or at a socket outlet.

http://www.ee.co.za/article/earth-loop-impedance-and-prospective-short-circuit-psc-testing-methods.html 3/4
8/21/2017 Earth loop impedance and prospective short circuit (PSC) testing methods - EE Publishers

Contact Wayne Ternant, Major Tech, Tel 011 822-1551, wayne@major-tech.com (wayne@major-tech.com)

950
10

(http://www.ausouthafrica.co.za)

http://www.ee.co.za/article/earth-loop-impedance-and-prospective-short-circuit-psc-testing-methods.html 4/4