Earth fault loop impedance testing is necessary to ensure circuit protection operates quickly enough in the event of a fault. It measures the impedance of the path fault current would take between the phase conductor and earth. Testing includes the Ze test at the distribution board and the Zs test to also include installation resistance. Proper protection against electric shock hazards requires that the product of maximum protective device current and earth fault loop impedance remain below 50V. Prospective short circuit testing checks that protective devices will operate safely by measuring fault current between phase and neutral.

1. Why earth fault loop impedance test is necessary
Earth fault loop impedance is the path followed by fault current when a low impedance fault occurs between the
phase conductor and earth, i.e. “earth fault loop”. Fault current is driven round the loop by the supply voltage. The
higher the impedance, the lower the fault current will be and the longer it will take for the circuit protection to
operate.
To make sure the protection operates fast enough, the loop impedance must be low. Every circuit must be tested to
make sure that the actual loop impedance does not exceed that specified for the protective device concerned. It is
recommended that the Ze test be done first. This test, done at the distribution board, gives the loop impedance of
the circuit, excluding the installation. The Zs test, which includes the circuit tested in the Ze test as well as including
the installation resistance, must be done next.
In most homes, basic shock protection is done by coordinating an earthing circuit with automatic switches in the
indoor wiring circuits. This quickly cuts off supply to an earthing circuit where a fault occurs and touch voltage
exceeds an acceptable limit. Proper protection against electric shock hazards is given when the TT wiring system
complies with: Ra x Ia <50, where Ra is the sum of the resistances of earth bars and protective conductors and Ia is
the maximum current of the protection system. Ra multiplied by Ia should not be more than 50 V, i.e. the maximum
voltage one can touch will not exceed 50 V in the event of an earth fault.
(http://www.ee.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IndiN-Earthloop-impedance.jpg)
Earth fault loop impedance testing
The value of the earth fault loop impedance is the sum of transformer coil winding resistance, phase conductor (L1)
resistance and the protective conductor (PE) resistance as well as the source earth resistance and installation
resistance.
The Ze earth fault loop impedance measurement is made on the supply side of the distribution board and the main
means of earthing, with the main switch open and all circuits isolated. The means of earthing will be isolated from the
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2. installation’s earthing system (earth rods) bonding during the test. The Ze measurement will confirm the earth fault
loop impedance as the sum of the resistances of the transformer coil winding, phase conductor or supply side and
protective conductor resistance, but not the installation earth resistance.
The Zs earth fault loop impedance should be tested at the furthest point of each circuit. In most cases the circuit
breaker needs to be bridged out. The total earth fault loop impedance can be measured by plugging a loop tester
into a socket outlet, or in some cases with an external earth probe. The value of the earth fault loop impedance is the
sum of the resistances of the transformer coil winding , phase conductor (L1) and protective conductor (PE) as well
as source earth and installation earth resistance.
When using an external earth probe, the earth fault loop impedance can be measured by touching an external probe
directly to an earth bar, collector and connection point of an earth bar. The same measurement can be done by
touching the earth probe to exposed, conductive parts of equipment in the circuits and exposed metal parts.
Anyone on site must avoid shock hazard while establishing contact and while doing the test. When buying a loop
tester ask for distribution board test leads so that Ze and Zs measurements can be done.
Prospective short circuit current (PSC) testing
The prospective short circuit or fault current at any point in an electrical installation is the current that would flow in
the circuit if no circuit protection operated and a complete (very low impedance) short circuit occurred. The value of
this fault current is determined by the supply voltage and the impedance of the path taken by the fault current.
Measurement of PSC can be used to check that protective devices within the system will operate within safety limits
and as per the safe design of the installation. PSC is normally measured between the phase and neutral at the DB or
at a socket outlet.
Contact Wayne Ternant, Major Tech, Tel 011 822-1551, wayne@major-tech.com (wayne@major-tech.com)
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