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Recommendations for standardization of voltage level in LVDC networks based on IEC 60479-1 guidelines

Empfehlungen zur Standardisierung der Spannungsebene in Gleichstrom-Niederspannungsnetzen nach den Richtlinien von IEC 60479-1

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Abstract

In order to standardize the DC (direct current) voltage level in low voltage grids, a study is carried out considering the behavior of the human body against different DC voltage levels. The study is based on an analysis that determines if the amount of body current that flows under specific shock conditions is tolerable or not, keeping the current flow time in account. The body impedance is first calculated for two different DC voltage levels with different skin contact conditions. Possible current paths through the human body are subsequently considered to realize the best and worst-case scenario for human contact with live terminal. A relationship between touch voltage and source voltage is defined considering the grounding methods in DC systems. Using ventricular fibrillation curves, the maximum allowable body currents and the associated flow intervals for human bodies are analyzed for the selected voltage levels. The study makes a step further in addressing the feasibility and safety concerns for the standardization of DC voltage level for low voltage installations.

Zusammenfassung

Zur Standardisierung der Spannung in Niederspannungsnetzen wird eine Studie in Anbetracht des menschlichen Verhaltens gegenüber verschiedener DC-Spannungen durchgeführt. Die Studie basiert auf einer Analyse, die bestimmt, ob der Körperstrom unter Berücksichtigung der Flussdauer des Fehlerstromes vertretbar oder nicht vertretbar ist. Die Körperimpedanz ist zunächst für zwei verschiedene Spannungen und Hautzustände berechnet. Mögliche Stromwege durch den menschlichen Körper werden daraufhin betrachtet, um den Best-Case und Worst-Case abzuschätzen. Das Verhältnis zwischen Berührungsspannung und Betriebsspannung in Abhängigkeit von der Erdungsmethode der Niederspannungssysteme ist nachfolgend festgestellt. Aufbauend auf den Herzkammerflimmern-Kurven, werden die zulässigen Körperströme und die entsprechenden Flussdauern je nach Spannungsebene analysiert. Die Studie geht einen weiteren Schritt, um Sicherheitsbedenken und Umsetzbarkeit der Standardisierung der Spannung in Niederspannungsnetzen anzusprechen.

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Notes

  1. The let-go current, as defined in [6], is the maximum current a person can bear and still able to release the conductor using the muscle simulation produced by the current.

  2. Body contact (physical considerations), current path, grounding method and type of contact (direct or indirect).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hager Group, 66440, Blieskastel, Germany

    Ali Virdag & Torsten Hager

  2. Institute of Power Generation and Storage Systems, E.ON Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52066, Aachen, Germany

    Rik W. De Doncker

Authors
  1. Ali Virdag
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  2. Torsten Hager
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  3. Rik W. De Doncker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Virdag.

Additional information

This work was supported by Hager Group and is part of the research conducted in the research project Research Campus Future Electrical Networks (Forschungscampus FEN) Project 2: Equipment and Network Technologies for Medium-Voltage DC Applications funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (03SF0489).

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Virdag, A., Hager, T. & De Doncker, R.W. Recommendations for standardization of voltage level in LVDC networks based on IEC 60479-1 guidelines. Elektrotech. Inftech. 134, 267–275 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-017-0509-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-017-0509-z

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