The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

Department of Building Services Engineering

Programme

BEng (Hons) in Building Services Engineering (33077)

Part-time BEng (Hons) in Building Services Engineering (33078)
BEng (Hons) in Building Services Engineering (33081) (Self-financed)

Level

Subject

Advanced Electrical Systems (BSE416)

Session

2013/2014 Semester 2

Date

3 May 2014

Time

7:00 pm 10:00 pm

Time Allowed :

3 hours

This question paper has 10 pages.

Instructions to candidates:
1. This is a closed book examination.
2. Answer any 4 questions out of 5.
3. All questions carry equal marks.

Recommended list of materials allowed to be taken into the examination venue:

1. Electronic calculators.
2. A formula card of A4 size.

DO NOT TURN OVER THE PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

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1. (a) Illustrate, with the aid of Figure 1(a), what backup protection and
discrimination are, and why they are adopted in the design of electrical
installations. Is it possible to achieve both backup protection and discrimination
between two consecutive protective devices (PDs)? Give an example if the
answer is yes.
(10 marks)

(b) Shown in Figure Q1(b) is the schematic diagram of a main LV switchboard fed
from a utility distribution transformer. Circuit No. 2 is protected by a MCCB
(NS400 with a 400A STR23SE). Circuit No. 3 is protected by the 160A fuse.
The maximum fault current in Circuits No. 1-3 is equal to 35kA (rms).
The extreme-inverse IDMT relays for MICB have the plug setting of 100% and
the time multiplier of 0.15. Their time-current characteristic is given by
80
t
TM
PSM 2 1
Information of NS400 and STR23SE is given in Appendix Q1.
Given by a design current of 350A in Circuit No. 2, determine settings (Ir and
Im) of the control unit STR23SE so that the discrimination between the MICB
and MCCB is achieved under the fault conditions. Note that grading time is
determined by 0.15t+80 ms.
(15 marks)
State your assumptions clearly.

63A MCB

Supply
PD1

PD3
If

PCT
1600/5A

160A fuse

NS400 MCCB

O/C

1600A
MICB

Main LV Switchboard

PD2
Load

11kV/380V
1050kVA

Figure Q1(a)

Figure Q1(b)

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2.(a) (i)

The following statement is given in the harmonics notes. Explain in detail

why high neutral voltage was observed in the building.
High neutral voltage (10.5V) in a 42-storey office building which had
resulted in malfunction of computers connected thereto.

(ii) Prove, with necessary steps, the following formula for harmonics in a
distribution circuit. State the assumptions clearly.
TPF

DPF
1 THDV2 1 THDI2

(10 marks)
(b) A 60m-long 400mm2 4/c PVC/SWA/PVC cable is installed on tray to deliver
power to a local switchboard. The cable is protected by a 630A MCCB, and is
fed from a main switchboard on the ground. The total loading is 300kVA with a
displacement power factor of 0.9. The ambient temperature in the duct is 40oC.
It is noted from a previous survey that the harmonic current was very rich.
Figure Q2 shows the harmonic content of the current in one phase.
(i)

Estimate the currents in both phase and neutral conductors.

(ii)

Determine whether energy efficiency requirements in BEC regarding

power loss, power factor and harmonic current are fulfilled or not.
(15 marks)

Relevant information regarding BEC is given in Table Q2. You may make any
other assumption if necessary.

Harmonic Distortion (%)

100%

100%

75%
50%
30%
20%

25%

10%
0%
1

3
5
Harmonic Order (h)

Figure Q2

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Table Q2(a) Harmonic Current Limits

Max. Load Current
Total current Distortion --THDI
I =<40A
20%
40A =< I < 400A
15%
400A =< I < 800A
12%
800A =< I < 2000A
8%
2000A =< I
5%

Circuit Type
Main Circuit
Feeder Circuit

Sub-main
Circuit

Final Circuit

Table Q2(b) Power Loss Limits

Voltage Drop
Conditions
--

Loss (%) Limit

Alternative requirement is
available

0.5%

2.5%

Not for PFC circuit

2.5%

1.5%

Non-residential building
circuit length <100m

1.5%

1.5%

Non-residential building
circuit length >100m

2.5%
(sub-main circuit +
32A above final
circuit)

1.5%

Residential building

2.5%

2.5%

Circuit rating>32A

1.0%

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3. (a) (i) Since both input and output of a static UPS have a rated voltage of 380V
and a frequency of 50Hz, why do we need to have both converter and
inverter in the UPS for changing power from ac to dc then dc to ac?
(ii) List all possible situations in which static bypass switch is closed.
(10 marks)
(b) Assume that a 250kVA UPS together with a linear load of 250kVA with
PF=0.95 is backed up by a three-phase standby generator. The UPS is loaded
with 200kW. It is assumed that the UPS has an efficiency of 0.9 and a DPS of
0.95. The standby generator is rated 380V/220V, 600kVA and PF=0.8 with the
sub-transient reactance of X d" =8%. Harmonic currents from the UPS under fullload conditions are given in Figure Q3.
(i) Evaluate input current (rms) of the UPS.

Harmonic Distortion (%)

(ii) Evaluate harmonic voltage and current distortion at the generator terminal
against the harmonic limits given in Table Q3.
(15 marks)
100%

100%

75%
50%
20%

25%

10%
0%

0%

0%
1

3
5
7
Harmonic Order (h)

Figure Q3
Table Q3 Harmonic voltage/current distortion limits
Bus Voltage at PCC
Individual Harmonic
Total Voltage
(Vn)
Voltage Distortion (%) Distortion - THDVn (%)
3.0
5.0
Vn 69kV
Max. Load Current
I =<40A
40A =< I < 400A
400A =< I < 800A
800A =< I < 2000A
2000A =< I

Total current Distortion --THDI

20%
15%
12%
8%
5%

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4. (a) Illustrate, with examples, five possible measures for mitigating magnetic
fields in buildings.
(15 marks)
(b) Figure Q4 shows two identical three-phase circuits made by 8 no. of 1/c cables.
(i)

Identify the phase order for another circuit so the magnetic field from two
circuits can be reduced effectively. Assume these two circuits carry
identical currents with harmonics.

(ii)

Derive the formula for calculating the magnetic field from the zerosequence currents in two three-phase circuits given in (i) if the currents in
two circuits are identical.

(iii) If phase N and phase C in the first circuit are accidentally exchanged, state
how the magnetic field is changed. Give your explanation without using
lengthy formulae.
(10 marks)

State all assumptions clearly.

D

2D

A B C N
Figure Q4

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5. (a) Assume electronic equipment with Immunity Class III is installed on the 50th
floor in a 50 storey building in Hong Kong. The building is protected by a
LPS with LPL II.
Design a scheme using TYPE-I/II SPDs for the protection of electronic
devices on the 50th floor. You are required to determine reasonable values of
SPD parameters (MCOV, Imax, In, Up) for SPDs installed in the buildings.
Relevant information for the design is given in Table Q5.
(10 marks)
(b) Describe, with aid of diagrams, three generation mechanisms of lightning
surges appearing in building distribution systems, and basic characteristics
associated with these mechanisms (e.g., waveform and/or magnitude).
(9 marks)
(c) Illustrate, with the aid of diagrams, the operating principles of two different
types of surge protective devices: MOV and GAS DISCHARGE TUBE.
(6 marks)
Table Q5(a) Lightning Protection Level

Table Q5(b) Surge Characteristics in Buildings

Impulse
Location Category
Waveform

Voltage/current

0.5us and 100kHz

6kV, 0.2kA

Major feeders and short

branch circuits (e.g.,
switchboard)

0.5us and 100kHz

6kV, 0.33kA

1.2/50us, 8/20us

6kV, 3kA

Service entrance from pole

1.2/50us, 8/20us

20kV, 10kA

Long branch circuits and

outlets

Table Q5(c) Surge Immunity Levels for Selection of SPD

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Appendix Q1 MCCB Information

(a) MCCB Cutoff current

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(b) Datasheet of the STR23SE Trip unit

(c) Characteristic curves of the STR23SE trip unit

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Appendix Q2 Information Relevant to Cables

(a) Temperature factor

(b) Grouping factor

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(c) Cable parameters

10