DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SHORT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

-
W. H. Kersting IEEE Fellow W.H. Phillips
New Mexico State University W. H. Power Consultants
P. 0. Box 3-0 P. 0. Box 3903
Las Cruces, NM 88003 Las Cruces, NM 88003
ABSTRACT

The computation of short circuit currents for unbalanced

faults in a normally balanced three-phase system has
traditionally been accomplished by the application of the
Z, = (RI + 0.0953) +jO.l21
.(In - GLRi
+
I
7.934 Qlmi.

method of symmetrical components. However, this method

is not as well suited to a distribution feeder that is inherently
unbalanced. For example, it is important to be able to
compute line-to-ground faults that occur on phases b and c
and line-to-line faults that occur on phases other than just b
and c.
This paper will develop a method for computing all
combinations of fault currents using the phase frame of
reference. A sample system will be used to demonstrate the
method.
GENERAL THEORY
Figure 1 shows the radial system as modeled for the short
circuit program.
Z4 = 0.0953 +jO.l2134(ln$ + 7.934) Q/mi. (2)
where: Ri = Resistance of conductor (ohms per mile).
GMR, = Geometric Mean Radius of conductor i (fi).
D, = Spacing (ft.) between conductors j and 1.
For overhead lines the application of Equations 1 and 2 is
straightforward. For underground cables the same equations
are used, but an equivalent GMR and Diimust be determined
for cable shields or concentricneutrals. For systems with more
than three current carrying conductors (four-wire wye for
example), Equations 1 and 2 result in an NCOND x NGOND

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Figure 1 Radial System Model

In Figure 1, ZTOT is a three-phase impedance matrix that
represents the total equivalent impedance between the fault
bus and the system equivalent generator. This impedance will
include the total line impedance from the faulted bus back to
the substation plus the substation transformer impedance plus
the system equivalent impedance as determined at the high
voltage bus of the substation.
matrix which is reduced to a 3 x 3 matrix using the &on
reduction technique [2]. For single-phase and two-phase line
sections, the 3 x 3 impedance matrix will be characterized by
a row and column of zeros occupying the position of the
missing phase or phases.

A model of an individual three-phase line section that would

a.
- =*
0 .'
be part of ZTOT is shown in Figure 2. This model is used for
four-wire wye and three-wire delta lines.

The impedance values associated with the line model are

determined by an application of a modified version of Carson's
Equations (Equations 1 and 2) [l].

310
All of the necessary data for computing the total impedance Equation 11 in expended form is:
from the faulted bus back to the low voltage bus of the
substation is input by section and automatically stored in an
ordered form after the system graph is built. The sum of the
substation transformer and system impedance is input
separately.

In Figure 1, the voltages Ea, E,, and E, are the equivalent (12)
system voltages and are usually assumed to be 1.0 per unit.
The impedances, &, represent the impedance in the fault. In Equation 12 let:
This value is supplied by the user.
ya = yaa + Yab yac (13)
Kirchhoffs voltage law can be applied in matrix form to the
Yb = Yba + Ybb + Ybc
Y, = Y, + Y* + Y,
With the terms defined in Equations 13, Equation 12
becomes:

1, = IPb - (Ybav, + Ybbvbx + Y h v A Ybvxg

Equation 3 can be written in "short" form by:
I, = IP, - (Y,V, + Y*VbX + Y,Vd - Y,V,
Equations 14 become the general equation that is used to
simulate all types of short circuits. Basically there are three
equations but seven unknowns (Ia, I,, I,, Vas Vbx,V, Vxg).
The other three variables in the equations (IPa, IPb, IPc,) are
functions of the total impedance and system voltages and are
therefore known. In order to solve Equations 14, it will be
necessary to specify four of the seven unknowns. These
specifications are functions of the type of fault being simulated.

Three-phase Faults

v, = VbX= VCX= 0 (15)

1, + 1, + I, =0

Using the above characteristic of the three-phase fault,

Equations 14 become:

These three equations can be added together and the resulting

equation solved for V, to give:

31 1
Equations 15 and 17 therefore define the four necessary Equations 19 and 22 provide the four unknowns necessary to
unknowns so that Equations 16 (derived from Equations 14) solve Equation U) for a b-c fault. In general, for a fault
can be used to solve for the three unknown line currents. between phase i and phase j with phase k unfaulted, Equations
24 and 25 are used.

Three-phase-to-ground Faults v, = vPl= 0 (24)

v, = v, = v, = vxe= 0 (18)
Equation 18 defines the necessary four unknowns for this fault
condition.

Line-to-line Faults (assume b-c fault)

where:
v, = v, = 0 (19)

I, = 0

1, + IC 0

Using this information, Equations 14 become:

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I, = 0 = IP, Y,v, - YaVv (20) Line-to-line-tomound Faults (assume b-c-g)

1, = m b - Y & v a * Y b v q v, = v, = vq = 0 (27)

I, = IP,- Y,v,- YCVW I, = 0

Adding the last two equations and then rearranging terms Equations 14 are used to get:
yields two equations in matrix forms:
I, = 0 = IP, Y,v, - (28)

Therefore:

v, = IPJY, (29)

Equations 27 and 29 can be used for a b-c-g faults. In general

Inverting the admittance matrix and rewriting the equations for faults between phases i-j-g Equations 30 and 31 are used.
yields:

Line-to-ground Faults (assume a-g)

where: v, = vq = 0 (32)

y = [(Yk?YW) (Y*ya
+ Yc) r (23)

Ib
1, = IC= 0

Substitute this into Equations 14 to yield

=0 =w b Ybbvbx Yhvbx

I, = 0 = IP, - Y&VbX Y,v, -

312
Solving these two equations for V, and V, gives: Substation
-Three-phase short circuit MVA and angle at the high
voltage terminals of the substation transformer.
(34) -Substation transformer ratings and impedance.
-Substation transformer output voltages.

In-line autotransformer converting feeder voltage from

where: 24.9 kV to 4.16 kV.

The substation transformer serving this feeder is rated

(35)
2,500 kVA
115 kV delta I 24.9 kV grounded wye
+
Z = 1.0 j8.0 %
For the general case of a fault from phase i to ground
The three-phase short circuit MVA on the 115 kV bus of the
v, = VW= 0 (36) substation is 1800 MVA at an angle of 85 degrees.

The circuit diagram (not to scale) for this feeder is shown in

Figure 3.
(37)

where:

RADIAL DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS PACKAGE

The method of computing short circuit currents on an

unbalanced distribution feeder described in the previous
section has been incorporated into the Radial Distribution
Analysis Package (RDAP) [3]. The short circuit routine in this
package will be used to demonstrate the results of a short
circuit study on an unbalanced distribution feeder. The IEEE
34 Bus Radial Distribution Feeder will be used for this
demonstration [4]. This feeder is characterized by:

Load Types
-Spot and distributed loads.
-All wye connected.
-All constant kW,kVAr.

Line Types
- Three-phase overhead.
- Single-phase overhead (a-n, b-n and c-n).
Voltage Regulators - single-phase regulators wye
connected.

Shunt Capacitors -- balanced three-phase.

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Figure 3 34 Bus Circuit Diagram

313
 TABLE 2

IEEE 34 BUS RADIAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

OVERHEAD LINE CONFIGURATIONS

PHASE NEUTRAL
CONF COND COND SPACING
ID PHASINGACSR ACSR ID

300 BACN 1/0 110 500

301 BACN #26/1 #2 611 500
800 802 2580.0 301 834 860 302 AN #4 611 #4 611 510
303 BN #4 611 #4 611 510
806 808 32230.0 301 836 304 #2 611 510

Spacing ID SO0 is for REAVCI crossarm construction and ID

510 is for REA VA1 single primary support construction [SI.

Addition Configuration Codes are:

816 824 10210.0 301 852 832
818 820 48150.0 302 854 856 23330.0 303 55 - In-line three-phase grounded wye -- grounded wye
820 822 13740.0 302 854 852 36830.0 301 connected autotransformer rated
824 826 3030.0 303 858 864 1620.0 302
824 828 840.0 301 858 834 5830.0 301 150 kVA
828 830 20440.0 301 860 836 2680.0 301 24.9 kV wye - 4.16 kV wye
830 854 520.0 301 862 838 4860.0 304 Z = 1.90 + j4.08 per unit
832 858 4900.0 301 888 890 10560.0 300
832 888 0.0 55 EXAMPLE SHORT CIRCUIT STUDY

Table 2 gives the Overhead Line Configuration Codes for this The Radial Distribution Analysis Package short circuit routine
system. e the results of a short circuit study
oped in this paper and the IEEE 34

Menu is shown in Figure

S H O R T C I R C U I T
IEE
Thi
THE FAULT STUDY Is RUN,WITH THE FOLLO
Voltage (Per unit): 1
s): 2.510+j20. 1
si): 2.480+j19.840 CO1
40.00 CRI
THE FOLLOWING BUSES WIL >IN THE FAULT OUTPUT (IGNORING ZERO
800 806 808 0 816 822 854
832 888 858 864 836 838 834

THE RESPECTIVE OPTION

VIEWING FAULT RESULTS IS THE SCREE
PRINTER ENTER ...............................
.....................................
RETURN TO PREVIOUS M ...................................... <
ENTER OPTION:

Figure 4 - Short Circuit Studies Menu

314
The positive and zero sequence impedances in ohms of the
transformer plus equivalent high voltage system as measured
at the low voltage terminals of the transformer are required
input data. The values shown are determined from the given
data for the sample system as follows:
short circuit current. The usual application of the method of
symmetrical components would not have allowed for the
determination of the phase-b to ground faults currents.
CONCLUSIONS

Transformer: Base Z = 24.g2/2.5 = 248.00 ohms
Z + = Zo = (0.01 +jO.O8) * 248.00 ohms
= 2.48 + j19.84 ohms
System: '
2 = (24.92/1800)/85 ohms
= 0.03 + j0.3431 ohms
The equivalent positive sequence impedance is the sum of
the transformer plus system positive sequence impedances
with the final value shown in Figure 4. The equivalent
zero sequence impedance is only the transformer impedance
since the transformer is grounded wye on the 24.9 kV side
and therefore the system zero sequence impedance is not
"seen" from the low side transformer terminals. The value of
fault resistance of 40 ohms was selected because it is a
standard value used by many electric cooperatives.
The short circuit routine allows the user to either have the
short circuit currents determined at every bus in the system
or to select buses of interest. The latter is used here with the
selected buses listed in Figure 4. These buses were selected
for fuse coordinations purposes.
Table 3 lists the currents for short circuits at Buses 854 and
856. The lateral tap at Bus 854 going to Bus 856 is a single-
phase consisting only of phase-b and neutral. As shown in
Table 3, a phase-b to ground short circuit is the only possible
Because a distribution feeder is composed of many single-
phase laterals and is inherently unbalanced both in loading
and construction, it is necessary to use a different method of
short circuit analysis than the usual application of
symmetrical components. This paper has developed a general
method for the computation of the short circuit currents for
all possible types of faults on an unbalanced three-phase radial
distribution system. The method has been incorporated into
a personal computer package of programs (RDAP). RDAP
was used to perform a short circuit study using the program
and the IEEE 34 Bus Radial Distribution Feeder and some
of the results listed.
REFERENCES
1. Carson, John R., "Wave Propagation in Overhead Wires
with Ground Return", Bell System Technical Journal,
New York, Vol. 5, 1926.
2. G. Kron, Tensor Adysii of Nelvmrks, John Wiley &
Sons, New York, 1939.
3. W.H. Kersting, W.H. Phillips, "Modeling and Analysis of
Rural Electric Distribution Feeders", IEEE Rural
Electric Power Conference, Orlando, Florida, April 1990.
4. "Radial Distribution Test Feeders", IEEE Distribution
Planning Working Group Report. Presented at the 1990
IEEE PES Summer Power Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
5. "Specifications and Drawings for 14.4m.9 kV Line
Construction, REA Form 803, Rural Electrification Ad.

TABLE 3
Short Circuit Output Report
- S H 0 R T C I R C U I T S T U D I E S - DATE: 5- 4-1990 AT 15: 3:57 HOURS
IEEE 34 BUS REA DISTRIBUTION FEEDER
BUS/FAULT (EQV SYST > V:1.00 PU; 2-P: 2.5+j20.2 OHMS; 2 - 0 : 2.5+519.8 OHMS)
----------- Phase A Amps ----
Phase B Amps Phase C Amps ----
Ground Amps -----
BUS 854 FR=40. FR=4 0. FR=40. FR=40 .
Fault
L-G 187.0 132.8 186.9 133.0 187.0 132.9
A-B 200.5 130.2 200.5 130.2
A-B-G 204.4 133.3 225.6 152.2 154.8 117.7
A-C 200.5 130.2 200.5 130.2
A-C-G 225.3 151.9 204.6 133.5 156.4 118.4
B-C 196.4 129.1 196.4 129.1
B-C-G 203.2 134.2 219.9 149.8 159.5 119.8
A-B-C 233.2 150.8 231.4 151.0 225.3 147.9
-----------
A-B-C-G 231.7 150.1
Phase A Amps -
232.5 151.7
Phase B Amps
225.7 147.9
Phase C Amps
4.5
---- 2.3
Ground Amps -----
BUS 856 FR=40. FR=40 . FR=40. FR=40.
Fault
B-G 159.2 117.7

31 5