According To The IEC 60909: From Open Electrical

According to the IEC 60909 - Open Electrical http://www.openelectrical.org/wiki/index.php?ti...
According to the IEC 60909

From Open Electrical
Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Why do the calculation?
1.2 When to do the calculation?
2 Calculation Methodology
2.1 Step 1: Construct the System Model and Collect Equipment
Parameters
2.2 Step 2: Calculate Equipment Short Circuit Impedances
2.2.1 Network Feeders
2.2.2 Synchronous Generators and Motors
2.2.3 Transformers
2.2.4 Cables
2.2.5 Asynchronous Motors
2.2.6 Fault Limiting Reactors
2.2.7 Static Converters
2.2.8 Other Equipment
2.3 Step 3: Referring Impedances
2.4 Step 4: Determine Thévenin Equivalent Circuit at the Fault
Location
2.5 Step 5: Calculate Balanced Three-Phase Short Circuit Currents
2.5.1 Initial Short Circuit Current
2.5.2 Peak Short Circuit Current
2.5.3 Symmetrical Breaking Current
2.5.4 DC Short Circuit Component
2.6 Step 6: Calculate Single-Phase to Earth Short Circuit Currents
3 Worked Example
3.1 Step 1: Construct the System Model and Collect Equipment
Parameters
3.2 Step 2: Calculate Equipment Short Circuit Impedances
3.3 Step 3: Referring Impedances
3.4 Step 4: Determine Thévenin Equivalent Circuit at the Fault
Location
3.5 Step 5: Calculate Balanced Three-Phase Short Circuit Currents
3.5.1 Initial Short Circuit Current
3.5.2 Peak Short Circuit Current
4 Computer Software
5 What Next?
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Introduction
This article looks at the calculation of
short circuit currents for bolted
three-phase and single-phase to earth
faults in a power system. A short
circuit in a power system can cause
very high currents to flow to the fault
location. The magnitude of the short
circuit current depends on the
impedance of system under short
circuit conditions. In this calculation,
the short circuit current is estimated
using the guidelines presented in IEC
60909.
Why do the calculation?
Calculating the prospective short

circuit levels in a power system is Figure 1. Lightning arc
important for a number of reasons,
including:
To specify fault ratings for electrical equipment (e.g. short circuit

withstand ratings)
To help identify potential problems and weaknesses in the system and
assist in system planning
To form the basis for protection coordination studies
When to do the calculation?
The calculation can be done after preliminary system design, with the following
pre-requisite documents and design tasks completed:
Key single line diagrams

Major electrical equipment sized (e.g. generators, transformers, etc)
Electrical load schedule
Cable sizing (not absolutely necessary, but would be useful)
Calculation Methodology
This calculation is based on IEC 60909-0 (2001, c2002) (http://webstore.iec.ch
/webstore/webstore.nsf/Artnum_PK/27387) , "Short-circuit currents in
three-phase a.c. systems - Part 0: Calculation of currents" and uses the
impedance method (as opposed to the per-unit method). In this method, it is
assumed that all short circuits are of negligible impedance (i.e. no arc
impedance is allowed for).
2 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
There are six general steps in the calculation:
Step 1: Construct the system model and collect the relevant

equipment parameters
Step 2: Calculate the short circuit impedances for all of the relevant
equipment
Step 3: Refer all impedances to the reference voltage
Step 4: Determine the Thévenin equivalent circuit at the fault
location
Step 5: Calculate balanced three-phase short circuit currents
Step 6: Calculate single-phase to earth short circuit currents
Step 1: Construct the System Model and Collect Equipment

Parameters
The first step is to construct a model of the system single line diagram, and
then collect the relevant equipment parameters. The model of the single line
diagram should show all of the major system buses, generation or network
connection, transformers, fault limiters (e.g. reactors), large cable
interconnections and large rotating loads (e.g. synchronous and asynchronous
motors).
The relevant equipment parameters to be collected are as follows:
Network feeders: fault capacity of the network (VA), X/R ratio of the
network
Synchronous generators and motors: per-unit sub-transient
reactance, rated generator capacity (VA), rated power factor (pu)
Transformers: transformer impedance voltage (%), rated transformer
capacity (VA), rated current (A), total copper loss (W)
Cables: length of cable (m), resistance and reactance of cable (
)
Asynchronous motors: full load current (A), locked rotor current (A),
rated power (W), full load power factor (pu), starting power factor
(pu)
Fault limiting reactors: reactor impedance voltage (%), rated current
(A)
Step 2: Calculate Equipment Short Circuit Impedances
Using the collected parameters, each of the equipment item impedances can
be calculated for later use in the motor starting calculations.
Network Feeders
Given the approximate fault level of the network feeder at the connection point
(or point of common coupling), the impedance, resistance and reactance of the
network feeder is calculated as follows:
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Where is impedance of the network feeder (Ω)
is resistance of the network feeder (Ω)

is reactance of the network feeder (Ω)
is the nominal voltage at the connection point (Vac)
is the fault level of the network feeder (VA)
is a voltage factor which accounts for the maximum system voltage
(1.05 for voltages <1kV, 1.1 for voltages >1kV)
is X/R ratio of the network feeder (pu)
Synchronous Generators and Motors
The sub-transient reactance and resistance of a synchronous generator or

motor (with voltage regulation) can be estimated by the following:
Where is the sub-transient reactance of the generator (Ω)
is the resistance of the generator (Ω)

is a voltage correction factor - see IEC 60909-0 Clause 3.6.1 for
more details (pu)
is the per-unit sub-transient reactance of the generator (pu)
is the nominal generator voltage (Vac)
is the nominal system voltage (Vac)
is the rated generator capacity (VA)
is the X/R ratio, typically 20 for 100MVA, 14.29 for
100MVA, and 6.67 for all generators with nominal voltage 1kV
4 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
is a voltage factor which accounts for the maximum system voltage

is the power factor of the generator (pu)
For the negative sequence impedance, the quadrature axis sub-transient

reactance can be applied in the above equation in place of the direct axis
sub-transient reactance .
The zero-sequence impedances need to be derived from manufacturer data,

though the voltage correction factor also applies for solid neutral earthing
systems (refer to IEC 60909-0 Clause 3.6.1).
Transformers
The positive sequence impedance, resistance and reactance of two-winding

distribution transformers can be calculated as follows:
Where is the positive sequence impedance of the transformer (Ω)
is the resistance of the transformer (Ω)

is the reactance of the transformer (Ω)
is the impedance voltage of the transformer (pu)
is the rated capacity of the transformer (VA)
is the nominal voltage of the transformer at the high or low
voltage side (Vac)
is the rated current of the transformer at the high or low voltage
side (I)
is the total copper loss in the transformer windings (W)
For the calculation of impedances for three-winding transformers, refer to IEC

60909-0 Clause 3.3.2. For network transformers (those that connect two
separate networks at different voltages), an impedance correction factor must
be applied (see IEC 60909-0 Clause 3.3.3).
The negative sequence impedance is equal to positive sequence impedance

calculated above. The zero sequence impedance needs to be derived from
manufacturer data, but also depends on the winding connections and fault path
available for zero-sequence current flow (e.g. different neutral earthing
systems will affect zero-sequence impedance).
Cables
5 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
Cable impedances are usually quoted by manufacturers in terms of Ohms per

km. These need to be converted to Ohms based on the length of the cables:
Where is the resistance of the cable {Ω)
is the reactance of the cable {Ω)

is the quoted resistance of the cable {Ω / km)
is the quoted reactance of the cable {Ω / km)
is the length of the cable {m)

manufacturer data. In the absence of manufacturer data, zero sequence
impedances can be derived from positive sequence impedances via a
multiplication factor (as suggested by SKM Systems Analysis Inc) for magnetic
cables:
Asynchronous Motors
An asynchronous motor's impedance, resistance and reactance is calculated as

follows:
Where is impedance of the motor (Ω)
is resistance of the motor (Ω)

is reactance of the motor (Ω)
is ratio of the locked rotor to full load current
is the motor locked rotor current (A)
is the motor nominal voltage (Vac)
is the motor rated power (W)
is the motor full load power factor (pu)
is the motor starting power factor (pu)
6 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM

manufacturer data.
Fault Limiting Reactors
The impedance of fault limiting reactors is as follows (note that the resistance
is neglected):
Where is impedance of the reactor (Ω)
is reactance of the reactor(Ω)

is the impedance voltage of the reactor (pu)
is the nominal voltage of the reactor (Vac)
is the rated current of the reactor (A)
Positive, negative and zero sequence impedances are all equal (assuming
geometric symmetry).
Static Converters
Static converters and converter-fed drivers (i.e. feeding rotating loads) should
be considered for balanced three-phase short circuits. Per IEC 60909-0 Clause
3.9, static converters contribute to the initial and peak short circuit currents
only, and contribute 3 times the rated current of the converter. An R/X ratio of
0.1 should be used for the short circuit impedance.
Other Equipment
Line capacitances, parallel admittances and non-rotating loads are generally

neglected as per IEC 60909-0 Clause 3.10. Effects from series capacitors can
also be neglected if voltage-limiting devices are connected in parallel.
Step 3: Referring Impedances
Where there are multiple voltage levels, the equipment impedances calculated
earlier need to be converted to a reference voltage (typically the voltage at the
fault location) in order for them to be used in a single equivalent circuit.
The winding ratio of a transformer can be calculated as follows:
Where is the transformer winding ratio
7 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
is the transformer nominal secondary voltage at the principal tap

(Vac)
is the transformer nominal primary voltage (Vac)
is the specified tap setting (%)
Using the winding ratio, impedances (as well as resistances and reactances)
can be referred to the primary (HV) side of the transformer by the following
relation:
Where is the impedance referred to the primary (HV) side (Ω)
is the impedance at the secondary (LV) side (Ω)

is the transformer winding ratio (pu)
Conversely, by re-arranging the equation above, impedances can be referred to

the LV side:
Step 4: Determine Thévenin Equivalent Circuit at the Fault

Location
The system model must first be simplified

into an equivalent circuit as seen from the
fault location, showing a voltage source
and a set of complex impedances
representing the power system equipment
and load impedances (connected in series
or parallel).
The next step is to simplify the circuit into

a Thévenin equivalent circuit
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th
%C3%A9venin%27s_theorem) , which is a
Figure 2. Thévenin equivalent
circuit containing only a voltage source (
circuit
) and an equivalent short circuit impedance
( ).
This can be done using the standard formulae for series and parallel
impedances, keeping in mind that the rules of complex arithmetic must be used
throughout.
If unbalanced short circuits (e.g. single phase to earth fault) will be analysed,
then a separate Thévenin equivalent circuit should be constructed for each of
the positive, negative and zero sequence networks (i.e. finding ( ,
and ).
8 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
Step 5: Calculate Balanced Three-Phase Short Circuit

Currents
The positive sequence impedance calculated in Step 4 represents the

equivalent source impedance seen by a balanced three-phase short circuit at
the fault location. Using this impedance, the following currents at different
stages of the short circuit cycle can be computed:
Initial Short Circuit Current
The initial symmetrical short circuit current is calculated from IEC 60909-0
Equation 29, as follows:
Where is the initial symmetrical short circuit current (A)
is the voltage factor that accounts for the maximum system voltage
is the nominal system voltage at the fault location (V)
is the equivalent positive sequence short circuit impedance (Ω)
Peak Short Circuit Current
IEC 60909-0 Section 4.3 offers three methods for calculating peak short circuit
currents, but for the sake of simplicity, we will only focus on the X/R ratio at
the fault location method. Using the real (R) and reactive (X) components of
the equivalent positive sequence impedance , we can calculate the X/R ratio
at the fault location, i.e.
The peak short circuit current is then calculated as follows:
(for non-meshed networks)
or
(for meshed networks - see clause 4.3.12b)
Where is the peak short circuit current (A)
is the initial symmetrical short circuit current (A)

is a constant factor,
9 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
Symmetrical Breaking Current
The symmetrical breaking current is the short circuit current at the point of
circuit breaker opening (usually somewhere between 20ms to 300ms). This is
the current that the circuit breaker must be rated to interrupt and is typically
used for breaker sizing. IEC 60909-0 Equation 74 suggests that the
symmetrical breaking current for meshed networks can be conservatively
estimated as follows:
Where is the symmetrical breaking current (A)
For close to generator faults, the symmetrical breaking current will be higher.
More detailed calculations can be made for increased accuracy in IEC 60909,
but this is left to the reader to explore.
DC Short Circuit Component
The dc component of a short circuit can be calculated according to IEC

60909-0 Equation 64:
Where is the dc component of the short circuit current (A)

is the nominal system frequency (Hz)
is the time (s)
is the X/R ratio - see more below
The X/R ratio is calculated as follows:
Where and are the reactance and resistance, respectively, of the

equivalent source impedance at the fault location (Ω)
is a factor to account for the equivalent frequency of the fault. Per
IEC 60909-0 Section 4.4, the following factors should be used based
on the product of frequency and time ( ):
10 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
<1 0.27
<2.5 0.15
<5 0.092
<12.5 0.055
Step 6: Calculate Single-Phase to Earth Short Circuit

Currents
For balanced short circuit calculations, the positive-sequence impedance is the

only relevant impedance. However, for unbalanced short circuits (e.g. single
phase to earth fault), symmetrical components come into play.
The initial short circuit current for a single phase to earth fault is as per IEC
60909-0 Equation 52:
Where is the initial single phase to earth short circuit current (A)
is the voltage factor that accounts for the maximum system voltage
is the nominal voltage at the fault location (Vac)
is the equivalent positive sequence short circuit impedance (Ω)
is the equivalent negative sequence short circuit impedance (Ω)
is the equivalent zero sequence short circuit impedance (Ω)
Worked Example
In this example, short circuit currents will be calculated for a balanced
three-phase fault at the main 11kV bus of a simple radial system. Note that the
single phase to earth fault currents will not be calculated in this example.
Step 1: Construct the System Model and Collect Equipment

Parameters
The system to be modelled is a simple radial network with two voltage levels
(11kV and 415V), and supplied by a single generator. The system model is
shown in the figure to the right. The equipment and cable parameters were
collected as follows:
11 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
Equipment Parameters
= 24,150
kVA
= 11,000
Generator G1 V
= 0.255 pu
= 0.85
pu
Length = 30m
Size = 2
parallel
Generator circuits of 3 x
Cable C1 2
1C x 500 mm
Figure 3. System model for short circuit
example
(R = 0.0506 Ω\km,
X = 0.0997 Ω\km)
= 500 kW
= 11,000
V
= 200.7
A
Motor M1 =
6.5 pu
= 0.85
pu
= 0.30
pu
Length =
150m
Size = 3C+E
Motor Cable
C2 35 mm2
(R = 0.668 Ω\km, X
= 0.115 Ω\km)
Transformer = 2,500
TX1 kVA
12 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
= 11,000
V
= 415 V
= 0.0625
pu
= 19,000
W
= 0%
Length =
100m
Size = 3C+E
Transformer
Cable C3 95 mm2
(R = 0.247 Ω\km, X
= 0.0993 Ω\km)
= 90 kW
= 415 V
=
1,217.3 A
=
Motor M2
7 pu
= 0.8
pu
= 0.30
pu
= 150 kW
= 415 V
=
1,595.8 A
=
Motor M3
6.5 pu
= 0.85
pu
= 0.30
pu
Step 2: Calculate Equipment Short Circuit Impedances
Using the patameters above and the equations outlined earlier in the
13 of 15 11/12/2013 11:04 AM
methodology, the following impedances were calculated:
Resistance Reactance
Equipment
(Ω) (Ω)
Generator G1 0.08672 1.2390
Generator Cable C1 0.000759 0.001496
11kV Motor M1 9.4938 30.1885
Motor Cable C2 0.1002 0.01725
Transformer TX1 (Primary
0.36784 3.0026
Side)
Transformer Cable C3 0.0247 0.00993
415V Motor M2 0.0656 0.2086
415V Motor M3 0.0450 0.1432
Step 3: Referring Impedances
We will model a fault on the main 11kV bus, so all impedances must be
referred to 11kV. The two low voltage motors need to be referred to this
reference voltage. Knowing that the transformer is set at principal tap, we can
calculate the winding ratio and apply it to refer the 415V motors to the 11kV
side:
The 415V motor impedances referred to the 11kV side is therefore:
Resistance Reactance
Equipment
(Ω) (Ω)
415V Motor M2 46.0952 146.5735
415V Motor M3 31.6462 100.6284
Step 4: Determine Thévenin Equivalent Circuit at the Fault

Location
Using standard network reduction techniques, the equivalent Thévenin circuit

at the fault location (main 11kV bus) can be derived. The equivalent source
impedance is:
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Step 5: Calculate Balanced Three-Phase Short Circuit

Currents
Initial Short Circuit Current
The symmetrical initial short circuit current is:
kA
Peak Short Circuit Current
The constant factor at the fault location is:
Therefore as it is a simple radial system (non-meshed), the symmetrical peak

short circuit current is:
kA
Computer Software
Short circuit calculations are a standard component of power systems analysis
software (e.g. ETAP, PTW, DIgSILENT, etc) and the calculations are far easier
to perform with software than by hand. However manual calculations could be
done as a form of verification to confirm that the software results are
reasonable.
What Next?
The results from the short circuit calculations can be used to specify the fault
ratings on electrical equipment (e.g. switchgear, protective devices, etc) and
also for protection coordination studies.
Short Circuit Calculation
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According to the IEC 60909 - Open Electrical http://www.openelectrical.org/wiki/index.php?ti...

According to the IEC 60909

Why do the calculation?

Calculating the prospective short

To specify fault ratings for electrical equipment (e.g. short circuit

When to do the calculation?

Key single line diagrams

There are six general steps in the calculation:

Step 1: Construct the system model and collect the relevant

Step 1: Construct the System Model and Collect Equipment

The relevant equipment parameters to be collected are as follows:

Step 2: Calculate Equipment Short Circuit Impedances

Where is impedance of the network feeder (Ω)

is resistance of the network feeder (Ω)

Synchronous Generators and Motors

The sub-transient reactance and resistance of a synchronous generator or

Where is the sub-transient reactance of the generator (Ω)

is the resistance of the generator (Ω)

is the X/R ratio, typically 20 for 100MVA, 14.29 for

is a voltage factor which accounts for the maximum system voltage

For the negative sequence impedance, the quadrature axis sub-transient

The zero-sequence impedances need to be derived from manufacturer data,

The positive sequence impedance, resistance and reactance of two-winding

Where is the positive sequence impedance of the transformer (Ω)

is the resistance of the transformer (Ω)

For the calculation of impedances for three-winding transformers, refer to IEC

The negative sequence impedance is equal to positive sequence impedance

Cable impedances are usually quoted by manufacturers in terms of Ohms per

Where is the resistance of the cable {Ω)

is the reactance of the cable {Ω)

The negative sequence impedance is equal to positive sequence impedance

An asynchronous motor's impedance, resistance and reactance is calculated as

Where is impedance of the motor (Ω)

is resistance of the motor (Ω)

The negative sequence impedance is equal to positive sequence impedance

Fault Limiting Reactors

Where is impedance of the reactor (Ω)

is reactance of the reactor(Ω)

Line capacitances, parallel admittances and non-rotating loads are generally

Step 3: Referring Impedances

The winding ratio of a transformer can be calculated as follows:

Where is the transformer winding ratio

is the transformer nominal secondary voltage at the principal tap

Where is the impedance referred to the primary (HV) side (Ω)

is the impedance at the secondary (LV) side (Ω)

Conversely, by re-arranging the equation above, impedances can be referred to

Step 4: Determine Thévenin Equivalent Circuit at the Fault

The system model must ﬁrst be simpliﬁed

The next step is to simplify the circuit into

Step 5: Calculate Balanced Three-Phase Short Circuit

The positive sequence impedance calculated in Step 4 represents the

Initial Short Circuit Current

Where is the initial symmetrical short circuit current (A)

Peak Short Circuit Current

The peak short circuit current is then calculated as follows:

(for non-meshed networks)

(for meshed networks - see clause 4.3.12b)

Where is the peak short circuit current (A)