Faults calculating methods

Ohms method: The basic relationship used in determining

fault current is Ohms Law
E
I
Z
where I  fault current
E  driving voltage of the source
Z  impedance from source to fault including
the impedance of the source
Per-Unit System:
The per unit system puts all the values of a power system on a
common base so they can be easily compared across the entire
system. To use the per-unit system, we normally begin by
selecting a three-phase power base and a line-to-line voltage
base.
Powerpoint Templates
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 Actual quantity
Quantity in per unit 
Base value of quantity
Balanced three - phase system : MVA 3  3  KV LL  KI L
MVA b
Ib  KA
3  KV b
2
Zb 
 KV b 
 /phase
MVA b
where MVA b  base MVA 3
KV b  base KV LL
I b  base I L in KA
Z b  base line to neutral impedance in ohms
* To convert impedances one base to another :
2
new old
new old MVA b
V
b

Z pu  Z pu  old
  new

MVA b V
b 
Powerpoint Templates
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 The system impedance values are convert to per - unit values on a common base
MVAb
* Utility contributions : Z pu  * MVA sc source  3  KVLL  I sc source
MVAsc ( source )
Z% MVAb
* Generator and Transformers - %Z on rating : Z pu  
100 MVArating
MVAb
* Feeders and Interconnectors - actual impedance/phase : Z pu  Z f ( actual ) 
KV 2
VR MVAb
* Re actors  voltage drop at rated current : Z pu  
I R KV 2
MVAb
* Motor contributions : Z pu  Z motor 
MVAmotor
1 pu voltage
* Fault current : Isc   I base ( KA)
Z pu total
MVAb
* Fault MVA or MVA sc 
Z pu total

Note:

• In balance three-phase circuit, the per-unit value of the line-to-line voltage is equal to the
per-unit value of the line-to-neutral voltage.

• Per-unit value of three-phase MVA is same as that of MVA per phase.

• The base power is usually selected Templates

Powerpoint to the same for the entire network.
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The procedure for short circuit current calculation using the Per
Unit method is as follows:

1. Choose a base MVA.

2. Express all reactances in per unit values, referring to the
chosen base MVA.
3. Simplify the circuit by appropriately combining all of the
involved reactances. The objective is to reduce the circuit to
a single reactance.
4. Calculate the normal or rated current at the rated voltage, at
the point of fault corresponding to the chosen base KVA.
(MVA)b
In 
3  KVL
5. Calculate the per unit short circuit current corresponding to
the per unit system voltage divided by the per unit total
reactance.
E 1
I pu  
X pu (total ) X pu (total )

6. Calculate the fault current magnitude by multiplying the per

unit current ( I ) by the rated current  I
Powerpoint
pu
Templates  n

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