Ground Fault Protection

Ground faults occur when current flows from an energized conductor to ground, which can energize other equipment and potentially cause harm if touched. Ground fault protection is critical to protect people and animals from being shocked or killed. NK Technologies, a leading supplier of current sensing and power monitoring products, offers a broad selection of ground fault relays used to prevent harm to personnel, equipment, and processes.

Ground faults can be costly if not checked. They can cause a fire to erupt, create equipment damage, or even shock or electrocute personnel. Numerous safety regulations and electrical codes exist to prevent and protect against ground faults.

Ground fault relays consist of a single magnetically permeable toroid surrounding current carrying conductors connected to an electrical device such as a motor, heater element, pump, or other machinery. The current transformer detects any imbalance through the conductors measuring current leakage to ground. The ground fault protection relay may then trigger a contactor to disconnect power or to send an alarm to a higher-level control that initiates the appropriate action.

The size of conductors, set points, and subsequent actions if a ground fault is detected all need to be considered. What do the local codes require for protection and disconnect? What is the main goal in setting up a ground fault relay? Is it focused on personnel protection or electrical device/process protection?