Short-circuit current

A knowledge of 3-phase symmetrical short-circuit current values (Isc) at strategic points of an installation is necessary in order to determine switchgear (fault current rating), cables (thermal withstand rating), protective devices (discriminative trip settings) and so on... In the following notes a 3-phase short-circuit of zero impedance (the so-called bolted short-circuit) fed through a typical MV/LV distribution transformer will be examined. Except in very unusual circumstances, this type of fault is the most severe, and is certainly the simplest to calculate. Short-circuit currents occurring in a network supplied from a generator and also in DC systems are dealt with in Chapter N. The simplified calculations and practical rules which follow give conservative results of sufficient accuracy, in the large majority of cases, for installation design purposes.

Contents:

Short-circuit current at the secondary terminals of a MV/LV distribution transformer 3-phase short-circuit current (Isc) at any point within a LV installation Isc at the receiving end of a feeder as a function of the Isc at its sending end

Short-circuit current at the secondary terminals of a MV/LV distribution transformer

Contents
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1 The case of one transformer 2 The case of several transformers in parallel feeding a busbar

The case of one transformer

In a simplified approach, the impedance of the MV system is assumed to be negligibly small, so that:

where

and:

P = kVA rating of the transformer U20 = phase-to-phase secondary volts on open circuit In = nominal current in amps Isc = short-circuit fault current in amps Usc = short-circuit impedance voltage of the transformer in %. Typical values of Usc for distribution transformers are given in Figure G31

Transformer rating (kVA)

Usc in % Oil-immersed Cast-resin dry type 6 6

50 to 750 800 to 3,200

4 6

Fig. G31: Typical values of Usc for different kVA ratings of transformers with MV windings y 20 kV

Example

400 kVA transformer, 420 V at no load Usc = 4%

The case of several transformers in parallel feeding a busbar

The value of fault current on an outgoing circuit immediately downstream of the busbars (see Fig. G32) can be estimated as the sum of the Isc from each transformer calculated separately. It is assumed that all transformers are supplied from the same MV network, in which case the values obtained from Figure G31 when added together will give a slightly higher fault-level value than would actually occur. Other factors which have not been taken into account are the impedance of the busbars and of the circuitbreakers. The conservative fault-current value obtained however, is sufficiently accurate for basic installation design purposes. The choice of circuit-breakers and incorporated protective devices against short-circuit fault currents is described in Chapter H.

Fig. G32: Case of several transformers in parallel

3-phase short-circuit current (Isc) at any point within a LV installation

Contents
[hide]

1 Method of calculating ZT 2 Determination of the impedance of each component

In a 3-phase installation Isc at any point is given by:

where

U20 = phase-to-phase voltage of the open circuited secondary windings of the power supply transformer(s). ZT = total impedance per phase of the installation upstream of the fault location (in )

Method of calculating ZT
Each component of an installation (MV network, transformer, cable, circuit-breaker, busbar, and so on...) is characterized by its impedance Z, comprising an element of resistance (R) and an inductive reactance (X). It may be noted that capacitive reactances are not important in short-circuit current calculations. The parameters R, X and Z are expressed in ohms, and are related by the sides of a right angled triangle, as shown in the impedance diagram of Figure G33.

Fig. G33: Impedance diagram

The method consists in dividing the network into convenient sections, and to calculate the R and X values for each. Where sections are connected in series in the network, all the resistive elements in the section are added arithmetically; likewise for the reactances, to give RT and XT. The impedance (ZT) for the combined sections concerned is then calculated from Any two sections of the network which are connected in parallel, can, if predominantly both resistive (or both inductive) be combined to give a single equivalent resistance (or reactance) as follows: Let R1 and R2 be the two resistances connected in parallel, then the equivalent resistance R3 will be given by: or for reactances It should be noted that the calculation of X3 concerns only separated circuit without mutual inductance. If the circuits in parallel are close togother the value of X3 will be notably higher.

Determination of the impedance of each component

Network upstream of the MV/LV transformer (see Fig. G34)

The 3-phase short-circuit fault level PSC, in kA or in MVA(1) is given by the power supply authority concerned, from which an equivalent impedance can be deduced.

Psc 250 MVA 500 MVA

Uo (V) 420 420

Ra (m) 0.07 0.035

Xa (m) 0.7 0.351

Fig. G34: The impedance of the MV network referred to the LV side of the MV/LV transformer

A formula which makes this deduction and at the same time converts the impedance to an equivalent value at LV is given, as follows: where

Zs = impedance of the MV voltage network, expessed in milli-ohms Uo = phase-to-phase no-load LV voltage, expressed in volts Psc = MV 3-phase short-circuit fault level, expressed in kVA The upstream (MV) resistance Ra is generally found to be negligible compared with the corresponding Xa, the latter then being taken as the ohmic value for Za. If more accurate calculations are necessary, Xa may be taken to be equal to 0.995 Za and Ra equal to 0.1 Xa. Figure G36 gives values for Ra and Xa corresponding to the most common MV(2) short-circuit levels in utility power-supply networks, namely, 250 MVA and 500 MVA.
(1) Short-circuit MVA:

EL Isc where:

EL = phase-to-phase nominal system voltage expressed in kV (r.m.s.) Isc = 3-phase short-circuit current expressed in kA (r.m.s.)

(2) up to 36 kV

Transformers (see Fig. G35)

The impedance Ztr of a transformer, viewed from the LV terminals, is given by the formula: where: U20 = open-circuit secondary phase-to-phase voltage expressed in volts Pn = rating of the transformer (in kVA) Usc = the short-circuit impedance voltage of the transformer expressed in % The transformer windings resistance Rtr can be derived from the total losses as follows: in milli-ohms where Pcu = total losses in watts In = nominal full-load current in amps Rtr = resistance of one phase of the transformer in milli-ohms (the LV and corresponding MV winding for one LV phase are included in this resistance value). For an approximate calculation Rtr may be ignored since X Z in standard distribution type transformers.

Rated Power (kVA) 100

Oil-immersed Usc (%) 4 Rtr (m) 37.9 Xtr (m) 59.5 Ztr (m) 70.6

Cast-resin Usc (%) 6 Rtr (m) 37.0 Xtr (m) 99.1

Ztr (m

105.8

160 200 250 315 400 500 630 800 1,000 1,250 1,600 2,000

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 6 6

16.2 11.9 9.2 6.2 5.1 3.8 2.9 2.9 2.3 1.8 1.4 1.1

41.0 33.2 26.7 21.5 16.9 13.6 10.8 12.9 10.3 8.3 6.5 5.2

44.1 35.3 28.2 22.4 17.6 14.1 11.2 13.2 10.6 8.5 6.6 5.3

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

18.6 14.1 10.7 8.0 6.1 4.6 3.5 2.6 1.9 1.5 1.1 0.9

63.5 51.0 41.0 32.6 25.8 20.7 16.4 13.0 10.4 8.3 6.5 5.2

66.2 52.9 42.3 33.6 26.5 21.2 16.8 13.2 10.6 8.5 6.6 5.3

Fig. G35: Resistance, reactance and impedance values for typical distribution 400 V transformers with MV windings 20 kV

Circuit-breakers

In LV circuits, the impedance of circuit-breakers upstream of the fault location must be taken into account. The reactance value conventionally assumed is 0.15 m per CB, while the resistance is neglected.

Busbars

The resistance of busbars is generally negligible, so that the impedance is practically all reactive, and amounts to approximately 0.15 m/metre(1) length for LV busbars (doubling the spacing between the bars increases the reactance by about 10% only).

Circuit conductors

The resistance of a conductor is given by the formula: where = the resistivity constant of the conductor material at the normal operating temperature being: - 22.5 m.mm2/m for copper - 36 m.mm2/m for aluminium L = length of the conductor in m S = c.s.a. of conductor in mm2

(1) For 50 Hz systems, but 0.18 m/m length at 60 Hz

Cable reactance values can be obtained from the manufacturers. For c.s.a. of less than 50 mm2 reactance may be ignored. In the absence of other information, a value of 0.08 m/metre may be used (for 50 Hz systems) or 0.096 m/metre (for 60 Hz systems). For prefabricated bus-trunking and similar pre-wired ducting systems, the manufacturer should be consulted.

Motors

At the instant of short-circuit, a running motor will act (for a brief period) as a generator, and feed current into the fault. In general, this fault-current contribution may be ignored. However, if the total power of motors running simultaneously is higher than 25% of the total power of transformers, the influence of motors must be taken into account. Their total contribution can be estimated from the formula: Iscm = 3.5 In from each motor i.e. 3.5m In for m similar motors operating concurrently. The motors concerned will be the 3-phase motors only; single-phase-motor contribution being insignificant.

Fault-arc resistance

Short-circuit faults generally form an arc which has the properties of a resistance. The resistance is not stable and its average value is low, but at low voltage this resistance is sufficient to reduce the faultcurrent to some extent. Experience has shown that a reduction of the order of 20% may be expected. This phenomenon will effectively ease the current-breaking duty of a CB, but affords no relief for its faultcurrent making duty.

Recapitulation table (see Fig. G36)

Parts of power-supply system Supply network Figure G34

R (m)

X (m)

Xa = 0.995 Za

Transformer Figure G35

Rtr is often negligible compared to Xtr for transformers > 100 kVA
Circuit-breaker Negligible

XD = 0.15 m/pol

Busbars

Negligible for S > 200 mm2 in the formula:

XB = 0.15 m/m

Circuit conductors(2)

Cables: Xc = 0.08

Motors

See Sub-clause 4.2 Motors (often negligible at LV)

Three-phase short circuit current in kA

U20: Phase-to-phase no-load secondary voltage of MV/LV transformer (in volts). Psc: 3-phase short-circuit power at MV terminals of the MV/LV transformers (in kVA). Pcu: 3-phase total losses of the MV/LV transformer (in watts). Pn: Rating of the MV/LV transformer (in kVA). Usc: Short-circuit impedance voltage of the MV/LV transfomer (in %). RT : Total resistance. XT: Total reactance (1) = resistivity at normal temperature of conductors in service

= 22.5 m x mm2/m for copper = 36 m x mm2/m for aluminium

(2) If there are several conductors in parallel per phase, then divide the resistance of one conductor by the number of conductors. The reactance remains practically unchanged. Fig. G36: Recapitulation table of impedances for different parts of a power-supply system

Example of short-circuit calculations (see Fig. G37)

LV installation

R (m)

X (m)

RT (m)

MV network Psc = 500 MVA Transformer 20 kV/420 V Pn = 1000 kVA Usc = 5% Pcu = 13.3 x 103 watts Single-core cables 5 m copper 4 x 240 mm2/phase Main circuit-breaker Busbars 10 m

0.035

0.351

2.24

8.10

Xc = 0.08 x 5 = 0.40

2.41

RD = 0

XD = 0.15

RB = 0

XB = 1.5

2.41

Three-core cable 100 m 95 mm2 copper Three-core cable 20 m 10 mm2 copper final circuits

Xc = 100 x 0.08 = 8

26.1

Xc = 20 x 0.08 = 1.6

71.1

Fig. G37: Example of short-circuit current calculations for a LV installation supplied at 400 V (nominal) from a 1,000 kVA MV/LV transformer

Isc at the receiving end of a feeder as a function of the Isc at its sending end
The network shown in Figure G38 typifies a case for the application of Figure G39 , derived by the method of composition (mentioned in Chapter F ). These tables give a rapid and sufficiently accurate value of short-circuit current at a point in a network, knowing:

The value of short-circuit current upstream of the point considered The length and composition of the circuit between the point at which the short-circuit current level is known, and the point at which the level is to be determined

It is then sufficient to select a circuit-breaker with an appropriate short-circuit fault rating immediately above that indicated in the tables. If more precise values are required, it is possible to make a detailed calculation or to use a software package, such as Ecodial. In such a case, moreover, the possibility of using the cascading technique should be considered, in which the use of a current limiting circuit-breaker at the upstream position would allow all circuit-breakers downstream of the limiter to have a short-circuit current rating much lower than would otherwise be necessary (See chapter H ). Method Select the c.s.a. of the conductor in the column for copper conductors (in this example the c.s.a. is 47.5 mm2). Search along the row corresponding to 47.5 mm2 for the length of conductor equal to that of the circuit concerned (or the nearest possible on the low side). Descend vertically the column in which the length is located, and stop at a row in the middle section (of the 3 sections of the Figure) corresponding to the known fault-current level (or the nearest to it on the high side). In this case 30 kA is the nearest to 28 kA on the high side. The value of short-circuit current at the downstream end of the 20 metre circuit is given at the intersection of the vertical column in which the length is located, and the horizontal row corresponding to the upstream Isc (or nearest to it on the high side). This value in the example is seen to be 14.7 kA. The procedure for aluminium conductors is similar, but the vertical column must be ascended into the middle section of the table. In consequence, a DIN-rail-mounted circuit-breaker rated at 63 A and Isc of 25 kA (such as a NG 125N unit) can be used for the 55 A circuit in Figure G38. A Compact rated at 160 A with an Isc capacity of 25 kA (such as a NS160 unit) can be used to protect the 160 A circuit.

Fig. G38: Determination of downstream short-circuit current level Isc using Figure G39

Copper 230 V / 400 V c.s.a.of phase Length of circuit (in metres) conductors (mm2) 1.5 2.5 4 6

1.3 1.1 1.5 2.1 1.2 1.7 2.4 3.4 1.8 2.6 3.6 5.2

1.8 3.0 4.9 7.3

2.6 4.3 6.9 10.3

3.6 6.1 9.7 14.6

5.2 8.6 13.7 21

7.3 12 19 29

10 16 25 1.3 35 1.9 47.5 1.8 2.6 70 2.7 3.8 95 2.6 3.6 5.1 120 1.6 2.3 3.2 4.6 6.5 150 1.2 1.8 2.5 3.5 5.0 7.0 185 1.5 2.1 2.9 4.2 5.9 8.3 240 1.8 2.6 3.7 5.2 7.3 10.3 300 2.2 3.1 4.4 6.2 8.8 12.4 2x120 2.3 3.2 4.6 6.5 9.1 12.9 2x150 2.5 3.5 5.0 7.0 9.9 14.0 2x185 2.9 4.2 5.9 8.3 11.7 16.6 3x120 3.4 4.9 6.9 9.7 13.7 19.4 3x150 3.7 5.3 7.5 10.5 14.9 21 3x185 4.4 6.2 8.8 12.5 17.6 25 Isc upstream Isc downstream (in kA) (in kA) 100 93 90 87 82 77 70 90 84 82 79 75 71 65 80 75 74 71 68 64 59 70 66 65 63 61 58 54 60 57 56 55 53 51 48 50 48 47 46 45 43 41 40 39 38 38 37 36 34 35 34 34 33 33 32 30 30 29 29 29 28 27 27 25 25 24 24 24 23 23 20 20 20 19.4 19.2 18.8 18.4 15 14.8 41.8 14.7 14.5 14.3 14.1 10 9.9 9.9 9.8 9.8 9.7 9.6 7 7.0 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.8 5 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.9 4.9 4 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.9 3 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Aluminium 230 V / 400 V c.s.a. of phase Length of circuit (in metres) conductors (mm2) 2.5 4

1.9 2.7 3.6 5.3 7.2 9.1 9.9 11.7 4.6 17.6 18.3 20 23 27 30 35

1.7 2.7 3.8 5.1 7.5 10.2 12.9 14.0 16.6 21 25 26 28 33 39 42 50

2.4 3.8 5.3 7.2 10.7 14.5 18.3 19.8 23 29 35 37 40 47 55 60 70

2.2 3.4 5.4 7.5 10.2 15.1 20 26 28 33 41 50 52 56 66 77 84 100

3.0 4.9 7.6 10.6 14.4 21 29 37 40 47 58 70 73 79 94 110 119 141

4.3 6.9 10.8 15.1 20 30 41 52 56 66 83 99 103 112 133 155 168 199

6.1 9.7 15.2 21 29 43 58 73 79 94 117 140 146 159 187 219 238 281

8.6 13.8 21 30 41 60 82 103 112 133 165 198 206 224 265 309 336 398

12.2 19.4 30 43 58 85 115 146 159 187 233 280 292 317 375 438 476 562

17.2 27 43 60 82 120 163 206 224 265 330 396 412 448 530 619 672

24 39 61 85 115 170 231 291 317 374 466 561 583 634 749

34 55 86 120 163 240 326 412 448 529 659

49 78 12 17 23 34 46

62 58 54 49 44 38 32 29 25 22 17.8 13.7 9.4 6.7 4.9 3.9 2.9 2.0 1.0

54 51 47 44 39 35 30 27 24 21 17.0 3.3 9.2 6.6 4.8 3.9 2.9 2.0 1.0

45 43 40 38 35 31 27 24 22 19.1 16.1 12.7 8.9 6.4 4.7 3.8 2.9 12.0 1.0

37 35 34 32 29 27 24 22 20 17.4 14.9 11.9 8.5 6.2 4.6 3.7 2.9 1.9 1.0

29 28 27 26 24 22 20 18.8 17.3 15.5 13.4 11.0 8.0 6.0 4.5 3.6 2.8 1.9 1.0

22 22 21 20 20 18.3 16.8 15.8 14.7 13.4 11.8 9.9 7.4 5.6 4.3 3.5 2.7 1.9 1.0

17.0 16.7 16.3 15.8 15.2 14.5 13.5 12.9 12.2 11.2 10.1 8.7 6.7 5.2 4.0 3.3 2.6 1.8 1.0

12.6 12.5 12.2 12.0 11.6 11.2 10.6 10.2 9.8 9.2 8.4 7.4 5.9 4.7 3.7 3.1 2.5 1.8 0.9

9.3 9.2 9.1 8.9 8.7 8.5 8.1 7.9 7.6 7.3 6.8 6.1 5.1 4.2 3.4 2.9 2.3 1.7 0.9

6.7 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.3 6.1 6.0 5.8 5.6 5.3 4.9 4.2 3.6 3.0 2.6 2.1 1.6 0.9

4.9 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.2 4.1 3.8 3.4 3.0 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.4 0.8

3.5 3.5. 3.5 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.3 0.8

2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.1 0.7

1.4 1.9 2.7 3.8 5.4 7.6 1.1 1.5 2.2 3.1 4.3 6.1 8.6 12

6 10 16 25 35 47.5 70 95 120 150 185 240 300 2x120 2x150 2x185 2x240 3x120 3x150 3x185 3x240

1.2 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.8 3.5

1.6 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.6 3.3 3.1 3.3 3.9 4.9

2.3 2.8 2.9 3.1 2.7 4.6 4.3 4.7 5.5 6.9

2.6 3.3 3.9 4.1 4.4 5.2 6.5 6.1 6.6 7.8 9.8

2.3 2.9 3.1 3.7 4.6 5.5 5.8 6.3 7.4 9.2 8.6 9.4 11.1 13.8

1.6 2.4 3.2 4.1 4.4 5.2 6.5 7.8 8.1 8.8 10.5 13.0 12.2 13.3 13.7 19.5

1.7 2.3 3.4 4.6 5.8 6.3 7.4 9.2 11.1 11.5 12.5 14.8 18.4 17.3 18.8 22 28

17.1 2.4 3.2 4.7 6.4 8.1 8.8 10.4 13.0 15.6 16.3 17.7 21 26 24 27 31 39

2.4 3.4 4.6 6.7 9.1 11.5 12.5 14.8 18.4 22 23 25 13 37 34 37 44 55

2.2 3.4 4.7 6.4 9.5 12.9 16.3 17.7 21 26 31 33 35 42 52 49 53 63 78

1.9 3.1 4.8 6.7 9.1 13.4 18.2 23 25 30 37 34 46 50 59 74 69 75 89 110

1.6 2.7 4.3 6.8 9.5 12.9 19.0 26 32 35 42 52 62 65 71 83 104 97 106 125 156

2.3 3.8 6.1 9.6 13.4 18.2 27 36 46 50 59 73 88 92 100 118 147 138 150 177 220

3.2 5.4 8.7 13.5 18.9 26 38 51 65 71 83 104 125 130 141 167 208 195 212 250 312

4.6 7.7 12.2 19.1 27 36 54 73 92 100 118 147 177 184 200 236 294 275 299 354 441

6.5 10.8 17.3 27 38 51 76 103 130 141 167 208 250 260 280 334 415 389 423 500 623

9.2 51.3 24 38 54 73 1.7 145 184 199 236 294 353 367 399 472 587 551 598 707

13.0 22 35 54 76 103 151 205 259 282 333 415 499 519

18 31 49 76 10 14 21 29 36 39 47

Note: for a 3-phase system having 230 V between phases, divide the above lengths by Fig. G39: Isc at a point downstream, as a function of a known upstream fault-current value and the length and c.s.a. of the intervening conductors, in a 230/400 V 3-phase system

Particular cases of short-circuit current

Contents:

Calculation of minimum levels of short-circuit current Verification of the withstand capabilities of cables under short-circuit conditions

Calculation of minimum levels of short-circuit current

Contents
[hide]

1 Examples of such arrangements 2 Conditions to be fulfilled 3 Practical method of calculating Lmax 4 Tabulated values for Lmax 5 Examples

If a protective device in a circuit is intended only to protect against short-circuit faults, it is essential that it will operate with certainty at the lowest possible level of short-circuit current that can occur on the circuit

In general, on LV circuits, a single protective device protects against all levels of current, from the overload threshold through the maximum rated short-circuit current-breaking capability of the device. In certain cases, however, overload protective devices and separate short-circuit protective devices are used.

Examples of such arrangements

Figures G40 to G42 show some common arrangements where overload and short-circuit protections are achieved by separate devices.

Fig. G40: Circuit protected by aM fuses

Fig. G41: Circuit protected by circuit-breaker without thermal overload relay

Fig. G42a: Circuit-breaker D provides protection against short-circuit faults as far as and including the load

As shown in Figures G40 and G41, the most common circuits using separate devices control and protect motors. Figure G42a constitutes a derogation in the basic protection rules, and is generally used on circuits of prefabricated bustrunking, lighting rails, etc. Variable speed drive Figure G42b shows the functions provided by the variable speed drive, and if necessary some additional functions provided by devices such as circuit-breaker, thermal relay, RCD.

Protection to be provided

Protection generally provided by the variable speed drive Yes Yes Yes

Additional protection by the variable speed drive if provided by the variable speed drive CB / Thermal relay CB / Thermal relay

Cable overload Motor overload Downstream short-circuit

Variable speed drive overload Yes Overvoltage Undervoltage Loss of phase Upstream short-circuit Yes Yes Yes Circuit-breaker (short-circuit tripping) Circuit-breaker (short-circuit and overload tripping) (self protection) RCD 300 mA

Internal fault

Downstream earth fault (indirect contact) Direct contact fault

RCD 30 mA

Fig. G42b: Protection to be provided for variable speeed drive applications

Conditions to be fulfilled
The protective device must fulfill:

instantaneous trip setting Im < Iscmin for a circuit-breaker fusion current Ia < Iscmin for a fuse

The protective device must therefore satisfy the two following conditions:

Its fault-current breaking rating must be greater than Isc, the 3-phase short-circuit current at its point of installation Elimination of the minimum short-circuit current possible in the circuit, in a time tc compatible with the

thermal constraints of the circuit conductors, where:

(valid for tc < 5 seconds) Comparison of the tripping or fusing performance curve of protective devices, with the limit curves of thermal constraint for a conductor shows that this condition is satisfied if:

Isc (min) > Im (instantaneous or short timedelay circuit-breaker trip setting current level), (see Fig. G43) Isc (min) > Ia for protection by fuses. The value of the current Ia corresponds to the crossing point of the fuse curve and the cable thermal withstand curve (see Fig. G44 and G45)

Fig. G43: Protection by circuit-breaker

Fig. G44: Protection by aM-type fuses

Fig. G45: Protection by gG-type fuses

Practical method of calculating Lmax

In practice this means that the length of circuit downstream of the protective device must not exceed a calculated maximum

The limiting effect of the impedance of long circuit conductors on the value of short-circuit currents must be checked and the length of a circuit must be restricted accordingly. The method of calculating the maximum permitted length has already been demonstrated in TN- and ITearthed schemes for single and double earth faults, respectively. Two cases are considered below: 1 - Calculation of Lmax for a 3-phase 3-wire circuit The minimum short-circuit current will occur when two phase wires are short-circuited at the remote end of the circuit (see Fig. G46).

Fig G46: Definition of L for a 3-phase 3-wire circuit

Using the conventional method, the voltage at the point of protection P is assumed to be 80% of the nominal voltage during a short-circuit fault, so that 0.8 U = Isc Zd, where: Zd = impedance of the fault loop Isc = short-circuit current (ph/ph) U = phase-to-phase nominal voltage For cables 120 mm2, reactance may be neglected, so that where: = resistivity of conductor material at the average temperature during a short-circuit, Sph = c.s.a. of a phase conductor in mm2 L = length in metres The condition for the cable protection is Im Isc with Im = magnetic trip current setting of the CB. This leads to which gives with U = 400 V = 1.25 x 0.018 = 0.023 .mm2/m(2) (Cu) Lmax = maximum circuit length in metres 2 - Calculation of Lmax for a 3-phase 4-wire 230/400 V circuit The minimum Isc will occur when the short-circuit is between a phase conductor and the neutral.

A calculation similar to that of example 1 above is required, but using the following formulae (for cable 120 mm2 (1) ).

Where Sn for the neutral conductor = Sph for the phase conductor If Sn for the neutral conductor < Sph, then where

For larger c.s.a.s than those listed, reactance values must be combined with those of resistance to give an impedance. Reactance may be taken as 0.08 m/m for cables (at 50 Hz). At 60 Hz the value is 0.096 m/m.

(1) For larger c.s.a.s, the resistance calculated for the conductors must be increased to account for the non-uniform current the conductor (due to skin and proximity effects) Suitable values are as follows: 150 mm2: R + 15% 185 mm2: R + 20% 240 mm2: R + 25% 300 mm2: R + 30%

(2) The factor 1.25 applied to the copper resistivity is due to the elevated temperature of the conductor when passin circuit current. This value of 1.25 corresponds to the max temperature of EPR or XLPE cables.

Tabulated values for Lmax

Figure G47 below gives maximum circuit lengths (Lmax) in metres, for:

3-phase 4-wire 400 V circuits (i.e. with neutral) and 1-phase 2-wire 230 V circuits

protected by general-purpose circuit-breakers. In other cases, apply correction factors (given in Figure G53) to the lengths obtained. The calculations are based on the above methods, and a short-circuit trip level within 20% of the adjusted value Im. For the 50 mm2 c.s.a., calculation are based on a 47.5 mm2 real c.s.a.

Operating current level Im of the instantaneous magnetic tripping c.s.a. (nominal cross-sectional-area) of conductors (in element (in A)

1.5 2.5 4 50 63 80 100 125 160 200 250 320 400 500 560 630 700 800 875 1000 1120 1250 1600 2000 2500 3200 4000 5000

10 16 25 35 50 70 95 120

100 167 267 400 79 133 212 317 63 104 167 250 417 50 83 133 200 333 40 67 107 160 267 427 31 52 83 125 208 333 25 42 67 100 167 267 417 20 33 53 80 133 213 333 467 16 26 42 63 104 167 260 365 495 13 21 33 50 83 133 208 292 396 10 17 27 40 67 107 167 233 317 9 8 7 6 6 5 4 4 15 24 36 60 95 149 208 283 417 13 21 32 63 85 132 185 251 370 12 19 29 48 76 119 167 226 333 452 10 17 25 42 67 104 146 198 292 396

10 15 23 38 61 95 133 181 267 362 457 8 7 7 5 4

13 20 33 53 83 117 158 233 317 400

12 18 30 48 74 104 141 208 283 357

11 16 27 43 67 93 127 187 253 320 8 7 5 4

13 21 33 52 73 99 146 198 250

10 17 27 42 58 79 117 158 200 8 6 5 4

13 21 33 47 63 93 127 160

10 17 26 36 49 73 99 125 8 7

13 21 29 40 58 79 100 11 17 23 32 47 63 80

6300 8000 10000 12500

5 4

8 7 5 4

13 19 25 37 50 63 10 15 20 29 40 50 8 7 12 16 23 32 40 9 13 19 25 32

Fig. G47: Maximum circuit lengths in metres for copper conductors (for aluminium, the lengths must be multiplied by 0.62)

Figures G48 to G50 give maximum circuit length (Lmax) in metres for:

3-phase 4-wire 400 V circuits (i.e. with neutral) and 1-phase 2-wire 230 V circuits

protected in both cases by domestic-type circuit-breakers or with circuit-breakers having similar tripping/current characteristics. In other cases, apply correction factors to the lengths indicated. These factors are given in Figure G51.
Rated current of circuit-breakers (in A) c.s.a. (nominal cross-sectional-area) of conductors (in mm2) 1.5 6 10 16 20 25 32 40 50 63 80 100 125 200 120 75 60 48 37 30 24 19 15 12 10 2.5 333 200 125 100 80 62 50 40 32 25 20 16 4 533 320 200 160 128 100 80 64 51 40 32 26 6 800 480 300 240 192 150 120 96 76 60 48 38 800 500 400 320 250 200 160 127 100 80 64 800 640 512 400 320 256 203 160 128 102 800 625 500 400 317 250 200 160 875 700 560 444 350 280 224 10 16 25 35

Fig. G48: Maximum length of copper-conductor circuits in metres protected by B-type circuit-breakers

Rated current of circuit-breakers (in A)

c.s.a. (nominal cross-sectional-area) of conductors (in mm2) 1.5 2.5 167 100 62 50 40 31 25 20 16.0 12.5 10.0 8.0 4 267 160 100 80 64 50 40 32 26 20 16.0 13.0 6 400 240 150 120 96 75 60 48 38 30 24 19.0 10 667 400 250 200 160 125 100 80 64 50 40 32 640 400 320 256 200 160 128 102 80 64 51 625 500 400 313 250 200 159 125 100 80 875 700 560 438 350 280 222 175 140 112 16 25 35

6 10 16 20 25 32 40 50 63 80 100 125

100 60 37 30 24 18.0 15.0 12.0 9.5 7.5 6.0 5.0

Fig. G49: Maximum length of copper-conductor circuits in metres protected by C-type circuit-breakers

Rated current of circuit-breakers (in A)

c.s.a. (nominal cross-sectional-area) of conductors (in mm2) 1.5 2.5 714 357 238 179 119 71 45 36 29 22 18.0 571 381 286 190 114 71 57 46 36 29 857 571 429 286 171 107 86 69 54 43 952 714 476 286 179 143 114 89 71 762 457 286 229 183 143 114 714 446 357 286 223 179 625 500 400 313 250 4 6 10 16 25 35

1 2 3 4 6 10 16 20 25 32 40

429 214 143 107 71 43 27 21 17.0 13.0 11.0

50 63 80 100 125

9.0 7.0 5.0 4.0 3.0

14.0 11.0 9.0 7.0 6.0

23 18.0 14.0 11.0 9.0

34 27 21 17.0 14.0

57 45 36 29 23

91 73 57 46 37

143 113 89 71 57

200 159 125 100 80

Fig. G50: Maximum length of copper-conductor circuits in metres protected by D-type circuit-breakers

Circuit detail

3-phase 3-wire 400 V circuit or 1-phase 2-wire 400 V circuit (no neutral) 1-phase 2-wire (phase and neutral) 230 V circuit 3-phase 4-wire 230/400 V circuit or 2-phase 3-wire 230/400 V circuit (i.e with neutral) Sph / S neutral = 1 Sph / S neutral = 2

Fig. G51: Correction factor to apply to lengths obtained from Figures G47 to G50

Note: IEC 60898 accepts an upper short-circuit-current tripping range of 10-50 In for type D circuitbreakers. European standards, and Figure G50 however, are based on a range of 10-20 In, a range which covers the vast majority of domestic and similar installations.

Examples
Example 1 In a 1-phase 2-wire installation the protection is provided by a 50 A circuit-breaker type NSX80HMA, the instantaneous short-circuit current trip, is set at 500 A (accuracy of 20%), i.e. in the worst case would require 500 x 1,2 = 600 A to trip. The cable c.s.a. = 10 mm2 and the conductor material is copper. In Figure G47, the row Im = 500 A crosses the column c.s.a. = 10 mm2 at the value for Lmax of 67 m. The circuit-breaker protects the cable against short-circuit faults, therefore, provided that its length does not exceed 67 metres. Example 2 In a 3-phase 3-wire 400 V circuit (without neutral), the protection is provided by a 220 A circuit-breaker type NSX250N with an instantaneous short-circuit current trip unit type MA set at 2,000 A ( 20%), i.e. a worst case of 2,400 A to be certain of tripping. The cable c.s.a. = 120 mm2 and the conductor material is copper. In Figure G47 the row Im = 2,000 A crosses the column c.s.a. = 120 mm2 at the value for Lmax of 200 m. Being a 3-phase 3-wire 400 V circuit (without neutral), a correction factor from Figure G51 must be applied. This factor is seen to be 1.73. The circuit-breaker will therefore protect the cable against short-circuit current, provided that its length does not exceed 200 x 1.73= 346 metres.

Verification of the withstand capabilities of cables under short-circuit conditions

In general, verification of the thermal-withstand capability of a cable is not necessary, except in cases where cables of small c.s.a. are installed

close to, or feeding directly from, the main general distribution board

Thermal constraints

When the duration of short-circuit current is brief (several tenths of a second up to five seconds maximum) all of the heat produced is assumed to remain in the conductor, causing its temperature to rise. The heating process is said to be adiabatic, an assumption that simplifies the calculation and gives a pessimistic result, i.e. a higher conductor temperature than that which would actually occur, since in practice, some heat would leave the conductor and pass into the insulation. For a period of 5 seconds or less, the relationship I2t = k2S2 characterizes the time in seconds during which a conductor of c.s.a. S (in mm 2) can be allowed to carry a current I, before its temperature reaches a level which would damage the surrounding insulation. The factor k2 is given in Figure G52 below.

Insulation PVC XLPE

Conductor copper (Cu) 13,225 20,449

Conductor aluminium (Al) 5,776 8,836

Fig. G52: Value of the constant k2

The method of verification consists in checking that the thermal energy I2t per ohm of conductor material, allowed to pass by the protecting circuit-breaker (from manufacturers catalogues) is less than that permitted for the particular conductor (as given in Figure G53 below).

S (mm2)

PVC Copper Aluminium 0.0130 0.0361 0.0924 0.2079

XLPE Copper 0.0460 0.1278 0.3272 0.7362 Aluminium 0.0199 0.0552 0.1414 0.3181

1.5 2.5 4 6

0.0297 0.0826 0.2116 0.4761

10 16 25 35 50

1.3225 3.3856 8.2656 16.2006 29.839

0.5776 1.4786 3.6100 7.0756 13.032

2.0450 5.2350 12.7806 25.0500 46.133

0.8836 2.2620 5.5225 10.8241 19.936

Fig. G53: Maximum allowable thermal stress for cables I2t (expressed in ampere2 x second x 106)

Example Is a copper-cored XLPE cable of 4 mm2 c.s.a. adequately protected by a iC60N circuit-breaker? Figure G53 shows that the I2t value for the cable is 0.3272 x 106, while the maximum let-through value by the circuit-breaker, as given in the manufacturers catalogue, is considerably less (< 0.1.106 A2s). The cable is therefore adequately protected by the circuit-breaker up to its full rated breaking capability.
Electrodynamic constraints

For all type of circuit (conductors or bus-trunking), it is necessary to take electrodynamic effects into account. To withstand the electrodynamic constraints, the conductors must be solidly fixed and the connection must be strongly tightened. For bus-trunking, rails, etc. it is also necessary to verify that the electrodynamic withstand performance is satisfactory when carrying short-circuit currents. The peak value of current, limited by the circuit-breaker or fuse, must be less than the busbar system rating. Tables of coordination ensuring adequate protection of their products are generally published by the manufacturers and provide a major advantage of such systems.