11 TCVN 18-2006
11 TCVN 18-2006
REGULATIONS
ON ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
11 TCN - 18 - 2006
HANOI - 2006
I.1.1. These regulations are applied to power works that are newly constructed and renovated, with the
voltage up to 500 kV, except those of special use.
I.1.2. Electrical installations are equipment that are connected and used for the power production,
transformation, transmission, distribution and consumption. In these regulations, electrical installations
are classified by two groups:
Outdoor open-type electrical installations: Electrical equipment that are not protected against direct
contact and not covered to prevent environmental impacts.
Outdoor close-type electrical installations: Electrical equipment that are covered against direct contact
and to prevent environmental impacts.
I.1.4. Indoor electrical installations: Electrical installations installed indoor or in a closed room.
Indoor open type electrical installations: Electrical installations that are not fully protected against direct
contact.
Indoor close type electrical installations: Electrical installations that are fully protected against direct
I.1.5. Power room means a room or a part of the house/building that is separated to install electrical
equipment and/or electrical cabinet and panel.
I.1.6. Dry room means a room with a relative humidity below 75%. Room that could not be specified by
conditions stated in Article I.1.9, 10, 11, is regarded as a normal room.
I.1.7. Humid room means the room where the relative humidity is over 75%.
I.1.8. Extreme humid room means the room where the relative humidity is approximately 100% (The
water stagnates in ceiling, walls, floor and furnishings.)
I.1.9. Hot room means the room where the temperature exceeds +35°C during more than 24 consecutive
hours.
I.1.10. Dusty room or place means the room or place which is very dusty.
Dusty room or place is classified by two types: Room or place where the dust is conductive and room or
place where the dust is not conductive.
I.1.11. Place with chemical activity environment means the place regularly or in long period of time
contains steam, gas, liquid substances which can produce mold, resulting in the damage of the insulating
part and/or of the conductive part of the electrical devices.
I.1.12. Based on the level of danger caused by the electricity to people, the rooms or places with
electrical equipment installed are classified by the followings:
1. Dangerous room or place means the room or place having one of the following factors:
2. Very dangerous room or place means room or place having one of the following factors:
3. Room or place which is not of the two types above is regarded as non-dangerous room or place.
I.1.13. Noise level: When newly construct or renovate power works, it is necessary to take measures to
reduce noise to be sure that the noise does not exceed the level permitted in the tables I.1.1 and I.1.2.
• Technical measures: To design industrially, to isolate noise source, to use technology process of low
noise level, devices having low sound power level.
I.1.14. Solar radiation: For indoor electric installations the influence of solar radiation can be ignored.
But in some special cases, the device placed in a position under the radiation intensity, the attention is to
be drawn for the temperature rise of the surface.
For the outdoor power installations, it is necessary to take special measures to ensure that their working
temperature does not exceed the allowed temperature.
In the power room having SF6 containers placed on the ground, the forced ventilation required if the
emissions affect the health and safety of people. The rooms, tubes, tunnels etc. below and connected
with the room having devices using SF6 gas, the ventilation is required.
Table I.1.1: Maximum allowed noise level in public and residential areas (Unit: dB):
Times
Areas From 6h to From 18h From 22h to 6
18h to 22h h
Special areas, such as: Hospitals, schools, libraries,
50 45 40
sanatorium, kindergartens, churches, temples
Residential areas, hotels, motels, administrative agencies 60 55 50
Residential areas intermixed with commercial and
75 70 50
services areas
For transformers or electric resistances using oil, the individual oil tank or individual oil tank combined
with common oil collection pit is required.
For indoor electrical equipment, the impermeable floor with ledge high enough to be used as oil
collecting pit can be used if the number of transformers is not greater than 3 and the oil volume of each
transformer is less than 1,000 liters.
For outdoor power equipment, the oil collecting pit may not be necessary if the volume of oil for
transformer is less than 1.000 liters. This is not applied to the water collecting areas and/or areas where
water resources are protected.
For outdoor distribution substation having transformer hung on the pole, the oil tank is not necessary.
I.1.17. Oil immersed electrical equipment means the equipment having parts immersed in oil to avoid
contact with the surrounding environment, to enhance the insulation, to be cooled and/or to extinguish
the arc.
Sound
pressure
Sound levels at octave of the intermediate
equal to,
Working locations frequency [Hz], not exceeding [dB]
not
exceeding,
[dB]
63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
Working, manufacturing places 85 99 92 86 83 80 78 76 74
Remote control room, laboratory,
experimental room having noise 80 94 87 82 78 75 73 71 70
source
Remote control room, laboratory,
experimental room having no noise 70 87 79 72 68 65 63 61 59
source
Functional department (Accounting,
65 83 74 68 63 60 57 55 54
planning, statistics, etc.)
Research laboratory, design,
55 75 66 59 54 50 47 45 43
computer and data processing room
I.1.18. Electrical equipment of explosion-proof type means electrical equipment or appliance allowed to
be used in areas where the environment is flammable and explosive at all levels.
I.1.19. Electrical engineering materials mean materials that have the determinant nature to the
electromagnetic fields for use in electrical engineering.
I.1.20. Based in the physical nature, electrical engineering materials are classified into:
1. Fire-resistant materials mean materials that are fireproof or not burned into charcoal, and when set on
fire they can not continue burning themselves or smolder.
2. Arc-resistant materials mean materials whose properties do not change under the impact of the arc
during normal working conditions.
3. Moisture resistant materials mean materials whose properties do not change under the impact of
moisture.
4. Fire-resistant materials mean materials whose nature does not change under the impact of high or low
temperatures.
5. Chemical-resistant materials mean materials whose properties do not change under the impact of
chemicals.
I.1.21. Based on the fire-resistance level, building materials and structures are classified into three
groups mentioned in the Table I.1.3.
It means the value of a quantity, usually determined by the manufacturer for the specified operating
conditions for an element, a device or equipment.
It means the voltage value in normal conditions, at a given time and point of the power system.
It means the highest (or lowest) operating voltage value in normal operating conditions at any time and
at any point in the system.
Grouping
according to the Fire level of materials Fire level of building components
level of fire
Building components made of fire-
Under the impact of flame or high
Fire-resistant group resistant materials and having the
temperature, materials do not catch
same fire level as fire-resistant
fire, smolder and are not carbonized.
materials.
Under the impact of flame or high Components made of fire-resistant
temperature, they can hardly catch or flammable materials, but they
fire, smolder or be carbonized; just must be protected by a layer of fire-
Slow-burning group continue burning or smoldering when resistant material and have the
exposed to fire sources. When being same fire level as fire-resistant
isolated from fire sources, they stop materials.
burning.
Under the impact of fire or high Components made of combustible
temperature, they catch fire, smolder materials and have no protective
Flammable group and are carbonized; they continue fire-proof materials and the same
firing, smoldering or being carbonized fire level as flammable materials.
after being isolated from the fire
source.
It means one of the nominal voltage values used in a certain system. For example: Voltage of 110kV,
220kV or 500kV...
The voltage deviation is expressed by a percentage, between the voltage at a given time at a point of
system and comparison voltage, such as: nominal voltage, average value of operating voltage, the
voltage supplied as per contract.
It means the difference in voltage at a given time between the voltages measured at two determined
points on the line.
Value of voltage between phase and ground or between phases, with peak value exceeding the
corresponding peak value of the highest voltage of the equipment.
A value of the overvoltage fluctuation (at the frequency of the grid) at a specific point – it can not drop
or diminish in a relatively long time.
It takes place in a very short time (in about milliseconds or less), with fluctuation or without fluctuation,
it usually diminishes quickly.
It is a transient overvoltage wave that travels along a line or circuit, characterized by a very fast increase
in voltage, and then it decreases slowly.
The recovery of voltage to a value approximate to the previous after the voltage is decreased, collapsed
or lost.
It’s the difference between the voltages on the phase, at a point in multi-phase system, caused by the
difference between the load currents or by the geometric asymmetry on the line.
It is transient voltage having shape similar to the one of standard switching impulse voltage, being used
for insulation coordinating purposes.
Transient overvoltage having the shape similar to the one of the standard lightning impulse, used for the
insulation coordinating purpose.
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It is s a characteristic determined by one or more values specifying insulation withstand voltage for a
specific part of the device.
It is the distance in the atmosphere and the surface exposed to the air of solid insulator of equipment
which is affected by the dielectric stress, the effects of atmosphere and other external impacts, such as:
Pollution, humidity, etc.
It is the solid, liquid or gas insulator inside the device to protect it against the impacts of the atmosphere
and other external impacts.
The insulating properties of insulator are lost or not restored completely after discharge.
- The insulator of the energized part, acting to protect people against electric shock.
- The main insulator does not necessarily include part used exclusively for the purpose of the function.
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It is independent insulator added to main insulator in order to protect people against electric shock in
case that the main insulator is damaged.
The selection of insulation level of equipment and the characteristics of protective devices, taking into
consideration that the voltage can appear on the system.
The connection of power transmission systems using power lines or transformers for power exchange
between systems.
It is s the connection point of the power distribution unit or of user’s grid or of power transmission grid
to the national grid.
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It is the layout of an electrical system represented geometrically, containing essential information for
specific requirements.
All researches and programs related to the development of the electrical system, ensuring the economic-
technical features and to satisfy the requirements of the electricity growth.
Ability to restore the set state of a power system, characterized by the synchronous operation of
generators after a disturbance, by the variation, for example, of the capacity or of the total resistance.
Stability of the power system after the disturbance having relatively small amplitude and slow rate of
variation.
Stability of the power system in which the disturbance could have a relatively fast amplitude and/or rate
of variation.
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The stability of the power system can be achieved without the impact of the automatic control devices.
The state of the electrical system in which all power stations operate synchronously.
It is the commandment unit, controlling the operations of the national electricity system, including:
power generation planning, mode of operation and controlling the power generating system connected to
the national grid, controlling the operation of power transmission grid, controlling the electricity trading
with external power system.
It is the system which supervises controls and collects data on the operation of the power system for the
process at the control centers.
They are regulations on economic criteria, technical standards, synchronism and safety, reliability of
power systems issued by competent state agencies for the purpose of planning, establishment of
operation mode of the national grid system.
It is the control of the power demand at the consumption side in the power system.
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It is the minimum safe distance, in the air, maintained between regularly energized parts and a personnel
working in a station or operate it directly with electrical tools.
It is the required minimum safe distance between energized parts or between energized parts and earth.
It is the procedure in which the generators groups speed up, are connected into the power system to
carry load after a long period without operation.
I.1.72. Hot start-up thermal generating set
It is the procedure in which the generators groups speed up, are connected into the power system to
carry load after a long period without operation that changes much the thermal condition of turbines.
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The process of discharging some loads which is previously chosen to solve the unusual status in order to
maintain the integrity of the remaining system.
Maximum capacity at which generators unit (or a power plant) can operate continuously in real
conditions.
It’s the difference between the total available capacity and capacity needs of the power system.
It’s the total available capacity of the generators which run without load or underload to generate fast
power into the system.
Total available capacity of the backup generators whose the start-up could take several hours.
The power reserve which can be mobilized to the operation in a period not exceeding 24 hours.
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The operating conditions of a grid in which the parameters of the system state are considered as stable.
Operation mode of the grid in which at least one state parameter is changing, usually in a short time.
State in which voltage and current in phase conductors forming the polyphase equilibrium system.
The ability of a power system to meet the supply functions in stable condition, according to the specified
time.
Ability to fulfill the electrical providing function of a power system at a given point in time when
operational problems occur.
The exploitation of the available components of the grid in the most economical efficient.
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After voltage recovery, the increase of the power consumption households or of a system, at a faster or
slower level, depends the characteristics of the load.
I.1.91. In the said regulations, the following terms are used with the below meanings:
I.1.92. Structure, purpose, method of installation, level of insulation materials and electrical installations
must conform to the nominal voltage of electricity grid or electrical installations, to environmental
conditions and to he requirements set out in these regulations.
I.1.93. Electrical installations used in electrical works must have technical features in line with the
working conditions of the works.
I.1.94. Power switching devices used in the air in the highlands above 1.000 m compared with sea level
must be checked by switching electrical conditions in the respective atmospheric pressure.
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Coating, paint colors must conform to the overall color of the buildings, building structures and
technological equipment, if used outdoor, it is necessary to use paint with a good reflection.
I.1.96. The selection of equipment, power tools and related structures, other than standards on functions,
it is required also to satisfy the standards of humidity, salt fog, wind speed, ambient temperature,
earthquake etc.
I.1.97. The construction part of the works (houses and their structural parts, ventilation, drainage, etc.)
must comply with national standards and regulations.
I.1.98. For unmanned power works, control room, spare room for operators, as well as repair facilities
are not necessary.
I.1.99. The design and selection of plans for power projects to be based on a comparison of economic-
techniques indicators, on application of simple and reliable diagrams, qualification and experienced of
operators, new technology applications and on the optimal choice of materials.
I.1.100. In power projects, it is necessary to take measures to distinctive elements in the same
department, such as: plan, scheme of arrangement of equipment, calligraphy, numbering with different
colors etc.
I.1.101. The colors of conductive bar of the same name in all electrical works must be the same.
1. For three-phase AC grid: Phase A: Yellow, phase B: Green, phase C: Red, neutral bar: White for
neutral isolated network, neutral bar: Black for neutral direct grounding grid.
2. For single-phase power grid: The earthling wire connected to the initial point of power coil: Yellow,
wire connected to the end point of power coil: Red. If the conductor bar of the grid branched from the
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3. For single-phase power grid: The positive bar (+): Red, the negative bar (-): blue, the neutral bar:
White.
I.1.102. It is required to position and paint the conductive bars as per the instructions below:
a. If the bus conductive bar is positioned vertically: The upper bar (A): Yellow, middle bar (B): Green;
lower bar (C): Red. If the conductive bar is positioned horizontally, on tile position or in the triangle
shape: The far bar (A): Yellow, the middle bar (B): Green, the near bar (C): Red. In the case that people
can access from both sides, the bar near the fence (A): Yellow, the bar far from the fence (C): Red.
b. For the bar branched from the bus bar: If viewed from the operation corridor, the left bar (A): Yellow,
the middle bar (B): Green, the right bar (C): Red.
a. The bus bar and circle bar: The bar nearest to power transformer (A): Yellow, the middle bar (B):
Green, the farthest bar (C): Red.
b. Bars branched from the bus bar system: If viewed from the outdoor distribution equipment to the
output of power transformer, the left bar (A): Yellow, the middle bar (B): Green, the right bar (C): Red.
c. For ingoing lines to stations: If viewed from the ingoing line to the station, at the connection point, the
left bar (A): Yellow, the middle bar (B): Green, the right bar (C): Red.
d. For outdoor distribution equipment which use flexible wire as conductive bar, it is to paint the color
of phase at porcelain base of equipment or stipple on the bus bar beam.
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a. When the bus bar is positioned vertically: The top bar (the neutral bar): White, middle bar (-): Blue;
the lower bar (+): Red.
b. When the bus bar is positioned horizontally: If viewed from the operation corridor, the farthest neutral
bar: White, middle bar (-): Blue, the nearest bar (+): Red.
c. The bars branched from the bus bar: If viewed from the operation corridor, the left bar (neutral bar):
White, middle bar (-): Blue, the right bar (+): Red.
d. In individual cases: If it’s difficulty to paint the bars as above in terms of installation or it is
necessary to build more pillars to mount bars at the substation for the phase reversal purpose, it is
allowed to change the order of the colors of bars.
I.1.103. In order to avoid jamming and danger to communications projects, it is required to comply with
current relating standards and regulations. It is required to have anti-interference measures of industrial
power to information and telecommunications systems.
I.1.104. In power projects, it is required to have measures to ensure the safety as followings:
• To use the appropriate type of insulation. In individual cases, it is required to use reinforced insulating
method.
• To have an appropriate distance to the conductive part or to shield the conductors.
• To set up fences.
• To use interlock for electrical tools and to set up fences to prevent the wrong operation.
• To use reliable switchover and to isolate rapidly the electrical equipment under short circuit and the
damaged area of power grid.
• To earth the covers of electrical equipment and every element of power projects which may short
circuited.
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I.1.105. For up to 1 kV power grid, for area where the safety conditions can not allow the direct
connection of power consumption to the grid, it is required to use an isolation transformer or step-down
transformer with secondary voltage less than 42V. When using above mentioned transformers, it is
required to follow the instructions below:
1. The insulation transformer should have safe structure and can to withstand higher voltages than
normal.
2. Each isolation transformer is to power only one device and is protected by a fuse or a switch having
nominal current not exceeding 15A at the primary phase. Primary voltage of the transformer must not
exceed 380V.
3. It is prohibited to ground the secondary winding of isolation transformers and equipment of its
electricity consumption. The shell of the transformer must be grounded.
4. The step-down transformers having secondary voltage of 42V or less may be used as an isolation
transformer if they meet the above mentioned characteristics.
The step-down transformer which is not used as isolation transformer must be earthed at the following
parts: Cover, one of the outputs or midpoint of secondary winding.
I.1.106. In housing, public areas, shops etc. the cover or shield must not be perforated. In the
manufacturing or power rooms, it is allowed to use perforated or grid covers.
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I.1.108. Fences and the cover must have sufficient mechanical strength. For the device of above 1 kV,
the thickness of a metal cover must not less than 1mm. Conductor casing cover should be put into the
machine, equipment and power tools.
I.1.109. To avoid accidents due to electric current and caused by the arc, all electrical equipment must
be equipped with appropriate protective equipment for regulations on use, testing and with electrical
safety regulations.
I.1.110. The fire fighting measures for the electrical equipment containing oil, being oil soaked,
insulating painted, and etc. must comply with the requirements specified in the corresponding part of
these Regulations and in the regulations of local fire agencies.
In addition, when putting the above electrical equipment into production, it is required to fully equip
them with fire-fighting means prescribed by regulations of fire prevention and fighting.
I.1.111. When connecting electrical work to the power system, in addition to the basic construction
procedures, it is required to have agreement from the power system management agency, it is required
to comply with current regulations and technical conditions for connection as follows:
2. To gather data on the load in the region where the power project will be built.
3. To project connection points in power systems (power stations, power plants or transmission lines),
the voltage at the connection points, equipment at the connection points.
4. To select voltage, cross-section and category of overhead lines or cable lines and voltage regulating
means, to know the requirements on lines. For big projects, it is also required to have the alternative
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5. To mention the need to strengthen the existing power grid due to the addition of new projects (Wires
cross-section will be increased, the transformers will replaced or their capacity will be increased).
6. To mention the particular requirements for power sub-stations household electricity consumption
equipment connected to the system, such as: the need of automatic protection device at the input,
allowing the line to work in parallel, the need of power backup etc.
8. To mention the requirements of protection by relay, automation, insulation and protection against
excessive voltage.
11. To determine the conditions for connection of electrical furnace, high-frequency electrical
equipment etc.
12. To mention the requirements for auxiliary works and other works (such as communication works
etc.).
I.1.112. Electrical works and installations after construction/installation must be tested for acceptance,
delivery and putting into operation according to the current regulations.
Chapter I.2
POWER GRID AND POWER SUPPLY
I.2.1. This chapter is applied to the power grid of electrical system, of industrial enterprises and cities
etc.
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The supply of electricity to the underground works, trams etc, in addition to the requirements stated in
this chapter, must also comply with specialized regulations.
I.2.2. Energy system means a combination of power plants, thermal net that are connected, have closely
and continuously interactions in the process of production, transformation and distribution of electricity
and heat.
I.2.4. Power station means a part of the electrical system, possibly generating stations and substations,
switching station or reactive power compensation station, etc.
I.2.5. Substation means a transformer station connecting two or more power grids of different voltages.
I.2.6. Switching station means a station composed of switchgear station, the bus bar and without power
transformer.
I.2.8. Gas Insulated Substation (GIS): The station located in the grounded metal chamber, insulating for
main electrical equipment by the compressed gas (not by air).
I.2.9. Independent power supply for a load means power sources which keeps supplying power on when
other power sources fail.
The power distribution stations which receive power from two power plants or from two segments of
bus bar of power plants or form power stations are considered as independent power supply, if they
satisfy two following conditions:
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I.2.10. Deep power supply means the method to supply high-voltage power to consumers with least
power transformation levels.
I.2.11. Voltage adjusting means an operation to adjust the voltage at the bus bar of power plant or
substations to maintain the allowed voltage levels.
General requirements
I.2.12. The power supply to the consumers, including the selection of the number and arrangement of
the power stations must be resolved overall depending on the situation of energy in the area (hydro
resources, local energy supply, fuel waste, the demand for heat, electricity supply capacity of large
power plants in the surrounding area, etc.) on the basis of load survey and plans to develop the local
economy in 10 years, it is also necessary to consider preventions. Besides, it is necessary to consider the
possibilities and measures to reduce short circuit currents and to reduce power loss.
I.2.13. The selection of power supply solution should be done after the technical specifications are
ensured, comparison of investment capitals and annual operating costs for the project with a payback
period of 5 to 8 years, comparison of advantages of each plan.
I.2.14. The design, new construction and renovation of power grids should meet the demand for
electricity development in each period and the ability to expand at least 10 years in the future.
I.2.15. Power transmission capability of transmission lines and power transformers connecting the
exclusive power plants of industrial enterprises to the power system must ensure:
• To put the residual capacity of exclusive power plants d in the electrical system in any working mode.
• Get a shortage capacity when the biggest generator of power plants shut down due to special problems,
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I.2.16. All power plants when put to operate in parallel with the national grid, managing boards of the
said should have agreements with national grid managing agencies.
I.2.17. When the consumption power of industrial enterprises is lower than carrying capacity of
exclusive power supply lines, it is possible to associate with the power supply to the households as
agreed.
When building new industrial plants that will be neighbored by a new city or residential areas, it is
required to take into consideration the ability to separate the load in the scheme of new power supply of
the enterprise.
I.2.18. The 500, 220, 110 kV grids are the neutral types and directly earthed. The 6, 10, is 35 kV grids
are the neutral types which can be earthed through the arc extinguishing coil, in special cases, they can
be directly grounded. The 15, 22 kV grids are the neutral types, direct earthed , in special cases, they
can be isolated or earthed through small capacity resistors.
For 6 ÷ 35 kV power networks having neutral grounding point via arc extinguishing coil, the capacitive
current compensation when grounding is done in the following cases:
I.2.19. Generally, the power station of 35 kV or less is designed unmanned but with automatic
equipment, when necessary, to use the remote control device and signal system to notice the incidents.
The control panel is only to be placed at power supplying station to power the stations.
I.2.20. All electrical equipment that are connected to the line equipped with the reactance coil must be
chosen according to the short circuit current after the reactance coil (see Article I.4.7).
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I.2.21. Disconnector and standard auto disconnector are allowed to switch on and off:
The determination capacity with no load of a transformer and the length of power lines in the voltage
level allow the use of disconnector or standard auto-disconnector for switching on and off, the selection
of measures for the installation of the said disconnectors and the determination of the distance between
the edges of the disconnectors are subject to manufacturer's instructions as well as to the current
technical regulations.
I.2.22. It is allowed to alternative current as the internal manipulate resources to simplify and reduce
costs.
I.2.23. In areas where there is no stable planning it is possible to use overhead lines, and for the urban
and industrial areas whose the planning has already been approved, it is possible to use the underground
cable.
For low-voltage lines it is advised to use shielded cables. For the 22 kV or lower lines in areas where the
operational corridors are narrow, crowded of trees it is required to use shielded cables.
It is allowed to mount the lines of different voltages and uses on the common column with overhead
lines, but it is required to comply with the provisions stated in the Part II of these regulations.
I.2.24. Cross- section of the conductors, conductive bars and cables must be selected according to:
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I.2.25. Depending on electricity supply reliabilities, power consumption households are divided into
three following categories:
• Group I: The power consumption households that the power supply interruption will affect national
security, affecting the vital organs of the State, causing fatal, serious economic losses or the power
supply is subject to special power needs of the customer.
• Group II: The power consumption households that the power supply interruption will cause major
economic loss, disorders in complex technological process, disturbances of the normal operation of the
city.
• Group III: The power consumption households that do not belong to the two above groups.
I.2.26. For the power consumption households of group I, the power is provided by at least two
independent power sources and a redundant power source in place. The power supply interruption is
only allowed during the automatic closing time of power backup.
The power backup in place could be the fixed or mobile stations having generators or UPS, etc.
I.2.27. For the power consumption households of group II, the power must be provided by at least one
main power source and a redundant power source. The power supply interruption is only allowed in the
required time to close backup source.
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I.2.28. For the power consumption households of group III, The power supply interruption is only
allowed during repairs or troubleshooting period.
I.2.29. For the new construction or renovation of power grids, it is necessary to use the simple, reliable
and diagram of high voltage power supply. Power sources must be placed closer to load center of the
industrial enterprises and cities by deep power supply with the voltage of 110 ÷ 220 kV, power stations
should be built near load center or even in factories, the power stations should be split into small
capacity ones.
To supply electricity to individual station, it is advised to use widely the direct branching from one or
two parallel lines, at branching point the disconnection switch should be placed.
To ensure the power supply for the city's power grid, it is necessary to use power supply circuit diagram
for the station.
It is recommended to use widely the power station with simple diagram, having no circuit-breaker at the
input and no bus bar at high-voltage side or only a single bus bar system. The double bus bar system is
used only when there are justifiable arguments.
I.2.31. It is recommended to use the cut-out fuse or high voltage cut-out fuse coordinated with load
breaker and/or disconnector to protect short-circuit for transformers of less than 35 kV (see Article
I.2.21) and for the capacitors.
I.2.32. When designing the power station, it is necessary to take measures to limit short-circuit capacity
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When limiting short-circuit capacity by impedance on the output line, it is allowed to use common
general impedance for various power lines, but each line must be connected via the individual
disconnector. In this case, it is recommended to use the dividing impedance.
I.2.33. While designing the power grid, it is required to calculate the load of all consumers in the
incident mode. In some cases, when designing the power substations, it is allowed to compute the
automatic discharge of load of less importance in incident situation.
I.2.34. When taking into consideration the backup, it is necessary to take into consideration the
possibility of overloading of the electrical equipment (according to the manufacturer’s notice) and the
redundant power.
I.2.35. When taking into consideration the incident mode, do not take into consideration the situation of
simultaneous breaking due to fault voltage and for repair, simultaneous breaking due to fault voltage or
simultaneous breaking for repair in many grids or in many lines.
I.2.36. All lines of the power supply system are required to carry load according to the power
distribution needs to ensure the minimal power loss, except for short backup
I.2.37. When designing the power grid, it is required to use the auto-switch, auto-switch backup and
auto load-discharge devices under frequency.
I.2.38. The structural diagram of power distribution networks in the enterprise must ensure electricity
supply for technological lines working in parallel and ensure the mutual backup for the all units by
receiving power from the different stations or transmission lines or from different segments of the same
station.
31
I.2.39. The voltage levels at various points in the grid must be determined by the method of operation
and according to the maximum and minimum load. In normal conditions, the voltage deviation is
allowed to fluctuate within ± 5% compared with the nominal voltage and is determined at the location of
electrical measuring device or at another location by mutual agreement.
In cases the grid is not stable, the voltage is allowed to vary from -10% to +5%.
I.2.40. In a normal working mode of the power system, the voltage transformer of up to 35 kV must be
adjusted within ± 5% of nominal voltage.
I.2.41. In a normal working mode of power supply stations, within the time the total load is decreased to
30% compared with the highest load value, the voltage at the bus bar must be maintained at the nominal
voltage of the grid.
I.2.42. To adjust the voltage in the power grids of 110kV and above, it is required to use a transformer
with lower voltage regulator with adjustment range ± (10 ÷ 15%).
Also to consider the usage of the device to adjust the voltage in the place as follows:
• Synchronous motors
• Synchronous compensator
• Compensation capacitor
• Contact line at the voltage up to 1kV between substations enabling to switch off a number of
transformers in the minimum load mode.
I.2.43. The selection of voltage and power supply system for the dynamic and lighting power network in
the workshops using the voltage of 660V or less must be addressed in a comprehensive way. If using a
transformer to power the dynamic and lighting network, the schema of the network should allow the
switching off the transformer in non-working hours or in days-off and the switching to the permanent
powering for lighting to separate transformers of small capacity or to power line connected to one of
transformers that are still working.
32
At the power consumption household’s side with the electricity capacity from 80kW or the transformer
with a capacity of 100KVA and above, the value cosφ ≥ 0.85 must be ensured at the place of power
meters. Where the value cosφ is lower than 0.85, it is required to take the following measures:
• To install the reactive power compensator to rise the cosφ value to 0.85 or higher.
• To buy more reactive power on the power system at the supplier side.
Where the consumer has the ability to deliver the reactive power to the grid, the two parties may discuss
the purchase contract.
I.2.45. According to the reliability of power supply, the electricity consumption households in the city
are classified as per the Article I.2.25.
I.2.46. When studying the expanding of the city, it is required to set up the schema of power supply for
the future; to take into consideration the possibility of partial implementation of the scheme to meet each
stage of development of the city.
For the old power grid which can not meet technical requirements for exploitation or more than 50% of
all parts of the network are expired, it is required to study a comprehensive renovation.
I.2.47. The cross- section of the cables under the first phase of construction must be selected in line with
the general scheme of power supply as planned.
I.2.48. The calculated load of power consumption households connected to 380 V grids should be
determined by the existing load plus the annual growth rate of 10 ÷ 20%.
33
I.2.50. When the basis for selection factors due to the mix load is not available, the following
approximate formula can be applied:
Kđt is the capacity factor of the loads in the area, it can be selected as follows:
I.2.52. Depending on the requirements of the load, for power grid of from 1 kV, it is required to add in
34
I.2.53. In the power network with automatic redundant power equipment for consumers, it is required to
make the transmission of signal of the fault voltage circuit breaker at the distribution stations to the
control station.
I.2.54. To power the loads in the stably planned area, all the grids of all voltage levels should be the
underground type, while in areas without a stable planning, the lines should be the overhead type. In the
city it is required to use twisted and/or underground cables.
I.2.55. For low-voltage power distribution networks, for new construction or renovation, the power
network should be 380/220V 3 phases 4 cables with neutral direct earthing.
I.2.56. Only to connect the load to the distribution network or to the 380V end of the substation if the
voltage fluctuation when switched on does not exceed ± 5% of the nominal voltage of the grid. If the
number of switching on and off day and night is not more than five times, the voltage variation is not
specified.
I.2.57. The power network coming from the electricity supply center to consumers must be checked for
the allow voltage deviation, taking in to consideration the voltage mode at the bus bar of power supply
center. If the voltage deviation exceeds the permitted limits, it is required to take measures to adjust the
voltage.
I.2.58. When determining the voltage deviation in the grid, the voltage drop in the farthest power
consumption device should not exceed 2.5%
35
Scope
I.3.1. This chapter applies to the selection of cross- section of cables, including bare wires, coated wires
and cables and conductive bars, by the economic current density, by the allowed voltage loss,
temperature rise and corona conditions. In cases that the cross- section selected by the conditions above
is smaller than cross- section selected by other conditions such as mechanical strength, overload
protection, electrical stability and thermal stability, to take the largest section.
I.3.2. To select the cross- section of the conductor and cable of over 1kV by economic current density
using the formula:
I
S=
jkt
Where:
• I is the highest calculated current of the line in the normal working mode, taking into consideration the
load growth in the planning, not to mention the current increased due to a system incident or power cut-
off to fix any element on the power grid.
• jkt is the economic current density, refer to the Table I.3.1.
Then to the calculated cross- section is converged to the nearest standard cross- section.
I.3.3. The increase of number of circuit lines or lines selected under the cross- section by the economic
current density must be based on technical and economic calculations to ensure the reliability of
electricity supply.
In some cases, when upgrading, to avoid the increase of the number of lines or circuits, it is allowed to
increase the economic current density to the level twice greater than the value given in Table I.3.1.
36
When calculating technically and economically, to take into consideration all the additional capital
investment, including transmission lines and equipment at both ends, also the plan to upgrade to the line
voltage for options comparison purpose.
These guidelines also apply to the upgrading the cross- section of the lines due to overload. In such
case, renovation costs to the price must include new equipment and supplies costs minus the recovered
value.
I.3.4. Not to select the cross- section of the conductors by the economic current density in the following
cases:
1. Power grid of the enterprises or of industrial works having capacity up to 1kV and peak load hours up
to 5000h.
2. Up to 1 kV voltage distribution network (see Article I.3.6) and lighting network selected by the
37
I.3.5. When using the table I.3.1, it is required to apply the following:
1. If the maximum load occurs in the night time , the jkt will be increased by 40%.
2. For the insulated cables with the cross- section up to 16mm2 of the jkt will be increased by 40%.
3. For lines with uniform cross- section having n branches along the length, the jkt in the end of the line
will be increased by K1 times. The K1 is determined by the formula:
Where:
I1, I2, ... In is the current in each line. l1, l2, ... ln is the length of each line.
4. If the lines have many loads along them, the line should be divided into two sections to select the two
different types of cross- section as per instructed the Section 3. Do not select up to 3 types of cross-
section for one overhead line.
5. For underground cables having many loads along their length, it is required to select only one cross-
section as per instructed in the Section 3.
6. When selecting a cross- section for conductor for many consumers having the same type of mutual
provision (e.g. water pumps, rectifiers, etc.) of n devices, of which m devices work in the same time, the
remaining devices are the standby, jkt shall be increased by K2 times:
38
I.3.6. In the electricity distribution network of up to 1 kV, the cable cross- section will be selected by the
voltage loss and to re-examine the allowed long temperature rise:
ΔUmax ≤ [ΔUcp]
In the 1 kV to 22 kV power network, the selection of cable cross- section should be done by the
economic and technical comparison between the Article I.3.2 and the Article I.3.6.
I.3.7. The allowed voltage loss for each specific case depends on the requirements of the load types,
including the startup of electric motors and taking into account the load growth in the future, especially
for the underground cables .
I.3.8. For the load requesting the stability at the special high level, if the selection of the cross- section
of cable by the voltage loss results in the great cost, it is necessary to compare with the voltage upgrade
solution with the low voltage transformer at the end of the line or the solution ensuring the normal level.
I.3.9. The cases stated in the Article I.3.4 are the cases selected by the allowed temperature rise, then
checked by other criteria, such as the allowed pressure drop, electromotive stability, limit of the cross-
section of the corona loss, for other cases, the allowed temperature rise is allowed only to check the
cable after being selected by the economic current density or by the allowed voltage loss.
I.3.10. All conductors are required to satisfy the allowed temperature rise, not only in normal mode but
in the fail mode of the system, i.e. the mode that has a number of other elements that were removed
from the system increasing the current at the element under consideration.
The maximum load into consideration is the average maximum load for half an hour, taking into
39
I.3.11. For the short-term working mode and repeatable short-term working mode of the load (total time
cycle is 0 minutes and working time of the cycle does not exceed 4 minutes), to examine the cross-
section of the conductor by the allowed temperature rise, the calculated load shall be converged to the
continuous working mode, then:
1. For the copper cables with the cross-section up to 6mm2 and aluminum cables with the cross-section
up to 10 mm2 , the calculated load is the short-term load and is considered as the continuous load.
2. For the copper cables with the cross-section of over 6mm2 and aluminum cables with the cross-section
of over 10 mm2 , the calculated load is the short-term load and multiplied by the factor:
Where:
tlv is the ratio between the working time in the cycle and the total time of the constant cycle.
I.3.12. For the short-term working mode with the switching-on time of under 4 minutes and the time
between the two switching-on times is enough to cool the power cable to the ambient temperature, the
allowed maximum load is determined as per the Article I.3.9 .
When the switching-on time is greater than 4 minutes and the time between the two switching-on times
is not enough to cool off the power line, the maximum load is regarded as the continuous working load.
I.3.13. For two or more cables that often work simultaneously, when considering the temperature rise of
a line in fault mode, i.e. the mode in which one of the said cables does not work temporarily, it is
allowed to calculate the left cable in the overload mode by the manufacturer's documentation.
I.3.14. The neutral cable in the 3 phase 4 wire networks must have electrical conductivity of not less
than 50% of the conductivity of phase cable.
40
I.3.15. While determining the permanent allowed current for the bare and shielded cables, underground
cable, bar and the environment temperature is different from the temperatures stated in the Article
I.3.16, 18, to use the correction factor stated in the Table I.3.30.
I.3.16. The permanent allowed current for the rubber or PVC coated cables, rubber or synthetic resin
with shell lead coated cables, PVC or rubber cables is specified by the manufacturer, otherwise to refer
to the table I.3.3 ÷ I.3.9, that are calculated with the temperature rise of the core of +65oC when the
ambient temperature of the air is +25oC or when soil temperature is +15oC.
When determining the number of cables in the same tube (or number of core of a multi-core cable), not
to take into consideration the neutral cable of the 3 phase 4 wires system (or the grounded core).
Thermal
Correction
Characteristics of soil resistivity,
factor
cm.oK/W
Sand with humidity of over 9%, sandy clay with
80 1,05
humidity of over 1%
Soil and sand with with humidity 7- 9%, sandy
120 1,00
clay with humidity of 12-14%
Sand with humidity of over 4% and bellow 7%,
200 0,87
sandy clay with humidity 8-12%
Sand with humidity of 4%, soil and rock 300 0,75
41
42
43
44
Note (*): For 4-cores cables insulated by synthetic resin, with voltage up to 1kV, it is possible to select
cables according to this table as for 3-cores cable but multiplied by factor of 0.92.
45
Table I.3.8: Allowed permanent current for flexible rubber coated copper cables for mobile devices
I.3.17. The allowed permanent current of oil impregnated paper insulated cables up to 35kV, metal or
PVC sheathed, is taken by the allowed temperature rise of the core of the cable: at the nominal voltage
of 6 kV: +65° C; at 10 kV: 60°C; at 22 and 35kV: +50°C; or according to the specifications of the
manufacturer.
For insulated rubber or synthetic plastic cables, metal or synthetic resin sheathed, is allowed to take the
allowed permanent current and temperature rise according to the specifications of the manufacturer.
I.3.18. The allowed permanent current of the underground cable is specified by the manufacturer;
otherwise to refer to the tables I.3.10, 13, 16 ÷ 18, for the case that the cable is buried at the depth of 0.7
÷ 1 m, the soil temperature is +15oC and the thermal resistivity of earth is 120cm. oK/W.
If the value of the thermal resistivity of the soil is different from the above values, the allowed current of
the cable should be multiplied by the factor given in the Table I.3.2.
47
I.3.20. The allowed permanent current of the overhead cable is specified by the manufacturer; otherwise
to refer to the tables I.3.12, 15 ÷ 21, it is calculated with the distance of not less than 35mm between the
cables when placed indoors, outdoors and in the trenches, but when placed in the ditch, the distance is
not less than 50mm, with any quantity of cables and the air temperature is +25o C.
I.3.21. The allowed permanent current of the underground cable without artificial ventilation must be
taken such as the overhead cables.
I.3.22. When the cable lines pass through many different environments, the allowed current is calculated
for the cable placed the worst conditions if the length of this cable is greater than 10m. In that case, it is
necessary to replace the said cable by a cable with larger cross-section.
I.3.23. When placing a cable in the ground or in the tubes, the allowed permanent current should be
reduced by multiplying by the factor specified in the Table I.3.22, excluding the redundant cable. When
placing the cable in the ground, the distance between them should not be less than 100mm.
I.3.24. The allowed permanent current for cables containing oil pressure, gas, XLPE and EPR cables,
single core cables with steel belt is calculated according to the manufacturer's documentation.
I.3.25. For the allowed currents of the cables mentioned above is given at the calculated temperature of
the air of +25°C, the calculated water temperature of +15o C.
I.3.26. The allowed permanent current of the cables placed in the ducts with artificial ventilation shall be
deemed to have cables placed overhead with the temperature of the air as the temperature of the soil.
I.3.27. When the cables are placed in bundle, to comply with the manufacturer's instructions.
48
Table I.3.11: The allowed permanent current for the copper cable, tall oil impregnated paper, infusible
plastic insulated, lead sheathed, placed in water.
Allowed currents (A)
Cross-section of the
core, mm2 3-cores cables 4-cores cables
6 - 55 - - -
10 95 75 60 55 -
16 120 95 80 65 60
25 160 130 100 90 85
35 200 150 120 110 105
50 245 185 145 145 135
70 305 225 185 175 165
95 360 275 215 215 200
120 415 320 260 250 240
150 470 375 300 290 270
185 525 - 346 325 305
240 610 - - 375 350
300 720 - - - -
400 808 - - - -
500 1020 - - - -
625 1180 - - - -
800 1400 - - - -
50
51
Table I.3.15: The allowed permanent current for the aluminum cable, tall oil impregnated paper,
infusible plastic insulated, lead or aluminum sheathed, overheaded.
Table I.3.17: The allowed permanent current for the 6kV 3-cores aluminum cable, oil impregnated
insulated, common lead sheathed, undergrounded and overheaded.
53
Table I.3.19: The allowed permanent current for the 6kV 3-cores aluminum cable, tall oil impregnated
paper insulated, infusible plastic insulated, separated lead sheathed, undergrounded, placed in water and
overheaded.
Table I.3.20: The allowed permanent current for the 6kV 3-cores copper cable, tall oil impregnated
paper insulated, infusible plastic insulated, lead sheathed, overheaded.
54
Note (*): The numerator is used for the cables placed on the same plane, 35-125mm apart.
The denominator is used for the cables placed on the three gables of an equiangular
triangle.
Table I.3.21: The allowed permanent current for the 6kV 3-cores aluminum cable, tall oil impregnated
paper insulated, infusible plastic insulated, lead or aluminum sheathed, overheaded.
55
Note (*): The numerator is used for the cables placed on the same plane, 35-125mm apart.
The denominator is used for the placed on the gables of an equiangular triangle.
Table I.3.22: Correction factor when many cables are placed in parallel in the soil, with or without tube.
Number of cables
1 2 3 4 5 6
Space distance between
cables (mm)
100 1,0 0,00 0,85 0,80 0,78 0,75
200 1,0 0,92 0,87 0,84 0,82 0,81
300 1,0 0,93 0,90 0,87 0,86 0,85
I.3.28. the allowed permanent current for bare conductors and bars is subject to the manufacturer's
documentation, otherwise, to refer to the tables I.3.23 ÷ I.3.29 and calculated with the allowed
temperature rise of +70o C at the air temperature of +25o C. When selecting the conductors the bars, it is
necessary to check the allowed permanent current by the temperature rise conditions consistent with the
working conditions of the conductors and bars. The calculation of the allowed permanent current is done
as per the instructions stated in the Annex I.3.1.
I.3.29. When placing the conductive bars according to Figure 1 (Table I.3.28), the currents specified in
56
I.3.30. When selecting the bars with large cross-section, it is necessary to select according to the
economic current density and appropriate structure to minimize the stray losses due to surface effects,
proximity effects, and to ensure the best cooling.
Table I.3.23: The allowed permanent current by the temperature rise of the copper, aluminum cables,
steel-core aluminum cables (the allowed temperature rise is +70° C, when the air temperature is 25° C)
57
Note: (*) This kind of cross-section is not available for the cables of ACSR code.
Table I.3.24: The allowed permanent current for the round/tube-shaped bar, copper or aluminum.
Round bar Tube shaped copper bar Tube shaped aluminum bar
Diameter Current(*) (A)
Inner/Outer Current Inner/Outer
(mm) Current (A)
Copper Aluminum diameter (A) diameter
58
Note: (*) The numerator is the allowed alternating current, the denominator is the allowed direct current.
Table I.3.25: The allowed permanent current for the copper conductive bar, rectangular cross-section
Note: (*) The numerator is the allowed alternating current, the denominator is the allowed direct current.
59
Note: (*) The numerator is the allowed alternating current, the denominator is the allowed direct current.
60
Note: (*) The allowed current corresponding to the brass with resistivity ρ20 = 0,003 Ω.mm2/m.
Table I.3.28: Allowed permanent current of bus bars arranged in the square shaped (Figure 1), copper or
aluminum.
Dimension (mm) Cross-section of Allowed current for the set
h b h1 H four bars (mm2) Copper Aluminum
80 8 140 157 2560 5750 4550
80 10 144 160 3200 6400 5100
100 8 160 185 3200 7000 5550
100 10 164 188 4000 7700 6200
120 10 184 216 4800 9050 7300
Figure 1 Figure 2
61
Table I.3.30: Correction factor for the allowed permanent current of bare and insulated cables,
underground cables, bus bar under the temperature of the soil and air.
62
I.3.31. For the voltage level of 110kV and above, the conductor must be tested under corona conditions,
at the average temperature and air density depending on the elevation above sea level. The maximum
electric field strength (E) on the outside of the conductors should not exceed 0.9E0 (E0 is the electric
field strength when the corona starts to occur at the conductor.)
E0 = 17 ÷ 21 kV/cm.
Where:
• U: Nominal voltage, kV
• n: Number of phase-dividing conductors, if not divided, n = 1
• a: Distance between the phase-wires, cm
• r: Radius of each wire, cm
• Dtb: Average geometric distance between the phases
• rtd: Equivalent radius, calculated by the formula:
Where:
For the voltage level of 110kV, the minimum cross-section to limit the generation of corona is 70 mm2,
for the voltage level of 220 kV: 240 mm2.
63
For the voltage level of 220kV and above, to take the measure of dividing the cable into 2 to 4 small
wires to limit the corona.
It is also necessary to check the level of radio communication interference of the corona.
I.3.32. When selecting lightning conductor, in addition to ensuring the conditions for the physico-
mechanical calculating listed in Part II, it is necessary to check the thermal stable conditions when a
phase short circuit occurs, to follow the instructions in the Annex I.3.2 .
64
Chapter I.4
SELECTING EQUIPMENT AND CONDUCTORS
UNDER SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITIONS
Scope
I.4.1. This chapter applies to the selection of equipment and conductors under short circuit conditions
using alternating current of 50Hz.
General requirements
I.4.2. To check the short circuit mode (except the cases stated in Article I.4.4):
1. For electrical equipment of above 1 kV:
a. Electrical equipment, cables, conductors, structural supports and bearing structure thereof.
b. Overhead lines having the impact short circuit current of 50kA and above to avoid the shorting
due to the electromotive force when the short circuit occurs. Also, for the phase dividing lines, it is
required to check the distance between the positioning frame in each phase.
For overhead lines with fast acting self-closing devices, it is necessary to check the thermal stability.
2. For the electrical equipment of up to 1 kV, to check only the distribution panels, electrical lines and
the dynamic cabinets. Do to check the short-circuit for the current conversion.
3. For the electrical equipment used to switch off the short circuit line, to test the manipulation while a
short circuit occurs.
The electrical equipment which can withstand short circuit current is the device which, when the short
circuit current calculation occurs, is not destroyed or distorted, but continues the normal operation.
I.4.3. For the electrical equipment of above 1 kV, it is not necessary to check:
65
1. The conductors supplying electricity to individual households using electricity, including workshops
transformers with a total capacity of 1MVA, primary voltage up to 22kV, if the following conditions are
simultaneously satisfied:
• The power consumption household have the preventive measures not to interrupt the technology
process when the power if off.
• When a short circuit occurs, the broken conductors will not cause the explosion.
• The replacement of conductors is easy.
3. The conductive bars and equipment of the voltage modulator are placed in a separate compartment
or placed behind the auxiliary resistance.
I.4.5. When selecting the short circuit diagrams, to consider only the permanent working mode of
electrical equipment, not to consider the temporary short-term working mode.
To calculate the short circuit current in the power grid development plan at least 10 years after putting
the equipment into operation (for calculus of approximation).
1. 3-phase short circuit to check the stability of electrical equipment, conductive bars, conductors and
the associates support structures.
66
3. For the 3-phase short circuit and a single phase grounding, to take the larger value to select or to
check the availability of short-circuit switching device. If the breaker has two breaking values of three
phase and single phase, it is required to select both the said short circuit types .
I.4.7. The equipment and conductor of the circuit to be selected by the highest short-circuit current
running through.
Not to consider the case of different phases simultaneously grounding at two different points.
I.4.8. On the circuit having the reactance at the indoor station in which equipment and conductors placed
before the reactor are separated from the bus bars (in the branch from the main circuit) with the ceiling,
walls etc. they shall be selected by the short circuit after the reactor, if the reactor is placed in the same
station and is connected by conductive bars.
The conductive bar branching from the bus bar to the deflector plate and bushing must be selected by
the short circuit before the reactor.
I.4.9. When checking the thermal stability, the calculation time is taken as the short circuit releasing
time.
Determining the short circuit current to select the equipment and conductors
I.4.10. The determination of short circuit current to select equipment, conductive bars, conductors, to
check the load equipment, result from the following requirements:
1. All power supplies for short-circuit points work simultaneously with the nominal load.
2. All self-synchronous devices have the automatic voltage regulation and forced excitation function.
67
5. The calculation voltage at each level is equal to 105% of nominal voltage of the grid.
6. To consider the impact of the synchronous compensator, synchronous and asynchronous motors. Not
to consider the impact of asynchronous motors of up to 100kW connected through transformers to the
short circuit point and of the asynchronous motors of higher capacity that are connected to the short-
circuit point through 2 or more transformers, through the lines having considerable impedance.
I.4.11. For the grid from 1 kV, to calculate only the electrical impedance of the equipment and lines. To
calculate the total resistance for a small cross-section lines, long cable lines having small cross-section.
I.4.12. For the power grid up to 1 kV, to calculate the reactance and resistance of all elements, including
the contact resistance of the contacts. It is allowed to ignore the resistance or impedance if the variation
of the total resistance does not exceed 10%.
I.4.13. For the power grid up to 1 kV receiving the power from the step-down transformer, when
calculating the short circuit, it is necessary to consider the voltage to the transformer as constant and
equal to the nominal voltage of the grid.
I.4.14. For the elements protected by fuses, having the current limiting features, to check the dynamic
stability under the highest immediate short-circuit current, passing through the fuse.
Selecting the conductors and the insulation, checking the bearing structure
by the electromotive force of the short-circuit current
I.4.15. The electromotive force acting upon the rigid conductive bars, and transmitted to the insulation
and the rigid supporting structure must be calculated by the maximum instantaneous three-phase short-
circuit current, taking into consideration the phase difference between the current and ignoring the
mechanical oscillation of the conductor structure.
The impulse force acting upon the soft conductors, the insulation, the output and the conductor
structures is calculated by the quadric mean of the average value of the short circuit current between two
68
To check to ensure that the soft electrical conductivity system is not touching.
I.4.16. The mechanical forces due to short-circuit current determined according to the Article I.4.15
passing through the rigid conductive bars to the support insulators and through insulators may not
exceed 60% of the minimum breaking strain of the insulator if it is the single, and not exceed 100% of
the breaking strain of the insulator if it is the double.
If the conductive bars consisting of many flat or U-shaped bars are used, the mechanical stress is equal
to the total stress caused by the interaction force between phases and between the elements of each bar.
The maximum mechanical stress in the rigid conductive bars should not exceed 70% of the immediate
breaking strain.
I.4.17. The temperature rise of conductors at the short circuit should not exceed the allowed values in
the following table:
69
I.4.18. The cable checking under the temperature rise conditions at short circuit as stated in Article I.4.2
shall be conducted for:
1. Single cable with the homogeneous cross-section when the short circuit occurs at the end of the cable.
2. Single cable with different cross-section at many segments when short circuit occurs at the end of
each cable.
3. Cable line consisting two or more cables laid in parallel, when short circuit occurs at the end of the
cable bundle.
I.4.19. When checking the thermal stability of the equipment and conductors of the line having fast self-
switching off devices, to consider the temperature rise due to the increase of the total duration of short
circuit. When examining the temperature rise under short circuit conditions, the phase dividing
conductors are regarded as a single conductor having a cross-section equal to the total cross-section of
the phase dividing conductors.
1. According to the switching-off capability: To identify the calculation switching current under the
conditions stated in the Article I.4.5 to Article I.4.9.
The calculation switching current is the overall utility short-circuit current (including the non-cyclical
component), determined with release time of the breaker, equal to the individual total break time of
breaker (from the break instruction time to the release time to extinguish the arc) plus the arc
extinguishing time.
70
I.4.21. When selecting a fuse according to the switching-off capability, to take the utility value of the
short circuit current of the initial cycle as the calculation current (To ignore the current limiting feature
of the fuse.)
The load breaker and the short-circuit knife must be selected by the allowed short circuit when
switching on.
I.4.22. In addition to the selection by the ability of short-circuit switching off, the circuit breakers have
to be selected according to the transient recovery voltage (TRV). The TRV capability of the circuit
breaker must be greater than TRV values ,calculated for each specific position of the circuit breaker in
the system.
The selection according to the TRV is only applied to the breakers 500kV and 220kV placed at the end
of a long line, to the breakers placed at the terminal of the generator and breakers placed near the
reactor.
71
COUNTING POWER
I.5.1. This chapter is applied to the power counting in the power works, electricity consumption
households etc.
The system including watt-hour meter, current transformer, voltage transformer and the wires
connecting the said devices is called the power counting system.
I.5.2. The payment watt-hour meter is the electricity meter for count the electricity payment purpose
between the electricity buyer and seller, including power production, power consumption of electricity
consumption households or power purchasing at the boundary. The selection of electronic or electronic
meter and the data transmission requirements of meters away should comply with the current
regulations.
I.5.3. The watt-hour meters must be placed in the buyer management areas, unless the parties have other
agreements. The location and the installation of the watt-hour meters must ensure the safety, aesthetics
and convenience for the buyer to check the measured value and for the sellers to read it.
Where the electricity can be exchanged in both directions at the boundary, two directed watt-hour
meters or one watt-hour meter counting for both directions must be placed.
I.5.4. The proofing meter is used to monitoring purpose. Do not use the data recorded by the proofing
meter for payment.
General requirements
I.5.5. The active energy counting must ensure the determination of the active energy:
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2. Self used in power plants, power stations including the compensating station and diesel stations.
In addition to counting the power for payment purpose, the power counting must also ensure the ability
to check the use of electricity of households, to check the power exchange at the boundary, the power
balancing, to set up the technical and economic indicators and to forecast the load.
I.5.6. The reactive energy counting must ensure the determination of the amount of reactive energy:
5. Of households using electricity for production and services in accordance with the current regulations.
In addition to counting reactive power for the payment purpose, to ensure the monitoring function just
like the active energy counter mentioned in the Article I.5.5.
I.5.7. In power plants, the active energy counter must be placed at:
1. Each generator.
2. At each booster transformer, placed on the secondary coil, except the un-exploited balance coil. If at
the secondary side there is no individual current transformer to count the power, to place the meter in
the primary coil connected to the generator.
On the side of power exchange of the transformer, to place two directed meters or meter which can
count both directions.
3. Each voltage line of generator. To place two directed meters or meter which can count both directions
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4. Each auxiliary transformer. To place the meter placed on the high-voltage side of the auxiliary
transformer. If it is difficult to place the meter at the high-voltage side, to place it at the low-voltage
side.
5. Each auxiliary generator. If the auxiliary generator has also its own the electronic auxiliary parts to
place the meter at this part.
1. Both ends the communication lines of the system, at each end to place two directed meters or a meter
which can count both directions.
4. Each line coming from the station, except for low-voltage line for living power and exclusive lines
having meter placed at the end of line.
I.5.9. The watt-hour meters for payment purpose for households must be placed:
2. At the input of consumers station if there is no line connected to another station or to other consumers
at the voltage supplied for the former.
3. At the high-voltage side of the transformer of households, if this station continues supplying or
connected to the other consumers at the supplied voltage. If there is no current transformer with the
exact the level specified at the voltage 35kV or higher, it is allowed to place the meter at the low-
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4. At the low-voltage side of the transformer, if at the high-voltage side there is load breaker, auto
disconnector or fuse circuit breaker.
2. The medium-voltage winding and low-voltage winding of transformer and at the locations in the grid
substation where the active energy meter is placed. If there is no current transformer with the exact level
according to the regulations, it is allowed not to place the var-hour meter at the medium-voltage winding
of transformer.
3. At the 35 kV line, if the payment of electricity of households is based only on the active energy meter
of that line.
4. At the output of the compensator or at the distribution transformer of the capacitor with a capacity
from 1MVAr.
5. Near the active energy meter for payment of households of large power consumption.
6. In the elements of power system, at the boundary, where the watt-hour are required for payment
purpose or the reactive energy should be monitored.
7. In the households where the reactive energy is generated, two directed var-hour meters must be
placed.
8. At the boundary with power exchange, two directed var-hour meters or one watt-hour meter which
may count both directions must be placed.
I.5.11. The watt-hour meter cover, watt-hour meter wire clamp cover, meter box or cabinet cover must
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I.5.12. To count the active energy and reactive energy in the three-phase circuit by the three-phase watt-
hour meter.
I.5.13. The watt-hour meter and related equipment such as: current transformation, voltage
transformation measurement instruments must be tested under the current regulations.
The tolerance of the active energy meter of the generator must comply with the table I.5.1. The said
tolerances are determined at the power level from 50% to 100% of nominal capacity by cosφ = 1 and 0.5
at the nominal frequency and voltage.
Allowable
Objects for power counting
tolerances, %
Generator with capacity to 12MW ±1
Generators with capacity from 12MW to
±0,7
100mW
I.5.14. The watt-hour meter for payment connected to current transformation, voltage transformation
measurement instruments must be compatible with current standards for the degree of accuracy of 0.5, 1
or 2 for active energy meter and 2 or 2.5 for reactive energy meter.
The current transformation, voltage transformation measurement instruments must also have
corresponding tolerances.
I.5.15. The current transformation, voltage transformation measurement instruments connected to the
payment watt-hour meter must have the degree of accuracy not greater than 0.5. It is allowed to connect
voltage transformer having the degree of accuracy not greater than 1.0 meters to the payment watt-hour
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For technical meter, it is allowed to use current transformer having the degree of accuracy of 1.0 or to
connect the built-in current transformer of the meter having the degree of accuracy lower than 1.0, in
order to get the degree of accuracy 1.0, the secondary current transformer is necessary.
When using the technical meter, it is allowed to use voltage transformer with the degree of accuracy of
1.0 and the voltage transformer with the degree of accuracy lower than 1.0.
I.5.16. The meter should be connect to the individual coil for measuring at the secondary current
transformer, in the individual cases, it is possible to combine the counting power, measuring power and
placing the relay at the secondary coil of the current transformer if the tolerance is guaranteed and the
characteristics of the relay are not altered.
When the payment meter is connected to other devices after the voltage and current transformers it is
required to be seal the power counting circuit.
I.5.17. The load at the secondary circuit of measuring transformer including the watt-hour meter shall
not exceed the nominal mentioned at label of the measuring transformer.
I.5.18. The cross-section and length of wires connecting the meter to the current transformer or voltage
transformer must ensure the corrective operation of the measuring transformer and that the voltage loss
in the voltage circuit to the meter does not exceed 0.5% of nominal voltage.
I.5.19. Do not use clamps in the circuit of the payment meter placed in households. If mandatory, to
seal the clamps.
I.5.20. To count the power of the generator, to use a current transformer with the degree of accuracy of
0.5 and the tolerance correspond to 50% to 100% of nominal current of the generator, the tolerance
should not exceed the values specified in Table I.5.2.
Table I.5.2: Allowable tolerances of the current when the current it is equal to 50% to 100% of the
nominal value of the generator.
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Phase
Current tolerances,
Current transformers displacement,
%
minutes
Used for power transmitter to 12MW ± 0,20 ± 20
Used for power transmitter over
± 0,15 ± 10
12MW
I.5.21. To supply voltage to the meter, it is possible to use any kind of voltage transformer with
secondary voltage and tolerances in accordance with the requirements of the meter.
I.5.22. The secondary windings of the current transformer of 500V and above must be grounded at one
pole of the wiring clamp.
At the voltage transformer, the neutral point of the pilot wire must be earthed and at one point only,
when the winding is delta connected, the a common point of the secondary windings is to be earthed.
It is prohibited to earth the secondary winding of the current transformer used at the bus bar with the
voltage up to 1kV whose the primary winding is not insulated (the bus bar and the steel core is
energized). In this case, the outside secondary winding must be earthed.
Outside the meter, if the acting circuit or synchronizing circuit is connected to the pilot wire of the
voltage transformer, it is allowed to earth directly the secondary winding through the disruptive fuse.
Before the payment meter, the wiring clamp box should be placed to connect short-circuit the secondary
winding of the current transformer before removing the circuit from the meter.
I.5.24. If the station is equipped with many bus bar and each system is equipped with voltage
transformer, all circuits must be equipped with switching key to switch the circuit of the meter when
necessary.
I.5.25. The meter circuit in the power plant and the substations must be equipped with separate wiring
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I.5.26. The protecting boxes of the voltage transformer powering the meter, if they are protected by
fuse, should be protected by the wire mesh or a place enabling to seal.
The handle of the disconnector at the primary winding must have a place enabling the sealing.
I.5.27. The meter must be placed upright in a dry place with the frequent ambient temperature not
exceeding 45oC, convenient for reading indicators, checking and removing/hanging.
When placed outdoors, the meter must be placed in iron or composite cabinet/boxes. If the cabinet or
box is made of iron, they must be earthed from the cover of cabinet or box, except the circuit in the
cabinet or box is dually insulated. The protection grade of the meter must be IP43.
Payment meter, if placed in the territory's power consumer, placed indoor or outdoor should be placed in
the protective box.
It is allowed to place the meter in the corridor of the distribution room of power plants and power
stations.
Living payment meter can be hung on the column, outdoor or indoor, but must be in sealed box and
ensure the objectivity for both buyer and seller.
Meters in the large household should be placed in a locked, separate cabinet or box, sealed. The
secondary winding for measuring power should be separate. Cables from measuring device to the meter
should be separate, sheathed metal, sealed at the connection positions.
I.5.28. To place the meter in the electrical panel, electrical cabinet or in the sturdy box. It is allowed to
place the meter on the metal, stone or plastic panel. Do not place the meter on the wooden panel.
The meter box should be spaced from the floor 1.4 to 1.7 m.
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I.5.29. If placed in a location easy for collision, dust, where many people pass by or vulnerable to
external impacts, the meter must be placed in a locked cabinet or box, sealed, with transparent glass
window.
It is possible to place many meters in a cabinet or box, or to place together with the low voltage
transformer.
I.5.30. For the wiring on the meter, to comply with the requirements set out in the Chapter II.1 - Part II,
Chapter IV.4 - Part IV.
I.5.32. The wire close to the meter should be in excess at least 120mm. The cover 100mm long of the
neutral wire before the meter must have a distinguishing color.
I.5.33. The distance between the conductor on the panel where the meter is placed and the current
transformer must comply with the requirements set out in Article III.1.14 - Part III.
I.5.34. In low-voltage grid, when placing the meter and current transformer in the dangerous time or
very dangerous room, to connect the meter casing and the current transformer cover to the earthing wire
(neutral wire) with the separate copper wire.
I.5.35. When 2 meters or more are placed near each other, the label with the address of each meter is
required.
In the power plants or power stations having 2 meters or more, the label with the address of each meter
is required.
I.5.36. In the industrial factories, offices, power plants and power stations, the counting of proof power
is necessary.
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When placing the checking meter, the agreement with the electricity supplier is not necessary.
I.5.37. In the power plants, the checking meter for each circuit and each auxiliary circuit is necessary.
I.5.38. In the power stations, to place the checking meter for the general circuit at various levels of
voltage, in the circuit without the payment meter that needs to be checked.
I.5.39. In the enterprises, to place the checking meter at each workshop, each production line for
internal accounting purpose and to determine the energy consumption for product unit.
When the payment meter is placed at the line of stations or power plant powering the factories, it is
allowed to place the choking meter at input point at the factory.
I.5.40. The checking meter, current transformer, voltage transformer in the consumer’s premise are the
property of the buyer and managed by the buyer. The checking meter must meet the requirements of the
Article I.5.13 and I.5.16.
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Scope
I.6.1. This chapter applies to the electrical measurement by fixed measuring instrument, does not apply
to the electrical measurement in the laboratory, portable measuring instruments and measuring
instrument in incident mode.
I.6.2. The electrical measuring instruments, in addition to meeting the provisions of this chapter, must
also meet the requirements of the manufacturer.
General requirements
I.6.3. Electrical measuring instruments must meet the following basic requirements:
1. Indicating or automatic recording instrument must have the degree of accuracy of 1.0 to 2.5.
The amperemeterhaving no zero (0) value in the scale, installed at the low voltage distribution station
and at electric motors, is allowed to have the degree of accuracy of 4.
2. The degree of accuracy of shunt, additional resistor and measuring transformer is not smaller than the
values indicated in the Table I.6.1.
Table I.6.1: The degree of accuracy of shunt, additional resistor and measuring transformer
1 0,5 0,5
1,5 0,5 0,5
2,5 0,5 1
4 - 3
3. The limits of the measurement scale or limit of the display of values must satisfy the measured values
of the entire parameters to be measured.
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I.6.4. The connection of the current winding of measuring instrument and protective device to the
secondary winding of the current transformer powering the payment meters must comply with the
provisions stipulated in the Article I.5.17.
I.6.5. At the un-manned low voltage distribution station, it is allowed not to place the measuring
instruments to measure the indicator current, but a room to connect the checking instruments or to use
the snap around ammeter.
I.6.6. The power measuring instrument needle-type should have the red indicator line showing the
functional rate on the scale.
I.6.7. The power measuring instrument having the "zero" bar in the middle of the scale must have the
directions on both sides of the "zero" bar.
I.6.8. The power measuring instruments must have the label indicating the measurement point, except
the case that it is placed next to the measurement points on the relief diagram.
I.6.9. In addition to display the measuring value on the meter in place, in separate cases, this value
should be self-recorded or put into memory or transmitted to the remote location, according to the
required operating procedures.
2. The generator, the beginning of line or the load of high and middle-voltage line, the beginning of line
or the important load of low voltage line.
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It is allowed to place one ampere meter with switch key to measure three-phase generator with a
capacity up to 200kW.
I.6.14. When selecting the ampere meter and the current transformer, to take into consideration the
possibility of temporary circuit overload at starting time. The current transformer should not saturated
and the ampere meter must withstand the inrush current.
I.6.15. The one-dimensional ampere meter must have the 2-side scale or polarity reversal switch if the
measured circuit can be reversed.
I.6.16. It is possible to connect the AC ampere meter directly the bus bar or wire, to connect the AC
ampere meter to the current transformer, if the direct connection could not be done.
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1. The safety for operator, checker and repairer, the convenience for reading index, and to comply with
the current electrical safety regulations.
2. To isolate the energy part of the ampere meter to the earth by isolation method which can withstand
the corresponding voltage, or to connect directly on the conductive bar between the two adjacent
ceramic insulators and to ensure the space phase-phase and phase-earth of the ampere meter.
3. The base of the ampere meter should be painted red on the scale there must be red sign showing high
voltage value.
I.6.18. For the ampere meter place at DC electrical equipment, it is possible to connect directly or
through the shunt.
1. Each segment of the bus bar of the AC or DC voltage when the segment can work separately.
It is allowed to place one voltmeter with switch key to measure multiple positions of the phase.
At the low voltage distribution stations, it is possible to measure only the voltage at the low-voltage side
if there is no voltage transformer at the high-voltage side.
3. At the excitation circuit of synchronous generators with a capacity of 1MW or above. It is not
required for hydro-electric generators.
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I.6.20. At the checking nodes of the power system, the voltmeter must have the degree of accuracy not
greater than 1.0.
I.6.21. In the three-phase power grid, to place usually place voltmeter for line voltage.
In the 1 kV power grid with effect neutral earthing (see Article I.7.16), it is allowed to measure the
three voltage lines using a measuring instrument with switch key.
I.6.22. To place the insulation tester on the 1 kV current grid with is a small earth-fault current, in the up
to 1kV power grid with neutral isolation and in the DC power grid points with middle isolated point.
The insulation tester can be an indicator, instruments operating under the relay principle (sound signal,
lighting system) or a combination of the two instruments.
• To detect the earth-fault current when the network operates separately and when being connected to a voltage
transformer star – delta connected.
• To detect easily the earth-fault current where the station is manned or un-manned.
• When necessary, the tester should send sound, light signal at place or to the control center.
I.6.23. The insulation tester in the power grid up to 1 kV and in the DC grid should determine the insulation
resistance value, when necessary, the tester should send sound, light signal, while insulation values are under the
set values.
I.6.24. It is not necessary to place the insulation tester in the simple and unimportant DC circuit, in the DC circuit
with the voltage up to 48V.
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It is possible to use a voltmeter with switch key to check the insulation on some points of the excitation circuit.
I.6.26. It is required to use single phase voltage transformer or three phase and five-pole transformer to
connect to the voltmeter to check the insulation. The high-voltage coil of the voltage transformer should
be star-connected with earthed-neutral system.
To supply electricity to the electric circuit and measuring circuit form a voltage transformer, two secondary coils
are required, one coil is star-connected and the other coil is open-delta connected.
Measuring power
1. To measure the effective power and reactive power for each generator.
For generators 100mW or above, it is required to use the meter with the degree of accuracy of 1.0.
2. To measure the effective power for each transformer and for power lines 6 kV and above supplying
the auxiliary electricity to the power plants.
3. To measure the reactive power of synchronous compensator and capacitor 25MVAr or above.
4. To measure the effective power and the reactive power of the two-coils step-up voltage transformer of
power plant.
To measure the effective power and the reactive power at the low and middle-side of the three-coils
step-up voltage transformer (including autotransformer using third windings) of the power plant. For the
voltage transformer working in the block with the generator, the power measurement at low-voltage side
should be done at the circuit of the generator.
5. At the step-down voltage substations, to measure the effective power and the reactive power for each
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For the three-coils step-down voltage transformer – to measure at the middle and low-voltage side. For
two- coils step-down voltage transformer - to measure at the low-voltage side.
It is not required to measure the power of the low-voltage distribution transformer. At the transformer
under the power control by season, a room to connect the mobile meter is necessary.
6. For 110kV and above line with bi-dimensional powers, including circuit breakers - to measure the
effective and quadrature power.
7. To provide expected positions to connect the mobile power meter for the periodical power
measurement of the effective and quadrature power.
I.6.28. To use bi-dimensional scale measuring instrument for bi-dimensional power circuit.
Measuring frequency
2. Power plants with capacity of 6MW and above which operate independently.
I.6.31. The absolute error of the registered frequency meter in the power plants that modulate
frequencies do not exceed ± 0.1 Hz.
I.6.32. To get the exactly synchronization, the following tools are required:
• Timing relay.
I.6.33. To place power measuring instruments on metal or insulated panel, except wood panel.
Conventionally, the power measuring instruments must be placed indoor, only to place them outdoors
when it is allowed by the manufacturer.
The placing height should be from 1.2 m to 2.0 m from the floor. For power measuring instruments type
of high precision or small scale division, the placing height should not be more than 1.7 m.
The self-recording instrument should be placed so that the horizontal line passing through the center of
the instrument should be from 0.6 m to 2.0 m from the floor.
I.6.34. Do not earth the cover of the power measuring instruments mounted on metal structure that is
already grounded.
I.6.35. The power measuring instruments must be placed in the environment in accordance with the
requirements of the manufacturer or placed in a location easy to read, well-lit, the glass do not dazzle the
eyes when lit.
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I.7.1. This chapter applies to the design and installation of grounding devices for equipment working in
AC or DC grid at every voltage level.
I.7.2. The earth fault is the phenomenon of contact between the energized parts of electrical equipment
and non-isolated structures to the earth, or direct contact to the earth.
The cover-fault is the circuit phenomenon that occurs in machinery and equipment, between energy
components and the covers that are earthed.
I.7.3. Grounding devices are the combination of grounding electrodes and grounding wires.
I.7.4. Grounding electrodes are conductive materials or group of conductive materials that are connected
together, buried on the ground and directly contacted to the ground.
I.7.5. Earthing wire is metal conductive wires or bars to connect the grounding parts of electrical
equipment to the grounding electrodes.
I.7.6. Grounding of certain parts of electrical equipment means the connection of the equipment parts to
the grounding devices.
I.7.7. The voltage to the earth at the cover-fault is the voltage between the cover to the earth with the
“zero” voltage area.
I.7.8. The voltage on the grounding devices is the voltage between the current to the grounding electrode
and the "zero" voltage area when the current from a grounding electrode goes into the earth.
I.7.9. “Zero” voltage area is the area outside of the dissipation area of the earth-fault current.
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I.7.11. The earth-fault current is the current that goes to the earth through the grounding point.
I.7.12. The electrical equipment having a large earth-fault current is the equipment with the voltage
greater than 1 kV and single phase earth fault current greater than 500A.
I.7.13. The electrical equipment having a small earth-fault current is the equipment with the voltage
greater than 1 kV and single phase earth fault current lower or equal to 500A.
I.7.14. The direct neutral earthing point is the neutral point of the voltage transformer or generator being
connected directly with the grounding device or connected to the ground via a small resistor (e.g. current
transformer, etc.).
I.7.15. The insulated neutral point is neutral point of voltage transformer or generator that is not
connected to grounding devices or connected to grounding devices through the signaling equipment,
measurement, protection instrument, arc extinguishing coil that are grounded or other similar devices
having high resistance.
I.7.16. The effective neutral earthing point is neutral point of the three-phase power network with
voltage greater than 1 kV having overvoltage factor at earth-fault short circuit not greater than 1.4.
The overvoltage factor at earth-fault short circuit in the three-phase power network is the ratio of voltage
of the unfaulted phase at earth fault short-circuit and the voltage of the phase before the earth-fault short
circuit had occurred.
I.7.17. Neutral conductor is the conductor of the circuit directly connected to the neutral point of the
voltage transformer or generator.
a. Work neutral wire (also known as "zero" working wire) is the wire that supplies the power to the
electrical equipment.
In the three-phase 4-cable grid, this wire is connected to the direct earthed neutral point of the voltage
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For single-phase power source, the neutral wire is connected to the directly grounded output.
For DC power source, this wire is connected to the direct middle grounding point of the source.
This is also the balancing grounding wire that conduct the current when the load on the phase is
imbalanced.
b. Neutral protection wire (also known as "zero" protection wire) of the electrical equipment up to 1 kV
is to connect the parts that need to be connected to the direct neutral earthed point of the voltage
transformer or generator in the three-phase power grid.
For single-phase power source, this wire is connected to the directly earthed output. For DC power
source, this wire is connected to the direct grounding point of the source.
I.7.18. Protective switch is the automatic switch by a protection system of all the phases or poles when
the problem occurs in a section of the grid with a switching time not more than 0.2 seconds counted
from the time when the single-phase earth-fault current occurs.
I.7.19. Double insulation is the combination of working insulation (main) and protection insulation
(auxiliary) (see Article I.1.46 ÷ 48). The coordination has to ensure that when there is damage in one of
two insulation layers that will not cause danger when contacted.
General requirements
I.7.20. For electrical equipment with voltage up to 1kV and above, one of the following protection
measures should be taken: grounding, neutral grounding, protection switching, using isolation
transformers, using low voltage, double insulating, equi-pressure in order to ensure the safety for people
in the working mode of the power grid, to protect against lightning for electrical equipment, to protect
against internal overvoltage.
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In order to ground electrical equipment, the priority must be given to the natural earthing, such as metal
structures, concrete reinforced structure, metal tubes buried in underground in case that they meet the
regulations, except the flammable liquids, gases and flammable mixtures tubes etc.
If these metal structures have the earth resistance that meet the grounding requirements, the grounding
devices are not necessary.
I.7.21. It is necessary to a common grounding devices for electrical equipment having different
functions and voltages. Except for some cases that are only allowed if they meet the prescribed
requirements of these regulations.
The resistance of the common grounding devices must meet the requirements of the equipment and it
must be less than or equal to the minimum resistance of one of those equipment.
I.7.22. In case that the grounding or the protection switching required by this Regulations are difficult or
impossible to perform technically, it is allowed to use of electrical equipment that are equipped with
insulating floor.
The structure of the insulating floor is only deemed to be qualified when standing on the floor, people
can contact the un-grounding parts. In addition, to exclude the possibility of simultaneous contact
between the un-grounding part of these equipment and the grounding part of the other equipment or
parts of the building structure.
I.7.23. For up to 1 kV power grid having direct neutral earthing, it is required to ensure the ability of
automatic switching, with the shortest switching time in order to isolate the damaged elements from the
grid when the short-circuit happens one the grounding parts. To ensure the above requirements, the
neutral point at the low-voltage side of the voltage transformer up to 1 kV must be connected to the
earthing pole by earthing wire, for the DC 3- wire grid, the middle wire must be grounded directly. The
cover of these equipment must be connected to a grounding neutral wire. It the cover of the equipment is
not connected to a grounding neutral wire, it is not allowed to ground the cover of the said equipment.
I.7.24. For neutral isolation voltage transformer having and voltage transformer with arc extinguishing
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I.7.25. For electrical equipment with voltage up to 1 kV, it is allowed to use the direct or isolated neutral
grounding point.
It is recommend to apply the neutral isolation for electrical equipment with high safety requirements,
provided:
a. These equipment are equipped with the protection and insulation inspection devices, it is possible to
use circuit breakers or fuses.
b. It is possible to quickly detect and fix in time when the earth-fault or the earthing of automatic
switching device occurs.
In the three-phase 4 wire AC grid or 3 wire DC grid, it is required to directly ground the neutral point.
For 3-phase electrical equipment, rated voltage 500V or 660V, to isolate the neutral point.
I.7.26. For three-phase grid or a single phase grid with voltage up to 1kV, neutral isolation point being
connected to the grid with voltage higher than 1kV through transformer, to place insulated disruptive
protection equipment in the neutral point or at low voltage phase of voltage transformers to prevent
danger when the insulating materials between high voltage winding and low voltage winding is
damaged.
I.7.27. In the following cases, the special security measures for automatic switching operation of
equipment when the cover-fault occurs:
a. The grid having the isolated neutral points and high demands for electrical safety (in mine etc.).
b. The grid having the direct grounding neutral point and voltage up to 1 kV.
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c. For mobile devices if the grounding is not capable of satisfying the requirements of these regulations.
I.7.28. Size of poles of artificial grounding devices (tubes, rods, etc.) should ensure the ability to evenly
distribute the voltage to ground on the area where the electrical equipment are located. For electrical
equipment having large earth-fault current, it is required to put the loop earthing circuit around the
equipment (except electrical equipment in the station 35kV or less).
I.7.29. To ensure the safety, the electrical equipment having large earth-fault current is to be equipped
with voltage balancing grid (except electrical equipment in the station 35kV or less).
I.7.30. To ensure the required value of earth resistance in a year, when designing the grounding system,
to take into consideration the changes in the resistivity of the ground (changed by climate).
To ensure the above requirements, the calculation must include correction coefficient, depending on the
status of the ground resistivity at the time of measurement.
I.7.31. To ground the metal parts of machinery, electrical equipment in workshops as well as outdoors.
Parts that must be earthed are:
a. Cover of generator, cover of transformer, power tools, overhead lines columns, lighting equipment
etc.
d. Metal frame of the power distribution cabinet, control panel, electrical panel and cabinet, as well as
parts which can be assembled/dissembled if on it placed are electrical equipment with voltage 42V AC
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e. Metal structure of the electric equipment and metal casing of the bearing cable and pilot wire,
junction box, cable passing metal tubes, electrical equipment rack and cover.
f. Electrical equipment that are located at the mobile part of machines and structures.
a. Electrical equipment with voltage up to 380V AC or up to 440V DC and placed in less dangerous
room (see Article I.1.12); i.e. in the dry room and its floor is of low conductivity (such as wood, asphalt)
or in the clean and dry room (such as laboratory, office).
Note: The above equipment must be earthed if at work, people can simultaneously exposed to electrical
equipment and other grounded parts.
b. Equipment placed on metal structures which are grounded if the electrical contact at the contact
surface of that structure is ensured (the contact surface must be scraped clean, smooth and should not be
painted.)
c. Structure to lay cables of any voltage level and the cables are metal shielded grounded at both ends.
d. Rails which go out of the station, transformer station, distribution station and power stations areas of
industrial enterprises.
f. The parts that can be dissembled or removed of metal frame of the distribution chamber, cabinet,
barriers separating the electrical cabinets, doors etc, if on the said parts are not placed the electrical
96
g. Metal structures of the room where are placed the battery of the voltage up to 220V.
It is allowed to ground electric motors and individual machinery on the working machine or other
equipment by direct grounding of the machine or other equipment, if the contact between the individual
motors or machines and working machine or other equipment is ensured.
I.7.33. For electrical equipment with voltage above 1 kV on effective neutral earthing (see Article
I.7.16), to ensure the earth resistance value or sealing voltage, and to ensure the voltage on the
grounding devices (according to the Article I.7.35) and structural measures (according to the Article
I.7.36).
I.7.34. The resistance of the grounding devices in the area whose the resistivity of the earth is not over
500Ωm should not be greater than 0.5 Ω (in any time of the year, taken into consideration the natural
earth resistance) (For the area whose the resistivity is higher than 500Ωm see Article I.7.41 to I.7.45).
This requirement does not apply to grounding devices of overhead lines columns and station 35kV and
under.
For stations 35 kV and under, to apply the Article I.7.46 (including effective grounding).
I.7.35. Voltage on the grounding devices when short circuit earth-fault current runs through should not
exceed 10 kV. This voltage is allowed if the ability to transmit the power from the grounding devices to
the outside of the buildings and of the fences surrounding the electrical equipment is eliminated. When
the voltage on the grounding devices is greater than 5kV, the insulation measures to protect cables and
information systems and remote control system and measures to prevent a dangerous voltage
transmission to the outside of the electrical equipment are required.
I.7.36. To balance the voltage and to ensure the connection of electrical equipment to the grounding
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The grounding electrodes laid by the length must be laid in the middle of electrical equipment at the
operation corridor, at a depth of 0.5 to 0.7 m and far from the base of the electrical equipment from 0.8
m to 1.0 m. If the electrical equipment are placed into rows, with aisles in between, the distance between
two rows should not exceed 3 meters, it is allowed to place a common voltage balancing pole between
two rows of electrical equipment.
The grounding electrodes placed by the width should be placed at the convenient location between the
electrical equipment at the depth of 0.5 to 0.7 m. The distance between them should be taken up from
the perimeter to the center of the grounding grid. So the first distance and the next distances from the
perimeter should not exceed 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 11.0, 13.5, 16.0 and 20.0 m. The size of the
grounding grid next to the junction of the neutral point of the voltage transformer and short-circuit knife
and the grounding devices should not exceed 6x6 m2.
In any case, the distance between the poles laid horizontally should not larger than 30 meters.
The poles placed horizontally should be place by the edge of the area where are located grounding
devices to form a closed loop.
If the grounding loop is laid within the outer fence of the electrical equipment, under the door, close to
the outer horizontal pole of loop, to place two additional grounding electrodes to balance the voltage.
These two poles must be from 3 to 5 meters in length and a the width between them should be equal to
the width of the door.
I.7.37. The installation of grounding devices should satisfy the following requirements:
• The earthing wire of devices or structures of grounding electrodes must be placed at a depth of not less
than 0.3 m.
• To place a horizontal earthing loop surrounding the neutral grounding points of the voltage transformer
and the short-circuit knife.
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• When the grounding devices are beyond the fence of electric equipment, the horizontal grounding
electrodes in the outer area of the electrical equipment must be placed at a depth of not less than 1m. In
this case the outer grounding loop should have the form of polygon with obtuse angles or high-angles.
I.7.38. The outside fence of electrical equipment should not be grounded with grounding devices.
If there are 110kV or higher overhead lines coming from the electrical equipment, the fence must be
earthed by the grounding clamps of a length of 2 - 3m and buried next to the fence pillar by the entire
perimeter of the fence and the grounding clamps are from 20 - 50m apart. The grounding clamps are not
required for the fence with the metal or reinforced concrete pillar, of the concrete reinforcing steel of
those pillar is connected with the metallic parts of the fence.
To eliminate the electrical contact between the outside fences and the grounding devices, the distance
from the fence to the grounding devices placed along the fence on the inside or on the outside or at both
sides of every fence, must not be less than 2m. Grounding electrodes, metal shielded cables, and metal
tubes going outside of the fence must be placed between the pillars of the fence, at a depth not less than
0.5 m. The junction between the outer fence and the houses or building, as well as the junction of the
outside fence and the inside metal fence must be built of brick or wood with a length not less than 1m.
I.7.39. If the grounding devices of industrial electrical equipment are connected to the grounding grid of
equipment with voltage greater than 1 kV, the effective neutral earthing is performed by metal sheathed
cable or by metal wire, the voltage balancing around the building or the area of the electrical
equipment must meet the following conditions:
a. To place a grounding loop around the buildings or area of the electrical equipment and to connect
the loop to the metal structures of building, to production equipment and to the grounding grid (neutral
connection). The loop must be placed at a depth of 1 meter and 1 meter far from the base of the building
or the perimeter of the electrical equipment. At the door, to place two grounding wires, 1m and 2m far
from the grounding loop and at the depth of 1 m and 1.5 m respectively and to connect these grounding
wires to the loop.
b. It is allowed to use the reinforced concrete base as grounding base if the voltage balancing is ensured.
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It is allowed not to comply with the conditions set forth in the sections a and b above, if the area
surrounding the buildings and the entrance way had been asphalt overlaid.
I.7.40. The value of the calculated current to calculate the earthing wires should be the greatest value
(the stable value) of the single-phase earth-fault currents of the electrical system and taking into account
the distribution of earth-fault current between the neutral grounding points of the system.
I.7.41. For the grounding for electrical equipment with voltages greater than 1kV in effective neutral
grounding grid, in the area of the resistivity (ρ) greater than 500Ωm, determined in the most unfavorable
time of the year (measured in dry season), to take the following measures:
a. To increase the grounding pillar length if the resistivity of the earth decreases with depth.
b. To place the grounding electrodes (with length from 1 to 2 km) if there are nearby places whose the
earth resistivity is smaller.
c. To reform the earth to reduce the resistivity (using clay powder, bentonite or graphite powder, etc.,
mixed with other additives).
In the rocky area, it is which allowed to place the electrode shallower than required but not less than
0.15 m. Also do not place grounding electrodes at the entrances.
I.7.42. For the grounding for electrical equipment with voltages greater than 1kV, in the area of the
resistivity greater than 500Ωm, it is allowed to increase the value of earth resistance of grounding
devices up to 0.001 ρ [Ω], but not greater than 5Ω, if the implementation as per required by the Article
I.7.41 is very costly.
I.7.43. If the grounding is implemented as per required by the Article I.7.42 and the requirements are
still not achieved, it is allowed to implement according to the allowed sealing voltage and step voltage.
The way to determine the sealing voltage and step voltage is stated in the Annex I.7.2.
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I.7.44. The grounding devices should have the sealing voltage and step voltage value which are not
greater than the value specified at any time of year when a short circuit current passes through.
I.7.45. When determining the value of the allowed sealing voltage and step voltage, the calculated
impact time should be equal to the total impact time of protection and full switching-time of the breaker.
In working places when the switching operation is performed, the short circuit may occur to the
structures that workers can reach, the impact time of protection device must be taken by the impact time
of backup protection.
I.7.46. For electrical equipment above 1 kV neutral isolated, the earth resistance value is determined in
accordance with the following formula, but not greater than 10Ω:
a. If the grounding devices is used for both electrical equipment with voltage higher than 1kV and less
than 1 kV.
In such case, the grounding requirements for electrical equipment with voltage up to 1kV still have to be
performed.
b. If the grounding devices is only used for of electrical equipment with voltage higher than 1kV.
Where:
Rnd: Value of the largest earth resistance when taking into account the change of resistivity of the earth
(ρd) by the weather of the year, [Ω]
Icd: Calculated earth-fault current, [A]
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1. For the grid without capacitive current compensator : It is the total earth fault current.
• Grounding device with compensator – equal to 125% of nominal current of the compensator.
• When the grounding device is not connected via compensator, the calculated current is residual earth
fault current when switching off compensator having the maximum power, or switching off the biggest
branch of the network.
I.7.48. The earth fault current value must be determined according to the operation diagram of the grid
when the short circuit currents have the greatest value.
I.7.49. For electrical equipment neutral isolated, the earth resistance is calculated in accordance with the
Article I.7.46. The calculated earth fault current may be determined by the pick-up current of the single-
phase ground protection relay or short circuit between the phases if the short circuit between phases
ensures the earth-fault switching.
The calculated earth fault current is not less than 1.5 times the impact current of the protection relay or 3
times of the nominal current of fuse wires.
I.7.50. The neutral cable of the power supply (generators, transformers) must be tightly connected to
grounding devices by earthing wire and these grounding devices should be placed close to the said
equipment. The cross-section of the earthing wire should not be less than that prescribed in the table of
the Article I.7.1 I.7.72.
In other cases, such as substations inside the factory, it is allowed to place the grounding devices near
the wall (at the outside).
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I.7.51. The phase and neutral wires of the transformer, generator to the distribution control panel,
usually are the conductive bar.
The conductivity of the neutral conductor must not be less than 50% of the conductivity of the phase. If
the cables are used instead of conductive bars, they must be the 4-core cables.
I.7.52. The earth resistance value of the neutral point of the generators or transformers, or of the output
of single-phase power supply at any time of the year should net be not greater than 2Ω, 4Ω voltage
corresponding to 660V, 380V, the voltage of the lines of three-phase power supply or to 380V, 220V,
the voltage of the phase of the single-phase power supply. The value of this resistance is calculated by
both natural grounding and multiple earthing of the overhead lines. The earth resistance of grounding
electrodes placed close to the neutral point of the voltage transformers, generators or output of the
single-phase power supply does not exceed 15; 30Ω, corresponding voltage values mentioned above .
When the resistivity of the earth is greater than 100Ωm, it is allowed to raise the earth resistance by 0.01
ρ time, but not by more than 10 times.
I.7.53. The neutral wire must be grounded repetitively at the last column and the branching columns of
overhead lines. Along the neutral wire, to ground repetitively by the distance from 200 to 250m.
For the multiple grounding in the AC grid, it is recommended to use natural grounding materials, and in
DC grid, the artificial grounding materials are required.
I.7.54. The resistance of the multiple grounding (including natural grounding) for the neutral wire of the
overhead lines at any time of year should not be greater than 5, 10Ω, corresponding to 660V, 380V,
voltages of the lines of the three-phase power supply or to the 380V, 220V voltages of the phase of the
single-phase power supply. In which the resistance value of multiple grounding must not be greater than
15; 30Ω corresponding voltage values mentioned above.
I.7.55. For electrical equipment with neutral isolation, the earth resistance value of the electrical
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If the capacity of the generators or transformers is lower than 100KVA, the earth resistance must not be
greater than 10Ω.
Where the generators or transformers operate in parallel with a their total capacity not greater
than100KVA, the earth resistance value should not be greater than 10Ω.
I.7.56. It is prohibited to use the earth as the phase or neutral wire for electrical equipment with voltage
up to 1kV.
I.7.57. Portable electrical appliances may only be powered directly from the grid when the grid voltage
is not greater than 380/220V.
I.7.58. The metal cover of portable electrical appliances with voltage above 36V AC and above 110V
DC in the dangerous or very dangerous room must be grounded, except where such appliance is double
insulated or powered from the isolated transformer.
I.7.59.To ground or neutral ground the portable electrical appliances by the individual wires (The third
wire for DC single-phase and AC single-phase appliances, the fourth wire for three-phase appliances).
This wire should be put in the same shield of the phase and connected to the casing of electrical
appliances. It is not allowed to use the neutral wire as the grounding wire.
I.7.60. To power the portable electrical appliances, the single-purpose electrical sockets and plugs
should be used. Such electrical sockets and plugs should ensure that the grounding electrode is not
connected to the current electrode and when plugged, the grounding electrode will be contacted before
the current electrode, and when unplugged it should be disconnected after current electrode. If the
socket cover is metal, to connect the metal cover to the grounding electrode. The conductor to the
supply side must be connected to the socket, and the wire to the appliance must be connected to the
plug.
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I.7.62. The mobile power stations must be equipped with grounding devices as specified in Article
I.7.59.
I.7.63. For mobile equipment which is powered from the fixed power supply or mobile power stations,
to connect the casing of the said equipment to the grounding devices of the power supply.
In the grid which is neutrally isolated, to place the grounding devices right next to the mobile
equipment. The earth resistance values must comply with the requirements of the Article I.7.55. The use
of the natural grounding materials nearby is the priority.
I.7.64. If the grounding for mobile equipment is impossible or can not meet the requirements of these
regulations, to replace the grounding by the protection switching to switch off the voltage to the
equipment when the earth-fault current occurs.
I.7.65. The grounding is not require for mobile equipment in the following cases:
a. If mobile equipment have an individual generator (It does not power other equipment) placed directly
on the equipment and on a common base metals.
b. If mobile equipment (with quantity not greater than 2) is powered from individual mobile power
station (It does not power other equipment) and the distance from mobile devices to the power station
does not exceed 50 m and the cover of the equipment device is connected to the casing of the power
supply by conductor.
I.7.66. The selection of grounding wire, casing connecting wire for the mobile equipment must conform
to the requirements of these regulations.
The grounding wire, neutral protection wire and casing connecting wire should be soft copper wires
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In the neutral isolated grid, it is allowed that grounding wire and casing connecting wire are separate
from the phase. In this case their cross-section should not less than 2.5 mm2.
To connect casing connecting wire of the power supply to the cover of mobile equipment, it is possible
to use:
a. 5th core of the cable in three-phase grid with working neutral wire.
b. 4th core of the cable in three-phase grid without working neutral wire.
Grounding devices
I.7.67. When designing the grounding devices, to determine the value of the resistivity of the earth by
measuring in the field. The resistivity values used in the designing must be determined by multiplying
the measured value by the season factor.
Note: The season factor is the factor which depends on the weather change in one year (between the
rainy season and dry season) to reach the most unfavorable resistivity value.
I.7.68. When designing the grounding, the natural grounding materials are recommended.
a. Water tubes and metal tubes that are buried in the ground, except the flammable liquids, gases and
compound explosion tube lines.
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e. Lead-sheathed cables placed in the earth. Do not use wire aluminum cover as natural grounding
electrode.
f. Crane rails, internal rails in factories if the rails are connected together by a bridge.
The natural grounding components shall be connected to artificial grounding devices (main grounding)
at least 2 points.
I.7.69. For the artificial grounding electrode , the steel tubes, round, flat, angle steel which can be
driven vertically or round, flat steel, etc. which is laid horizontally can be used.
The smallest size of the electrodes of the grounding devices should comply with the provisions
prescribed in the Table I.7.1. In places of corrosion, the electrodes of grounding devices must be copper
or zinc plated. In special cases, in areas of high corrosion, in addition to the coating, to increase the
cross-section of the electrodes of the grounding devices and to check periodically.
The electrodes that are buried in the earth of grounding devices should not be covered with asphalt or
other insulating coatings.
I.7.70. To prioritize the use of the working neutral wire as neutral protection wire.
For the auxiliary earthing wire and neutral protection wire, it is allowed to use of the following natural
conductive materials:
a. Metal structure of the buildings (truss, column, equipment rack, concrete reinforcing steel, etc.).
b. Metal structures of factories (rails, cranes, metal frame of the transportation devices (elevators,
basement floors, etc.) ).
d. Metal drainage, steam heat, water tubes (except the flammables and explosive liquids tubes) of the
electrical equipment with voltage up to 1 kV.
When using them as the main earthing wire, the requirements for the earthing wire in this regulations
should be met.
The natural conductive materials shall be connected to the equipment reliably, seamlessly.
I.7.71. It is prohibited to use metal casing of tube wire, aerial cable, the metal cover of the insulating
tube, metal handle, the lead cover of wires and cables as grounding wire or neutral protection wires.
It is allowed only to use the lead cover of the cable for the above purpose in improving the city's power
grid with voltage 380/220V.
In the outdoor space and equipment requiring the grounding, neutral connection, the above metal casing
must be grounded firmly on the entire length. The cable box and the junction box should be connected
to the metal cover by welding or by bolts.
For joints by bolt, to take measures against the rust and looseness.
The indoor and outdoor earthing wire and neutral protection wire should be easily accessible for
checking. The checking does not apply to neutral wire of the armored cable, concrete reinforcing steel,
as well as grounding wire placed in tubes, boxes or building structures.
I.7.72. The copper or aluminum or steel earthing wire must have a size not smaller than the value
specified in the Table I.7.1.
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It is prohibited to use the buried bare aluminum wire as the ground wire.
I.7.73. For electrical equipment with voltage higher than 1kV and high earth-fault current, the cross-
section of earthing wire must ensure that when the single-phase calculated earth-fault current running
through and the temperature of earthing wire does not exceed 400oC (the short-term temperature rise
conditions are adequate to the switching time of the main protection device).
Table I.7.1. The smallest size of the earthing wire and neutral protection wire
Steel
Description Copper Aluminum Indoor Outdoor Buried
Bare wires:
4 6 - - -
- Cross section, mm2
- Diameter, mm - - 5 6 10
Insulated wire cross-
1,5(*) 2,5 - - -
section, mm2
Cross-section of
grounding core neutral
core of the cable in 1 2,5 - - -
protective casing with the
phase core, mm2
Angle bar thickness, mm - - 2 2,5 4
Steel bar cross-section,
- - 24 48 48
mm2
Thickness, mm - - 3 4 4
Tube:
- 2,5 2,5 2,5 3,5
Tube thickness, mm
Thin steel tube:
- - 1,5 2,5 Not allowed
Thickness, mm
I.7.74. For the electrical equipment with the voltage higher than 1kV and small earth-fault current, the
cross-section of the earthing wire must ensure that when the single-phase calculated earth-fault current
occurs, long temperature rise of grounding wire placed underground must not exceed 150oC.
I.7.75. For electrical equipment with the voltage up to 1kV and neutrally isolated, the inductance of
earthing wire should not be smaller than 1/3 of the inductance of the phase, its cross-section should not
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In the factory, the grounding grid should be the steel bar with the cross-section of not less than 100
mm2. The round steel with the same cross-section can be used.
I.7.76. For electrical equipment with voltage up to 1kV direct neutral earthing, to ensure the ability to
automatically switch off the incident area, the cross-section of the phase and neutral wires must be
selected that if the cover fault or the short circuit of the neutral protection wire occurs, the short circuit
current should not be less than:
b. 3 times of the nominal current of the switching element that can not be adjustable or of the setting
current of the adjustable switching element of the breakers having the characters of the reverse current.
To protect the power grid by breaker having only the magnetic cutout element (fast switching), the wire
cross-section must ensure that the value of the current passing through should not be lower than the
setting value of the exciting current multiplied by the coefficient of dispersion (as per the
manufacturer's data) and storage coefficient of 1.1. Otherwise, for breakers having nominal current up to
100A, the multiple of the short circuit current compared to the setting value shall not be lower than 1.4;
for breakers having nominal current over 100A - not lower than 1.25.
The cross-section of neutral protection wire, in any case, should not be smaller than 50% of the cross-
section of the phase.
If the above requirements can not satisfy the cover fault current value or the short circuit of the neutral
protection wire, the short circuit will be cut off by special protection device.
I.7.77. Electrical equipment with voltage up to 1kV directly earthed neutral, neutral protection wire
should be put together and near the phase.
The working neutral wire should be calculated to ensure the long working time of the current.
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The working neutral wire can be the insulated wire with insulation nature such as the phase. The
insulation of the working neutral wire as well as the neutral protection wire are required if the use of the
bare wire can generate the twisting couple or cause the damage to the insulation of the phase by the
sparks of the phase between the bare neutral wire and the covers or structures (such as placing wires in
the tubes, boxes, trays). The insulation is not required if the cover or the structural support of the bus bar
(on the support or in the system) as the working neutral and protection wire, as well as for the
aluminum or lead shields of the cable (see Article I.7.71).
In workshops, with normal environment, it is allowed to use metal structures, tubes, casing and supports
of bus bar as the working neutral wire (see Article I.7.70) when:
• Powering, in single-phase current, the make-and-break coil of the magnetic starter or contactor.
• Powering, in single-phase current, the lighting equipment and signal control circuit of the crane in one
phase.
I.7.78. It is not allowed use the working neutral wire as the neutral protection wire for a single phase or
DC electrical portable tools. The neutral wire should be is the third wire and connected to the three-pole
socket.
I.7.79. Do not place the fuse or circuit breaker in the grounding wire and neutral protection wire.
The working neutral circuit and simultaneously the neutral protection wire may be cut off
simultaneously with the phase.
If the single-pole electric cutout is used, it is required to be placed at the phase, and not in neutral wire.
I.7.80. It is not allowed to use the working neutral wire of one line as the neutral wire of electrical
equipment powered by other lines.
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I.7.81. In the overhead lines with voltage up to 1 kV with direct neutral grounding wire, the short circuit
current value used to test the cutting ability under the short circuit between the phase and the neutral
wire is determined by the approximate formula hereunder:
Where:
• : Total resistance at the node of the loop circuit between the phase and the neutral
wire, equal to 0.6 Ω / km.
• Zbt: Total resistance of the voltage transformer.
To take in account only Zbt on the above formula if connected to the three-phase voltage transformers
Y/y - 12 and then Zbt is taken according to the manufacturer’s specification. In other cases, do not
taking in account Zbt in calculations.
I.7.82. In the humid room with corrosive vapor, to place the grounding wire far from the wall at least
10mm.
I.7.83. The earthing wire must be protected against mechanical and chemical damage, especially in
places with crossing cables, tubes, metal bar etc. The protection against chemical damage should be
specially attentive in areas of the corrosive environment.
I.7.84. The earthing wires which go through walls must be placed in the holes, in the tubes or in hard
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I.7.85. It is not allowed to use the earthing wires for other purposes. It is only allowed to use the earthing
wires to connect temporarily to the welding devices if the cross-section of the earthing wires can ensure
the welding current. To only use the neutral grounding wire to connect to the control circuit of the
machine tool in special cases.
I.7.86. At the place where the grounding wire is connected to the project, there must be visible symbols.
The earthing wire laid in the ground, the structure of grounding devices laid above ground must be
painted purple or black.
In the places where the decoration is needed, it is allowed to paint the grounding wire the color of the
room, but at the junction or branching points, the grounding wire should be painted black or purple in
lines which are 150mm apart. For 2-core branch lines, of which the neutral wire is used as a grounding
wire, at the welded joints or junction the neutral wire must also be painted purple.
I.7.87. The connections between the ground wire and neutral protection wire in order to ensure the good
contact should be done by direct welding or special connector. The weld joint should have the length
equal to 2 times the width of the bar, if the cross-section is rectangular, or 6 times of the diameter of the
bar if the cross-section is round.
For overhead lines, it is allowed to connect the neutral wire like to connect the phase.
The joint in the humid room, with metal corrosive gas should be done by welding. If it is impossible to
welded, it is allowed to connect with bolts, but the joint must be painted for protection. The joints must
be accessible for inspection.
I.7.88. When using the conductive materials specified in Article I.7.70 as grounding wire the following
requirements should be satisfied:
a. Their connections must be reliable and ensure the electrical continuity throughout the length of the
conductor.
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b. When using the metal structure next to each other as the earthing wire, to connect them together by
the conductive bars whose cross-section is not less than 100 mm2, and joined by welding. When using
such structures for electrical equipment with voltage up to 1 kV, direct neutral earthed, to connect by
bridge whose cross-section is equal to the cross-section of earthing wire.
I.7.89. The steel tube for inserting electrical wires, box gutters and other structures that are used as a
grounding wire or neutral protection wire, must be connected together reliably.
• Where the tubes that are laid on the ground, the turnbuckle on the minium coating or other structures
that are connected reliably can be used.
• Where the tubes that are buried under the ground, it is only allowed to connect by the turnbuckle on
the minium coating.
• When the connections have the long threaded steel bar, on each side of it the brake nut is needed.
Whether the tubes are laid on the ground or buried d in the neutral earthing grid openings, both sides of
the tube must be welded (in this case brake nuts are not needed if they are laid on the ground.)
When the conductors are inserted in the steel tubes and these tubes are used as earthing wire, the end of
steel tube and the metal casing of electrical equipment must be welded by metal.
I.7.90. When connecting the earthing wire to the extended grounding electrode (e.g. tubes), it should be
done by welding. Otherwise, it is allowed to use the belt, to wash the tube and to plate with tin at the
contact surface before using the belt.
I.7.91. The connection of the grounding wire to the grounding structure should be done by welding, the
connection of grounding wire to the equipment etc. can be done by welding or bolted. For the joints on
vibrating parts or on the parts that are exposed to the impact, to take measures to ensure good contact
(by brake nuts, lock washers).
The ground or neutral protection wires that are often removed or on moving parts must be the soft wires.
114
I.7.92. The neutral points of transformer or generator that are grounded directly or through the
capacitive compensator must be connected to the grounding grid or to the main earthing bar by the
individual earthing wire.
I.7.93. The safety grounding, the work grounding and lightning protection grounding system must be
connected to a grounding grid by the individual wire.
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The permanent allowed current of the bare wires under the temperature rise conditions due to the
current and to the solar radiation is calculated by the following formula:
Where:
Hr: Thermal emissivity coefficient due to the radiation (Stefan - Boltzmann's Law), calculated by the
following formula:
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1. Solar radiation energy: To refer to the calculated data of the countries in the region, selected:
Ws = 0,1 W/cm2
2. Calculated wind speed:
v = 0.6 m / s
3. The air temperature T depends on the testing time of the allowed permanent current, the most
unfavourable conditions are to select the highest air temperature and suitable to the climate conditions
in Vietnam T = 40° C.
5. For the ratio β between the AC resistance and DC resistance, to refer to the Table 1 for commonly
used steel-core aluminum wires.
6. The allowed temperature rise θ for the conductor depends on the allowed temperature on the wire and
the air temperature T (= 40° C in the climatic conditions in Vietnam).
• For the steel-core aluminum wires, aluminum alloy wires: the allowed temperature of the wires
reaches 90° C in normal operating conditions, i.e.:
• For hyper heating wires (ZTAL): the allowed temperature of the wires reaches 210° C in normal
117
The allowed permanent current of wires depends on the time of inspection. For example: If the
inspection is carried out on night tine, the air temperature T = 25° C, the solar radiation energy Ws = 0,
resulting that the allowed permanent current significantly increases, compared with the daytime.
118
Temperature, oC 60 70 80 90
RDC at
o
Frequency, Hz 50 60 50 60 50 60 50 60 20 C(Ω/km)
240 mm2 RAC/RDC 1.002 1.003 1.002 1.003 1.002 1.002 1.002 1.002 0.1200
330 mm2 RAC/RDC 1.004 1.006 1.004 1.006 1.004 1.005 1.004 1.005 0.0888
410 mm2 RAC/RDC 1.007 1.010 1.006 1.009 1.006 1.009 1.006 1.008 0.0702
610 mm2 RAC/RDC 1.032 1.039 1.041 1.048 1.045 1.052 1.048 1.055 0.0474
810 mm2 RAC/RDC 1.048 1.063 1.056 1.070 1.060 1.073 1.061 1.074 0.0356
240 mm2 RAC/RDC 1.002 1.002 1.002 1.002 1.001 1.002 0.1200
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The lightning wire are mainly selected to meet the thermal stability conditions when a single phase
short-circuit occurs. The allowed short circuit current on the lightning wires is calculated by the
following formula:
Where:
The thermo stabilization capacity when the single-phase short-circuit occurs of the lightning wires is
compared with the characteristic quantity [kA2s].
For example: The allowed short-circuit current on the lightning wire I = 10kA, short-circuit time t =
0.5s, the thermo stabilization capacity of the lightning wire will be:
(10kA)2.0,5s = 50kA2s
In practice, it is possible to use chart to calculate the allowed instant current and to compare to the short-
circuit current , single-phase of the power system at the checking place, the thermo stabilization
will be guaranteed when:
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Time (s)
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
2
Cross-section (mm )
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
10 2.94 2.08 1.70 1.47 1.32 1.20 1.11
20 5.88 4.16 3.40 2.94 2.63 2.40 2.22
30 8.82 6.24 5.09 4.41 3.95 3.60 3.33
40 11.76 8.32 6.79 5.88 5.26 4.80 4.45
50 14.70 10.40 8.49 7.35 6.58 6.00 5.56
60 17.65 12.48 10.19 8.82 7.89 7.20 6.67
70 20.59 14.56 11.89 10.29 9.21 8.40 7.78
80 23.53 16.64 13.58 11.76 10.52 9.60 8.89
90 26.47 18.72 15.28 13.23 11.84 10.81 10.00
100 29.41 20.80 16.98 14.70 13.15 12.01 11.12
110 32.35 22.87 18.68 16.18 14.47 13.21 12.23
120 35.29 24.95 20.38 17.65 15.78 14.41 13.34
130 38.23 27.03 22.07 19.12 17.10 15.61 14.45
140 41.17 29.11 23.77 20.59 18.41 16.81 15.56
150 44.11 31.19 25.47 22.06 19.73 18.01 16.67
160 47.05 33.27 27.17 23.53 21.04 19.21 17.79
170 50.00 35.35 28.86 25.00 22.36 20.41 18.90
180 52.94 37.43 30.56 26.47 23.67 21.61 20.01
190 55.88 39.51 32.26 27.94 24.99 22.81 21.12
200 58.82 41.59 33.96 29.41 26.30 24.01 22.23
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Time (s)
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Cross-section (mm2)
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
10 2.94 2.08 1.70 1.47 1.32 1.20 1.11
20 5.88 4.16 3.40 2.94 2.63 2.40 2.22
30 8.82 6.24 5.09 4.41 3.95 3.60 3.33
40 11.76 8.32 6.79 5.88 5.26 4.80 4.45
50 14.70 10.40 8.49 7.35 6.58 6.00 5.56
60 17.65 12.48 10.19 8.82 7.89 7.20 6.67
70 20.59 14.56 11.89 10.29 9.21 8.40 7.78
80 23.53 16.64 13.58 11.76 10.52 9.60 8.89
90 26.47 18.72 15.28 13.23 11.84 10.81 10.00
100 29.41 20.80 16.98 14.70 13.15 12.01 11.12
110 32.35 22.87 18.68 16.18 14.47 13.21 12.23
120 35.29 24.95 20.38 17.65 15.78 14.41 13.34
130 38.23 27.03 22.07 19.12 17.10 15.61 14.45
140 41.17 29.11 23.77 20.59 18.41 16.81 15.56
150 44.11 31.19 25.47 22.06 19.73 18.01 16.67
160 47.05 33.27 27.17 23.53 21.04 19.21 17.79
170 50.00 35.35 28.86 25.00 22.36 20.41 18.90
180 52.94 37.43 30.56 26.47 23.67 21.61 20.01
190 55.88 39.51 32.26 27.94 24.99 22.81 21.12
200 58.82 41.59 33.96 29.41 26.30 24.01 22.23
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Appendix I.7.2
The calculation method for touch voltage and allowed step voltage
(To refer to IEEE 80-2000 for details)
The allowed touch voltage and step voltage value is calculated as follows:
Where:
Etouch: Allowed touch voltage, V
Estep : Allowed step voltage, V
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