Grounding and cabling of the

drive system

Variable Speed Drives

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 Variable Speed Drives

Grounding and cabling of the drive system

3AFY 61201998 R0125 REV A

EFFECTIVE: 11.3.1998
SUPERSEDES: 6.3.1998

 1998 ABB Industry Oy. All rights reserved.

 Table of Contents

Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................................i

Chapter 1 - Introduction ............................................................................................................................1-1

The purpose of the manual.................................................................................................................1-1
Objectives of grounding......................................................................................................................1-1
Availability ................................................................................................................................1-2
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The grounding structure .....................................................................................................................1-3

Chapter 2 - Grounding of drive modules ..................................................................................................2-1

General ..............................................................................................................................................2-1

Chapter 3 - Cabling of variable speed drives ...........................................................................................3-1

General ..............................................................................................................................................3-1
Supply................................................................................................................................................3-1
Transformer..............................................................................................................................3-1
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Cabling.....................................................................................................................................3-1
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Motor cables ......................................................................................................................................3-5

AC drives .................................................................................................................................3-5
Availability ................................................................................................................................3-6
Cable routes.............................................................................................................................3-6
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DC-drives ...............................................................................................................................3-12
Signal cables....................................................................................................................................3-13
PE, protective ground vs. TE, technical ground......................................................................3-13
Interfacing problem of systems with dissimilar grounding........................................................3-14
Control cable shielding............................................................................................................3-15
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Cabling and insulation of tachometer, pulse encoder..............................................................3-17

Examples of cabling system drives.........................................................................................3-18
Galvanic isolation ...................................................................................................................3-20
Cable routes...........................................................................................................................3-20
Common mode inductor .........................................................................................................3-20

Chapter 4 - Interference coupling, informative annex .............................................................................4-1

Common impedance coupling.............................................................................................................4-1
Capacitive coupling ............................................................................................................................4-2
Inductive coupling...............................................................................................................................4-3
Electromagnetic coupling....................................................................................................................4-4

Grounding and cabling of the drive system i

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Terms ................................................................................................................................................4-4
EMI ..........................................................................................................................................4-4
Shield.......................................................................................................................................4-4
Armour .....................................................................................................................................4-5
Availability ................................................................................................................................4-5
Literature............................................................................................................................................4-5
EMC.........................................................................................................................................4-5
Bearing currents.......................................................................................................................4-5

ii Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 Chapter 1 - Introduction

The purpose of This manual describes the grounding and cabling principles of a
variable speed drive system. System is composed of parts as
the manual transformer, mains cable, converter, motor cable and motor.
Converter may be single drive or system drive a.c. frequency
converter or d.c. converter. This manual is intended for persons
involved in drive system installations and assembly. When the
principles given in this manual are followed the installation fulfils the
personal safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and availability
requirements concerning grounding and cabling. Local safety
regulations must be followed. Product specific instructions are in
product manuals.

A short description of interference phenomena and literature

references is included at the end of this manual.

Objectives of The traditional grounding is based on electrical safety. It ensures

personal safety in all circumstances and limits material damages due
grounding to electrical faults. For interference-free operation and long-term
availability of the drive more profound methods are needed: high
frequency grounding and equipotential ground planes on building
floor, equipment enclosure and circuit board levels.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 1-1

*URXQGLQJRIGULYHPRGXOHV

Availability Proper cabling and grounding strongly attenuates motor shaft and
frame voltages, which may cause high frequency bearing currents
and lead to premature bearing replacements.

Bearing Two types of bearing currents are shown schematically below: high
currents frequency circulating current (5) and shaft grounding current (7).

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1-2 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

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The grounding Interference-free operation of electronics is facilitated by establishing

equipotential areas on all structural levels. Building floors, equipment
structure enclosures and circuit boards are using local ground planes on each
level. The ground planes can also be mesh structures.

The best result is achieved by means of a well structured grounding.

It begins with ground electrodes connected to each other reliably to
form a network. The electrical equipment is connected to the network
of electrodes through a short wiring to minimise the impedance
(Figure 1-1).

aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa

Figure 1 - 1. Recommended configuration for the ground

electrodes and grounding networks.
1 Power and communications ground, as needed
2 Soil
3 Multiple, bonded ground electrodes

In buildings where the ground plane model is not carried out, a radial
conductor system is used for potential equalisation. This is the
practice in many old buildings.

Cabinets PE busbar shall be connected to factory ground only at one

point if the ground electrode system is of single electrode type and
not well structured (Figure 1-2).

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 1-3

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Figure 1 - 2. Grounding of the single electrode drive system.

1-4 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 Chapter 2 - Grounding of drive modules

General When drive modules are assembled into the cabinet, all modules
must be for personal safety reasons grounded to prevent dangerous
voltages under any circumstances. Connection to ground through
fixing screws and cabinet chassis is not good enough. To ensure the
continuity of the protection bonding circuit modules must be
connected to the cabinet PE busbar by a copper busbar or
cable. The cross-sections must be in accordance with local
regulations. From the EMC standpoint low impedance high
frequency grounding (0.1 Ω, 25 A) is recommended. The best result
is achieved with a flat copper braid.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 2-1

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2-2 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 Chapter 3 - Cabling of variable speed drives

General Cables are dimensioned on a case-by-case basis in accordance with

the local regulations concerning short-circuit protection, operating
voltage, permissible touch voltage appearing under fault conditions
and current-carrying capacity of the cable. In addition, the cable type
must support the EMC protection and availability of installed
equipment.

This manual describes examples of proper cabling and grounding

practices. It is necessary to follow these instructions when selecting
cables with the local vendor and implementing the grounding of the
system.

Supply
Transformer A VSD-dedicated transformer with static shield between the primary
and secondary is recommended.

Grounded If no frequency converter input filter is used, the grounding

secondary impedance of the transformer secondary must be especially low:
(TN, TN-S) minimum 70 mm x 0.75 mm copper plate or at least two separate
50 mm2 cables. Distance between the cables must be at least
150 mm. If the installation specific drawings specify larger cross-
sections for grounding, those must be followed. The length of the
grounding conductor should be as short as possible.

Floating Frequency converter input filter can not be used due to specific
secondary safety requirements of this type of network. The common mode
(IT) impedance of the mains is given by the size and construction of the
feeding network.

Cabling
Low power At low current (< 300 A) when one cable is sufficient, a shielded
supply symmetrical multicore cable is recommended. The shield is
connected to PE at both ends. When the converter incorporates
input filter, also unshielded cable can be used.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-1

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The reactance of a multicore cable is low enabling the longest supply

cabling. With parallel multicore cables, also high currents are
possible.

3-2 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

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High power The supply of a high current (> 300 A) variable speed drive can be
supply either a busbar or a cable bus system.

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Metal conduit (shield) of the busbar system shall be connected to PE

(Figure 3-2) at either one or both ends.

A cable bus system consists of parallel single core cables for phase
leads. It is designed to reduce the conductor material, because of
better cooling of separate conductors. The lower reactance cable
bus systems allows longer distances than an alternative busbar
system.

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Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-3

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It is recommended to arrange the cables as shown in Figure 3-4 to

achieve an as accurate distribution of current as possible.

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Figure 3 - 4. Cable bus arrangement.

When single-core cables equipped with concentric protective shields

(armours) are used, the phase current will induce voltage to cable
shield. If shields are connected to each other at both ends of the
cable, current will flow in the cable shield. In order to prevent this
current and to ensure personal safety, the cable shield must be
connected to PE only at the feeder side and must be insulated at the
converter side (Figure 3-5).

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3-4 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

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Motor cables
AC drives To meet the EMC and availability requirements, only shielded,
symmetrical, multicore cables shall be used. Some exceptions to this
rule are given in the product specific manuals.

To be effective at high frequency, the shield conductivity shall be at

least 1/10 of the phase conductor conductivity. One way of
evaluating the effectiveness of the shield is the shield inductance,
which must be low and only slightly dependent on the frequency.
These requirements are easily met with a copper or aluminium
shield/armour. The cross section of a steel shield has to be ample
and the shield helix of low-gradient. Galvanizing will increase the
high frequency conductivity.

Connect aluminium and copper shield at both ends to PE. 360°

bonding of the shield will utilize the full high frequency capability to
correspond the EMC rules and availability requirements. To operate
as a protective conductor, the shield conductivity must be at least
50% of the phase lead.

The first alternative is a three-core cable equipped with concentric

protective copper shield. In that case the phase wires are at an
equal distance from each other and from the shield, and the shield is
used as a protective conductor. The cross-section must be sufficient
according to safety regulations. (Figure 3-6. A).

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Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-5

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An equally suitable cable type, 3+3+Cu/Al -shield + possible armour

has three symmetrical conductors for protective grounding. The
aluminium shield of this cable type is usually a solid corrugated
armour. The shield is connected on the frequency converter side to
the PE bar and on the motor side to the PE-terminal. Figure 3-6. B.

The third type has galvanized iron, low pitch, stranded armour/shield.
The shield is connected to PE at both ends. However, a separate
high-conductivity PE conductor is needed unless sufficient cross-
section of copper is incorporated in the strand, as some
manufacturers do. Figure 3-6. C.

The length of unshielded part of the cable should be as short as

possible at the frequency converter side and at the motor junction
box as specified in the drive and motor specific documentation.

Availability The bearing current risk depends on voltages affecting across the
motor bearings. Three basic types of voltages can be identified in AC
drive applications, measurable as shaft end to end voltage, shaft
voltage to ground or motor frame voltage to ground.

On medium and high power motors, improper motor cabling strongly

increases these voltages, thus reducing the lifetime of the
motor/gearbox/driven machine bearings. On the other hand, proper
cabling and 360° termination of cable shield at both ends effectively
reduces these voltages. Symmetrical, shielded cables reduce the
motor frame voltage, the effect being more significant with high
motor current. Thus unsymmetrical cables can be used up to
10 mm2 cable size and up to 30 kW motor power, but shielded cable
is always recommended. Foil shield is common in this power range.

Cable routes The cable trays shall have good electrical bonding to each other and
to the grounding electrodes. Especially aluminium tray systems can
be used to improve local equalization of potential.

3-6 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Cabling of When cabling a high power frequency converter and motor, several
high power conductor elements have to be used in parallel. In this case the
frequency cabling shall be done according to Figure 3-7.
converter
drives Always use symmetrical cabling.

DC bus

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Figure 3 - 7. Symmetrical cabling of high power frequency

converter and the motor.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-7

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Additional With motors from 100 kW upwards, a potential equalization

grounding connection between the motor frame and the machinery is
of motors sometimes needed due to grounding conditions of the driven
machinery. Typical applications are pumps (grounded by water) and
gearboxes with central lubrication (grounded by oil pipes). As low
inductance is the objective, a copper plate/strip with a cross section
of 70 mm x 0,75 mm is the minimum between the motor frame and
the gearbox/pump frame. Alternatively, at least two separate 50 mm 2
cables can be used. The distance between the cables must be at
least 150 mm. Install the potential equalization through the shortest
possible route. If protection from dirt is needed, use a plastic tube,
not a metal conduit.

The purpose of this connection is to equalize the potentials. It has no

electrical safety function. When the motor and the gearbox are
mounted on a common steel fundament no potential equalization is
needed.

Potential equalization
Plate/strip Cables/wires

0.75 mm > 150 mm

70 mm
min 50 mm

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Figure 3-8a. Potential equalization between the motor frame

and the machinery. The purpose of this
connection is to equalize the potentials. It has no electrical safety
function. When the motor and the gearbox are mounted on a
common steel fundament, there is no need to make the connection.

3-8 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Large motors may have additional grounding terminals outside the

terminal box. Connect them to the PE on the motor frame (Figure 3-
8b) to ensure proper connection between the terminal box and the
frame.

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Figure 3 - 8b. Equalization of the potential of the motor frame and

the terminal box of large motors.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-9

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Cable If other than recommended cable types are used, the following rules
connections to must be followed. Following these rules do not exclude problems
be avoided caused by improper cabling.

In four-core cables (one is ground), three cores are not at an equal

distance from the ground wire. The ground wire must not be used as
a protective conductor. Ground wire shall be connected to PE only at
the frequency converter side, and it shall be isolated at the motor
end. Use a separate protective conductor with cross-sectional area
at least half of the phase conductor cross section. The power cable
and the protective conductor shall be placed at least 300 mm apart
(not on the same cable tray) in order to prevent inductive disturbance
currents in the protective conductor (Figure 3-9A). This lay-out can
in some countries violate the regulations. In this case use other
type of cable.
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Make the potential equalization connection between the motor frame

and the machinery as described in page 3-8.

Single core cables are not suitable for motor

cables!

3-10 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

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Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-11

&DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

DC-drives The same basic rules apply as for AC motors. The most economical
power cable has an even number of conductors. Also three-core
cables with shield can be used. For larger motors, where several
cables are needed, power sharing of three-core cable is made based
on the 2+1 / 1+2 principle (Figure 3-10).

The field cable is a heavy source of interference because of the

abrupt commutation. Therefore, always use shielded field cable.

Single core cables shall be rejected for DC drives.

Motors with stator serial winding must have brush on shaft to avoid
bearing problems.

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Figure 3 - 10. Symmetrical cabling between the DC converter
and the motor

3-12 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Signal cables
PE, protective The ABB policy is to use uniform, equipotential PE grounding with
ground vs. drive systems. The principle is extended to all structural levels of
installations in large buildings containing electrical equipment.
TE, technical Examples of levels are floor, equipment cubicle and circuit board
ground level.

It is not possible to keep all the levels of a large system at the same
high-frequency potential, but applying the uniform PE grounding at
all levels will ensure the electromagnetic compatibility.

The end users also apply other installation philosophies, for

example, systems with PE & TE. This is usual with electronic
equipment of other manufacture. It has also been used with some
previous ABB products.

The TE-system of the co-operating equipment can be either general

or only part of the equipment is built based on this principle (Figure
3-11).

In the sense that the PE and TE systems are connected at only one
point, the PE/TE structure has a resemblance to the ground plane
model of one level in the universal PE-system. Therefore, a large
TE-system may also need local effective HF-ground and become
more like the universal PE approach (Figure 3-12).

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Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-13

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Interfacing Most of the existing installations today have been made by applying
problem of other principles of grounding than given in this manual, specially
concerning low frequency EMC, even starting from the ground
systems with electrodes.
dissimilar
grounding New deliveries, which employ the uniform PE system, are usually
additions which have to operate together with the old equipment.

Other systems, implemented with a different philosophy, usually

operate well, and making of changes in the systems is out of the
question.

The dissimilarity may create matching problems, which have to be

solved case by case. Physically large installations (dimensions,
power) normally need some kind of matching.

Matching is done to obtain sufficient compatibility. Sometimes it is

reasonable to accept a lower immunity level. However the legal
requirement of emission and immunity must be fulfilled.

Usually matching elements between the systems are transformers,

optocouplers, optical fibre links, galvanic analogue isolation and
common mode interference filters, inductors. All these methods can
improve signal transmission. Isolation transformers are used for
power supply.

This guide will not go deep into the interfacing practice, but it is
important to be aware of the problem areas of interfacing before
implementation.

3-14 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Control cable It is very important to use correct cable types to meet the EMC
compatibility. Wrong cable type can cause severe interference
shielding problems. A shielded control cable will reduce disturbances.

Always use shielded cable for safety low-voltage (SELV) control

signals.

Analogue Twisting the signal wire with its return wire reduces disturbances
and low caused by inductive coupling. Pairs should be twisted as close to
voltage terminals as possible.
(SELV)
digital I/O A double shielded twisted pair cable shall be used for analogue
signals signals. Employ one individually shielded pair for each signal. Do not
use common return for different analogue signals (Figure 3-13).

A double shielded cable is the best alternative for low voltage digital
signals but single shielded twisted multi pair cable is also possible
(Figure 3-14).

Never mix 24 VDC and 115 / 230 VAC signals in the same cable.

Figure 3 - 13. A double shielded twisted pair cable

Figure 3 - 14. A single shielded twisted multi pair cable

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-15

&DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Serial There are several alternatives depending on the type of

communication communication. The communication systems employ either double
shielded (Figure 3-13) or coaxial cables in internal communication. A
part of the serial communication is implemented with optical cables
(Figure 3-17), (Figure 3-18).

A communication system may also have its own cable specification.

Note that serial communications will operate properly only with

correct terminating resistors. See system specific instructions.

115/230 VAC A shielded cable with proper voltage rating is the best alternative but
digital signals an unshielded multi core cable can also be used. (Figure 3-15).

Figure 3 - 15. An unshielded multi core cable

Shield Always connect the shields of the control cables to ground terminal
connection at the converter side. The unshielded part of the cable shall be
minimized. The ground connection of the shield shall be kept as
short as possible. The ground terminal can be a special clamp, a
separate screw marked with the symbol or a terminal block. The
marking of the ground terminal can be PE, TE, GND or the symbols

 RU 

An unconnected or only at one end grounded shield has reduced

effect on suppressing electromagnetic field or inductive disturbance.
Grounding the shield of the signal cable at both ends will improve
suppression above a certain frequency, but grounding at both ends
forms a closed ground loop, and if the ends of the cable screen are
at different potentials, as in a short circuit situation of high power
equipment, a low frequency current will flow through the screen.
Therefore, if HF grounding is needed, the other end of the shield can

3-16 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

be grounded via a capacitor. In some equipment the capacitor is

incorporated. (Figure 3-16).

Figure 3 - 16. Grounding of signal cables

Cabling and The tachometer shall be insulated electrically from stator or rotor to
insulation of prevent forming of current path through the tachometer. The usual
coupling-type encoder must have an electrically insulating coupling.
tachometer, When a hollow-shaft type tachometer is used, the insulation can be
pulse encoder implemented by insulating the ball joints of the engaging arm, or
insulating the bar of the engaging arm. Shield of the tachometer
cable should be insulated from the tacho frame. The other end of the
shield is grounded at the converter PE see figure 3-17 and figure
3-18.

Always use double shielded cable for the pulse encoder. In case of
HF interference problem the shield can be grounded at the encoder
end via capacitor. Single shield cable can be used with the analogue
tachometer.

There will be available hollow-shaft encoders with electrical

insulation between the hollow-shaft and the tacho frame. This
construction will allow connection of the cable shield to the tacho
frame.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-17

&DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Examples of Typical examples of cabling in AC and DC drive systems are shown

in figures 3-17 and 3-18.
cabling system
drives

,1&20(56(&7,21 '5,9(6(&7,21 '5,9(6(&7,21 '5,9(6(&7,21

Figure 3 - 17. Typical example of AC drive system grounding

3-18 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

,1&20(56(&7,21 '5,9(6(&7,21 '5,9(6(&7,21 '5,9(6(&7,21

Figure 3 - 18. Typical example of DC drive system grounding

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 3-19

&DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Galvanic Galvanic isolation of control signals improves the interference

immunity and is recommended specially at long distances. Isolation
isolation prevents interference caused by common impedance coupling
(ground loop) and suppresses inductive coupling interference. Weak
signals are isolated and amplified at the source, normal signals can
also be isolated at the receiving end.

Cable routes Avoid parallel running of power cables and signal cables. The
distance between power and control cables should be 300 mm at
least. When control cables must cross power cables, make sure this
is done at an angle as near to 90 degrees as possible.

The cable trays shall have good electrical bonding to each other and
to the grounding electrodes. Especially aluminium tray systems can
be used to improve local equalization of potential.

Common mode In particular cases due to high emission level common mode
inductor inductors can be used in signal cables to avoid interfacing problems
between different systems.

Common mode disturbances could be suppressed by wiring signal

conductors through the common mode inductor ferrite core (Figure
3-19). Ferrite core increases inductance of conductors and mutual
inductance, so common mode disturbance signals above a certain
frequency are suppressed. An ideal common mode inductor does
not suppress a differential mode signal.

Figure 3 - 19. Common mode inductor

3-20 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 Chapter 4 - Interference coupling, informative annex

Common Common impedance coupling appears, if interference source circuits

have a common path of current (Figure 4-1). Usually this impedance
impedance can be found in the grounding or power supply circuit. Current
coupling changes in the interfering circuit causes potential changes in the
common impedance’s: u = R * i - L * di/dt.

Coupling via ground loop can be reduced:

- Low-frequency coupling can be prevented by using one-
point grounding
- For high frequency, it is most essential to keep inductance
as low as possible. To achieve low-impedance, the relation
between length and width should be less than five. In
practice, this rule is implemented by multi-point grounding.

Figure 4 - 1. Common impedance coupling

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 4-1

Capacitive coupling Capacitive disturbance is coupled by a changed electric field.
Capacitive coupling appears in circuits that have stray capacitance
with each other. Interference current (I N) is proportional to frequency
(f), voltage level (V 1) of the interfering conductor and stray
capacitance between conductors (C 12).

9 1 = Mπ I × 9 × & × 5 (Figure 4-2)

Capacitive coupling can be reduced by:

- Reducing stray capacitance between circuits
- Reducing impedance level of victim circuit
- Limiting frequency level of interfering circuit
- Limiting voltage level of interfering circuit

Stray capacitance can be reduced by:

- Using metal casings for devices
- Using shielded conductors
- Increasing distance between conductors
- Using ground plane between conductors.

Figure 4 - 2. Capacitive coupling

4-2 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

Inductive coupling Inductive disturbance is coupled via magnetic field. Current in the
interfering circuit will generate magnetic flux around the conductor.
When a changing magnetic flux perforates a closed loop, an
alternative voltage will be induced to the victim circuit and
interference current will flow in the closed loop. Interference voltage
(VN) is proportional to frequency (f), current (I 1) of the interfering
conductor, mutual inductance of circuits (M 12). Mutual inductance
can be calculated by the area of the loop perpendicular to the
magnetic lines (Acosθ) and distance between conductors. (r)

91 = M π I × 0 × ,  (Figure 4-3)

0  = µ × $FRV θ  π U (long, straight conductors)

Inductive coupling can be reduced by:

- Reducing mutual inductance between circuits

- Filtering the high frequency content of interfering circuit
- Reducing current of the interfering circuit
Mutual inductance can be reduced by:

- Using twisted pairs signal cables

- Increasing the distance between conductors
- Reducing the loop area by galvanic isolation
- Avoiding parallel conductors and coils.

By shielding the victim conductor with a material that has high

permeability, some extra suppression is achieved. (High permeability
material "short-circuits" magnetic circuits, so most of the flux flows
through this material.)

High frequency disturbance is reduced by using a metal enclosure or

shield

Highly conductive metals as aluminium and copper are good shield

materials

Figure 4 - 3. Inductive coupling

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 4-3

Electromagnetic Electromagnetic energy can propagate in free space as a wave
motion. Each conductor carrying a changing current is a potential
coupling transmitter antenna of electromagnetic waves.

Reciprocally, all conductors can operate as a receiver antenna. In

addition, each conductor, whether part of the active circuit or not, will
shape the fields and perhaps amplify the antenna operation.
Sometimes a solid insulator may behave in the same way. The
antenna efficiency will increase at a high frequency when the
antenna dimensions exceed about 1/100 of the wave length.
Therefore, the problem gets worse from 10 MHz onwards due to
improved antenna function and because of the suitable dimensions
of normal digital electronics and because they operate at those
speeds. Also part of the climatic interference is 10 to 100 MHz,
applying to lightning at a long distance. A stroke of lightning close to
electronic equipment easily stops normal function.

The coupling will decrease as distance increases.

How to protect against EM waves?

- Use ground planes or mesh structures as local ground
- Shielding of cables
- Metal enclosure for equipment, leaky doors are problematic
- Enclosure openings have to be small
- No unintentional antenna structures
- Grounding systematically at short, <1/10 wavelength
intervals
- Pay attention to HF grounding, i.e. capacitive grounding of
coaxial cables, for instance.

Due to reciprocity these rules apply to both sides, the source and the
victim.

Terms
EMI Electromagnetic interference

Shield The cable shield is a part of an electromagnetic barrier that

separates the shielded circuits from the external sources of EMI (or
confines EMI effects to the shielded volume). An electromagnetic
barrier is a closed surface made up of shields and other elements to
exclude ( or to confine) electromagnetic waves propagating in space
or guided along conductors. The barrier may be made up of metal or
conductively coated equipment cases, interconnecting cable shields,
filters or surge arresters on wires that penetrate the shield, and mesh
or wave guides (below cut-off frequency) at ventilation openings. In
a protected system the barrier is everywhere sufficiently impervious

4-4 Grounding and cabling of the drive system

 &DEOLQJRIYDULDEOHVSHHGGULYHV

to guided and space waves that EMI sources outside the barrier do
not degrade the performance of the protected system.

Armour Armour is a metal sheath commonly of woven wire, spiralled tape or

solid corrugated metal covering the insulation of an electrical
conducting cable and serving both as a mechanical protection and
as a shield against electrostatic or electromagnetic induction.

Note that sometimes a cable may contain both an electromagnetic

shield and a separate armour for mechanical protection, but both are
electrically bonded.

Availability The capability of a device or a system of being used for the intended
purpose.

Literature
EMC "Interference-free electronics" by Dr. Sten Benda.
Ordering number ABB 3BSE 000877R0001,
ISBN 91-44-3140-9, ISBN 0-86238-255-6.

Bearing currents “Bearing Currents in AC Drive” by FIDRI and FIMOT. Set of

overheads in LN database “FIDRI Document Directory” on
ABB_FI01_SPK04/FI01/ABB

“A New Reason for Bearing Current Damage in Variable Speed AC

Drives” by J. Ollila, T. Hammar, J. Iisakkala, H. Tuusa. EPE 97. The
European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications 8 –10
September 1997 Trondheim, Norway pp. 2.539 to 2.542.

“On the Bearing Currents in Medium Power Variable Speed AC

Drives” by J. Ollila, T. Hammar, J. Iisakkala, H. Tuusa. Proceedings
of the IEEE IEDMC in Milwaukee, May 1997.

Grounding and cabling of the drive system 4-5

4-6 Grounding and cabling of the drive system
ABB Industry Oy
Drives
P.O.Box 184
FIN-00381 Helsinki
FINLAND
Telephone + 358 10 22 2000
Telefax + 358 10 22 22681