TN-C vs. TN-S vs. TN-C-S (Power grids)

In addition to the TN power grids, there are also TT and IT power grids.


TN-C

|    DN   | HCB |      CI
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---o------- L1
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---|------- L2
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---|------- L3
|-----|---|--o--|---|-o-o--- PEN
| TS  |      |      | | ⊥
⏚            ⏚   [ Device ]

Applicable protection mechanism: MCB


TN-S

|    DN   | HCB |      CI
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---o------- L1
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---|------- L2
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---|------- L3
|-----|---|-----|---|-o----- N
|-----|---|--o--|---|-|-o--- PE
| TS  |      |      | | ⊥
⏚            ⏚   [ Device ]

Applicable protection mechanism: MCB and RCD


TN-C-S

|    DN   | HCB |      CI
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---o------- L1
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---|------- L2
|-∩∩∩-|---|-----|---|------- L3
|-----|---|--o--|---|-o----- N
| TS  |   |  |--|---|-|-o--- PE
|            |      | | ⊥
⏚            ⏚   [ Device ]

A combination of TN-C (VN) and TN-S (VA).


Abbreviations

  • HCB … House Connection Box
  • TS … Transformer Station
  • CI … Consumer Installation
  • DN … Distribution Network