Symmetrical Components and

Unbalanced Faults

By
Prof. E. Matlotse
 Symmetrical Components and
Unbalanced Faults
• Different types of unbalanced faults are single
line-to-ground fault, line-to-line fault and
double line-to-ground fault.
• Since the one-line diagram simplifies the
solution of balanced 3-Ф problems, the
method of symmetrical components that
resolves the solution of unbalanced circuit
into a number of balanced circuits is used.
 Symmetrical Components and
Unbalanced Faults
• Ultimately, then this approach is
applied to the unbalanced faults,
which permits the treatment of
the problem on a simple per
phase basis.
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Symmetrical Components allow unbalanced phase
quantities such as currents and voltages to be
replaced by three separate balanced symmetrical
components.

(a) (b) (c)

• Fig. 1: Representation of Symmetrical Components
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Refer to the phasor representation of a 3-Ф
balanced current shown in fig. 1(a).
• By convention, the direction of rotation of the
phasors is taken to be counterclockwise.
• Three phasors are written as
I a1 = I a1 0 = I a1 
2 1

I b = I a 240 = a I a 
1 1
(1)
1 
I c = I a 120 = aI a 
1 1
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Where we have defined an operator a that
causes a counterclockwise rotation of 120⁰,
such that
a = 1120 = −0.5 + j 0.866 
 (2)
a 2 = 1240 = −0.5 − j 0.866

a 3 = 1360 = 1 + j 0 

• The order of the phasors is abc and this is

designated as the +ve phase sequence
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• When the order is acb as shown in fig. 1(b), it
is called the –ve phase sequence.
• -ve phase sequence quantities are
represented as
I a2 = I a2 0 = I a2 
2 

I b = I a 120 = aI a 
2 2
(3)

I c2 = I a2 240 = a 2 I a2 
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• When analysing certain types of unbalanced
faults, it will be found that a 3rd set of
balanced phasors must be introduced .
• These are called the zero phase sequence
which are found in phase with each other.
• Zero phase sequence currents, as shown in fig.
1(c) are
Ia = Ib = Ic
0 0 0
(4)
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components

Fig. 2: Resolution of unbalanced phasor into

symmetrical components
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components

• Supersripts 1, 2 and 0 are being

used to represent +ve, -ve and
zero-sequence quantities,
respectively.
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Refer to 3-Ф unbalanced currents, Ia, Ib and Ic
shown in fig. 2.
• We are aiming to find the three symmetrical
components of the current such that
I a = I a0 + I a1 + I a2 
2

Ib = Ib + Ib + Ib 
0 1
(5)
2
I c = I c + I c + I c 
0 1
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• According to the expression of the
symmetrical components as given by (1), (3)
and (4), we can rewrite (5) all in terms of
phase a components
I a = I a0 + I a1 + I a2 
2

I b = I a + a I a + aI a 
0 2 1
(6)
2 2
I c = I a + aI a + a I a 
0 1
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
or
 I a  1 1 1   I a0 
 I  = 1 a 2   1
 b  a I a  (7)
 I c  1 a a 2   I a2 

• We rewrite the above equation in matrix

notation as
I abc
= AI 012 (8)
a
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Where A is known as symmetrical component
transformation matrix (SCTM) which transforms
phasor currents I abc into component currents I a012 and
is 1 1 1 
A = 1 a 2 a  (9)
1 a a 2 

• Solving (8) for symmetrical components of current

yields
I a012 = A −1 I abc (10)
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Inverse of A is
1 1 1
= 1 a a 2 
1
A −1 (11)
3
1 a 2 a 

• From (9) and (11), we have

1 *
A −1 = A (12)
3
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Substituting for A−1 in (10), we get
 I a0  1 1 1 I a 
 1 1
 I a  = 3 1 a a 2   I b  (13)
 I a2  1 a 2 a   I c 
 

• Similar formulae exist for voltage

• Therefore, the unbalanced phase voltage in
terms of the symmetrical components are
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
Va = Va0 + Va1 + Va2 
2

Vb = Va + a Va + aVa 
0 2 1
(14)

Vc = Va0 + aVa1 + a 2Va2 

• In matrix notation
V abc
= AVa012 (15)
 Fundamental of Symmetrical
Components
• Symmetrical components in terms of the
unbalanced voltages

= (Va + Vb + Vc )
1
Va0 
3

1
(
Va1 = Va + aVb + a 2Vc
3
) 
 (16)

1
(
Va2 = Va + a 2Vb + aVc ) 

3 
• In matrix notation
Va012 = A−1V abc (17)
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator

• Figure below presents a 3-Ф synchronous

generator with neutral grounded through
an impedance Zn.
• Generator (shown on the next slide) is
supplying a 3-Ф balanced load
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator

Fig. 1: 3-Ф balanced source and impedance

 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• Synchronous machine generates balanced 3-Ф
internal voltages and is represented as a +ve
sequence set of phasors abc  12 
E = a  E a
 a 
(1)
• The machine under consideration is supplying a
3-Ф balanced load.
• Applying KVL to each phase, we get
Va = E a − Z s I a − Z n I n 

Vb = Eb − Z s I b − Z n I n  (2)
Vc = E c − Z s I c − Z n I n 
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• Substituting for I n = I a + I b + I c and formulating
(2) in matrix form, we have

Va   Ea   Z s + Z n Zn Zn I a 
V  =  E  −  Z Zs + Zn Z n   I b  (3)
 b  b  n
Vc   Ec   Z n Zn Z s + Z n   I c 

• In compact form, we have

V abc = E abc − Z abc I abc (4)
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• Where V abc is the phase terminal voltage
vector and I abc is the phase current vector.
• Transforming the terminal voltages and
current phasors into their symmetrical
components results in
AVa012 = AE a012 − Z abc AI a012 (5)
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• Multiplying the above by A−1 , we have
Va012 = Ea012 − A−1Z abc AI a012

= Ea012 − Z 012 I a012 (6)

where
1 1 1  Z s + Z n Zn Zn  1 1 1
1
Z 012 = 1 a a 2   Z n Zs + Zn Z n  1 a 2 a  (7)
3
1 a 2 a   Z n Zn Z s + Z n  1 a a 2 
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• Finally,
 Z s + 3Z n 0 0  Z 0 0 0
 
Z 012 =  0 Zs 0  =  0 Z1 0 (8)
 0 0 Z s   0 0 Z 2 

• Since the generated emf is balanced, there is

only +ve sequence voltage as shown below
0
E 012 =  E 
(9)
a  a
 0 
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• Substituting for Ea012 and Z 012 into (6), we have
Va0   0   Z 0 0 0   I a0 
 1     
Va  =  E a  −  0 Z1 0   I a1 
(10)
Va2   0   0 Z 2   I a2 
     0
• In component form
Va0 = 0 − Z 0 I a0 
1 1

Va = Ea − Z I a 
1
(11)
2 2 
Va = 0 − Z I a 
2
 Sequence Networks of a Loaded
Generator
• 3 above equations can be represented by
the 3 equivalent sequence networks
shown below

Fig.2: Sequence networks (a) +ve-sequence (b) –ve-

sequence and zero-sequence
 Line-to-Ground Fault
• Fig. 1 shows a 3-Ф generator with neutral grounded through
impedance Zn

Fig. 1: Line-to-ground fault on phase a

 Line-to-Ground Fault
• Assuming that a line-to-ground fault occurs on
phase a through impedance Zf.
• Also, assuming the generator is initially on no-
load, the boundary conditions at the fault
point are
Va = Z f I a (1)

Ib = Ic = 0 (2)
 Line-to-Ground Fault
• Substituting for I b = I c = 0 , the symmetrical
components of currents are
 I a0  1 1 1 I a 
 1 1
 I a  = 3 1 a a 2   0  (3)
 I a2  1 a 2 a   0 
 

• From the above relation, we have

1
I a0 = I a1 = I a2 = Ia (4)
3
 Line-to-Ground Fault
• Phase a voltage in terms of symmetrical
components
Va = Va0 + Va1 + Va2 (5)
• Substituting forVa0 , Va1 and Va2 and noting that
I a0 = I a1 = I a2 , we have
Va = Ea − ( Z 1 + Z 2 + Z 0 ) I a0 (6)
• where Z 0 = Z s + 3Z n . Substituting for Va and
noting I a = 3I a0 , we have
 Line-to-Ground Fault

3Z f I a0 = Ea − ( Z 1 + Z 2 + Z 0 ) I a0

Ea
 I a0 = (7)
Z + Z + Z + 3Z f
1 2 0

• Fault current is

3 Ea
Ia = 3I a0 = 1 (8)
Z + Z 2 + Z 0 + 3Z f
 Line-to-Ground Fault
• Resulting network is

Fig. 2: Sequence network connection for line-to-

ground fault
 Line-to-Line Fault

• Fig. 1: Line-to-line fault between phases b and c

 Line-to-Line Fault
• A 3-Ф generator with a fault through
impedance Zf between phases b and c is
shown in fig. 1.
• Assuming the generator is initially on no-load,
the conditions at the fault point are
Vb − Vc = Z f I b (1)
Ib + Ic = 0 (2)
Ia = 0 (3)
 Line-to-Line Fault
• Substituting for I a = 0 and I c = − I b , the
symmetrical components of currents are
 I a0  1 1 1  0 
 1 1 
 I a  = 3 1 a a 2   I b  (4)
 I a2  1 a 2 a  − I b 
 

• From the above equation,

I a0 = 0 (5)
1 (6)
I a1 = (a − a 2 ) I b
3
 Line-to-Line Fault
1
I a2 = (a 2 − a) I b
3
(7)
• From (6) and (7), we have
I a1 = − I a2 (8)
• We have
Vb − Vc = (a 2 − a )(Va1 − Va2 ) = Z f I b (9)
 Line-to-Line Fault
• Substituting for Va1 and Va2 and noting I a2 = − I a1 ,
yields
(a 2 − a )[( Ea − Z 1 I a1 ) − (0 − Z 2 I a2 )] = Z f I b

 (a 2 − a)[( Ea − Z 1 I a1 ) − ( Z 2 I a1 )] = Z f I b

 (a 2 − a )[ Ea − ( Z 1 + Z 2 ) I a1 ] = Z f I b (10)
 Line-to-Line Fault
• Substituting for I b from (6), yields,
 3I a1 
(a − a)[( Ea − ( Z + Z
2 1 2
) I a1 ] = Zf  2 
 ( a − a )

 3I a1 
 [( Ea − ( Z + Z
1 2
) I a1 ] = Zf  2 2  (11)
 ( a − a )( a − a )
 Line-to-Line Fault
• Since (a − a 2 ) (a 2 − a) = 3 and solving for I a1
 3I a1 
Ea − ( Z + Z
1 2
) I a1 = Zf  
 3 
 Ea − ( Z 1 + Z 2 ) I a1 = Z f I a1

Ea
 I a1 =
Z1 + Z 2 + Z f
(12)
 Line-to-Line Fault
• Phase currents are
 I a  1 1 1  0 
 I  = 1 a 2 a   I a1 
 b  (13)
 I c  1 a a 2  − I a1 

I b = − I c = (a 2
− a) I a
1
(14)
 Line-to-Line Fault
• Resulting circuit is

Fig. 2: Sequence connection for line-to-line fault

 Double Line-to-Ground Fault

Fig. 1: Double line-to-ground fault

 Double Line-to-Ground Fault
• A 3-Ф generator with a fault on phases b and c
through an impedance Zf to ground is shown
in fig. 1.
• Assuming the generator is initially on no-load,
the conditions at the fault point are
Vb = Vc = Z f ( I b + I c ) (1)

I a = I a0 + I a1 + I a2 = 0 (2)
 Double Line-to-Ground Fault
• Using the same arguments as cases for the
other faults, the resulting equation for this
kind of a fault is

Ea
I a1 = (3)
Z 2 ( Z 0 + 3Z f )
Z1 +
Z 2 + Z 0 + 3Z f
 Double Line-to-Ground Fault
• Therefore, resulting network connection is

Fig. 2: Sequence network connection for double

line-to-ground fault
 Example
The one-line diagram of a simple power
system in the figure below. The neutral of
each generator is grounded through a current-
limiting reactor of 0.25/3 per unit on a 100
MVA base. The system data expressed in per
unit on a common 100 MVA base is tabulated
below. The generators are running on no-load
at their rated voltage and rated frequency
with their emfs in phase.
 Example

• Figure: The one-line diagram

 Example
Item Base MVA Voltage Rating X1 X2 X0

G1 100 20 kV 0.15 0.15 0.05

G2 100 20 kV 0.15 0.15 0.05

T1 100 20 /220 kV 0.1 0.1 0.1

T2 100 20 /220 kV 0.1 0.1 0.1

L12 100 220 kV 0.125 0.125 0.3

L13 100 220 kV 0.15 0.15 0.35

L23 100 220 kV 0.25 0.25 0.7125

 Example
Determine the fault current for the following
faults:
(a) A single-line-to-ground fault at bus 3
through a fault impedance Zf = j0.10 per unit

(b) A line-to-line fault at bus 3 through a fault

impedance Zf = j0.10 per unit
 Solution
• The +ve-sequence network
 Solution
• To find the Thevenin’s impedance viewed from
the faulted bus (bus 3), we convert the delta
formed by buses 123 to an equivalent Y
( j 0.125)( j 0.15)
Z1S = = j 0.0357143 pu
( j 0.125) + ( j 0.15) + ( j 0.25)
( j 0.125)( j 0.25)
Z 2S = = j 0.0595238 pu
( j 0.125) + ( j 0.15) + ( j 0.25)

( j 0.15)( j 0.25)
Z 3S = = j 0.0714286 pu
( j 0.125) + ( j 0.15) + ( j 0.25)
 Solution
The resulting network is
 Solution
The positive and negative-sequence Thevenin
impedances are

( j 0.0357143 + j 0.15 + j 0.1)( j 0.059524 + j 0.1 + j 0.15)

1
Z 33 = Z 33
2
\ = + j 0.0714286
( j 0.0357143 + j 0.15 + j 0.1) + ( j 0.059524 + j 0.1 + j 0.15)

= j 0.22 pu
 Solution
The zero-sequence impedance network
 Solution
To establish its Thevenin impedance viewed
from the faulted bus, we convert the delta
formed by buses 123 to an equivalent Y
( j 0.30)( j 0.35)
Z1S = = j 0.07703595 pu
( j 0.30) + ( j 0.35) + ( j 0.7125)

( j 0.30)( j 0.7125)
Z 2S = = j 0.156933235 pu
( j 0.30) + ( j 0.35) + ( j 0.7125)

( j 0.35)( j 0.7125)
Z 3S = = j 0.183088774 pu
( j 0.30) + ( j 0.35) + ( j 0.7125)
 Solution
The resulting circuit is
 Solution
The zero-sequence Thevenin impedance is
( j 0.077064 + j 0.1 + j 0.05 + j 0.25)( j 0.156881 + j 0.1)
0
Z 33 = + j 0.183088774
( j 0.077064 + j 0.1 + j 0.05 + j 0.25) + ( j 0.156881 + j 0.1)

= j 0.35 pu
 Solution
Single line-to-ground fault at bus 3 is

3
V a ( 0)
I3 = I3 = I3 = 1
0 1 2

Z 33 + Z 332 + Z 330 + 3Z f
1
= = − j 0.9174 pu
j 0.22 + j 0.22 + j 0.35 + 3( j 0.1)
 Solution
The fault current is

 I 3a  1 1 1   I 30  3I 3a  − j 2.7523
 b    0     pu
I
 3  = 1 a 2
a I3  =  0  = 0
  
 I 3c  1 a a   I 3   0  
2
 0
0 
 
 Solution
(b) The zero-sequence component of current is
zero
I3 = 0
0

The +ve and –ve sequence components of the

Fault are
a
V ( 0)
I 31 = − I 32 = 1 3 2
Z 33 + Z 33 + Z f
1
= = − j1.8519 pu
j 0.22 + j 0.22 + ( j 0.1)
 Solution
The fault current is

 I 3a  1 1 1  0   0 
 b 
 3 
I = 1 a 2
a  − j1.8519 = − 3.2075 pu
 I 3c  1 a a 2   j1.8519   3.2075 
  