SESSION 3

Short Circuit Calculations, Unsymmetrical Faults

Leonard Bohmann, Michigan State University
Elham Makram, Clemson University

Short Circuit Calculations

Leonard Bohmann
Michigan State University

Line to Ground Short

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

Short Circuit Fault Currents

7

dc offset

decaying sinusoid

6
5

Amps (kA)

4
3
2
1
0
-1 0

t
0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

-2
-3

high frequency transient

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

Short Circuit Fault Currents (continued)

X(t)
v(t)

if
v( t ) = Vm cos(t + )
Z( t ) = R + jX( t )
then
V
i( t ) = m [cos(t + )
Z( t )

5
4
3
2

cos(t 0 + )e

1
0
-1

0.05

0.1

0.15

Rt

X( t )

0.2

-2
-3

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dc offset
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

-2
-3

Vm
i( t ) =
Z

cos(t + ) cos(t + )e Rt X
0

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Variable magnitude
6
4
2
0
0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.1

-2
-4
-6
t

Vm
i( t ) =
cos(t + )
Z( t )
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

reactance (pu)

Reactance of Synchronous Machine

Xd

1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

X'd

X"d
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.2

1.4
t

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

 Use sub-transient reactance to calculate

fault currents
worst case for when CB is opening

Do not calculate dc offset directly

use X/R to approximate offset
(asymmetry ratio) at opening time
X/R is the time constant of the decay in
cycles
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

ZG1

ZL2

1
ZT15

2
ZT12

ZT23
3

If
ZT35
ZL5

ZT34

How do you
calculate the
fault current (If)
at bus 3?

ZG4
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10

Use Thevenin equivalent

3
ZTh
If
VTh

VTh: open circuit

voltage
also called the prefault voltage, Vf
often use 10

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11

Use for:
symmetrical faults
single phase networks
three phase faults in three phase
networks (per phase equivalent)
concept for solving all faults
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 This method calculates the current

going into the fault
Often want the current elsewhere
in the network (through a circuit
breaker, in bus bars, in other lines,
etc.)
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13

A current source, with the magnitude of

the fault current, placed at the fault, has
the same effect on the rest of the circuit
as the short circuit.
3
ZTh
Vf

3
ZTh

If

If
Vf

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Adding a current source to

the original circuit has
the same electrical
Z
effect as adding it to
1
the equivalent circuit

ZL2

G1

ZT15

2
ZT12

3
5

ZT35

If

ZT34

ZTh
If
Vf

ZT23

ZL5

4
ZG4

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ZG1

ZL2

1
ZT15

All the voltages and all

the currents can be found
using the new circuit.
2

ZT12

ZT23
3

If

ZT35
ZT34

ZL5

4
ZG4

Use superposition:
Use the original sources
(or assume currents are 0
and voltages are 10)
Use just the current
source, gives changes
due to the fault
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Calculation details
Bus Admittance Matrix: Ybus
ZG1
ZL2
1

I = Ybus V

ZT15

vector of current
injections

vector of bus
voltages

2
ZT12

ZT23
3

ZT35

If

ZT34

ZL5

4
ZG4

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Diagonals:
of Y connected at node
Y22 = 1/ZT12 + 1/ZL2 + 1/ZT23

ZG1
ZL2
1
ZT15
5

2
ZT12

ZT35
ZT34

ZL5

4
ZG4

ZT23

Ybus
If

Y11
Y
21
=0

0
Y51

0 Y15
Y22 Y23 0 0
Y32 Y33 Y34 Y35

0 Y43 Y44 0
0 Y53 0 Y55
Y12 0

Off diagonals:
- of Y connected between nodes
Y53 = -1/ZT35
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Ybus is sparse (lots of zero)

small size
easy to build
quick algorithms to manipulate

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Bus Impedance Matrix: Zbus

V = Zbus I

ZG1
ZL2

vector of bus vector of current

injections
voltages

1
ZT15
5

Zbus = Ybus-1

2
ZT12

ZT23
3

ZT35

If

ZT34
ZL5

4
ZG4

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Z bus

Z11
Z
21
= Z 31

Z 41
Z 51

Z12 Z13 Z14 Z15

Z 22 Z 23 Z 24 Z 25
Z 32 Z 33 Z 34 Z 35

Z 42 Z 43 Z 44 Z 45
Z 52 Z 53 Z 54 Z 55

Zbus is a full matrix

slow to invert
slow to manipulate
avoid using if
possible

Diagonal element is the Thevenin

Impedance at that bus
Z33 is the Thevenin Impedance at bus 3
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To find the change in voltages due to

the fault current at bus 3:
V1 Z11
V Z
2 21
V3 = Z 31

V4 Z 41
V5 Z 51

Z12 Z13 Z14 Z15 0

Z 22 Z 23 Z 24 Z 25 0
Z 32 Z 33 Z 34 Z 35 - I f

Z 42 Z 43 Z 44 Z 45 0
Z 52 Z 53 Z 54 Z 55 0

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To calculate current in line 2-3:

1

I 23f

V2 V3
=
ZT 23

2
I23f
ZT23
3

If

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Asymmetry ratio: S
Method calculates the RMS worst case
of the 60 Hz component
this is needed to set protective relays

For circuit breaker selection, need to

know the total RMS current (60 Hz
and dc offset)
Circuit breakers are rated on symmetrical
fault current, assuming an X/R ratio of 15
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Asymmetry ratio
I RMS = I + I
2
ac

I RMS

2
dc

= I + 2I ac e

2
ac

I RMS = I ac 1 + 2 e

XR

2 t

X R

2 t
I RMS
= S(t ) where S(t) is 1 + 2 e X R
I ac
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Calculating X/R
ZG1

Equations presented are

for a single order system
For higher order systems,

ZL2

1
ZT15

2
ZT12

ZT23
3

5
ZT35
ZL5

If
ZT34

4
ZG4

ignore R and find

equivalent X,
ignore X, and find
equivalent R

Actual decay is typically

quicker than this
approximation
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

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Algorithm
Calculate Thevenin Impedance
Calculate current into fault
Find the needed elements of Zbus (not all
of them)
Find the needed changes in bus voltages
Find the line currents of of interest
Find the dc offset
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Example
The oneline drawing of a system, along with Zbus
are shown below.
i) Calculate the fault current for a
three phase solid fault at bus 3.
j0.1pu
j10 pu
ii) Calculate the voltages at bus 1,
2, and 3 during this fault.
2
1
iii) Calculate the current flowing
j 0.08 pu
j0.05 pu
j0.025 pu
from bus 2 to bus 3.
3

If
j0.03 pu

j15
pu

j0.05 pu
4

Z bus

j0.1 pu

0. 0656
0.0538

= j 0. 0502

0. 0334
0. 0559

0.0538 0. 0502 0. 0334 0. 0559

0. 0831 0.0675 0. 0450 0. 0623
0.0675 0. 0731 0.0487 0. 0644 pu

0. 0450 0.0487 0. 0658 0. 0429

0.0623 0. 0644 0. 0429 0. 0799

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Part (i): Calculate the fault current for a three

phase solid fault at bus 3.
3

Assume all initial bus

voltages are 10

j0.731
10

therefore all initial

currents are 0

Use the 3,3 element

of Zbus for the
Thevenin impedance.

If

1
If =
j 0.0731
I f = j13. 68 pu

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Part (ii): Calculate the voltages at bus 2, 3, and

4 during this fault.
Multiply the negative of the fault current by elements in
the 3rd column to get the change in voltages
0.687
0.923

1 =

V4
V5

0.0656 0.0538 0.0502 0.0334 0.0559 0

0.0538 0.0831 0.0675 0.0450 0.0623 0

j 0.0502 0.0675 0.0731 0.0487 0.0644 - - j13.68

0.0334 0.0450 0.0487 0.0658 0.0429 0

0.0559 0.0623 0.0644 0.0429 0.0799 0

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Part (ii): Calculate the voltages at bus 2, 3, and

4 during this fault. (continued)
The voltages during the fault are the initial voltages
minus the changes in the voltages

V1f = V1i V1 = 10 0.687 = 0.313pu

V2f = V2i V2 = 10 0.923 = 0.0766pu
V3f = V3i V3 = 10 1 = 0 pu

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Part (iii): Calculate the current flowing from bus 2

to bus 3.
The current is the difference
between the voltages
divided by the impedance
I 23f
I 23f

2
-j3.86 pu

V2f V3f
=
ZT23

0.0766 0
=
= j3.86 pu
j0.025

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

3
-j13.68 pu
4

32

Problem
A small power system is sketched below along with Zbus.
j0.1 pu

j0.1 pu

1
j0.05 pu

2
j0.025 pu
j 0.08

Z bus
3
j0.05 pu
4

4. 783
3. 044
= j
3. 261

2. 174

3. 044
4. 534
3. 634
2. 422

3. 261
3. 634
4. 658
3. 106

2. 174
2. 422
10 2 pu
3. 106

5. 404

j0.1 pu

a) What is the fault current for a three-phase fault to

ground at bus 3?
b) What are the voltages at busses 2, 3, and 4?
c) What is the current due to the fault from bus 4 to 3 and
from 2 to 3?
33
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

Unsymmetrical Faults
Elham Makram
Clemson University

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

SINGLE LINE TO GROUND FAULT

Boundary Conditions at fault location

I bf = I cf = 0

Vf = Zf * Iaf

c
Iaf

Ibf

From the current equations,

Icf

I0 + a 2 I1 + aI2 = I 0 + aI1 + a 2 I 2 = 0
(a 2 a)I1 = (a 2 a)I2

Zf

I1 = I 2
Thus I 0 + ( a 2 + a) I1 = 0

I0 = I1 = I 2
Fig.1. Single line to ground fault on phase A

Now Va = Zf * I af
Or, V0 + V1 + V2 = Zf * 3I0

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

SINGLE LINE TO GROUND FAULT (CONTD.)

To satisfy the voltage and current boundary conditions, the sequence networks should be
connected in series as shown in Fig. 2.
I0
Zero
Sequence
Network

+
V0
I1

Zero
Sequence
Network

+
V1
-

3Zf

I2
Zero
Sequence
Network

+
V2
-

Fig.2. Sequence connection for A-G fault

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LINE TO LINE FAULT

Current boundary Conditions
I af = 0
I bf = - I cf

a
b

Thus,

I0 = 0
Iaf

Ibf

Icf

a 2 I1 + aI2 + aI1 + a 2 I 2 = 0
(a 2 + a)I1 = - (a 2 + a)I2

Vaf

Vbf

Zf

Vcf

I1 = - I 2
Voltage boundary conditions
Vbf = Vcf + Zf I bf

Fig.3. Line to line fault

V0 + a 2 V1 + aV2 = Zf (I 0 + a 2 I1 + aI 2 )
+ V0 + aV1 + a 2 V2
This leads to
(a 2 - a)V1 = (a 2 - a)I1 Zf + (a 2 - a)V2
V1 = V2 + Zf I1

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

LINE TO LINE FAULT (CONTD.)

To satisfy the voltage and current boundary conditions, the sequence networks should
be connected as shown in Fig. 4.
I1
Positive
Sequence
Network

+
V1
I2

Negative
Sequence
Network

Zf

+
V2
-

Fig.4. Connection of sequence network for BC fault

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

DOUBLE LINE TO GROUND FAULT

CurrentboundaryConditions
a

at the faultlocation,
Iaf = 0

Thus,
I0 + I1 + I2 = 0

c
Iaf

Ibf

Icf

Voltageboundaryconditions
Vbf = (Ibf + Icf )Zf

Vcf

and,
Vbf = Vcf

+
Vaf

Vbf

Zf

Thus,

V0 + a 2V1 + aV2 = V0 + aV1 + a2V2

Fig.5. Double line to ground fault

ThusV1 = V2
Also,
V0 + a 2V1 + aV2 = ( 2I0 + a2I1 +
aI2 + aI1 + a 2I2 ) Zf
ThusV0 - V1 = 3Zf I0

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

DOUBLE LINE TO GROUND FAULT (CONTD.)

Considering the voltage and current boundary conditions, the sequence networks are
connected as shown in Fig. 6.
I0
Zero
Sequence
Network

+
V0
-

3Zf

I1
Positive
Sequence
Network

+
V1
I2

Negative
Sequence
Network

+
V2
-

Fig.6. Sequence network connection for double

line to ground fault
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

Example 1
Consider the power system shown in Fig. 7.
T1

1 P

G1

T. L.

T2
G2

Fig. 7. Example 1
Ratings
G1 and G2: 100 MVA, 20 kV

Find the voltages at Bus 1 and the

currents from T1 to P due to

X1 = X2 = 0.3 pu

(i)

X0 = 0.04 pu

(ii) Line to line fault at P

T1 and T2: 100 MVA, 345/20 kV

Single line to ground fault at P

(iii) Double line to ground fault at P

XT1 = XT2 =0.08 pu

T. L.

X1 = X2 = 0.15 pu
X0 = 0.5 pu
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

Positive sequence network

j0.3

1
j0.08

j0.3

2
P

j0.15

j0.38

j0.2213

j0.53

j0.08
P

If E1 = E 2 = V = 10
Z th = (0.3 + j0.8) || (j0.3 + j0.08 + j0.15) = j0.2213
Negative sequence network

Zero sequence network

j0.2213

Z1th = j0.2213

j0.08

j0.5
P

2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

Z0th = j0.08
8

(i) Single line to ground fault

I1 = I 2 = I 0 =

E
(Z0th + Z1th

10
= - j1.9134
+ Z 2th ) (j0.2213 + j0.2213 + j0.08)

The following are the sequence current components from T1 - - > P

0.53
= j1.114
(0.53 + 0.38)
I 2 = - j1.114

I1 = I1 *

I 0 = - j1.9134
The sequence voltage components at the fault location are :
V1 = E1 - I1Z1 = 1.0 (-j1.114)(j0.38) = 0.57668
V2 = - I 2 Z 2 = - (j1.114) (j0.38) = - 0.42332
V0 = - I 0 Z0 = - j1.913 (j0.8) = - 0.15304
The current phase components from T1 - - > P

I a 1 1
I = 1 a 2
b
I c 1 a

1 I a0
a * I a1
a 2 I a2
2003 IEEE T & D CONFERENCE

I a = -j1.114 - j1.114 - j1.913 = - j3.027

I b = a 2 (-j1.114) + a(-j1.114) j1.913 = - j0.799
I c = a(-j1.114) + a 2 (-j1.114) j1.913 = - j0.799
c
b

-j0.799
-j0.799
-j3.027

-j2.712

c
-j5.739= 3 I0

The phase voltages at the fault location are :

Va = V0 + V1 + V2 = - 0.15304 + 0.57668 0.42332 = 0
Vb = V0 + a 2 V1 + aV2 = - 0.15304 + (1240)(0.57668) + (1120)(-0.42332)
= -0.2297 - j0.866
Vc = V0 + aV1 + a 2 V2 = - 0.15304 + (1120)(0.57668) + (1240)(-0.42332)
= -0.2297 + j0.866

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(ii) Line to line fault

Currents :
I1 = I 2 =

(Z1th

E
10
=
= j 2.26
+ Z 2th ) (j0.2213 + j0.2213)

I1 (T1 - - > P) = j2.26

0.53
= j1.316
(0.38 + 0.53 )

I 2 (T1 - - > P) = j1.316

Ia = 0
I b = a 2 (-j1.316) + a(j1.316) = 2.279
I c = a (-j1.316) + a 2 (j1.316) = 2.279
Voltages :
Va1 = E I a1Z1 = 1.0 - (-j1.316)(j0.38) = 0.5
Va2 = - I a2 Z 2 = 0.5
Va = 10
Vb = -0.50
Vc = 0.50
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SEQUENCE PHASE SHIFT THROUGH WYE/DELTA TRANSFORMER BANK

Positive and negative sequence impedance is independent of connection
These networks ignore phase shift
When current and voltages are transformed from one side to the other phase shift must
be considered.
Standard ANSI connection has been shown in figs. 8 (a) and 8 (b).
High side Low side
High side
Low side Ia
n:1
n:1
IA
a
A
Ia
I
Ia/n
IA
nIA
AA
Ib
IB
b
B
Ib
IB
Ib/n
IB
nIB
B
Ic
IC
c
C
Ic
IC
Ic/n
IC
nIC
C
A
a
A
a
C

B c b

Fig. 8 (a) Wye/Delta

a
b
c

Bc b

Fig. 8 (b) Delta/Wye

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Refer to fig. 8(a)

Positive sequence current :
I a 1 = n(I A1 - I C1 ) = n(I A1 - aI A1 ) = nI A1 (1 - a) = n 3 I A1 - 30
In per unit,
I A1 = I a1 30
Positive sequence volatge :
VA1 = n(V a1 - a 2 Va1 ) = nV a (1 - a 2 ) = n 3 Va1 30
or in per unit,
VA1 = Va1 30
Negative sequence current :
I a 2 = n(I A2 - I C2 ) = n(I A2 - a 2 I A2 ) = nI A2 (1 - a 2 ) = n 3 I A2 30
or In per unit
I A2 = I a2 30
Negative sequence voltage :
VA2 = n(V a2 - Vb2 ) = n(V a2 - aV a2 ) = nV a2 (1 - a) = n 3 Va2 30
or In per unit
VA2 = Va2 30
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Refer to fig. 8 (b)

Postitive sequence current :
3
1
1
I a1 30
(I a1 - I b1 ) = (I a1 - a 2 I a1 ) =
n
n
n
or, in per unit,
I A1 = I a1 30
I A1 =

Postitive sequence voltage :

1
3
(VA1 - aVA1 ) =
VA1 30
n
n
or, in per unit,
VA1 = Va1 30

Va1 =

Negative sequence current :

3
1
I a2 30
(I a2 - aI a2 ) =
n
n
or In per unit
I A2 = I a2 30
I A2 =

Negative sequence voltage

VA2 = Va2 30
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In general, in Y - or - Y connections :
(i) Positive sequence High voltage = Positive sequence Low voltage + 30
(ii) Negative sequence High voltage = Negative sequence Low voltage - 30

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Example 2
Find the currents and voltages at G1 of Example 1, due to single line to ground fault at P.

(i) Currents :
I ag1 = - j1.114 - 30 = - j1.114 - 120
I ag2 = - j1.114 + 30 = j1.114 - 60
I ag0 = 0
I ag = I ag1

+ I ag2 = - j1.114 - 120 + j1.114 - 60 = - j1.9295

I bg = a 2 I ag1 + aIag2 = 1240 (1.114 - 120) + 1120 (1.114 - 60)

= (1.114 120) + (1.114 60) = j1.9295
I cg = 0

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Example 2 ( contd.)
(ii) Voltages :
Vag1 = E I a1 Zg1 = 1.0 - (-j1.114)(j0.3)
= 0.666 (from sequence Network neglecting phase shift)
Vag2 = I a2 Zg2
= - 0.3342 (from sequence Network neglecting phase shift)
Vag1 = 0.666 - 30
Vag2 = - 0.334 30
Vag = Vag1 + Vag2 = 0.666 - 30 - 0.334 30 = 0.577 60
Vbg = a 2 Vag1 + aVag2 = 0.666 210 - 0.334 150
= 0.577 240.12
Vcg = aVag1 + a 2 Vag2 = 1.090
Vag 1 1

2
V
=
1
a
bg

Vcg 1 a

1 Vag0 0.577 60

a * Vag1 = 0.577240.12

190
a Vag2
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PROBLEMS
PROBLEM #1
For the system shown below, find the currents in the transformer and generator windings in
per unit and amperes for a single-line-to-ground fault at
(i)

(ii) R

15/115 kV
R
P
G1

G: 100 MVA, 15 kV

Transformer:

X1=X2= 0.1,

100 MVA, 15/115 kV

X0 = 0.05

X = 0.1

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PROBLEMS
PROBLEM #2
Solve examples 1 and 2 for a double-line-to-ground fault at P.

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PROBLEMS
PROBLEM #3
Solve examples 1 and 2 for a line-line fault at P.

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