Appendix B

Symmetrical components

B.1 Definitions
Symmetrical components of voltages or currents are defined through a linear transformation of
phase quantities.1,2 Let Xp be the phase quantities and Xs be their symmetrical components, where
X may be voltages or currents. Thus
    
X0 1 1 1 Xa
  1  
Xs =  X1  = SXp =  1 α α 2   Xb  (B.1)
3
X2 2 Xc
1 α α

The elements of Xs identified by the subscripts 0, 1 and 2 are known as the zero, positive, and
negative sequence components respectively. The inverse of the matrix S is given by
 −1  
1 1 1 1 1 1
   
S−1 = 3  1 α α 2  =  1 α2 α  (B.2)
1 α2 α 1 α α2
√
where α = (− 12 + j 23 )is a cube root of 1. S is a similarity transformation on impedance matrices
of certain classes of three-phase power apparatus.

B.2 Identities
α3 = 1 (B.3)

1 + α + α2 = 0 (B.4)
√
1 − α = 3ε−jπ/6 (B.5)
√
1 − α 2 = 3εjπ/6 (B.6)
√
α − α2 = j 3 (B.7)

Power System Relaying, Third Edition. Stanley H. Horowitz and Arun G. Phadke
 2008 Research Studies Press Limited. ISBN: 978-0-470-05712-4
314 Symmetrical components

B.3 Sequence impedances

The impedance matrix (or admittance matrix) of a three-phase element Zp transforms into a
sequence impedance matrix Zs in the symmetrical component frame of reference. The general
transformation is

Zs = SZp S−1 (B.8)

The elements of Zs are known as the sequence impedances of the three-phase element. The three
diagonal elements are the zero sequence, positive sequence and negative sequence impedances
respectively. The off-diagonal elements are zero for all balanced elements. Even in the presence of
unbalances, the off-diagonal elements of Zs are often neglected. The sequence impedances of some
of the more common types of power system elements are given below. For admittances, replace
Z’s by Y ’s.

(a) Balanced impedances without mutual coupling between phases

 
Zs 0 0
 
Zp =  0 Zs 0  (B.9)
0 0 Zs

 
Zs 0 0
 
Zs =  0 Zs 0  (B.10)
0 0 Zs

(b) Balanced impedances with mutual coupling between phases

 
Zs Zm Zm
 
Zp =  Zm Zs Zm  (B.11)
Zm Zm Zs

 
Zs + 2Zm 0 0
 
Zs =  0 Zs − Zm 0  (B.12)
0 0 Zs − Zm

(c) Balanced rotating machinery

 
Zs Zm1 Zm2
 
Zp =  Zm2 Zs Zm1  (B.13)
Zm1 Zm2 Zs

 
Zs + Zm1 + Zm2 0 0
 
Zs =  0 Zs + α 2 Zm1 + αZm2 0  (B.14)
0 0 Zs + αZm1 + α2 Z m2
Sequence impedances 315

Zx
a a Zx a a
Zx
b b b b
c Zy c c c Zy

g Zn g g g Zn
Zy+3Zn (Zx−Zy)/3 3Zx Zy+3Zn
0 0 0 0
n n n n
g g g g
Zx Zy
1 1 1 1
n n n n
Zy
2 2 2 2
n n n n
3-phase phase-phase Phase-to-ground Double-phase-to-ground

Zx Zx
a a a Zx
b b b
c c c

g g g
3Zx
0 0 0
n n n
g g g

1:α Zx 1:α2 Zx 1:α2

1 1 1
n n n
1:α2 1:α 1:α
2 2 2
n n n
a-to-b a-to-c b-to-ground
a a a a a
b Zx b b b b
c c c c c

g g g g g
3Zx
0 0 0 0 0
n n n n n
g g g g g

1:α
1 1 1 1 1
n n n n n

1:α2
2 2 2 2 2
n n n n n

c-to-ground open conductor two open conductors

Figure B.1 Symmetrical component connections for various faults

316 Symmetrical components

a a a a
b b b b
c c c c

g g g g

0 0 0 0
1:1 n n 1:1 n n
g g g g

1:1 1 1 1:α 1 1
n n n n

2 2 2 2
1:1 n n 1:α2 n n

fault and one end open faults on a and b phases

Figure B.1 (continued)

(d) Flat configuration untransposed transmission line

 
Zs1 Zm1 Zm2
Zp =  Zm1 Zs2 Zm1  (B.15)
Zm2 Zm1 Zs1

2Zs1 + Zs2 + 4Zm1 + 2Zm2 −α 2 (Zs1 − Zs2 − Zm1 + Zm2 )
1
Zs = −α(Zs1 − Zs2 − Zm1 + Zm2 ) 2Zs1 + Zs2 − 2Zm1 − Zm2
3 −α 2 (Z − Z − Z + Z ) −α(Z − Z − Z + Z )
s1 s2 m1 m2 s1 s2 m1 m2

−α(Zs1 − Zs2 − Zm1 + Zm2 )
−α 2 (Zs1 − Zs2 + 2Zm1 − 2Zm2 )  (B.16)
2Zs1 + Zs2 − 2Zm1 − Zm2
Equations (B.15) and (B.16) become equations (B.11) and (B.12) when Zs1 = Zs2 and Zm1 = Zm2 .
Other types of phase impedance matrices can be transformed into their sequence impedances by
using the general formula (B.8).

B.4 Representations of faults

Balanced and unbalanced faults at system buses are represented by appropriate connections of the
symmetrical component networks at the fault buses. Figure B.1 shows schematics of various types
of faults, followed by the corresponding symmetrical component network connections.3 All faults
are shown to occur through some impedances. If solid short circuits are to be represented, the
corresponding impedances must be set equal to 0. In some cases, phase shifting transformers are
shown. These transformers change the phase angles of the currents and voltages in going from the
primary to the secondary side.

References
1. Fortescue, C.L. (1918) Method of symmetrical coordinates applied to the solution of polyphase networks.
Trans. AIEE , 37, 1027–140.
2. Stevenson Jr, W.D. (1982) Elements of Power System Analysis, 4th edn, McGraw-Hill, New York.
3. Westinghouse (1976) Applied Protective Relaying, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Newark, NJ.