Central Networks

Application Guide

Primary Transformer
Neutral Earthing

Version: 2.0 Date of Issue: June 2007

Author: Nigel Johnson Job Title: Earthing Specialist
Approver: Pat Booth Job Title: Asset Manager
 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

Revision Log
Version 2.0 Prepared by Nigel Johnson Date June 2007
Specification added for 33 and 66kV NERs (Sect. 2)
Guidance added when using existing liquid NERs (Sect 3.3)
Guidance on 11kV Earthing transformer specification added(Sect. 3.4)
Switch designations added (Sect. 4.3)
Guidance on NER switch telecontrol indications added (Sect. 4.4)
Guidance for use with Double Secondary Transformers (Sect 5.2)
Additional information regarding future maintenance (Sect. 5.3)
Specification for cubicle and NER construction (Sect 6)
Improved drawings for NER and switching cubicles added (App. 1&2)
Appendix 3 shows switching cubicle schematic diagram template
Version 1.0 Prepared by Nigel Johnson Date August 2006
New Application Guide produced to rationalise East and West NER policies

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 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION 4
2 33KV & 66KV NETWORKS 4
2.1 NEW 33 & 66KV SYSTEMS 4
2.2 EXISTING 33 & 66KV SYSTEMS 4
3 11KV & 6.6KV NETWORKS 5
3.1 NER DESIGN PHILOSOPHY FOR NEW EQUIPMENT ON 11KV & 6.6KV
SYSTEMS 5
3.1.1 SINGLE TRANSFORMER SITES 5
3.1.2 TWO TRANSFORMER SITES 5
3.1.3 THREE (OR MORE) TRANSFORMER SITES 5
3.2 NER DESIGN PHILOSOPHY FOR CONNECTING TO EXISTING 11KV &
6.6KV NETWORKS 6
3.3 11KV & 6.6KV NER SPECIFICATION 8
3.4 11KV EARTHING TRANSFORMER SPECIFICATION 8
4 SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT FOR 11 & 6.6KV NERS 9
4.1 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT 9
4.2 INTERLOCKING 9
4.3 SWITCH RATINGS & DESIGNATION 10
4.4 TELECONTROL INDICATIONS 11
5 TYPICAL RUNNING CONDITIONS USING SWITCHING CUBICLES 11
5.1 NORMAL RUNNING - EXAMPLE AT TWO TRANSFORMER SITES 11
5.2 EXAMPLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DOUBLE SECONDARY
TRANSFORMERS 12
5.3 EXAMPLE OF RUNNING ARRANGEMENT DURING TRANSFORMER
MAINTENANCE 13
6 EXTERNAL CONSTRUCTION OF SWITCHING CUBICLES & NERS 13
APPENDIX 1 – TYPICAL NER SWITCHING CUBICLE 15
APPENDIX 2 – TYPICAL AIR-COOLED NER DESIGN 16
APPENDIX 3 – TEMPLATE FOR SWITCHING CUBICLE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
LABEL 17

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 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

1 INTRODUCTION

Primary neutral Earthing impedance values are specified for the following reasons:-

a) To allow sufficient earth fault current to enable protection devices to operate at all
locations on the network. In particular, HV fuses and faults at remote locations on
overhead networks will dictate the minimum earth fault current requirements on 11kV
or 6.6kV systems.
b) To prevent damage to equipment during a sustained earth fault
c) To reduce the Rise of Earth Potential (RoEP) throughout the distribution network –
by ensuring the maximum earth fault current is as low as is reasonably practical.
d) To allow standard equipment and design to be used through out the Company.

2 33KV & 66KV NETWORKS

2.1 NEW 33 & 66KV SYSTEMS

Power Transformer 33kV High Impedance 66kV High Impedance

Continuous Rating (MVA) Earthing Transformer - Earthing Transformer –
Earth Fault Rating (Amps) Earth Fault Rating (Amps)
15 260 -
20 350 175
30 525 260
40 700 350
45 800 400
60 1000 525
75 1000 650
90 1000 800
120 and above 1000 1000

Transformers with a 33 or 66kV secondary winding shall have a dedicated high impedance
earthing transformer (no NER is required). Each earthing transformer shall be designed to limit
the prospective earth fault current to the continuous full load current of the main power
transformer up to a maximum size of 1000Amps (see table below as a guide). The auxiliary
winding of the earthing transformer is only used for powering the fans and pumps of the
associated power transformer (as well as being available for the substation standby supply).

2.2 EXISTING 33 & 66KV SYSTEMS

Existing sites often use a low impedance earthing transformer and NER to limit the value of
earth fault current. If an existing power transformer is changed for a higher rating then it is not
necessary to replace the neutral earthing arrangement if the sole reason for doing so is to
increase the prospective earth fault value. Where an existing liquid NER is to be replaced, an air
cooled unit is the preferred option. Consideration should be given to replacing the existing
earthing transformer with a dedicated high impedance transformer to remove the need for an
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 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

NER. Where this is not practicable or economic, and no refurbished NERs are available, an air
cooled NER shall be used. The air cooled NER shall be sized to limit the prospective earth fault
current to the continuous full load rating of the associated power transformer, up to a maximum
of 1000Amps for a duration of 20 seconds. Air cooled resistors can become very hot to the
touch following operation so means must be put in place to physically restrict access to the
surface of the tank.

3 11KV & 6.6KV NETWORKS

3.1 NER DESIGN PHILOSOPHY FOR NEW EQUIPMENT ON 11KV & 6.6KV SYSTEMS

For new sites the preferred NER size is 1000 Amps but irrespective of running conditions the
maximum 11kV (or 6.6kV) earth fault current permitted shall not exceed 1500 Amps. There are
two further acceptable sizes for new NERs which are 750 and 1500 Amps. The process to
decide what size to use is detailed below. It is envisaged that a 1500 Amp NER may be
required where a new substation is introduced into an existing network if the network was
previously operated with a 1500 Amp NER. At no time is a transformer to be run with a solidly
earthed neutral. A further consideration for all sites is to ensure transformers with a rating of
less than 30MVA can only use a 1000 Amp NER (or 750 Amp if using option 1 below at two
transformer sites).

3.1.1 Single Transformer Sites

A single 1000 Amp (or if necessary a 1500 Amp) NER shall be connected directly to the
transformer neutral (no neutral switching is required).

3.1.2 Two Transformer Sites

Option 1. This is the simplest arrangement, which has a dedicated 750 Amp NER per
transformer, without any switching cubicle. If the transformers are run in parallel then the
maximum 1500 Amp earth fault limit is maintained. If the transformers are run separately then
the current is limited to 750 Amps. However protection issues may mean than 750Amps is
insufficient to achieve correct grading down all outgoing circuits (if this is the case see option 2
below).

Option 2. If option 1 is unacceptable then each transformer shall have its own NER sized at
1000 Amps (or 1500 Amps if necessary) and interconnected together by the switching
arrangement show in Section 4.1.

3.1.3 Three (or more) Transformer Sites

At sites with three or more transformers then individual 1000 Amp (or if necessary 1500 Amp)
NERs and switching cubicles are always required.

The flow chart on page 6 can be used to decide which arrangement to adopt.
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Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

3.2 NER DESIGN PHILOSOPHY FOR CONNECTING TO EXISTING 11KV & 6.6KV
NETWORKS

Whenever existing NER arrangements are being modified or new transformers/NERs are being
installed, the opportunity shall be taken to bring the complete arrangement in line with the policy
for new systems. It is recognised that when applying this policy to existing networks that there
may be protection issues with changing an existing NER to 1000 Amps (or possibly 750 Amps)
where previously this was 1500 Amps. If changing to a lower value NER, the primary designer
needs to ensure the existing 11kV (or 6.6kV) network fed out of the primary substation
concerned is analysed to confirm the protection operation is satisfactory with the proposed NER
value. At existing primary and distribution sites, where the RoEP due to an 11kV fault is an
issue, then adopting this policy may help as part of a strategy to lower the RoEP to an
acceptable value.

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 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

11kV NER Arrangement Flow Chart

6.6/11kV NER
Arrangement

No. of
1 Transformers 3 or more
with 6.6 or 11kV
secondaries

2
No
Is Is (or don’t know)
network suitable network suitable (option 2) No
for 1000 Amp for 750 Amp (or don’t
NER? NER? Is
Yes No know)
network suitable
(or don’t Yes for 1000 Amp
know) (option 1) Yes NER?

Install 750 Install 1500

Install 1500 Install 1000
Install 1000 Amp NER Amp NER
Amp NER Amp NER
Amp NER per AND switch
NO switch AND switch
NO switch transfomer per
required per
required NO switch transfomer
See Note A transfomer
required See note A

6.6/11kV NER Philosophy

The philosophy of the NER policy is influenced by a number of considerations :-
1) to ensure that for normal running the maximum 6.6/11kV earth fault current per site is limited to 1500 Amps.
2) to ensure there is sufficient earth fault current at remote ends of feeders to operate protection correctly
irrespective of the transformer running arrangements.
3) to ensure that the network is not run solidly earthed at any time.
4) to minimise the number of installations that require the switching cubicle whilst still ensuring items 1, 2 and 3 are
complied with.
Additional Notes
A) If any transformer has a nominal continuous rating less than 30MVA then all the 11kV NERs at the site must
have a rating no greater than 1000Amps.
B) The network suitability question involves an assessment in the practicability of modifying existing protection
settings to the the maximum earth fault current of the proposed NER bearing in mind the requirements of Note A
above. Whatever NER value is finally used, the network earth fault protection shall take into account the maximum
prospective current.
C) It is accepted that in some cases that the existing NER may require changing if additional transformers are
installed at the site in the future.
D) Transformers with double secondary windings will require special attention. For delta connected secondaries
Thompson Straps wll be required to minimise the number of earthing transformers, NERs and switching cubicles.
Version: 2.0 Date of Issue: June 2007 Page 7 of 17
 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

3.3 11KV & 6.6KV NER SPECIFICATION

The standard NER for new equipment is an air cooled 1000 Amps where network conditions
permit this size. The switchgear and all NERs shall have a BIL of 75kV and shall be rated at the
specified current rating for 20 seconds followed by 100 Amps continuous rating. At any point
during the continuous period the air cooled NER shall be capable of withstanding the specified
rated current for 20 seconds. This requirement does not assume the NER will experience a 100
Amp continuous current, but is there to provide some robustness in the case of multiple
reclosures on to an earth fault during fault switching. Air cooled resistors can become very hot
to the touch following operation so means must be put in place to physically restrict access to
the surface of the NER enclosure. This can include a perimeter railing around the NER to
prevent personnel approaching the NER or could be a wire mesh fitted adjacent to the NER’s
surface.

Modern designs permit the air-cooled NER to be mounted on top of the transformer tank with a
cable connection to the switching cubicle situated next to the transformer. If the selected design
did not call for a switching cubicle then the NER would be directly connected to the transformer
neutral.

Existing liquid NERs may be reused provided they have a designated 30 second rating (the
100Amp continuous rating does not apply). Existing liquid NERs can be re-calibrated to a
current less than its designated nameplate rating, but increasing the current rating to a value
greater than the nameplate rating is not permitted.

3.4 11KV EARTHING TRANSFORMER SPECIFICATION

Where Earthing transformers are needed at 11kV then they shall be of the low impedance type
with the current limited primarily by the NER. It is impractical to make the impedance very low
as the transformer would be uneconomic to build. A small impedance is required to limit the
earth fault current to acceptable values in the event an NER short circuited. The table below
gives the design values for earthing transformers associated with 1000 and 1500Amp NERs.

Associated Earthing Earthing Earthing Combined NER &

NER size Transformer Transformer Transformer Earthing
Zero sequence 3 second 30 second Transformer
impedance/phase rating rating resultant earth fault
current
1000 Amp 5.7 ohms/phase 3350 Amps 1000 Amps 958 Amps

1500 Amp 3.8 ohms/phase 5000 Amps 1500 Amps 1439 Amps

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 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

4 SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT FOR 11 & 6.6KV NERS

4.1 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT

If the switching arrangement is adopted then each transformer shall have a dedicated switching
cubicle to control the connection to the NER and adjacent transformers. Each cubicle has three
switches, switch A is used to control the NER and switch B is used to connect to adjacent
transformer neutrals. Switch C associated with T2 (for example) is used during maintenance to
earth T1 and its associated switching cubicle and is not to be used to directly earth T2 during
normal operation (interlocks on the cubicles are there to help prevent this from happening).

This arrangement can be extended to cater for sites with more than two transformers by having
a similar NER and switching cubicle arrangement for each additional transformer.

T1 switching cubicle T2 switching cubicle

T1 T2
Common B
B
Neutral Bar

A A
1 2 C C 2 1

T1 NER T2 NER
To additional
transformers

The cubicle (and NER if not mounted on top of the transformer) shall wherever possible be
situated immediately adjacent to the associated power transformer. The cubicles are connected
together by a single core 11kV 185mm2 cable (the screen of the single core cable should be
earthed at both ends as this will only carry current during an earth fault).

4.2 INTERLOCKING

Full interlocking between the cubicles would be complex and liable to cause confusion but
partial interlocking within individual cubicles is designed to help prevent two conditions from
occurring:-
a) Key 1 is required to be in position to operate either switch A or B, but will
be trapped in position if either switch is open. This helps prevent a
transformer neutral from becoming unearthed.
b) Key 2 is required to be in position to operate either switch B or C, but will
be trapped in position if either switch is closed. This helps prevent a
transformer neutral from becoming solidly earthed.

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Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

Because the interlocking is only partial, operational procedures will also be followed to prevent
the two conditions mentioned above from occurring due to operations carried out on adjacent
switching cubicles. The procedures shall also prohibit two or more NERs from being
continuously operated in parallel (they can be paralled temporarily during switching to change
from one NER arrangement to another). All switches shall be capable of being locked in either
position using the Company standard padlock.

Switch Interlocking Logic Chart

Key 1 -between A and B Key 2 -between B and C
A B Permitted? B C Permitted?

Closed Closed Yes Closed Closed No

Closed Open Yes Closed Open Yes
Open Closed Yes Open Closed Yes
Open Open No Open Open Yes

4.3 SWITCH RATINGS & DESIGNATION

Irrespective of the NER size selected for the transformer all switches shall be capable of making
at least 25kA prospective earth fault current for 1 second. In addition they shall be capable of
breaking at least the following currents:-

Switch A (NER Disconnector) Min of 1200 Amps

Switch B (Common Neutral Bar Disconnector) Min of 1200 Amps
Switch C (Common Neutral Bar Earth Switch) Min of 600 Amps

The operational designation of the switches are shown in bold.

The making and breaking duties of switches A and B are there to ensure they are capable of
closing or opening safely in the unlikely event of there being a coincidental earth fault on the
network. Switch C has a lower breaking rating as this is only used to earth a de-energised
transformer. The BIL rating of the switching cubicle will be the same as the NER, i.e. 75kV.
Note: switch C is only used to earth an adjacent de-energised transformer and/or cubicle and is never
used to directly earth a live transformer neutral.

Each cubicle shall be clearly labelled with the designation of the associated primary transformer
followed by the words “….Neutral Switching Cubicle”. Each switch shall be labelled with the
operational designation described above. A schematic diagram of the switching arrangement
shall be fitted to the front of each cubicle (see Appendix 3 for details). Each cable box shall be
labelled as appropriate with “NER”, “Transformer Neutral” and “Common Neutral Bar” (these
particular labels shall not be fitted to a removable panel).

The common neutral bar cable box shall be capable of accepting two single core 11kV 185
XLPE cables. The transformer cable box shall be capable of accepting two single core 185
XLPE cables. If required for a specific project the transformer cable box shall be supplied with
the facility to fit two neutral CTs to each cable.

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 Application Guide
Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

The switching cubicle can be either hot dipped galvanised or stainless steel construction except
in coastal areas the cubicle must be stainless steel.

4.4 TELECONTROL INDICATIONS

All switches shall have auxiliary contacts (with ‘a’ and ‘b’ contacts) which will be used to provide
two-up telecontrol indications. The telecontrol system will also provide a logic scheme to
indicate undesirable switch positions which alarm for the following conditions

• Live transformer with unearthed neutral

• Live transformer with solidly earthed neutral
• Live transformer using more than one NER

5 TYPICAL RUNNING CONDITIONS USING SWITCHING CUBICLES

5.1 NORMAL RUNNING - EXAMPLE AT TWO TRANSFORMER SITES

Irrespective of whether the transformers run in parallel or not, one of the NERs (for example T1)
will be selected for use by closing switch T1A (and leaving switch T2A open). Both B switches
will be closed and both C switches remain open.
T1 switching T2 switching
cubicle cubicle
T1 T2

B B

A A
C C

T1 NER T2 NER

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Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

5.2 EXAMPLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DOUBLE SECONDARY TRANSFORMERS

If the secondaries are star connected then the following arrangement is to be used.
T1 switching cubicle
T1a
B To Common Neutral
Earth Bar & adjacent
A C transformer switching
T2a
cubicle(s)
T1 NER

If the secondaries are delta connected then a Thompson Strap and one earthing transformer
are required as this minimises the use of NERs and cubicles.
T1 switching cubicle

B To Common Neutral
T1a
Earth Bar & adjacent
A C transformer switching
Low Impedance
Thompson Strap cubicle(s)
Earthing
Transformer T1 NER
T2a

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Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

5.3 EXAMPLE OF RUNNING ARRANGEMENT DURING TRANSFORMER

MAINTENANCE

Using the arrangement above as an example, the procedure required to maintain T1 is detailed
below. After isolating T1 in the usual way, switch T2A would be closed to temporarily parallel the
two NERs. Immediately T2B would be opened to create a point of isolation for T1. Once all
other isolation is completed, switch T2C would be closed to provide an earth between
the point of isolation established on T2B and the zone of work on T1, T1 switching cubicle and
T1 NER.

T1 switching T2 switching
Point of
cubicle cubicle
Isolation
T1 switched B
out for B
maintenance
A
A C C T2 live

T1 NER T2 NER
T2 switch C is used
only to earth T1
for maintenance

Reminder: - switch C is used to earth an adjacent de-energised transformer and its associated switching
cubicle and NER, and is not there to solidly earth a live transformer neutral.

At sites with three or more transformers, then during maintenance of one of the transformers
and its associated switching cubicle the other live transformers must be switched to their
individual NERs to enable full isolation and earthing to be achieved. In addition the remaining
transformers should be operated with the relevant bus section open to minimise prospective
earth fault currents.

During maintenance the NER resistance should be checked to ensure it is the correct value. In
addition a 5kV voltage withstand test is required on the common interconnecting cable to
ensure there are no cable sheath faults.

6 EXTERNAL CONSTRUCTION OF SWITCHING CUBICLES & NERS

NER and Neutral switching cubicles for outdoor installation shall be constructed to class IP54 of
BS 60529. They shall be normally constructed of Stainless Steel or galvanised Mild Steel.
Galvanised steel is the preferred material but in areas with corrosive atmospheres (e.g. coastal
or heavy industrial process areas) then stainless steel shall be used.

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Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

Finishes shall comply with EATS 98-1. Mild steel intended for outdoor use shall to be hot dipped
galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461, after cutting and drilling. Any distortion caused by the
galvanising process is to be corrected prior to delivery.

All fixings for outdoor use shall be stainless steel or galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and where
appropriate shall be of high tensile steel (grade 8.8) in accordance with BS 3692:2001.

Power cables may be terminated into conventional cable boxes or by the provision of cable
termination chambers. Cable terminations will be bottom entry unless modified by the Project
Specification. Where conventional cable boxes are provided they shall comply with EATS 12-
11.

All power cable terminations will be of the dry type, made off onto single core XLPE cable to BS
7870 Part 4. Terminations will be made using either bolted lugs or plug and socket
connections. Where bolted lugs are used, the Company will provide the terminations. Where
plugs and sockets are to be used, the Tenderer shall provide both plugs and sockets. The type
shall be agreed in advance by the Company in writing.

The design of the cable connection shall be such that the full current rating of the unit is
maintained when connections are made. Unless stated otherwise in the Project specification,
185 mm2 cable will be used.

Suitable non–ferrous split gland plates shall be provided which facilitate cable installation and
removal by the removal of the gland plate sections only.

The centre of each hole in the gland plate shall be in line with the centre of the corresponding
cable termination point.

BIL levels for all NERs and switching cubicles shall be:-

• 11kV equipment – 75kV

• 33kV equipment – 170kV
• 66kV equipment – 250kV

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Primary Transformer Neutral Earthing

APPENDIX 1 – TYPICAL NER SWITCHING CUBICLE

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APPENDIX 2 – TYPICAL AIR-COOLED NER DESIGN

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APPENDIX 3 – TEMPLATE FOR SWITCHING CUBICLE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM LABEL

COMMON
NER Interlock 1
NEUTRAL BAR
DISCONNECTOR
DISCONNECTOR
Interlock 2

COMMON
NEUTRAL BAR
EARTH SWITCH

Cable Boxes

To To To
NER Transformer Common
Neutral Neutral Bar

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