POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING

EET301/4

1 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING

 CHAPTER 6

SYMMETRICAL
FAULT IN POWER
SYSTEM

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 On completion of this lesson, a student
should be able to:

Ability to explain and evaluate

symmetrical fault and protection
in power system

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 TOPIC OUTLINE

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Cause of Faults
6.3 Type of Faults
6.4 Effect of Faults
6.5 Fault Current Transient in Synchronous
Machines
6.6 Balance Three-phase Fault in Power
System

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 6.1 INTRODUCTION
A fault in a circuit is any failure that interferes with
the normal flow of current to the load.
A fault takes place when two or more conductors
come in contact with each other when normally they
operate with a potential difference between them.
In most faults, a current path forms between two or
more phases, or between one or more phases and
the neutral (ground).
A fault represents a structural network change
equivalent with that caused by the addition of an
impedance at the place of fault.
If the fault impedance is zero, the fault is referred as
the bolted fault or the solid fault.
Since the impedance of a new path is usually low, an
excessive current may flow.

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 6.2 CAUSE OF FAULTS
A fault may occur on a power system due to a
number of reasons.

1)Generator failure is caused by insulation

breakdown between turns in the same slot or
between the winding and the steel structure of
the machines. The same can take place in
transformer. The breakdown is due to insulation
deterioration combined with switching and over
voltages.
2)Overhead lines are constructed of bare
conductors. Wind, sleets, trees, cranes, kites,
airplanes, birds, or damage of supporting
structure are causes for accidental faults on
overhead line.

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 CAUSE OF FAULTS (CONT..)

3) Contamination of insulators and lightning

over voltages will in general results in
short-circuit faults.
4) Deterioration of insulation in underground
cables results in short circuit faults. This is
mainly attributed to ageing combined with
overloading.

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 6.3 TYPE OF FAULTS

Fault may occur at different points in a

power system.
Faults that occur on power system are
broadly classified as:
1)Symmetrical fault

2)Unsymmetrical faults

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 TYPE OF FAULTS
Symmetrical fault
All three phases of a transmission line are shorted
together

Unsymmetrical Faults
Single line-to-ground faults can also occur if one
phase of the line breaks and comes into contact with
the ground or if insulators break.
Two phases of a line may touch, or flashover may
occur between two phases a line-to-line fault.
When two lines touch each other and also touch the
ground, the fault is called a double line-to-ground
fault.

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 TYPE OF FAULTS

Three-phase fault
Single line-to-ground
fault

Line-to-line fault Three-phase to ground

fault

Zf

Double line-to-ground Three-phase to ground fault

10 fault
EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING
with
fault impedance
 6.4 EFFECT OF FAULTS
Faults can damage or disrupt power system in
several ways.

1) Faults give rise to abnormal operating

conditions, usually excessive voltages and
currents at certain points on the system. Large
voltage stress insulation beyond their
breakdown value while large currents results in
overheating of power system component.
2) Faults can cause the three-phase system to
become unbalance with the result that the
three-phase equipment operates improperly.
3) Sometimes, faults block the flow of power.
4) Faults can cause the system become unstable.
Upon the occurrence of the fault, the faulty
section should be disconnected as rapidly as
possible to in order that the normal operation
of the rest of the system is nor affected. If this
is no done, the equipment may be damaged
and the power supply is disrupted.
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 FAULT ANALYSIS
Fault analysis is also known as short-circuit
study or short-circuit analysis. The important of
fault analysis includes:

1)To determine the value of voltages and currents

at different points of the system during the
fault.
2)Determination of the ratings of the required
circuit breaker.
3)Selection of appropriate schemes of protective
relaying.

Thus, the purpose of fault analysis is to save the

system from abnormal conditions within minimum
time.

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 6.5 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
Consider the series RL circuit below.
The closing of switch at t = 0 represents to a first
approximation a three phase short circuit at the
terminals of an unloaded synchronous machine
For simplicity, assume zero fault impedance, so the
short circuit is a solid or bolted fault
Writing a KVL equation of the circuit
di t
L Ri t 2V sin t t 0
dt

e t 2V sin t

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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
The total fault current, called the asymmetrical fault
i t as
current can be written iac t idc t
Where the ac fault current (also called symmetrical or
steady state current fault current) 2V
iac t sin t
Z
And dc offset current 2V
idc t sin e T
t

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14
 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
When a symmetrical 3-phase
fault occurs at the terminals
of a synchronous generator,
the resulting current flow in
the phases of the generator
can appear as shown.
The current can be
represented as a transient DC
component added on top of a
symmetrical AC component.
Therefore, while before the
fault, only AC voltages and
currents were present within
the generator, immediately
after the fault, both AC and
DC currents are present.

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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
Symmetrical AC
component of the fault
current:

1)Subtransient: first
cycle or so after the
fault AC current is
very large and falls
rapidly;
2)Transient: current
falls at a slower rate;
3)Steady-state: current
gets back to normal.

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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
It is possible to observe
the three periods of
fault current if the r.m.s
magnitude of the AC
component current is
plotted as a function of
time on a
semilogarithmic scale.
It is possible to
determine the time
constants for the three
period.

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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
The time varying reactance are typically approximated
using three different value, each valid for a different
time period:
Xd = direct axis subtransient reactance
Xd = direct axis transient reactance
Xd = direct axis synchrounous reactance

The instantaneous a.c. fault current can be written as

1 1 t Td " 1 1 t Td ' 1
iac t 2 E g e e sin t
Xd" Xd ' Xd ' Xd Xd 2

With Eg is the rms line to neutral prefault terminal

voltage of the unloaded synchronous machine
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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
While the ac rms fault current

1 1 t Td " 1 1 t Td ' 1
I ac t E g e e
dX " X '
d X
d ' X d X d

The duration of current is determine by the

following time constant:

Td = direct axis short circuit subtransient time

constant
Td = direct axis short circuit transient time constant
TA = armature time constant

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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
At t = 0, when the fault occurs, the rms value
of iac(t) which is called the rms subtransient
fault current, I is Eg
I ac (0) I "
Xd"

The rms transient fault current,

Eg I is given by
I'
Xd '

And the steady state fault current, I is given by

E g
I ac () I
Xd

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 FAULT CURRENT TRANSIENTS IN
SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
In addition to the ac fault current, each phase
has a different dc offset.
The maximum dc offset in any one phase,
which occurs when = 0 is
2Eg t t
idc max (t ) e TA
2I "e TA

Xd"
The rms asymmetrical fault current with
maximum dc offset
2
I rms t I ac I dc t
2 2
I ac 2
2 I ac e

t
T

I ac 1 2e
2t
T
A

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 EXAMPLE 6.1
A 500 MVA, 20 kV, 60 Hz synchronous generator with
reactances Xd = 0.15, Xd = 0.24, Xd = 1.1 p.u. and
time constant Td = 0.035, Td = 2.0, TA = 0.2 seconds
is connected to a circuit breaker. The generator is
operating at 5% above rated voltage and at no load
when a bolted three-phase short circuit occurs on the
load side of the breaker. The breaker interrupts the
fault 3 cycles after fault inception. Determine
a)The subtransient fault current in per unit and kA rms
b)Maximum dc offset as a function of time
c)Rms asymmetrical fault current

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 SOLUTION
a) The no load voltage before fault occurs in Eg =
1.05 p.u. The subtransient fault current that
occurs in each of three phases is
1.05
I" 7.0 p.u.
0.15
The generator base current is
S rated 500
14.43 kA
I base
3Vrated 3 20

The rms subtransient fault current

I " 7.014.43 101 kA

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 SOLUTION
b) The maximum dc offset that may occur in any
one phase t
2 101 e
t t
idc max (t ) 2 I " e TA 0.2
142.9e 0.2 kA

c) The rms ac fault current at 3 cycles = 0.05 s

1 1 0.05 0.035 1 1 0.05 2 1
I ac 0.05s 1.05
is e e
0.15 0.24 0.24 1.1 1.1
4.92 p.u.
4.92 14.43kA 71.01kA

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 SOLUTION
The rms assymetrical fault current
2

I ac 0.05 2
t
I rms 0.05 2I "e TA


2
I " 2 t TA
I ac 0.05 1 2 e
I ac 0.05
2
101 2 0.05 0.2
71.01 1 2 e
71.01
71.011.8585
132 kA

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 6.6 BALANCE THREE-PHASE FAULT
IN POWER SYSTEM
In order to calculate the subtransient fault current
for a three-phase short circuit in a power system,
we make the following assumptions:
1.Transformers are represented by their leakage
reactances. Winding resistances, shunt
admittances and -Y phase shifts are neglected.
2.Transmission lines are represented by their
equivalent series reactances.
3.Synchronous machines are represented by
constant-voltage sources behind subtransient
reactances. Armature resistance, saliency and
saturation are neglected.
4.All non-rotating impedance loads are neglected.
5.Induction motor either neglected (especially for
small motors rated less than 50hp) or represented
in the same manner as synchronous machines.

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 BALANCE THREE-PHASE FAULT IN
POWER SYSTEM
A fault represents a structural network change equivalent
with that caused by the addition of an impedance at the
place of fault. If the fault impedance is zero, the fault is
referred to as the bolted fault or the solid fault.
The faulted network can be solved conveniently by the
Thevenins method. The following figure shows a single-
phase representation of a power system with a fault.

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 BALANCE THREE-PHASE FAULT IN
POWER SYSTEM
The supply source, a generator, or in power system,
many generators operating in parallel in many
different power stations.
The impedance, ZTh is made up of total per-unit
impedance from the source to the fault point by
circuit analysis. Hence,
SB V p.u .
base current; I B fault current (p.u); I F , p.u .
3VB Z Th

IB
fault current (Ampere); I F I F , p.u . I B or I F
Z Th
SB
fault level; SF
28 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING Z Th
 PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATING
FAULT CURRENT AND FAULT LEVEL
Procedure for calculating fault current, IF and fault
capacity, SF in power system:

1.Draw a single-line diagram of the complete

network. On this diagram, indicate the rating,
voltage, resistance and reactance of all generators,
transformers, transmission lines, loads, etc.
2.Select a common base SB (kVA or MVA) and
convert all impedances to per-unit values on the
same voltamperes base SB.
3.Corresponding to the single-line diagram of the
network, draw the reactance (or impedance)
diagram showing one phase of the system and the
neutral. On this diagram, indicate all the per-unit
resistances and per-unit reactances of the
components calculated in step 2.

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 PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATING
FAULT CURRENT AND FAULT LEVEL
4. Calculate the total per-unit impedance from
the source to the fault point by circuit
analysis. This may involves series-parallel
combination, star-delta or delta-star
transformations. It should be noted that this
total per-unit impedance is the Thevenin
impedance of the networks as seen from the
fault point.
5. Determine the fault current and the fault
level.

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 EXAMPLE 6.2
The synchronous generator in Figure 6.2 is operating at rated MVA,
0.95 p.f. lagging and at 5% above rated voltage when a bolted three-
phase short circuit occurs at bus 1. Calculate the per-unit values of
a)subtransient fault current
b)subtransient generator and motor currents, neglecting prefault
current
c)subtransient generator and motor currents including prefault
current
G 1 T1 T2 2 M
j20

100 MVA 100 MVA 100 MVA 100 MVA

13.8 kV 13.8/138 kV 138/13.8 kV 13.8 kV
X = 0.15 p.u. X = 0.1 p.u. X = 0.1 p.u. X = 0.2 p.u.
Figure 6.2
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 SOLUTION
(a) Using 100 MVA, the base impedance in the zone of the
transmission line is
VB2 138 kV
Z B ,line 190.44
S B 100 MVA
and
X j20
X line j 0.1050 p.u.
Z B 190.44

The reactance of the generator, motor and transformer is

already given on the system base, so it will not have to
change.
X G j 0.15 p.u.; X M j 0.2 p.u.; X T 1 X T 2 j 0.1 p.u.
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 SOLUTION
Single line diagram

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 SOLUTION
Calculate total per-unit impedance from source to
the fault point

Z Th j 0.15 // j 0.505
j 0.15 j 0.505

j 0.15 j 0.505
j 0.11565 p.u.

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 SOLUTION
the prefault voltage at the generator terminals is

VF 1.050 p.u.
The subtransient fault current is then

j0.11565 V
IF "
Z Th
IF 1.050

1.050
j 0.11565
j 9.079 p.u.
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 SOLUTION
(b) using current division method, the
subtransient generator and motor currents
(neglecting prefault current)
Generator: I G I M
j 0.505
IG " j 9.079
j 0.505 j 0.15
j 7 p.u.
7 90 p.u. I F

Motor: VF
j 0.15
IM " j 9.079 +
j 0.505 j 0.15
j 2.079p.u.
2.079 90 p.u.
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 SOLUTION
(c) The generator base current is
SB 100 MVA
I B ,G 4.1837 kA
3VB 3 13.8 kV

And the prefault generator current is

S act IL
IL cos 1 I L p.u.
3VBV p.u . IB
100 MVA 3.9845 18.19
cos 0.95
3 13.8 kV 1.05 4.1837
3.9845 19.89 kA 0.9524 18.19
0.9048 j 0.2974 p.u.
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 SOLUTION
The subtransient generator and motor currents
including prefault current

Current from the generator: I "G , p .u . I "G1 I L

j 7 0.9048 j 0.2974
0.9048 j 7.297
7.353 82.9 p.u.

Current from the motor: I "M , p .u . I "M 1 I L

j 2.079 0.9048 j 0.2974
0.9048 j1.782
38 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING 1.999243.1 p.u.
 EXAMPLE 6.3
The one line diagram of a simple three-bus power system is
shown in the Figure 6.3. Each generator is represented by
an emf behind the transient reactance. All impedances are
expressed in per unit in a common 100 MVA base, and for
simplicity, resistances are neglected. The following
assumption are made:
shunt capacitances are neglected and the system is
considered on no load.
all generators are running at their rated voltage and rated
frequency with their emf in phase
a)Determine the fault current when a balanced three-phase
fault occurs on bus 3
b)Repeat (a) with a fault impedance of Zf = j0.16 p.u.

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 EXAMPLE 6.3
20 kV, G2 20 kV
G1
j0.1 p.u. j0.2 p.u.
20/220 kV 20/220 kV
T1 T2
j0.1 p.u. j0.2 p.u.
1 j0.8 2

j0.4 j0.4

40 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING Figure 6.3

 SOLUTION
a) single line diagram

j0.8
j0.1 j0.2

j0.4 j0.4

j0.1 j0.2

" F E g"
E g

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 SOLUTION
Using delta to star transformation
j0.8
j0.2 j0.4
j0.4 j0.4

E " E g"
g F

X 1s
j 0.4 j 0.8
X 2s
j 0.4 j 0.8 j 0.4 j 0.4
X 3s
j1.6 j1.6 j1.6
j 0.2 p.u. j 0.2 p.u. j 0.1 p.u.
42 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING
 SOLUTION
j0.2 j0.2 j0.2 j0.4

j0.1

E " E g"
g F

the total per-unit impedance Z Th j 0.4 // j 0.6 j 0.1

j 0.4 j 0.6
j 0.1
j 0.4 j 0.6
43 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING j 0.34 p.u.
 SOLUTION
The base current on the fault point
SB 100MVA
I B3 262.43 A
3VB 3 3 220 kV
And the fault current is
V p.u . 10
I F , p.u . j 2.94p.u. 2.94 90 p.u.
Z Th j 0.34
I F I F , p.u . I B 2.94 262.3 771.54 A
j0.34 p.u.

10 IF

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 SOLUTION
b) with the fault impedance of j0.16, the fault
current is

V p .u . 10
I F , p.u . j 2p.u. 2 90 p.u.
Z Th Z f j 0.34 j0.16

I F I F , p.u . I B 2 262.3 524.6 A

j0.5 p.u.

10 IF

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 EXAMPLE 6.4
A 25 MVA, 11 kV generator with Xd = 20% is connected through
a transformer to a bus that supplies three identical motors as
shown in Figure 6.4. Each motor has Xd = 25% and Xd = 30% on
a base of 5 MVA, 6.6 kV. The three-phase rating of the step up
transformer is 25 MVA 11/66 kV with a leakage reactance of 10%
and that of the step down transformer is 25 MVA, 66/6.6 kV with
a leakage reactance of 10%. The bus voltage of the motors is 6.6
kV when a three-phase fault occurs at the point F. For the
specified fault, calculate the subtransient current at the fault
point. Given the reactance of transmission line is 15% on a base
25 MVA, 66 kV. Choose a system base of 25 MVA and 11 kV at
generator side and assume that the system is operating on no
load.

Figure 6.4
46 EET301 POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING F
 SOLUTION
The base voltage for generator, transmission line
and motor side are 11 kV, 66 kV and 6.6 kV
respectively.
Subtransient reactance for each motor,
25
X M 1 X M 2 X M 3 j 0.25
" " "
j1.25p.u.
5
For generator XG = j0.2 p.u.
For transformer XT1 = XT2 = j0.1 p.u.
For transmission line Xline = j0.15 p.u.

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 SOLUTION
Reactance diagram

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 SOLUTION
Reduce the circuit to obtain the Thevenin
impedance

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 SOLUTION
Reduce the circuit to obtain the Thevenin
impedance
1 1 1 1 1

Z Th j 0.55 j1.25 j1.25 j1.25
j 4.218
Z Th j 0.237 p.u.

j0.237 p.u.

10 IF

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 SOLUTION
The base current at the fault point

SB 25MVA
IB 2187 A
3VB 3 6.6 kV

The subtransient fault current

V p.u . 10
I F , p.u . j 4.218p.u. 4.218 90 p.u.
Z Th j 0.237

I F 4.218 2187 A 9224.77 A

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