SHORT-CIRCUIT FAULT

CALCULATIONS
- Fault studies form an important part of power system
analysis. The problem consists of determining bus
voltages and line currents during various types of faults.

- In a power system, short circuits occur once in a while

due to lightning, flash over due to polluted insulation,
falling of tree branches on the overhead system, animal
intrusion and erroneous operations.
When the fault current magnitudes are significant, it can:

a) cause damage to equipment and explosion if the fault

is not cleared for prolonged time
b) cause electrical fires and shock hazards to people

Therefore, it is important to design the power system

such that the fault is isolated quickly to minimize the
equipment damage and improve personnel safety.
- The information gained from fault studies are used to
select fuses, circuit breakers and protective relays.

- During the fault, the power system is called on to detect,

interrupt, and isolate these faults.

- The short circuit current contributions are from the utility

sources, generators, synchronous condensers, induction
motors and converters.
Faults on power systems are divided into:

a) Symmetrical faults (3-ph balanced faults)

b) Unbalanced faults
- Single-line-to-ground fault
- Line-to-line fault
- Double-line-to-ground fault
 Nature of Short-Circuit Currents
- The transient analysis of the short-circuit of a passive
impedance connected to a source gives an initial
insight into the nature of the short-circuit currents.
R L

i
e
 Nature of Short-Circuit Currents
R L

di
E m sint     Ri  L
i
e
dt

The solution of the above equation is:

R
Em Em  t
iSC  sint       e L
sin   
R  L
2 2 2
R  L
2 2 2
 Nature of Short-Circuit Currents
R
Em Em  t
iSC  sint       e L
sin   
R  L
2 2 2
R  L
2 2 2

- The above equation of I clearly shows two distinct

components of a short-circuit current, namely:

o A non-decaying ac component or the steady-state

component
o A decaying dc component at an exponential rate
 Nature of Short-Circuit Currents

- The presence of a dc component makes the fault

current wave-shape envelope asymmetrical about the
zero line and the axis of the wave.
 Nature of Short-Circuit Currents
100

80

60

40

20

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35

-20

-40

-60
 Symmetrical Fault
- A balanced three-phase fault is an example of a
symmetrical fault.

- Balanced three-phase fault is defined as the

simultaneous short-circuit across all three phases.

- It occurs infrequently, but it is the most severe type of

fault encountered.
 Symmetrical Fault

- Balanced three-phase fault calculation can be carried

out on a per phase basis so that only 1-ph equivalent
circuits need be used in the analysis.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

- The currents flowing when a synchronous generator is

short-circuited is similar to that flowing when an ac
voltage is suddenly applied to a resistance and an
inductance in series. However, there are important
differences because the current in the armature affects
the rotating field (Armature reaction).
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

-The unidirectional or dc transient component of

current is different in each phase because the short
circuit occurs at different points on the voltage wave of
each phase since the voltages generated in the phases
of a 3-ph machine are displaced 120 electrical degrees
from each other.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

-If the dc component

of current is eliminated
from the current of
each phase, the
resulting plot of each
phase current versus
time is:

ate
ent

ent

-s t
ns i

ns i

ady
tra

tra
s ub

ste
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
-The generator behavior
is divided into three
periods: the subtransient
period, lasting only for
the first few cycles; the
transient period
covering a relatively
longer time; and, finally,

ate
ent
the steady state period.

ent

-s t
ns i

ns i

ady
tra

tra
s ub

ste
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Subtransient Period:
- The rms short-circuit
current is called
subtransient current.
- The reactance of the
generator is called
direct axis
subtransient
reactance, Xd”.

ate
ent

ent

-s t
ns i

ns i

ady
tra

tra
s ub

ste
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Transient Period:
- The rms short-circuit
current is called
transient current.
- The reactance of the
generator is called
direct axis transient
reactance, Xd’.

ate
ent

ent

-s t
ns i

ns i

ady
tra

tra
s ub

ste
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Steady-State Period:
- The rms short-circuit
current is called
sustained or steady-
state short-circuit
current.
- The reactance of the
generator is called
direct axis

ate
ent

ent
synchronous

-s t
ns i

ns i

ady
tra

tra
reactance, Xd.
s ub

ste
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Subtransient Period

I”
Xd” Eg
I" 
Xd "
Eg
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Transient Period

I’
Xd’
Eg
I' 
Eg
Xd '
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Steady-State Period

I
Xd Eg
I
Eg
Xd
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Equation of the Symmetrical Short-Circuit in the
Synchronous Generator

 1 t
1  d "  1
 1  d '

t
1
iac t   2 E g   e    e   sint   
 X d " X d '   Xd ' Xd  X d 
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Equation of the Asymmetrical Short-circuit Current in the
Synchronous generator
t
Eg 
iasy t   iac t   2 e a
sin 
Xd "
X d " X q "
a   0.05 to 0.17 sec (typical values)
2 Ra
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
RMS Value of the Asymmetrical Short-circuit Current in
the Synchronous generator
2 2
 Eg   Eg 
Iasy      2 
 Xd "   Xd " 
Eg
 3  3I "
Xd "
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
RMS Value of the Asymmetrical Short-circuit Current in
the Synchronous generator

- In practice, the momentary duty of a circuit breaker

is given in terms of the asymmetrical short-circuit
current.
- Momentary Duty is the maximum current the breaker
can withstand without interrupting the current.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Example 1. A 100-MVA, 13.8-kV, 60-Hz, Y-connected, 3-ph
synchronous generator is connected to a 13.8/220 kV, 100-
MVA, Δ-Y connected transformer. The reactances in per unit to
the machine’s own base are 1.0 pu, 0.25 pu and 0.12 pu. The
transformer reactance is 0.20 pu on the same base. The
generator is operating at the rated voltage and no-load when a
three-phase fault occurs at the HV terminals of the transformer.
(a) Find the subtransient, transient and the steady-state short-
circuit currents in amperes on both sides of the transformer. (b)
What is the maximum rms current (ac plus dc) at the beginning
of the fault?
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

100 MVA
13.8 kV
Xd = 1.0 pu Balanced
Xd = 0.25 pu 100 MVA 3-ph fault
Xd = 0.12 pu 13.8/220 kV
X = 0.2 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :
Base : 100 MVA, 13.8 kV (Generator)
Prefault Condition :
The generator is operating at rated voltage
and at no - load.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Solution :
j0.20 pu

13.8
Xd / Xd /Xd Eg  V  0 pu
0

V = 1.0 pu
13.8
Eg
 1.00 pu
0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :
j0.20 pu

Eg 10 0
I"  " 
Xd = j0.12 pu I
X d  X j0.12  j0.2
Eg = 1.0 pu
 j3.125 pu
 j820.10 A
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :
j0.20 pu
Eg 10 0
I'  ' 
Xd = j0.25 pu I X d  X j0.25  j0.2
 j2.222 pu
Eg = 1.0 pu
 j583.12 A
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :
j0.20 pu
Eg 10 0
I 
Xd = j1.0 pu I X d  X j1.0  j0.2
 j0.8333 pu
Eg = 1.0 pu
 j218.63 A
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :

Iasy  3I "
 
 3  j3.125   j5.413 pu
 j1420.455 A
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Example 2. Two generators are connected in parallel to the LV
side of a 3-ph transformer. Generator 1 is rated 50 MVA, 13.8
kV. Generator 2 is rated 25 MVA, 13.8 kV. Each generator has a
subtransient reactance of 25%. The transformer is rated 75
MVA, 13.8Δ/69Y kV, with a reactance of 10%. Before the fault
occurs, the voltage on the HV side of the transformer is 66 kV.
The transformer is unloaded, and there is no circulating current
between the generators. Find the subtransient current in each
generator when a three-phase short circuit occurs on the HV
side of the transformer.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :
Base : 75 MVA, 69 kV (HV side)
Then the base voltage at LV side is 13.8 kV.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Solution :
2
 75  13.8 
Gen.1 : X  j0.25 
"
d    j0.375 pu
 50  13.8 
2
 75  13.8 
Gen.2 : X  j0.25 
"
d    j0.750 pu
 25  13.8 
xformer : X  j0.10 pu
66
V  0 pu  0.9570 pu
0 0

69
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
j0.10 pu

j0.375 pu j0.75 pu

V = 0.957 pu

Eg1 Eg2

E g 1  E q 2  V  0.9570 pu 0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

a j0.10 pu

IG 1"IG 2 "I "  0

j0.375 pu j0.75 pu
I Va  0.957 Va  0.957 Va
IG1" IG2"   0
 j0.375  j0.75 j0.10
Eg1 Eg2
Va  0.274 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

0.274  0.957
I 
"
 j1.8213 pu
 j0.375
g1

 j5714.83 A
0.274  0.957
Ig 1 
"
 j0.9107 pu
 j0.75
 j2857.57 A
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

- If the fault occurs when the generator is delivering a

prefault load current, two methods might be used
in the solution of three-phase symmetrical fault
currents.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

A.Use of Internal Voltages behind Reactances

o When there is a prefault load current, three fictitious
internal voltages Eg”, Eg’ and Eg may be considered to
be effective during the subtransient, transient and the
steady state periods respectively.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

Example 3. A 3-ph load of 100-MVA, 0.8 pf lagging is

connected to the transformer HV side in Ex. 1. The line-
to-line voltage at the load terminals is 220 kV. A 3-ph
short-circuit occurs at the load terminals. Find the
generator subtransient, transient and steady state
currents during fault condition.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
Solution :
j0.2 pu
100
SL   1.0 pu
Xd / Xd / Xd
100
100
VL  0 pu  10 pu
0 0

Eg / Eg / Eg 100
1 .0
IL    36.87 pu
0

1 .0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
Solution :
Solving the emf behind reactances :
E g "  V  jX d " jXtr IL  1.21912.121 pu
0

 
E g '  V  jX d ' jXtr IL  1.3215.826 pu
0

E g  V  jX d  jXtr IL  1.9729.168 pu

0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
j0.2 pu
Solution :
I /I /I
Xd / Xd / Xd
ISC

Eg / Eg / Eg
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

1.21912.121 0
I"   3.809  77.879 pu
0

j0.12  j0.2
 999.702  77.879 A
1.3215.826 0
I'   2.933  74.174 pu
0

j0.25  j0.2
 769.800  74.174 A 0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

1.9729.168 0
I  1.642  60.832 pu
0

j1  j0.2
 430.826  60.832 A 0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
Example 4. A synchronous generator and motor are
rated 30000 kVA, 13.2-kV and both have subtransient
reactances of 20%. The line connecting them has a
reactance of 10% on the base of the machine ratings.
The motor is drawing 20000 kW at 0.8 pf leading and a
terminal voltage of 12.8 kV when symmetrical 3-ph fault
occurs at the motor terminals. Find the subtransient
current in the generator, motor and fault.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
Solution :
2 MW
SL  0 . 8  0.833 pu
3 MVA
Xd =j0.2 pu Xd =j0.2 pu 12.8
VL  00 pu  0.9700 pu
13.2
Eg Em 0.833
IL  36.87 0 pu
0.97
 0.85936.87 pu 0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
Solution :
"
Solving the emf behind X : d

E g "  0.970  j0.2  j0.10.85936.87 

 0.84114.189 pu. 0

E m "  0.970  j0.2 0.85936.87 

 1.082  7.299 pu. 0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

Ig Im

Xd =j0.2 pu Xd =j0.2 pu
ISC

Eg Em
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
0.84114.189 0
Ig "   2.803  75.811 pu
0

j0.2  j0.1
 3678.421  75.811 A 0

1.082  7.299 0
Im "   5.41  97.299 pu
0

j0.2
 7098.784  97.299 A 0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

If  Ig "I m "  10607.46145  90 A 0

 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
B. Using Thevenin’s Theorem and Superposition with
Load Current
o The current in the fault is found by obtaining the Thevenin’s
equivalent circuit to the point of fault.

ETH
If 
ZTH
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
B. Using Thevenin’s Theorem and Superposition
o Current other than the current in the fault is obtained by
superposition of the current before fault and the change in the
current caused by the equivalent emf connected to the fault
point.
o The voltages (or bus voltages) during the fault are obtained by
superposition of the prefault voltages and the changes in the
bus voltages caused by the equivalent emf connected to the
fault point.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

Example 5. Find the generator transient current in Ex. 3

using Thevenin’s Method and Superposition.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
j0.2 Solution :
ETH  VL  10 pu
0
j0.12
ETH, 1.00 0

ZTH
ZL ZL  pu
1.0  36.87 0

 1.036.87 pu
0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
j0.2

Solution :


1.036.87 j0.32 
0

ZTH ZL
ZTH
1.036.87   j0.32
0
pu

 0.2624777.879 0 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

ZTH Solution :
1.000
If If  pu
ETH 0.2624777.879 0

 3.809  77.879 pu
0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:
Solution :
j0.2 1.000
I g "  pu
j0.32
 j3.125 pu
Ig "  Ig 0   Ig "
j0.12 ZL
Vf(0)
Δ Ig If
 1.0  36.87  j3.125
 3.809  77.879 pu
0
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Effect of Load Current:

Example 6. . Find the subtransient current in the

generator, motor and fault in Ex. 4 using Thevenin’s
method and Superposition.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Solution :
Ig(0) 2 MW
Sm  0.8  0.833 pu
Im(0) 3 MVA
j0.2 j0.2 12.8
Vm  0 pu  0.970 pu
0 0

ETH = Vm 13.2
0.833
 
Im 0  36.87 pu
0

0.97
 0.85936.87 0 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator

Solution :
j0.3j0.2
ZTH ZTH 
j0.3  j0.2
 j0.12 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
ZTH

Solution :
0.9700

ETH If If 
j0.12
 j8.0833 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Solution :
0.970
0
I g " 
j0.3
Vf(0)
 j3.2333 pu
Δ Ig" If Δ Im"
0.970
0
I m " 
j0.2
 j4.85 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on a Synchronous Generator
Solution :
Ig" Im"
Ig "  Ig 0   Ig "
j0.2
If
 2.803  75.811 pu
I m "  I m "I m 0 
 5.41  97.299 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
Example 7. The one-line diagram of a simple 3-bus
power system is shown in the following figure. Each
generator is represented by an emf behind the transient
reactance. All impedances are expressed in pu on a
common 100 MVA base, and for simplicity, resistances
are neglected. The ff. assumptions are made:
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
Example 7 (cont…):
(i) Shunt capacitances are neglected and the system is
considered on no-load.
(ii) All generators are running at their rated voltage and
rated frequency with their emfs in phase.

Determine the fault current, the bus voltages and the

line currents during fault when a balanced 3-ph fault
with fault impedance of j0.16 pu occurs on bus 2.
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2

j0.1 j0.2
1 j0.8 2

j0.4 j0.4

3
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System

Solution :
Prefault Conditions :
Prefault Voltages :
V1 0   10 0
V2 0   10 0
V3 0   10 0

Prefault Currents  zero

 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2
ZTH
j0.6j0.4 
j0.1 j0.2
ZTH 
1 j0.8 2 j0.6  j0.4
j0.4 j0.4  j0.24 pu
3
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System

ETH  V2 0 
I 2F 
ZTH
10 0
  j2.5 pu
j0.24  j0.16
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2
I2f Zf
ΔIg1 ΔIg2
j0.1 j0.2 V2(0)
ΔV1 j0.8 ΔV2
2

V2  V2 0   I 2f Zf
 1   j2.5 j0.16 
j0.4 j0.4

ΔV3 3
 0.6 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2
I2f Zf
ΔIg1 ΔIg2
j0.1 j0.2 V2(0)
ΔV1 j0.8 ΔV2
2

 j0.6 
j0.4 I g 2  I 2f  
 j0.6  j0.4 
j0.4

ΔV3 3
 j1.5 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2
I2f Zf
ΔIg1 ΔIg2
j0.1 j0.2 V2(0)
ΔV1 j0.8 ΔV2
2

 j0.4 
j0.4 Ig 1  I 2f  
 j0.6  j0.4 
j0.4

ΔV3 3
 j1.0 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2
I2f Zf
ΔIg1 ΔIg2
I g 1
I13 
j0.1 j0.2 V2(0)
ΔV1 j0.8 ΔV2 2
2

 j0.5 pu
j0.4 j0.4

ΔV3 3
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
j0.1 j0.2
I2f Zf
ΔIg1 ΔIg2
j0.1 j0.2 V2(0)
ΔV1 j0.8 ΔV2
V1   Ig 1 j0.2 
2

j0.4 j0.4  0.2 pu

ΔV3
V3   I13 j0.4   Ig 1 j0.2 
3
 0.4 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
V1 F   V1 0   V1
 0.8 pu
V2 F   V2 0   V2
 0.4 pu
V3 F   V3 0   V3
 0.6 pu
 Symmetrical Fault
Balanced 3-ph Fault on Power System
V1 F   V2 F 
I12 F    j0.5 pu
z12
V1 F   V3 F 
I13 F    j0.5 pu
z13
V3 F   V2 F 
I 32 F    j0.5 pu
z32