High Resistance Grounded Systems (HRG) (2024)

When a ground fault occurs, ground-fault current continues to flow, similar to a solidly grounded system but typically restricted to 10 A or less by the neutral-grounding resistor (NGR). This has several advantages—there is sufficient current to detect and locate ground faults; escalating point-of-fault damage is prevented; arcing ground faults cannot occur; touch potential (the voltage between equipment frame and earth) is limited to a safer level; continued operation until the system can be shut down in a controlled manner is allowed; and transient overvoltages cannot occur.

As with ungrounded systems, during a ground fault the line-to-ground voltage of the unfaulted phases increases (from line-to-neutral to line-to-line voltage), which increases the probability of a second ground fault because of increased stress on insulation. The faulted equipment should be repaired or replaced as soon as practicable.

While resistance grounding reduces the probability of a line-to-ground arc flash, making systems safer, line-to-line current and line-to-line arc-flash energy are not affected.

Resistance-grounded systems rely on the integrity of the NGR, which should be continuously monitored. NGR failure in open mode changes the system to an ungrounded condition, defeats current-sensing ground-fault detection and allows the possibility of a transient overvoltage; in short mode the system is solidly grounded with consequentially high prospective ground-fault current and increased arc-flash hazard. NGRs should be continuously monitored to detect these conditions and also detect ground faults (including during an NGR-open failure mode). Bender NGRM500 and NGRM700 Neutral-Grounding-Resistor Monitors provide all three required protective functions defined by the 2021 CE Code Section 10—a ground fault in the current-carrying conductors, a shorted NGR, and an open NGR.

These advantages are noted in IEEE Std 3003.1: Recommended Practice for System Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems, and its predecessor publication 142-2007, the Green book.

Solidly grounded systems are common, but they are susceptible to arc-flash hazards and uncontrolled shutdown due to ground faults. Low-resistance grounding is sometimes used for medium-voltage systems. Ungrounded systems are used in some industries and countries, and have some advantages including the ability to operate with a ground fault. Bender has monitoring solutions for each of these power system types.

Many industries require high availability and put high importance on protection for equipment and personnel safety. It is very common for these industries to use high resistance grounded power systems. A few examples are:

• Mining and mineral processing
• Petroleum refineries
• Sawmills, OSB plants and other forest products facilities
• Petrochemical facilities
• Pulp and paper mills
• Factories
• Pipelines
• Food processors
• Natural gas processors