In an isolated neutral system, the neutral is not directly connected to the earth, and there is no intentional connection between the neutral and earth. However, earth faults can still occur in this system, which can have various impacts:
1. Voltage rise: In an isolated neutral system, when an earth fault occurs, the fault current returns through the earth to the source. This can cause the voltage of the healthy phase to rise, as the fault current creates a potential difference between the earth and the healthy phase.
2. Unbalanced voltages: An earth fault can also cause unbalanced voltages between the phases, as the voltage of the healthy phase rises and the voltage of the faulted phase decreases. This can lead to problems with motor operation, as the motor may experience unbalanced or fluctuating voltages.
3. Ground potential rise: In an isolated neutral system, an earth fault can cause the potential of the earth at the fault location to rise, which can create a hazard for personnel. If the ground potential rise exceeds safe limits, it can cause electric shock or equipment damage.
4. Difficult fault location: In an isolated neutral system, it can be more difficult to locate earth faults, as there is no direct connection between the neutral and earth. This can make it more challenging to isolate and repair faults, which can result in longer outages and increased costs.
Overall, while an isolated neutral system can provide some benefits, such as reduced ground fault currents and improved safety, it is still susceptible to earth faults that can have various impacts on the system.