Symmetrical Faults

Dr. Mohsin Ali Tunio

Department of Electrical MUET,SZAB CAMPUS, Sindh,

Engineering Pakistan
Introduction:
Def:- A fault on the power system which gives rise to symmetrical fault
currents (i.e. equal fault currents in the lines with 120o displacement) is
called symmetrical fault.
Explanation:
A fault in a circuit is any failure which interferes with the normal flow of
current.
A short circuit is a fault in which current bypasses the normal load.
An open-circuit fault occurs if a circuit is interrupted by some failure.
A fault may occur on a power system due to a number of reasons. Some of
the common causes have their origins in natural disturbances like lightning,
high speed winds, earthquakes.
Generators, transformers, and other protective switchgear may fail due to
insulation breakdown.
There may be accidental faults such as falling of a tree along a line,
vehicles colliding with supporting structures, airplane crashing with the line,
birds shorting line.

2
Introduction:
Sometime sabotage also results in creating faults. Contamination of
insulators may also result in a fault. Sometimes, small animals like rats,
lizards enter switch gear to create faults. Thus, symmetrical faults can also be
defined as:
Def:- A fault in which all three phase are shorted to one another and to
ground is known as three phase short circuit fault or symmetrical faults.
A three phase short circuit occurs rarely but it is most severe type of fault
involving largest currents. For this reason the balanced short circuit
calculations are performed to determine these large currents to be used to
determine the rating of the circuit breakers.
Faults can cause system to become unstable. Hence, it is necessary that
upon the occurrence of fault , the faulty section should be disconnected as
rapidly as possible in order that the normal operation of the rest of the
system is not affected. If this is not done, the equipment may be damaged
and the power supply is disrupted.
The relays should immediately detect the existence of the fault and initiate
circuit breaker operation to disconnect the faulty section.

3
Introduction:
Purpose of Fault Analysis
The purpose of fault analysis is to determine the values of voltages and
currents at different points of the system during the fault. Such an analysis
enables us to select appropriate protective schemes, relays, and circuit
breakers in order to save the system from the abnormal condition within
minimum time.
Note:- The assumptions for short circuit calculations are same as for per
unit system reactance diagram.
Limitation of Fault Current
When a short circuit occurs at any
point in a system, the short-circuit
current is limited by the impedance of
the system up to the point of fault.
Hence, the knowledge of the
impedances of various equipment and
circuits in the line of the system is
very important for the determination
of short-circuit currents. 4
Introduction:
Experience in the operation of transmission lines have shown that ultra-
high speed reclosing breakers successfully reclose after most faults. Of
those cases where reclosure is not successful, many are caused by
permanent faults where reclosure would be impossible regardless of the
interval between opening and reclosing.
Experiences has shown that between 70% and 80% of transmission line
faults are single line to ground faults, which arise from the flashover of only
one line to the tower and ground. Roughly 5% of all faults involve all three
phases. These are the so called symmetrical three phase faults.
Typical relative frequencies of occurrence of different kinds of faults in a
power system (in order of decreasing severity) are:
Type of Fault Percentage Occurrence
Three phase (3 ɸ) Faults 5%
Double line to ground (LLG) faults 10%
Double Line or Line to Line (LL) faults 15%
Single Line to ground faults 70%

5
Short Circuit Capacity:
The short circuit capacity of a bus network is defined as:
Def:-“The product of the magnitudes of the prefault voltage and the fault
current”.
The short circuit capacity is also known as the fault level. Mathematically
SCC  V o  I F VA
Where, V0 = the prefault voltage in Volts,
IF = the short circuit current in amperes.
For a solid fault, the fault impedance ZF = 0, and the fault current is given
by:
IF = VT / ZT
Where
VT =Thevenin voltage per phase in volts and
ZT =Thevenin impedance in ohms.
In our case VT = V0, therefore,

SCC 1  VT  I F  VT  VT / ZT  VT / ZT
2
VA / phase …Equation (A)

6
Short Circuit Capacity:
We know that,
SB
ZT p.u  ZT  ……………………Equation (B)
V 2B
Where,
Sb =Base volt-amperes in VA,
Vb = Base voltage in volts, ZT p.u = Thevenin impedance in per unit.
If VT is chosen as base voltage, VT = Vb. Therefore, Equation (B) can be
written as:
SB
ZT p.u  ZT  2
V T
V 2T S
 B …………………Equation (C)
ZT Z T p.u
Combining Equations (A) and (C)
SCC 1  Sb / Z T ( p.u ) VA / phase
SCC 3  ( Sb ) 3 / Z T ( p.u ) MVA
7
 Sudden Short Circuit At the Armature Terminals
of Three Phase Synchronous Generator:
Consider the Figure which shows the equivalent circuit of three phase
generator on no load, running at its synchronous speed and carrying a
constant field current. It can be noticed that the equivalent circuit resembles
to series RL circuit.
Now, suppose, suddenly, the three phases of
the synchronous generator are short
circuited. The short circuit in each phase
consists of a steady state AC component and
a transient DC offset.
The synchronous generator offers time
varying reactance which changes from X’’d to
X’d and finally to Xd.
The currents which flow in different parts of a power system immediately
after the occurrence of a fault differ from those flowing a few cycles later just
before circuit breakers are called upon to open the line on both sides of the
fault. All of these current differ widely from the currents which would flow
under steady state conditions.
8
 Sudden Short Circuit At the Armature Terminals
of Three Phase Synchronous Generator:
The synchronous generator during short circuit has a characteristic time
varying behaviour.
In the event of a short circuit, the flux per pole undergoes dynamic change
with associated transients in damper and field windings.
The reactance of the circuit model of the machine changes in the first few
cycles from a low sub-transient reactance to a higher transient value, finally
setting at a still higher synchronous (steady state) value.
Depending upon the arc interruption time of circuit breakers, a suitable
reactance value is used for the circuit model of synchronous generators for
short circuit analysis.
The current flowing immediately after a fault occurs in a power network is
determined by the impedances of the network components and the
synchronous machines.
The initial symmetrical rms fault current can be determined by
representing each machine by its sub-transient reactance in series with its
sub-transient internal voltage.

9
 Sudden Short Circuit At the Armature Terminals
of Three Phase Synchronous Generator:
Figure shows the short circuit for one phase of a synchronous generator
with DC offset component neglected. The dashed envelope is called the
symmetrical short circuit armature current. The wave may be divided into
three distinct time periods.

Figure: Symmetrical short circuit current for one phase of synchronous generator
10
 Sudden Short Circuit At the Armature Terminals
of Three Phase Synchronous Generator:
Sub-transient Period:
The period lasts for only about 2 cycles. During this period the current
decays very rapidly.
Transient Period:
The transient period lasts for about 20 to 30 cycles. During this period the
current decreases somewhat slowly.
Steady State Period:
The current reaches its steady state value.
Sub-transient Current:
The rms value of initial current (that is, the current at the instant of short
circuit) is called sub transient current I’’.
The corresponding reactance of the winding is called the direct-axis sub-
transient reactance X’’d. This reactance is essentially due to the presence of
damper winding.

11
 Sudden Short Circuit At the Armature Terminals
of Three Phase Synchronous Generator:
Transient Current:
The rms value of current after two cycles to 30 cycles is called transient
current I’.
The corresponding reactance of the winding is called the direct-axis
transient reactance X’d. This reactance is essentially due to the presence of
field winding.
Steady State Current:
The rms value of
current after 20 cycles
is called steady state
current ( I ).
The corresponding
reactance of the
winding is called the
direct-axis transient
reactance Xd.
12
Selection of Circuit Breakers:
The electric utility company furnishes data to a customer who must
determine the fault current in order to specify circuit breakers properly for
an industrial plant or industrial power distribution system connected to the
utility system at a certain point.
Up to this point, we have devoted most of our attention to the sub-transient
current called the initial symmetrical current, which does not include the DC
component.
Inclusion of the DC component results in a rms value of current
immediately after the fault, which is higher than the sub-transient current.
For oil circuit breakers above 5 kV, the sub-transient current multiplied by
1.6 is considered to be the rms value of the current whose disruptive forces
the breaker must withstand during the first half cycle after the fault occurs.
This current is called Momentary current.
This interrupting current is of course lower than the momentary current
and depends on the speed of the breaker such as 8, 5, 3 or 2 cycles, which is
a measure of the time from the occurrence of the fault to the extinction of the
arc.

13
Selection of Circuit Breakers:
Two of the rated circuit breaker ratings which require the computation of
short circuit current are:
Rated momentary current and
Rated symmetrical interrupting current.
Symmetrical short circuit current is obtained by using the sub-transient
reactances for synchronous machines.
Momentary current (rms) is then calculated by multiplying the symmetrical
momentary current by a factor of 1.6 to account for the presence of DC-off
set current.
The DC off set value to be added to obtain the current to be interrupted is
accounted for by multiplying the symmetrical short circuit current by a
factor as tabulated below:
Circuit Breaker Speed Multiplying Factor
8 cycles or slower (0.16 seconds) 1.0
5 cycles (0.1 seconds) 1.1
3 cycles (0.06 seconds) 1.2
2 cycles (0.04 seconds) 1.4 14
Selection of Circuit Breakers:
The rated interrupting time of a circuit breaker is the period between the
instant of energizing the trip circuit and the arc extinction on an opening
operation.
Preceding this period is the tripping delay time which is usually assumed
to be ½ cycle for relays to pick up.
Obviously the rated MVA interrupting capacity of a circuit breaker is to be
more than (or equal to ) the Short circuit MVA required to be interrupted.

15
Reactor Control of Short Circuit Currents:
A reactor is a coil of number of turns designed to have a large inductance
as compared to its ohmic resistance.
With the fast expanding power system, the fault level (i.e. the power
available to flow into a fault) is also rising.
The circuit breakers connected in the power system must be capable of
dealing with maximum possible short-circuit currents that can occur at their
points of connection.
Generally, the reactance of the system under fault conditions is low and
fault currents may rise to a dangerously high value.
If no steps are taken to limit the value of these short-circuit currents, not
only will the duty required of circuit breakers be excessively heavy, but also
damage to lines and other equipment will almost certainly occur.
In order to limit the short-circuit currents to a value which the circuit
breakers can handle, additional reactances known as reactors are connected
in series with the system at suitable points.
Advantages:
Reactors limit the flow of short-circuit current and thus protect the
equipment from overheating as well as from failure due to destructive
mechanical forces. 16
Reactor Control of Short Circuit Currents:
Troubles are localised or isolated at the point where they originate without
communicating their disturbing effects to other parts of the power system.
This increases the chances of continuity of supply.
They permit the installation of circuit breakers of lower rating.
Location of Reactors:
Short circuit current limiting reactors may be connected in series:
With each generator Note:- The information about Bus-bar
With each feeder and can be found in Power system Analysis
by V. K. Mehta, Chapter 16, Topic 16.4 Bus
With Bus-bars.
bar arrangements Page Number 391.
Types of Reactors:
Depending upon the location of reactors, following are the main types of
Reactors
Generator Reactors
Feeder Reactors
Bus-bar Reactors
Each installation has its own particular demands which must be carefully
considered before a choice of reactor location can be made.
17
Ring System:
Under normal operation, each generator supplies feeder connected to its
own section and there will be no current through the reactors.
Thus, there is no voltage drop or power loss or very little power loss in the
reactor during normal operation. Generally, one feeder is fed from one
generator only.
The principal advantage of the system is that if a fault occurs on any feeder,
only that bus bar section is affected to which it is connected. The other
sections continue to operate normally.
One generator (to which the particular feeder is connected) mainly feeds
the fault current while the current fed from other generators is small due to
the presence of reactors.
Therefore, only that section of bus-bar is affected to which the feeder is
connected, the other sections being able to continue in normal operation
Tie-Bar System:
In this system, the generators are connected to the common bus-bar (tie-
bar) through the reactors but the feeders are fed from the generator side of
the reactors.
The tie-bar system is better and more flexible than the ring system. 18
Tie-Bar System:

In the ring system, the short circuit current due to a fault on any bus bar
section, is fed from the generators connected to other sections through one
reactor, whereas in the tie-bar system the current flows through two reactors
in series.
Therefore this system requires only half the reactance compared to the ring
system.
Disadvantages:
The Tie-bar system has the disadvantage that it requires an additional bus-
bar i.e. the tie-bar. 19
Selection of Base kVA & Its Importance:
The common kVA rating assumed for calculation of per unit or short circuit
current is known as base kVA.
The value of this base kVA is quite unimportant and may be :
Equal to that of the largest plant
Equal to the total plant capacity
Any arbitrary value
The fact is that the value of base kVA does not affect the actual short circuit
current.
Whatever value of base kVA we may choose, the actual value of short-
circuit current will be the same.
It can be proved with the help of an example as shown in the next slides

20
 This example is taken from Book Principles of
 Example Power System by V K Mehta, Chapter 17, Topic 17.4

Consider a 3-phase transmission line operating at 66 kV and connected

through a 1000 kVA transformer with 5% reactance to a generating station
bus-bar as shown in Figure. The generator is of 2500 kVA with 10%
reactance. Suppose a short-circuit fault between three phases occurs at the
high voltage terminals of transformer. Prove that whatever value of base kVA
we may choose, the value of short-circuit current will be the same.

Solution:
Suppose we have chosen 2500 kVA and 5000 kVA, two common base kVA.
Now first, short circuit current is calculated with 2500 kVA as below:
21
Solution:
ISC Calculation at 2500 kVA as Base kVA:
On this base value, reactance's of the various elements in the system are
calculated as below:
New Per unit Reactance of Generator G:
2
1110  2500 103
3
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.1 p.u
1110  2500 10
G( p.u )new 3

New Per unit Reactance of Transformer T:

2
11103  2500 103
X  j 0.05   3
  j 0.05  2.5  j 0.125 p.u
1110  1000 10
T ( p.u )new 3

Total Per Unit Reactance Up to Point of Fault:

X  j 0.1  j 0.125  j 0.225 p.u
Total ( p.u )
Short Circuit Current ISC Per unit:
I  V p.u / X p.u  1.0 / 0.225  4.44 p.u
SC( p.u ) 22
Solution: Base Short Circuit Current ISC:
Base kVA 2500 10 3 2500 2500
I      21.87 A
SC( Base) 3 VBase 3  66 10 3
3  66 114.3153
Actual Short Circuit Current ISC : Equation …1
I I I  4.44  21.87  97.1 A
SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base)

ISC Calculation at 5,000 kVA as Base kVA:

On this base value, the reactance's of the various elements are calculated
as below:
New Per unit Reactance of Generator G:
2
11103  5000 103
X
G( p.u )new
 j 0.1 
 3

 3  j 0.1 2  j 0.2 p.u
11 10  2500 10
New Per unit Reactance of Transformer T:
2
1110  5000 103
3
X  j 0.05   3
  j 0.05  5  j 0.25 p.u
T ( p.u )new
11  10  1000  10 3
23
Solution:
Total Per Unit Reactance Up to Point of Fault:
X  j 0.2  j 0.25  j 0.45 p.u
Total ( p.u )
Short Circuit Current ISC Per unit:
I  V p.u / X p.u  1.0 / 0.45  2.22 p.u
SC( p.u )
Base Short Circuit Current ISC:


Base kVA 5000 1000 5000 5000
I
SC( Base)     43.74 A
3 VBase 3  66 1000 3  66 114.3153
Actual Short Circuit Current ISC : Equation …2
I I I  2.22  43.74  97.1 A
SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base)
Hence, it can be observed from Equation 1 & 2 that actual
value of short circuit current does not depend upon the base
kVA. However, in the interest of simplicity, numerically
convenient value of base kVA should be chosen. Answer 24
 Example
A three phase transmission line operating at 33 kV and having a resistance
and reactance of 5 ohms and 20 ohms respectively is connected to a
generating station bus bar through a 15 MVA step-up transformer which has
a reactance of 0.06 p.u. connected to bus bar are two generators, one 10 MVA
having 0.1 p.u reactance and another 5MVA having 0.075 p.u reactance.
Calculate the short circuit MVA and the fault current when a three phase
short circuit occurs:
(a) At the high voltage terminals of transformer
(b) At the load end of the transmission line. Select 15MVA and 11kV as the
base values.
(c) Which fault will have higher value of current.

25
Solution:
We know that the formula for new per unit impedance is given by:
2
 base kVgiven  base kVA new
Z  Z ( p.u ) old    
( p.u )new
 base kVnew  base kVA given

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G1:

2
1110  15 10 6
3
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.111.5  j 0.15 p.u
1110  10 10
G ( p.u )new 6
1
New Per unit Reactance of Generator G2:
2
11103  15 10 6
X  j 0.075   3
  j 0.075 1 3  j 0.225 p.u
G ( p.u )new
2 11  10  5  10 6

New Per unit Reactance of Transformer:

2
11103  15 10 6  j 0.06 11  j 0.06 p.u
X  j 0.06   3

T / F ( p.u )new
11  10  15  10 6
26
Solution:
New Per unit Impedance of Transmission Line:
It can be observed that for transmission line the base voltage is changed.
Hence, new base voltage is determined by:
33  10 3
New Base Voltage  11103   33  10 3
V
1110 3

Now, it can be noticed that the impedance of transmission line is given in

ohms instead of per unit values. Hence, the formula to find per unit
impedance of transmission line is given by:
SB Base kVA
Z p.u  Z ohms   Z ohms 
V 2B ( Base kV ) 2
15 106 15
Z Line ( p.u )  (5  j 20)  3 2  (5  j 20) 
(33 10 ) 1089
Z Line ( p.u )  (5  j 20)  0.01377
Z Line ( p.u )  (0.06887  j 0.2754 ) p.u
27
Solution:
(a) Calculation of Short Circuit Current at Point FA:
The equivalent per unit single line diagram with fault at point FA is shown
as below:

The total impedance from the generator side up to the point of fault FA is
given by: j 0.15  j 0.225
Z  ( j 0.15) || ( j 0.225)  j 0.06   j 0.06
Total ( p.u ) j 0.15  j 0.225
j 2  0.03375
Z   j 0.06   1 0.03375  j 0.06
Total ( p.u ) j 0.375 j 0.375
 ( j )  0.03375
Z
Total( p.u)
  j 0.06 p.u  j 0.09  j 0.06 p.u  j 0.15 p.u
0.375 28
Solution:
The short circuit MVA fed into the fault at FA:
S Base 15 10 6 15 10 6 15 10 6 15  100  10 6
S Actual       100 MVA
Z p.u j 0.15 0.15 15 / 100 15
The fault current at point FA is given by:
Actual kVA 100 10 6 100 103 100 103
I SC      1.7495 103  1749 .5 A
3  VActual 3  33 10 3
3  33 57.1576

Alternate Approach to Calculate Fault current FA:

It should be noted that the here question ask first to determine the short
circuit MVA, due to which here, fault current is directly calculated by putting
the value of short circuit MVA in the formula. However, if any question does
not ask to calculate the short circuit MVA and ask to determine the fault
current only. In that case, first per unit short circuit current will be calculated
followed by short circuit base current. In the end, short circuit or fault current
will obtained as below:
I  V p.u / X p.u  1.0 / 0.15  6.6667 p.u
SC( p.u )
29
Solution:
Base kVA 15 10 6 15 10 3 15 10 3
I      0.2624  10 3
 262.4 A
SC( Base) 3  VBase 3  33 10 3
3  33 57.1576
I I I  6.6667  262.4  1749 .5 A
SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base)

(b) Calculation of Short Circuit Current at Point FB:

The equivalent per unit single line diagram with fault at point FB is shown
as below:

30
Solution:
The total impedance from the generator side up to the point of fault FB is
given by:
Z  ( j 0.15) || ( j 0.225)  j 0.06  0.06887  j 0.2754
Total ( p.u )
Z
Total ( p.u )
 j 0.09  j 0.06  0.06887  j 0.2754  0.06887  j 0.4254
Z  0.06887 2  j 0.4254 2  0.431 p.u Note: To calculate short circuit
Total ( p.u ) MVA, impedance in polar form
The short circuit MVA fed into the fault at FA: is used. However, alternatively,
if impedance in rectangular
S Base 15 10 6 15 10 6 form is used, then short circuit
S Actual     34.8 MVA MVA is obtained by
Z p.u j 0.431 0.431 rationalizing the impedance.
The fault current at point FB is given by:

Actual kVA 34.8 106 34.8 103

I SC   
3  VActual 3  33 10 3
3  33
34.8 103
I SC   0.6088 103  608.8 A
57.1576
31
Solution:
Alternate Approach to Calculate Fault current FB:
The short circuit current can also be determined by first determining the
per unit short circuit current followed by short circuit base current. In the
end, short circuit or fault current will obtained as below:

I  V p.u / X p.u  1.0 / 0.431  2.32 p.u

SC( p.u )
Base kVA 15 10 6 15 103 15 103
I      0.2624  10 3
 262.4 A
SC( Base) 3  VBase 3  33 103 3  33 57.1576
I I I  2.32  262.4  608.8 A
SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base)

(c) Which fault has higher value of current

From part A & B, it is evident that fault FA is more sever & has higher value.
Note:- It should be noticed that without calculating the actual current,
we can realize that the fault point at generator side will have highest
current than all other points and decreases gradually at other points.
Answer
32
Example For Practice:
The single line diagram of a power system is shown in Figure. Find the
short circuit current that will flow at point F. select 35 MVA and 11 kV as base
values.

Solution Solving the system, we will get the following answer.

I I I  2.572 1837 .02  4724 .815 A
SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base)
Answer 33
Example: This example is taken from Book Principles of
Power System V K Mehta, Chapter 17, Example 17.14.
A 10 MVA, 6.6kV, 3-phase star connected alternator having a reactance of
20% is connected through a 5MVA, 6.6/33kV kV transformer of 10%
reactance to a transmission line having a resistance and reactance per
conductor per kilometre of 0.2 ohms and 1 ohm respectively. Fifty kilometres
along the line, a short circuit occurs between the three conductors. Find
(a) The current fed to the fault by the alternator.
(b) The current at the fault point.

Solution
(a) Short circuit current fed by the Alternator:
The formula for new per unit impedance is given by:
34
Solution: Let 10MVA and 6.6 kV be the base values.

2
 base kVgiven  base kVA new
Z  Z ( p.u ) old    
( p.u )new
 base kVnew  base kVA given

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G:

2
 6.6 10  10 10 6
3
X  j 0.2   3
  j 0.2 11  j 0.2 p.u
 6.6 10  10 10
G( p.u )new 6

New Per unit Reactance of Transformer T:

2
 6.6 10  10 10 6
3
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.11 2  j 0.2 p.u
T / F ( p.u )new
 6.6  10  5  10 6

New Per unit Impedance of Transmission Line:

It can be observed that for transmission line the base voltage is changed.
Hence, new base voltage is determined by:
33 103
New Base Voltage  6.6 10 
3
 33  10 3
V
6.6 10 3
35
Solution:
Now, it can be noticed that the impedance of transmission line is given in
ohms instead of per unit values. Hence, the formula to find per unit
impedance of transmission line is given by:
SB Base kVA
Z p.u  Z ohms   Z ohms 
V 2B ( Base kV ) 2
10 106 10
Z Line ( p.u )  (10  j50) 
(33 103 ) 2
 (10  j 50 ) 
1089
 (10  j50)  0.00918
Z Line ( p.u )  (0.0918  j 0.459) p.u
Total New Per unit Impedance up to the Fault Point:
ZToal ( p.u )  X G ( p.u )  X T / F ( p.u )  X Line( p.u )  j 0.2  j 0.2  0.0918  j 0.459

ZToal ( p.u )  0.0918  j 0.859  0.0918 2  ( j 0.859) 2  0.7463  0.8638 p.u

The short circuit MVA fed into the fault at FA:
S Base 10 10 6
S SC    11.57 MVA
Z p.u 0.8638
36
Solution:
The fault current fed by the alternator is given by:
Actual kVA 11.57 10 6 11.57 10 3 11.57 103
I SC      1012 A
3  VActual 3  6.6 10 3
3  6.6 11.43
(b) Short circuit current at the fault point:
Actual kVA 11.57 10 6 11.57 103 11 .57  10 3
I SC      202.4 A
3  VActual 3  33 10 3
3  33 57.157

Alternate Approach to Calculate ISC:

The fault current fed by the alternator is given by:
I  V p.u / X p.u  1.0 / 0.8638  1.157 p.u
SC( p.u )
For the fault current fed by the alternator, the short circuit base current is
given by:
Base kVA 10 10 6 10 103 10  10 3
I      874.77 A
SC( Base) 3  VBase 3  6.6 10 3
3  6.6 11.431 37
Solution:
I I I  1.157  874.77  1012 A
SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base)
The fault current at the fault point is given by:
I  V p.u / X p.u  1.0 / 0.8638  1.157 p.u
SC( p.u )
For the fault current at fault point, the short circuit base current is given by:


Base kVA 10 10 6 10 103 10 103
I
SC( Base) 3 VBase
    174.95 A
3  33 10 3
3  33 57.157
I I I
SC ( Actual ) SC ( p.u ) SC ( Base)
I  1.157 174.95
SC ( Actual )
I  202.4 A
SC ( Actual ) Answer

38
Example For Practice:
This example is taken from Book
Power System Analysis by
P.S.R.Murty. Chapter 6, Example 6.17.

A 3-phase generating station has two 15,000 kVA generators connected in

parallel each with 15% reactance and a third generator of 10,000 kVA with
20% reactance is also added later in parallel with them. Load is taken as
shown from the station bus-bars through 6000 kVA, 6% reactance
transformers. Determine the maximum fault MVA which the circuit breakers
have to interrupt on
(a) LV side and
(b) HV side of the system for a symmetrical fault.

39
Solution:
(a) Short Circuit MVA at LV side of Transformer:
Let 15,000 kVA as base kVA
The formula for new per unit impedance is given by:
2
 base kVgiven  base kVA new
Z  Z ( p.u ) old    
( p.u )new
 base kVnew  base kVA given
The short circuit MVA is given by:
S Base 15,000 10 3
S SC    250 MVA
Z p.u 0.06

(b) Short Circuit MVA at HV side of Transformer:

The short circuit MVA is given by:
S Base 15,000 10 3
S SC    71.43 MVA
Z p.u 0.21
Answer 40
 This example is taken from Book Modern Power System
Example: Analysis by D.P.Kothari. Chapter 9, Example 9.1.

For the radial network shown in Figure, a three phase fault occurs at F.
determine the fault current.

41
Solution: Let 100 MVA and 11 kV as chosen as base values.
(a) Short Circuit Current at End of Feeder:
The formula for new per unit impedance is given by:
2
 base kVgiven  base kVA new
Z  Z ( p.u ) old    
( p.u )new
 base kVnew  base kVA given

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G1:

2
11103  100 10 6
X  j 0.15   3
  j 0.15 10  j1.5 p.u
G1( p.u )new
11  10  10  10 6

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G2:

2
1110  100 10 6
3
X  j 0.125   3
  j 0.125 110  j1.25 p.u
1110  10 10
G2 ( p.u )new 6

New Per unit Impedance of Transformer T1:

2
1110  100 10 6
3

6  j 0.1110  j1.0 p.u

Z  j 0.1  3

1110  10 10
T ( p.u )new
1 42
Solution:
New Per unit Impedance of Transmission Line:
It can be observed that for transmission line the base voltage is changed.
Hence, first new base voltage is required to be determined. The formula for
finding new base voltage is given by:
E2 33 10 3
New Base Voltage  Old Base Voltage   11 10 
3
 33 kV
E1 11 10 3

The formula to find per unit impedance of transmission line is given by:
SB Base kVA
Z p.u  Z ohms  2  Z ohms 
V B ( Base kV ) 2
The values are given for per kilometre. Hence, for 30 kilometre, we have to
multiply it with 30.
100 106 100
3 2  30  (0.27  j0.36 ) 
Z Line ( p.u )  30  (0.27  j0.36 ) 
(33 10 ) 1089
Z Line ( p.u )  30  (0.27  j0.36)  0.09183  (8.1  j10.8)  0.09183
Z Line ( p.u )  0.744  j 0.99 p.u 43
Solution:
New Per unit Impedance of Transformer T2:
2
 33 10  100 106
3
Z  j 0.08   3
  j 0.08 1 20  j1.6 p.u
T ( p.u)new
2  33  10  5  10 6

New Per unit Impedance of Cable:

It can be observed that for transmission line the base voltage is changed.
The new base voltage is determined as below:
E2 6.6  10 3
New Base Voltage  Old Base Voltage   33 10 3   6.6 kV
E1 33 10 3

The impedance value of cable is given for per kilometre. Hence, for 3
kilometre, we have to multiply it with 3 as below:
100 106 100
Z Cable ( p.u )  3  (0.135  j0.08)   3  (0.135  j 0.08 ) 
(6.6 103 ) 2 43.56
ZCable ( p.u )  3  (0.135  j0.08)  2.295  (0.405  j0.24)  2.295
ZCable ( p.u )  0.93  j 0.55 p.u 44
Solution:
The equivalent per unit single line diagram with fault at point F is shown as
below:

It can be observed that since the system is on no load prior to occurrence
of the fault, the voltages of the two generators are identical (in phase and
magnitude) and are equal to 1.0 p.u. the generator circuit can thus be
replaced by a single voltage source in series with the parallel combination
of generator reactance's as shown above. 45
Solution:
The total impedance up to the fault point is given as:
Z  ( j1.5) || ( j1.25)  j1.0  0.744  j 0.99  j1.6  0.93  j 0.55
Total ( p.u)
j1.5  j1.25
Z   j1.0  0.744  j 0.99  j1.6  0.93  j 0.55
Total ( p.u ) j1.5  j1.25
j 21.875
Z   j1.0  0.744  j 0.99  j1.6  0.93  j 0.55
Total ( p.u ) j 2.75
Z  (1)  ( j )  0.681  j1.0  0.744  j 0.99  j1.6  0.93  j 0.55
Total ( p.u )
Z  j 0.681  j1.0  0.744  j 0.99  j1.6  0.93  j 0.55
Total ( p.u )
Z  1.674  j 4.82 p.u  1.674 2  j 4.82 2  5.170.8 p.u
Total ( p.u )
The per unit short circuit current is given by:

I  V p.u / Z p.u  1.0 / 5.170.8  0.196  70.8 p.u

SC( p.u )
46
Solution:
Now, the short circuit base current is given by:
Base kVA 100 10 6 100  10 3
100  10 3
I      8750 A
SC( Base) 3  VBase 3  6.6 103 3  6.6 11.43

I I I  0.196  8750  1715 A

SC( Actual ) SC( p.u ) SC( Base) Answer

47
 This example is taken from Book Modern Power System
Example: Analysis by D.P.Kothari. Chapter 9, Example 9.4.

Three 6.6 kV generators A, B and C, each of 10% leakage reactance and

MVA ratings 40, 50 and 25 respectively are interconnected electrically as
shown in Figure, by a tie bar through current limiting reactors, each of 12%
reactance based upon the rating of the machine to which it is connected. A
three phase feeder is supplied from the bus bar of generator A at a line
voltage of 6.6 kV. The feeder has a resistance of 0.06 Ω/phase and an
inductive reactance of 0.12 Ω/phase. Estimate
(a) The maximum MVA that can be fed into a symmetrical short circuit at
the far end of the feeder.
(b)The maximum short circuit current at the feeder.

48
Solution: Let 50 MVA and 6.6 kV as chosen as base values.
(a) Short Circuit MVA at Far End of Feeder:
The formula for new per unit impedance is given by:
2
 base kVgiven  base kVA new
Z  Z ( p.u ) old    
( p.u )new
 base kVnew  base kVA given

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G1:

2
 6.6 103  50 106 5 j 0.5
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.1    j 0.125 p.u
 6.6 10  40 10
G1( p.u)new 6
4 4
New Per unit Reactance of Generator G2:
2
 6.6 10  50 10 6
3
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.111  j 0.1 p.u
 6.6 10  50 10
G2 ( p.u )new 6

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G3:

2
 6.6 103  50 106 50
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.1  1   j 0.11 2  j 0.2 p.u
 6.6 10  25 10
G3 ( p.u )new 6
25 49
Solution:
New Per unit Reactance of Reactor A:
2
 6.6 103  50 106 5 j 0.6
X  j 0.12   3
  j 0.12    j 0.15 p.u
 6.6 10  40 10
A( p.u)new 6
4 4
New Per unit Reactance of Reactor B:
2
 6.6 10  50 10 6
3
X  j 0.12   3
  j 0.12 1  j 0.12 p.u
 6.6 10  50 10
B( p.u )new 6

New Per unit Reactance of Reactor C:

2
 6.6 103  50 10 6
X  j 0.12   3
  j 0.12 1 2  j 0.24 p.u
 6.6 10  25 10
C ( p.u )new 6

New Per unit Reactance of Feeder:

Now, it can be noticed that the impedance of transmission line is given in
ohms instead of per unit values. Hence, per unit impedance of transmission
line is given by: SB Base kVA
Z p.u  Z ohms  2
 Z ohms 
V B ( Base kV ) 2 50
Solution:
50 106 50
Z Line ( p.u )  (0.06  j0.12)   (0.06  j0.12) 
(6.6 103 ) 2 43.56
Z Line ( p.u )  (0.06  j0.12) 1.1478  (0.069  j 0.138) p.u
The equivalent per unit single line diagram with fault at point F is shown as
below:

51
Solution:
It can be noticed from the equivalent circuit that j0.1 and j0.12 are in series,
similarly, j0.2 and j0.24 are in series. Hence, these can be combined to get
one value as j0.22 and j0.44 p.u respectively. The modified equivalent per
unit single line diagram with fault at point F is shown as below:
The total impedance
from the generator to the
fault point is given as:

Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.125 || ( j 0.15  j 0.22 || j 0.44)

Total ( p.u )
j 0.22  j 0.44
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.125 || ( j 0.15  )
Total ( p.u ) j 0.22  j 0.44 52
Solution:
j 2 0.0968
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.125 || ( j 0.15  )
Total ( p.u ) j 0.66
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.125 || ( j 0.15  (1)  ( j )0.14667)
Total ( p.u )
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.125 || ( j 0.15  j 0.14667)
Total ( p.u )
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.125 || ( j 0.29667)
Total ( p.u )
j 0.125  j 0.29667
Z  (0.069  j 0.138) 
Total ( p.u ) j 0.125  j 0.29667
j 2 0.03708
Z  (0.069  j 0.138) 
Total ( p.u ) j 0.42167
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  (1)  ( j )  0.087936
Total ( p.u ) 53
Solution:
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.087936
Total ( p.u )
Z  (0.069  j 0.138)  j 0.087936
Total ( p.u )
The short circuit MVA is given by:
S Base 50 10 6
S SC    211 .86 MVA
Z p.u 0.236

(b) Short circuit current at the fault point:

Actual kVA 211.86 10 6 211.86 103 211.86 103
I SC      18.532 kA
3  VActual 3  6.6 10 3
3  6.6 11.43

Alternate Approach to Calculate ISC:

In order to avoid the repetition of steps, we just write the steps to calculate
the short circuit current. To do this, first, per unit short circuit current is
calculated followed by base current calculation. Finally, total short circuit
current is calculated. The formulae for the currents can be used from the
previous examples. Answer 54
Example:
Three 6.6 kV generators A, B and C, each of 10% leakage reactance and
MVA ratings 40, 50 and 25 respectively are interconnected electrically as
shown in Figure. A three phase feeder is supplied from the bus bar of
generator A at a line voltage of 6.6 kV. The feeder has a resistance of 0.06
Ω/phase and an inductive reactance of 0.12 Ω/phase. Estimate:
(a) The maximum MVA that can be fed into a symmetrical short circuit at
the feeder.
(b)The maximum short circuit current at the feeder.

This example is the modification of previous example. The aim is to analyse the advantage
of reactor. Hence, in this example, reactors are not used. 55
Solution: Let 50 MVA and 6.6 kV as chosen as base values.
(a) Short Circuit MVA at Far End of Feeder:
The formula for new per unit impedance is given by:
2
 base kVgiven  base kVA new
Z  Z ( p.u ) old    
( p.u )new
 base kVnew  base kVA given

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G1:

2
 6.6 103  50 106 5 j 0.5
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.1    j 0.125 p.u
 6.6 10  40 10
G1( p.u)new 6
4 4
New Per unit Reactance of Generator G2:
2
 6.6 10  50 10 6
3
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.111  j 0.1 p.u
 6.6 10  50 10
G2 ( p.u )new 6

New Per unit Reactance of Generator G3:

2
 6.6 103  50 106 50
X  j 0.1  3
  j 0.1  1   j 0.11 2  j 0.2 p.u
 6.6 10  25 10
G3 ( p.u )new 6
25 56
Solution:
New Per unit Reactance of Feeder:
The formula to find per unit impedance of feeder is given by:
SB Base kVA
Z p.u  Z ohms   Z ohms 
V 2B ( Base kV ) 2
50 106 50
Z Line ( p.u )  (0.06  j0.12)   (0.06  j 0.12 ) 
(6.6 103 ) 2 43.56
Z Line ( p.u )  (0.06  j0.12) 1.1478  (0.069  j 0.138) p.u
The equivalent per unit single line diagram with fault at point F is shown as
below:

57
Solution:
The total impedance from the generator to the fault point is given as:
Z  ( j 0.2) || ( j 0.1) || ( j 0.125)  0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u )
j 0.2  j 0.1
Z  || ( j 0.125)  0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u ) j 0.2  j 0.1
j 2 0.02
Z  || ( j 0.125)  0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u ) j 0.3
Z  (1)  ( j )  0.0667 || ( j 0.125)  0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u )
Z  j 0.0667 || ( j 0.125)  0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u )
j 0.0667  j 0.125 j 2 0.00833
Z   0.069  j 0.138   0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u ) j 0.0667  j 0.125 j 0.1916
Z  (1)  ( j )  0.04346  0.069  j 0.138  j 0.04346  0.069  j 0.138
Total ( p.u )

Z  0.069  j 0.18146  0.069 2  j 0.181462  0.19469.18 p.u

Total ( p.u )
58
Solution:
The short circuit MVA is given by:
S Base 50 10 6
S SC    257 .73 MVA
Z p.u 0.194

New Per unit Reactance of Feeder:

Actual kVA 257.73 10 6 257.73 103 257.73 103
I SC      22.548 kA
3  VActual 3  6.6 10 3
3  6.6 11.43
It can be observed that without using the reactors, the short circuit MVA is
quite large compared to the short circuit MVA using the reactors. Hence, it is
proved that use of reactors will highly limit the short circuit current and will
reduce the size of the breakers required. This will result in overall cost
reduction of the system.
Answer

Thank You
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