An Overview of Wye and Delta Solidly-Grounded Systems

An Overview of Wye and Delta Solidly-Grounded Systems (photo credit: forums.mikeholt.com)

Solidly-grounded Wye System

The solidly-grounded system is the most common system arrangement, and one of the most versatile. The most commonly-used configuration is the solidly-grounded wye, because it will support single-phase phase-to neutral loads.

The solidly-grounded wye system arrangement can be shown by considering the neutral terminal from the wye system arrangement to be grounded. This is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 – Solidly-Grounded Wye System arrangement and voltage relationships

Several points regarding Figure 1 can be noted.

First, the system voltage with respect to ground is fixed by the phase-to-neutral winding voltage. Because parts of the power system, such as equipment frames, are grounded, and the rest of the environment essentially is at ground potential also, this has big implications for the system.

This system arrangement is very common, both at the utilization level as 480 Y/277 V and 208 Y/120 V, and also on most utility distribution systems.

While the solidly-grounded wye system is by far the most common solidly-grounded system, the wye arrangement is not the only arrangement that can be configured as a solidly grounded system.

Solidly-grounded Delta System

The delta system can also be grounded, as shown in Figure 2 below. Compared with the solidly-grounded wye system of Figure 1 this system grounding arrangement has a number of disadvantages. The phase-to-ground voltages are not equal, and therefore the system is not suitable for single-phase loads. And, without proper identification of the phases there is the risk of shock since one conductor, the B-phase, is grounded and could be mis-identified.

This arrangement is no longer in common use, although a few facilities where this arrangement is used still exist.

Figure 2 – Corner-Grounded Delta System arrangement and voltage relationships

The delta arrangement can be configured in another manner, however, that does have merits as a solidlygrounded system. This arrangement is shown in Figure 3. While the arrangement of Figure 3 may not appear at first glance to have merit, it can be seen that this system is suitable both for three-phase and single-phase loads, so long as the single-phase and three-phase load cables are kept separate from each other.

Note that the phase A voltage to ground is 173% of the phase B and C voltages to ground. This arrangement requires the BC winding to have a center tap.

Figure 3 – Center-Tap-Grounded Delta System arrangement and voltage relationships

Ground Fault

A common characteristic of all three solidly-grounded system shown here, and of solidly-grounded systems in general, is that a short-circuit to ground will cause a large amount of short-circuit current to flow.

The voltage and current on the other two phases are not affected. The fact that a solidly-grounded system will support a large ground fault current is an important characteristic of this type of system grounding and does affect the system design. Statistically, 90-95% of all system short-circuits are ground faults so this is an important topic.

Figure 4 – Solidly-Grounded System with a ground fault on phase A

A solidly-grounded system is very effective at reducing the possibility of line-to-ground voltage transients.

However, to do this the system must be effectively grounded. One measure of the effectiveness of the system grounding is the ratio of the available ground-fault current to the available three-phase fault current. For effectively-grounded systems this ratio is usually at least 60%.

Most utility systems which supply service for commercial and industrial systems are solidly grounded. Typical utility practice is to ground the neutral at many points, usually at every line pole, creating a multi-grounded neutral system. Because a separate grounding conductor is not run with the utility line, the resistance of the earth limits the circulating ground currents that can be caused by this type of grounding.

Because separate grounding conductors are used inside a commercial or industrial facility, multi-grounded neutrals not preferred for power systems in these facilities due to the possibility of circulating ground currents.

In general, the solidly-grounded system is the most popular, is required where single-phase phase-to-neutral loads must be supplied, and has the most stable phase-to-ground voltage characteristics.

However, the large ground fault currents this type of system can support, and the equipment that this necessitates, are a disadvantage and can be hindrance to system reliability.

Reference: System Grounding – Bill Brown, P.E., Square D Engineering Services