Fault Calculations

and
Selection of
Protective Equipment
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
8:00AM 3:00PM
Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.
16313 North Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, Florida
Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E.
University of South Florida Tampa
Senior Member, IEEE
r.fehr@ieee.org
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 2
Symmetrical Components
Most power systems are designed as
balanced systems.
Due to the symmetry of the problem, a
single-phase equivalent approach can be
taken to simplify the calculation process.
When the voltage and current behavior is
calculated for one of the phases, the
behaviors on the other two can be
determined using principles of symmetry.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 3
But when the system phasors are not balanced,
the single-phase equivalent approach cannot
be taken.
This means that either
1. a three-phase solution must be found,

or
2. the unbalanced phasors must be resolved
into balanced components so the single-phase
equivalent method can be used.

IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 4
Charles Fortescues Theory of Symmetrical
Components, first published in 1918, proves
that any set of unbalanced voltage or current
phasors belonging to a three-phase system can
be resolved into three sets of components,
each of which is balanced.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 5
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 6
A
I
C
I
B
I

Physical Example of
Vector Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 7
F
d
M = F d
Calculation of Moment
Moment = Force Perpendicular Distance
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 8
Calculation of Moment
d
F

M F d
Moment = Force Perpendicular Distance
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 9
Calculation of Moment
M = F
V
d
Moment = Force Perpendicular Distance
d
V
F F
H
F

IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 10
Calculation of Moment
d
V
F F
H
F

F
V
= F cos
F
H
= F sin
F
H
+ F
V
= F

=

V
H
1
F
F
tan
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 11
Application of Symmetrical
Components to a Three-Phase
Power System
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 12
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 13
A
I
C
I
B
I

A-B-C Sequencing
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 14
I
B

I
C
A
I
A-C-B Sequencing
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 15
I
I

B
C
I
A
Fortescues theory shows that three sets of
balanced components are required to represent
any unbalanced set of three-phase phasors.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 16
Positive Sequence Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 17
I
A1
C1
I
B1
I

Negative Sequence Components

IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 18
A2
I
B2
I
C2
I

Zero Sequence Components

IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 19
A0
I
B0
I
C0
I

The constraint equations for the symmetrical

components require the sum of the three
components for each unbalanced phasor to
equal the unbalanced phasor itself.
I
A
= I
A0
+ I
A1
+ I
A2
I
B
= I
B0
+ I
B1
+ I
B2
I
C
= I
C0
+ I
C1
+ I
C2
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 20
The a operator
a
2
3
2
1
j +

= 1 /120
a
2
= 1 /240 a
3
= 1 /360
j
2
= 1 /180 = 1 j
3
= 1 /270 = j j
4
= 1 /360 = 1
Recall the j operator
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 21
Using the a operator and the symmetry of the
sequence components, we can develop a
single-phase equivalent circuit to greatly
simplify the analysis of the unbalanced system.
We will start by expressing the sequence
components in terms of a single phases
components. We will use Phase A as the phase
for developing the single-phase equivalent.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 22
Positive Sequence Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 23
B1
I
A1
I
I
C1
1
= I
= a I
1
= a I
1
2

Negative Sequence Components

IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 24
I
A2
= I
2
I
B2
= a I
2
2 C2
= a I I
2

Zero Sequence Components

IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 25
A0
I = I
0
= I
B0
I
0
= I I
C0 0

Recall the original constraint equations:

I
A
= I
A0
+ I
A1
+ I
A2
I
B
= I
B0
+ I
B1
+ I
B2
I
C
= I
C0
+ I
C1
+ I
C2
Rewrite them using the a operator
to take advantage of the symmetry:
I
A
= I
0
+ I
1
+ I
2
I
B
= I
0
+ a
2
I
1
+ a I
2
I
C
= I
0
+ a I
1
+ a
2
I
2
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 26
Unbalanced Phasors and their Symmetrical Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 27
I
A
I
1
I
2
0
I
C
I
a I
1
2
a I
2
I
0
B
I
0
I
2
a I
1
a I
2

2
1
0
2
2
C
B
A
I
I
I
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1
I
I
I

2
1
0
2
2
1
2
2
C
B
A
1
2
2
I
I
I
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1
I
I
I
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1

C
B
A
1
2
2
2
1
0
I
I
I
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1
I
I
I
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 28

C
B
A
1
2
2
2
1
0
I
I
I
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1
I
I
I

C
B
A
2
2
2
1
0
I
I
I
a a 1
a a 1
1 1 1
3
1
I
I
I
( )
C B A 0
I I I
3
1
I + + =
( )
C
2
B A 1
I a I a I
3
1
I + + =
( )
C B
2
A 2
I a I a I
3
1
I + + =
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 29
( )
C B A 0
I I I
3
1
I + + =
( )
C
2
B A 1
I a I a I
3
1
I + + =
( )
C B
2
A 2
I a I a I
3
1
I + + =
Summary of Symmetrical Components
Transformation Equations
I
A
= I
0
+ I
1
+ I
2
I
B
= I
0
+ a
2
I
1
+ a I
2
I
C
= I
0
+ a I
1
+ a
2
I
2
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 30
Workshop #1
Symmetrical Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 31
I
a
= 0.95 /328
I
b
= 1.03 /236
I
c
= 0.98 /92
Find I
0
, I
1
, and I
2
I
0
= 0.7 /300
I
1
= 1.2 /10
I
2
= 0.3 /167
Find I
a
, I
b
, and I
c
Workshop #1
Symmetrical Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 32
I
a
= 0.95 /328
I
b
= 1.03 /236
I
c
= 0.98 /92
Find I
0
, I
1
, and I
2
I
0
= 0.1418 /297
I
1
= 0.9634 /339
I
2
= 0.1622 /191
I
a
c
I
b
I
I
1
I
2
I
0
a I
1
a I
2
2
I
0
1
a I
2
2
a I
I
0
Workshop #1
Symmetrical Components
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 33
I
0
= 0.7 /300
I
1
= 1.2 /10
I
2
= 0.3 /167
Find I
a
, I
b
, and I
c
I
1
2
0
I
I
I
a
I
c
a I
1
2
a I
2
I
0
I
0
1
a I
2
2
a I
I
a
= 1.2827 /345
I
b
= 2.0209 /271
I
c
= 0.5749 /112
Electrical Characteristics of
the Sequence Currents
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 34
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 35
O
y
D
A
x
I
L
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 36
I
t
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 37
Bottom Wire
Top Wire
Middle Wire
t = T
I
t
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 38
O
I
0
D
A
L
I
0
0
I
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 39
3 I
0
I
0
0
I
I
0
O
D
A
L
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 40
O
3 I
0
I
D
0
A
L
I
0
0
I
V
N
= (3 I
0
) Z
N
V
N
= I
0
(3 Z (3 Z
N N
) )
The Delta-Wye Transformer
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 41
I
c
I
a
I
b
I
A
I
C
I
B
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 42
Assume I
a
= 1 /0
o
, I
b
= 1 /240
o
, and I
c
= 1/120
o
.
I
c
I
a
I
b
I
c
I
a
I
b
I
B
= I
b
I
c
= 1 /240
o
1 /120
o
= /270
o
3
I
C
= I
c
I
a
= 1 /120
o
1 /0
o
= /150
o
3
The Delta-Wye Transformer
I
A
I
B
I
C
I
a
I
b
I
c
I
A
= I
a
I
b
= 1 /0
o
1 /240
o
= /30
o
3
Workshop #2
Non-Standard Delta-Wye Transformer
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 43
Given that I
a
= 1/0
o
, I
b
= 1/240
o
, and I
c
= 1/120
o
, find I
A
, I
B
, and I
C
.
I
b
a
I
c
I
B
I
A
I
C
I
I
C a
I
I
A
I
B
c
I
b
I
I
b
c
I
I
a c
I
b
I
I
a
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 44
Workshop #2
Non-Standard Delta-Wye Transformer
I
a
= 1/0
o
I
b
= 1/240
o
I
c
= 1/120
o
I
A
= I
a
I
c
= 1/0
o
1/120
o
= /330
o
3
I
B
= I
b
I
a
= 1/240
o
1/0
o
= /210
o
3
I
C
= I
c
I
b
= 1/120
o
1/240
o
= /90
o
3
I
a
I
b
I
c
I
A
I
C
I
B
Sequence Networks
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 45
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 46
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
One-Line Diagram
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 47
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Utility
M1 M2 M3 G
Positive-Sequence Reference Bus
Positive-Sequence Reactance Diagram
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 48
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Positive-Sequence Reactance Diagram
M3 M1
1
T1 M2 T2
Utility
G
Positive-Sequence Reference Bus
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 49
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Positive-Sequence Reactance Diagram
2
T3 M3
Positive-Sequence Reference Bus
1
T1 M2 M1 T2
Utility
G
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 50
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Negative-Sequence Reactance Diagram
2
T3 M3
Positive-Sequence Reference Bus
1
T1 M2 M1 T2
Utility
G
Negative
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 51
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Negative-Sequence Reactance Diagram
2
T3 M3
1
T1 M2 M1 T2
Utility
G
Negative-Sequence Reference Bus
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 52
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Zero-Sequence Reactance Diagram
2
T3 M3
1
T1 M2 M1 T2
Utility
G
Negative-Sequence Reference Bus
Zero
+3Xn
Adjust Topology
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 53
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Zero-Sequence Reactance Diagram
M3
2
1
T3
Zero-Sequence Reference Bus
M1 T1
Utility
M2 T2
G
Xn
+ 3 Xn
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 54
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Zero-Sequence Reactance Diagram
M3
2
1
T3
Zero-Sequence Reference Bus
M1 T1
Utility
M2 T2
G
Xn
+ 3 Xn
Connection Alteration Connection Alteration
Gr. Gr. Wye Wye None None
Wye Wye Open Open Ckt Ckt. .
Delta Open Delta Open Ckt Ckt. AND . AND
Short to Ref. Bus Short to Ref. Bus
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 55
T1 T2
T3
M1 M2
M3
G Utility
Xn
1
2
Zero-Sequence Reactance Diagram
+ 3 Xn
2
T3
1
T1 M1 M2 T2
M3
Zero-Sequence Reference Bus
Utility
G
Xn
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 56
Workshop #3
Sequence Networks
Draw the positive-,
negative-, and
zero-sequence
networks for the
one-line diagram
on the left.
T2
G
Xn
M2
Xn
1
M1
2
T3
Utility
T1
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 57
Workshop #3
Sequence Networks
Positive-Sequence Reference Bus
2
T1
1
T3
M1 T2
Utility
G
M2
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 58
Workshop #3
Sequence Networks
T3 M2
2
Utility
T1
1
M1 T2
Negative-Sequence Reference Bus
G
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 59
Workshop #3
Sequence Networks
Zero-Sequence Reference Bus
1
T1
Utility
2
T3
M1 T2
M2
G
+3Xn
Xn
+3Xn
Thevenin Reduction of
Sequence Networks
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 60
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 61
Positive-Sequence Reactance Diagram
Bus 1 Thevenin
Equivalent
Bus 2 Thevenin
Equivalent
[(T1+Utility) M1 M2 (T2+G)]
(T3+M3)
M3 {T3+ [(T1+Utility)
M1 M2 (T2+G)]}
2
T3 M3
Positive-Sequence Reference Bus
1
T1 M2 M1 T2
Utility
G
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 62
Positive-Sequence Reactance Diagram
Thevenin
Equivalent
X1
+
Pre-fault
Voltage
Fault
Location
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 63
Negative-Sequence Reactance Diagram
Bus 1 Thevenin
Equivalent
Bus 2 Thevenin
Equivalent
[(T1+Utility) M1 M2 (T2+G)]
(T3+M3)
M3 {T3+ [(T1+Utility)
M1 M2 (T2+G)]}
2
T3 M3
1
T1 M2 M1 T2
Utility
G
Negative-Sequence Reference Bus
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 64
Negative-Sequence Reactance Diagram
Thevenin
Equivalent
Location
X2
Fault
_
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 65
Zero-Sequence Reactance Diagram
+ 3 Xn
2
T3
1
T1 M1 M2 T2
M3
Zero-Sequence Reference Bus
Utility
G
Xn
Bus 1 Thevenin
Equivalent
Bus 2 Thevenin
Equivalent
T1
T3 + T1
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 66
Zero-Sequence Reactance Diagram
Thevenin
Equivalent
X0
Fault
Location
0
Types of Fault Calculations
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 67
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 68
First-Cycle or Momentary
First-cycle fault calculations are done to determine
the withstand strength requirement of the system
components at the location of the fault.
It is the maximum amplitude of the fault current
ever expected (worst case).
It requires use of the subtransient reactances of
rotating machines, and includes induction motors.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 69
Contact-Parting or Clearing
Contact-parting fault calculations are done to
determine the interrupting rating of the protective
devices at the location of the fault.
It is a reduced amplitude of the fault current
anticipated at clearing time (worst case).
It requires use of the transient reactances of
rotating machines, and excludes induction motors.
Short-Circuit Fault
Calculations
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 70
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 71
Three-Phase Fault
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 72
Line-to-Ground Fault
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 73
Double Line-to-Ground Fault
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 74
Line-to-Line Fault
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 75
Workshop #4
Short-Circuit Fault Calculations
The Thevenin-equivalent sequence reactances at a
given bus are:
X1 = 0.032 p.u.
X2 = 0.029 p.u.
X0 = 0.024 p.u.
Find the fault currents at that bus for a (1) three-phase,
(2) line-to-ground, (3) double line-to-ground, and (4) line-
to-line fault.
The base current is 1.5 kA.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 76
Workshop #4
Short-Circuit Fault Calculations
Three-Phase Fault
I
A
= 31.25 /-90
o
p.u. = 46.9 /-90
o
kA
I
B
= 31.25 /150
o
p.u. = 46.9 /150
o
kA
I
C
= 31.25 /30
o
p.u. = 46.9 /30
o
kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 77
Workshop #4
Short-Circuit Fault Calculations
Line-to-Ground Fault
I
A
= 35.29 /-90
o
p.u. = 52.9 /-90
o
kA
I
B
= 0
I
C
= 0
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 78
Workshop #4
Short-Circuit Fault Calculations
Double Line-to-Ground Fault
I
0
= 12.124 /90
o
p.u.
I
1
= 22.157 /-90
o
p.u.
I
2
= 10.033 /90
o
p.u.
I
A
= 0
I
B
= 33.29 /147
o
p.u. = 49.9 /147
o
kA
I
C
= 33.29 /33
o
p.u. = 49.9 /33
o
kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 79
Workshop #4
Short-Circuit Fault Calculations
Line-to-Line Fault
I
0
= 0
I
1
= 16.39 /-90
o
p.u.
I
2
= 16.39 /90
o
p.u.
I
A
= 0
I
B
= 28.4 /180
o
p.u. = 42.6 /180
o
kA
I
C
= 28.4 /0
o
p.u. = 42.6 /0
o
kA
Open-Circuit Fault
Calculations
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 80
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 81
One-Line-Open Fault
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 82
Two-Lines-Open Fault
X/R Ratio at Fault Location
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 83
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 84
The X/R ratio at the point of the fault
determines the rate of fault current decay.
The larger the X/R ratio, the more slowly the
fault current decays.
Small X/R Large X/R
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 85
Determination of the X/R ratio requires the
construction of a positive sequence
resistance network.
The X (positive-sequence reactance) and R
must be determined separately at the fault
location. Then the resistance is divided into
the reactance to give the X/R ratio.
A SINGLE IMPEDANCE DIAGRAM
COMBINING R AND X CANNOT BE USED! It
will undercalculate the actual X/R ratio.
Selection of Protective
Equipment
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 86
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 87
Protective devices are always sized for the
highest possible fault current at the location
where the device will be installed this is NOT
always a three-phase fault!!
RMS symmetrical fault current is used to
determine all protective device ratings.
With the exception of power circuit breakers,
protective devices are sized based on a
multiplying factor to account for X/R ratios that
exceed the manufacturers assumptions.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 88
Power Circuit Breakers
Power circuit breakers are specified by a Close-and-
Latch rating.
RMS Close-and-Latch rating =
1.6 RMS symmetrical fault current
Crest Close-and-Latch rating =
2.7 RMS symmetrical fault current
Example: If the maximum fault current is 23.5 kA 23.5 kA,
the required RMS close-and-latch rating
is 1.6 23.5 = 37.6 37.6 kA kA
RMS RMS
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 89
Fused Low-Voltage Circuit Breakers
9 4 R X for
25 1
1 e 2
MF
R X 2
bkr fused LV
. /
.
) / /(
>
+
=

Example: Maximum fault current = 27.5 kA 27.5 kA
X/R at fault location = 7.8 7.8
101 1
25 1
1 e 2
MF
8 7 2
bkr fused LV
.
.
. /
=
+
=

So, the fused low-voltage circuit breaker
must be rated at least 27.5 1.101 = 30.3 kA 30.3 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 90
Molded-Case Circuit Breakers
( )
6 6 R X for
29 2
1 e 2
MF
R X
bkr case molded
. /
.
) / /(
>
+
=

Example: Maximum fault current = 45 kA 45 kA

X/R at fault location = 9.2 9.2
( )
056 1
29 2
1 e 2
MF
2 9
bkr case molded
.
.
. /
=
+
=

So, the molded-case circuit breaker must be

rated at least 45 1.056 = 47.5 kA 47.5 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 91
Medium-Voltage Expulsion Fuses
15 R X for
52 1
1 e 2
MF
R X 2
fuse MV
>
+
=

/
.
) / ( /
Example: Maximum fault current = 45.8 kA 45.8 kA
X/R at fault location = 21.4 21.4
038 1
52 1
1 e 2
MF
4 21 2
fuse MV
.
.
. /
=
+
=

So, the medium-voltage expulsion fuse must
be rated at least 45.8 1.038 = 47.6 kA 47.6 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 92
Low-Voltage Expulsion Fuses
9 4 R X for
25 1
1 e 2
MF
R X 2
fuse LV
. /
.
) / ( /
>
+
=

Example: Maximum fault current = 38.2 kA 38.2 kA
X/R at fault location = 11.8 11.8
180 1
25 1
1 e 2
MF
8 11 2
fuse LV
.
.
. /
=
+
=

So, the low-voltage expulsion fuse must be
rated at least 38.2 1.180 = 45.1 kA 45.1 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 93
Current-Limiting Fuses
10 R X for
44 1
1 e 2
MF
R X 2
fuse iting lim current
>
+
=

/
.
) / ( /
Example: Maximum fault current = 58.4 kA 58.4 kA
X/R at fault location = 16.2 16.2
066 1
44 1
1 e 2
MF
2 16 2
fuse iting lim current
.
.
. /
=
+
=

So, the current-limiting fuse must be rated at

least 58.4 1.066 = 62.3 kA 62.3 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 94
Workshop #5
Protective Device Specification
1. Find both the RMS Close-and-Latch rating and the
Crest Close-and-Latch rating required for a
power circuit breaker to be installed on a bus
where the maximum fault current is 32.9 kA.
2. Find the required interrupting rating for a molded-
case circuit breaker installed on a bus with a
maximum fault current of 46.5 kA and an X/R ratio
of 14.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 95
Workshop #5
Protective Device Specification
3. Find the required interrupting rating for a medium-
voltage fuse installed on a bus with a maximum
fault current of 46.5 kA and an X/R ratio of 18.
4. Find the required interrupting rating for a low-
voltage fuse installed on a bus with a maximum
fault current of 64.8 kA and an X/R ratio of 12.
5. Find the required interrupting rating for a current-
limiting fuse installed on a bus with a maximum
fault current of 27.3 kA and an X/R ratio of 8.
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 96
Workshop #5
Protective Device Specification
2.
46.5 kA 1.111 = 51.7 kA
( )
1.111
2.29
1 e 2
MF
/14
bkr case molded
=
+
=

1. Close-and-Latch
RMS
= 32.9 kA 1.6 = 52.6 kA
Close-and-Latch
Crest
= 32.9 kA 2.7 = 88.8 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 97
Workshop #5
Protective Device Specification
4.
64.8 kA 1.182 = 76.6 kA
1.182
1.25
1 e 2
MF
12 / 2
fuse LV
=
+
=

1.021
1.52
1 e 2
MF
18 / 2
fuse MV
=
+
=

3.
46.5 kA 1.021 = 47.5 kA
IEEE Fault Calculation Seminar March 2006 Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E. 98
Workshop #5
Protective Device Specification
Since X/R 10, no multiplying factor is used.
Required Interrupting Rating = 27.3 kA
10 X/R for
1.44
1 e 2
MF
(X/R) / 2
fuse limiting current
>
+
=

5.
Fault Calculations
and
Selection of
Protective Equipment
http:// http://web.tampabay.rr.com/usfpower/fehr.htm web.tampabay.rr.com/usfpower/fehr.htm
which includes a link to
Alex McEacherns Power Quality Teaching Toy
Dont forget the power engineering resources mentioned in this course:
Fault Calculations
and
Selection of
Protective Equipment
Thank you!
Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.
16313 North Dale Mabry Hwy.
Tampa, Florida
Ralph Fehr, Ph.D., P.E.
University of South Florida Tampa
Senior Member, IEEE
r.fehr@ieee.org