Neutral Grounding Resistors (Neutral Earthing Resistors)

The purpose of a neutral grounding resistor is to limit the ground fault current to a safe level
so that all the electrical equipment in the power system is protected. The resistor should be the
only current path between the neutral of power transformers or power generators and ground.
When the neutral of a system is not grounded it is possible for destructive transient overvoltages
to appear from line to ground during normal switching of a circuit having a line-to-ground fault.
Experience has proved that these overvoltages cause aging and failure of insulation at locations
on the system other than at the point of fault. In this way, a relatively unimportant line-to-ground
fault on one circuit may result in considerable damage to equipment and interruption of service
on other circuits, not to mention the increased difficulty in finding the original location of the
problem.
A neutral grounding resistor is designed to limit the ground fault current to a safe value while at
the same time letting enough current to flow to operate the protective relays that will alarm or
clear the fault. While the disturbance lasts the resistor must be capable of absorbing and
dissipating the energy generated without exceeding the temperature limits established by IEEE32 Standards. In this way the fault is safely limited, isolated, and the power system is protected
against over-voltages.

Neutral Grounding Resistor Calculation

Introduction
Neutral Grounding Resistors are used to reduce problems such as insulation breakdown caused
by transient over-voltages produced by arcing ground faults in ungrounded systems and damage
to motors and switchgear caused by arcing in solidly grounded systems.
The two main methods of system neutral grounding are Low Resistance and High Resistance.
Low Resistance:
The system will trip in the case of a line-to-ground fault.
The Neutral Grounding Resistor will limit the ground fault to a maximum of 100 to 1000 A (See
note below). Zero-sequence Current Transformers and Ground Fault Relays will detect the fault
and trip at 5 to 20% of the maximum ground fault current.
The Resistor is generally rated for 10 seconds with a maximum temperature rise of 760 C.
The maximum ground fault current allowed by the resistor has to be large enough to
positively actuate the applied ground fault relay.

200 to 400 A rated Neutral Grounding Resistors are generally used in 6.9 kV to 34.5 kV systems
(Se note below).
100 to 400 A rated Neutral Grounding Resistors are generally used in 2.4 to 4.16 kV systems
(See note below).
Once the current rating is determined, the Resistance or Ohmic Value of the resistor is calculated
by dividing the Line to Neutral Voltage by the Current Rating.
i.e. for a 4.16 kV System Neutral Grounding Resistor rated at 400 A. The line to Neutral Voltage
will be 4.16 kV /(3) = 2400 V. The required resistance will be 2400 / 400 = 6 Ohms.

Referred from the following link:

http://www.megaresistors.com/products-1/neutral-grounding-resistors