First of all and to avoid confusion, both the PSC and PFC tests can be abbreviated by the following

terms:

PSC
PSC – Prospective Short Circuit
PSCC – Prospective Short Circuit Current
PFC
PFC – Prospective Fault Current
PEFC – Prospective Earth Fault Current
Both PFC and PSC tests are designed to calculate the maximum current that will flow within a fault loop
path during the event of an electrical fault as required by regulation 612.11 of BS7671:2008.

A PSC test calculates the current that will flow in the event of a short circuit fault between the live
conductors. That is, Line and Neutral on a single phase installation or Line to Line/ Line to Neutral on a
three phase installation.

A PFC test calculates the current that will flow in the event of an earth fault; i.e., Line to Earth.

It is important that we conduct the tests to make sure that the protective devices installed within a circuit
are rated at the correct breaking capacity. Within a domestic installation, it is common to find 6000A (6kA)
rated MCB’s installed within a circuit. If a domestic premises is situated particularly close to a supply sub-
station and the measured external impedance (Ze) of the property was 0.03 Ohms, Ohm’s law calculates
that 7,666A may flow in the event of a fault on a 230V supply. This may cause concern if the switch gear
is only rated at 6000A.

The test result can be determined by calculation, ascertained by enquiry to the relevant electricity board,
or measured using a Loop Tester. If you are using a Loop Tester, you would measure both PSC and PFC
values and record the highest value. Due to the nature of different supply types, you would expect to find
a PSC value higher than a PFC value on both TT and TN-S systems, however on a TNC-S system both
the PFC and PSC value should be identical.

We supply a range of instruments that are capable of measuring both PFC and PSC values. These are
commonly in the form of either a standalone loop tester, or a multifunction tester capable of measuring
other electrical parameters. Most instruments today display the PFC/PSC value alongside the loop
impedance value and as such, it is no longer necessary to conduct a separate PSC or PSC test.

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Prospective Short Circuit (PSC) and Prospective Fault Current (PFC) are

both intended to calculate the highest current that will stream within a fault loop
path during the occurrence of an electrical flaw as needed by rules.
The Prospective Short Circuit Current(PSC) is the utmost current that could flow
between Line and Neutral conductors on a single-phase supply or between Line
conductors on a three-phase supply. A PSC test calculates the current that will flow in
the event of a short circuit fault between the live conductors. That is, Line and
Neutral on a single-phase installation or Line to Line/ Line to Neutral on a three-
phase installation.
Prospective Fault Current (PFC) is the common term used for the highest amount of
current that will stream under fault conditions. The PFC will continuously be
the highest at the source of the installation as the impedance/resistance is always
the lowest there. So as a regulation, if it’s not too extreme at the mains it will be fine
everywhere else. This is because it will decrease due to the increase in resistance as
we move further away from the origin. (ohms law I = V/R).
Because of the type of dissimilar supplies, you would assume to find a PSC
value greater than a PFC value on both TT and TN-S systems, yet on a TNC-S system
both the PFC and PSC readings should be same.

What is done During PFC and PSC Tests?

PSC is decided by the voltage and impedance of the supply system. It’s far of
the order of some thousand amperes for a well-known domestic mains electrical set
up, but can be as little as a few milliamperes in a separated extra-
low voltage (SELV) device or as excessive as hundreds of heaps of amps
in huge industrial strength systems
PFC is conducted at the source of the installation, like the main switch or at other
switchgear connected straight to the tail from the electricity distributor’s
metering device. Where a calculation is made at a point in the installation other than
the source, such as a piece of switchgear served by a distribution circuit, it would not
be the highest value for the installation.
Particular guardianship should be exercised during the testing summons, as
flaw conditions are most severe at the origin of an installation, where this test is
performed. The earthing conductor, main protective bonding conductors and circuit
protective conductors should all be connected as for normal operation during these
trials, because the presence of these and any other latitude ways to earth may reduce
the impedance of the earth flaw loop and so increment the level of
prospective fault current.
PSC will be greater than the PFC. Prospective fault current and short circuit current
of a circuit is automatically calculated when making a loop impedance test. The
calculation uses a nominal circuit voltage, not the actual circuit voltage.

Why PSC and PFC are Done?

Pfc and psc test is necessary for choosing the correct protective device for the circuit
because it’s going to carry the maximum fault current flowing in a circuit. Regulation
612.11 of BS 7671 requires that the prospective fault current under both short circuit
and earth fault conditions be determined for every relevant point of the installation.

How is PSC and PFC Performed?

The minor supply voltage used in the calculation is automatically chose depending on
the real circuit voltage. The instrument uses the following voltage values:
 Prospective Short Circuit Test Procedure

 PFC tester or the Prospective short circuit function of a multifunctional tester such as
the Megger 1553 is chosen, and we make sure that the supply is ON, but the Main
Switch is in OFF position.
 The test leads are joined on the incoming side of the Main Switch, one test lead on
Line and another on the Neutral terminals of the Main Switch.
 TEST switch is pushed and a note of the value (kA) is made.
 For three phase installations each phase is tested separately and the measured
reading (test between Line 1 and Neutral, then Line 2 and Neutral and last Line 3
and Neutral) is doubled.
 Some test meters need that the third (usually green) lead to be connected on the
Neutral during this test. Please refer to the test meter manufacturer’s instruction.

Prospective Fault Current Test Procedure

 We use PFC tester or select the PFC function of a multifunctional tester such as the
Megger 1553, and it has to be made sure that the supply is ON, but the Main Switch is
in OFF position.
 Next, we connect the test leads on the Line and Neutral terminals of the Main Switch,
as well as on the Earth terminal.
 The TEST switch is pushed and we make note of the reading (kA).
For three phase installations each phase is checked separately and the measured
reading is doubled (L1 – N – CPC, L2 – N – CPC, L3 – N – CPC).
 Having obtained these values by the measurements described above, we will select
the highest value and write it down on the Electrical Installation Certificate as the
value of PFC.
 The value of PFC obtained is compared with the breaking capacity of all the
protective devices within the installation. The breaking capacity of the protective
devices should be greater than the value of PFC.

Benefits of PSC and PFC Tests

 They give accurate results as its live testing.

 The testing is simple and not much calculations are needed.
 Increased safety for employees and third parties.
 Decreased Insurance Premiums.
 Asset Data management and tracking systems.
 Small repairs of equipment made on-site to reduce down time.