FAULT CURRENT CALCULATION NOTES

1.0 FAULT LEVEL STUDIES-GENERAL

Any of the Short-Circuit Analysis program estimates 3-phase, line-to-ground,

line-to-line, and line-to-line-to-ground faults on electrical distribution systems.

The program calculates the total short circuit currents as well as the
contributions of individual motors, generators, and utility ties or various
circuits in the system.

Fault duties are usually in compliance with the latest editions of the
ANSI/IEEE Standards (C37 series) and IEC Standards (IEC 60909 and
others).

Most Softwares including ETAP having IEC based calculation module

calculates the following

• 3 Phase Fault Device Duty :- This study calculates at all specified bus
the following

a. initial symmetrical rms fault current

b. peak instantaneous making or momentary fault current

c. symmetrical and asymmetrical breaking fault rms, and their DC

offset

d. steady-state rms short circuit currents and at faulted buses.

ETAP calculates and checks the protective device rated making and
breaking capacities against the actual system fault currents and flags in
RED all inadequate devices.

• LLL, LG, LL-G & LL Fault As Per IEC 60909 Calculation:- This study
performs line-to-ground, line-to-line, line-to-line-to-ground, and three-
phase fault studies per IEC 60909 Standard.

This study calculates initial symmetrical rms, peak and symmetrical

breaking rms, and steady-state rms short-circuit currents at faulted buses.

This software module uses the modelled generator’s positive, negative

and zero sequence subtransient reactance, locked-rotor impedance of all
motors and the 3 phase and L-G short circuit data of Grid.

The module also uses Generator, motor, and transformer grounding

types, and winding connections when constructing system positive,
negative, and zero sequence networks.

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• 3 Phase Transient Fault Fault As Per IEC 61363 Calculation:-- This

performs 3-phase fault study as per IEC 61363 Standard.

This study calculates instantaneous values of actual short circuit current,

DC offset, short circuit current envelope, AC component, and DC offset in
percent for total short circuit current at faulted buses.

The results are tabulated as a function of time.

This software module uses the modelled generator’s positive sequence

subtransient reactance, locked-rotor impedance of all motors and the
short circuit data of Grid.

In addition the subtransient and transient time constants and DC time

constants of all machines are also considered in the calculation.

Using this module the software plots the decay of AC symmetrical rms
fault current wave with respect to time, the DC decay with respect to time
etc.

• AC FAULT CURRENT DECAY & DC FAULT CURRENT

COMPONENT DECAY CALCULATIONS

IEC 61363 calculates AC fault current decay with time based on

classical theory which used the values of Xd”, Xd’, Xd & Td”, Td’ as
- t/Td” - t/Td’
below:- Iac(t) = 2 [ (Id”-Id’)e +(Id’-Id)e + (Id) ]; Where :-

Id” = E”/Xd” (E” being voltage behind sub-transient reactance Xd”)

Id’ = E”/Xd’ (E’ being voltage behind transient reactance Xd’)

Id = E/Xd (E being voltage behind sunchronous reactance Xd)

Td” & Td’ are = Subtransient & Transient short circuit time
constant in seconds

IEC 60909 calculates AC fault current decay from initial AC

symmetrical subtransient fault current I”k at t=0 sec and applying
decrement factors u and q using empirical formula listed in IEC 60909
as in section 2.3

DC decay in both IEC uses the fault circuits equivalent time constant
-t/Tau
Τau = (X/R of circuit) / (2.π.f) where Idc(t) = √2.I”k.e

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• Comparison of Device Rating and Short-Circuit Duty

In the 3-phase Device Duty calculation, ETAP compares the protective

device rating against bus short-current duty for the devices that are
checked as complying with IEC Standard and also have device rating
entered. In case the short circuit duty is greater than the device duty,
ETAP will flag the device as underrated in both one-line diagram and
output reports. The following table lists the device ratings and short
circuit duties used for the comparison for MV CB, LV CB, and fuses:

Device Capability Short circuit current Duty

Making Ip
AC Breaking Symm rms Ib,symm
AC Breaking ASymm rms Ib,asymm
DC current at break Idc
Thermal current Ith

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TOTAL FAULT CURRENT WAVE WHERE SYMMETRICAL AC FAULT

CURRENT WAVE IS SUPER IMPOSED ON DC FAULT

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DC FAULT CURRENT DECAY

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2.0 CALCULATION METHODS FOR VARIOUS FAULT CURRENTS

2.1 INITIAL SYMMETRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT CALCULATION

Initial symmetrical short-circuit current (I"k) is calculated using the following

formula:

I”k = c.Un/ (√3.Zk)

Where:-

• Zk is the equivalent impedance at the fault location.

• C is Voltage factor

Note that with transformer primary side tap set at higher than nominal value
the fault current on secondary increases at compared to its value at nominal
value. On the other hand with transformer primary side tap set at lower than
nominal value the fault current on secondary decreases at compared to its
value at nominal value

C is Voltage factor thus accounts for tap and voltage variation in operation of
the plant. In IEC all fault currents are calculated at nominal voltages and
nominal transformer taps. With fault currents multiplied by Voltage Factor “c”
to account for variation in voltage or tap setting that results in maximum fault
current.

VOLTAGE FACTOR C

This is the factor used to adjust the value of the equivalent voltage source for
minimum and maximum current calculations according to the following table:

Nominal Voltage Un Voltage Factor c

For Maximum For Minimum

Short circuit Short circuit
current “cmax” current “cmin”

Others < 1001 V 1.1 0.95

Medium voltage: > 1 kV to 35 kV 1.10 1.00

High voltage: > 35 kV to 230 kV 1.10 1.00

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2.2 PEAK SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT CALCULATION

Peak short-circuit current (ip) is calculated using the following formula:

Ip = √2 . k. I”k

Where k is a function of the system R/X ratio at the fault location.

Calculation of equivalent X/R or R/X at faulted bus is difficult to calculate

accurately.

Hence IEC Standards provide three methods for calculating the k factor:

• Method A - Uniform ratio R/X. The value of the k factor is

determined from taking the smallest ratio of R/X of all the branches
of the network. Only branches that contain a total of 80 percent of
the current at the nominal voltage corresponding to the short
circuit location are included. Branches may be a series
combination of several elements.

• Method B - R/X ratio at the short circuit location. The value of the k
factor is determined by multiplying the k factor by a safety factor of
1.15, which covers inaccuracies caused after obtaining the R/X
ratio from a network reduction with complex impedances.

• Method C - Equivalent frequency. The value of the k factor is

calculated using a frequency-altered R/X. R/X is calculated at a
lower frequency and then multiplied by a frequency-dependent
multiplying factor.

According to IEC 60909-0 Standard, short circuit contributions from

meshed and non-meshed sources are calculated differently regarding
various factors and R/X ratio. In ETAP calculations, short circuit
contribution in the following cases are considered as from a non-meshed
network::-

• A contributing machine is connected directly to the faulted bus.

• A contributing machine is connected to the faulted bus through a

radial network in which the machine is the only source making
short-circuit contribution to the faulted bus.

In all other cases, the short circuit contributions are considered as from a
meshed network.

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2.3 SYMMETRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BREAKING CURRENT CALCULATION

For a far-from-generator fault, the symmetrical short circuit breaking current

(Ib) is equal to the initial symmetrical short circuit current.

Ib = I”k

For a near-to-generator fault, Ib is obtained by combining contributions from

each individual machine. Ib for different types of machines is calculated using
the following formula: Ib = μ. I”k for Synchronous machines

Ib = μ. q. I”k for Synchronous machines

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where µ and q are factors that account for AC decay. They are functions of
the ratio of the minimum time delay and the ratio of the machine’s initial short
circuit current to its rated current, as well as real power per pair of poles of
asynchronous machines.

IEC Standards allow you to include or exclude AC decay effect from

asynchronous machines in the calculation.

2.4 DC COMPONENT OF SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT CALCULATION

The DC component of the short circuit current for the minimum delay time of a
protective device is calculated based on initial symmetrical short circuit
current and system X/R ratio:

–tmin/Τau
Idc (tmin) = √2 x Iac rms x e

Where Τ = Τau = L/R = (X/R) / ( 2 π f )

where f is the system frequency, tmin is the minimum delay time of the
protective device under concern, and X/R is the system value at the faulted
bus.

2.5 ASYMMETRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BREAKING CURRENT CALCULATION

The asymmetrical short circuit breaking current for comparison with circuit
breaker rating is calculated as the rms value of symmetrical and DC
components of the short circuit current.

2.6 STEADY-STATE SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT CALCULATION

Steady-state short circuit current Ik is a combination of contributions from

synchronous generators and power grid. Ik for each synchronous generator is
calculated using the following formula:

Ikmax = λmax.IrG

Ikmin = λmin.IrG

where λ is a function of a generator’s excitation voltage, ratio between its

initial symmetrical short circuit current and rated current, other generator
parameters, and IrG is the generator’s rated current.

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The steady-state short circuit current calculated is dependent on the option

selected for Short circuit current in the study case. If the Max and User-
Defined c Factor is selected, the maximum steady-state current short circuit is
reported. If the Min option is selected, the minimum steady-state short circuit
current is reported.

This maximum steady-state short circuit current is used to determine

minimum device ratings. The minimum steady-state short circuit value is used
for relay coordination purposes in preventing the occurrence of nuisance trips
and loading deviations.

IEC Exciter Type For Assessment Of λmax

Depending on the Rotor type, the IEC Exciter Type is used for determining
the ëmax factor for generators in the calculation of steady-state short-circuit
currents per IEC Standard 909. λmax is proportional to µfmax, which takes
different values based on exciter types as shown in the following table.

Rotor Type IEC Exciter Type μfmax

Turbine 130% 1.3

Turbine 160% 1.6

Round Rotor
Terminal Feed, Cylindrical 130% N/A

Terminal Feed, Cylindrical 160% N/A

Salient-pole 160% 1.6

Salient-pole 200% 2.0

Salient Pole
Terminal Feed, Salient Pole 130% N/A

Terminal Feed, Salient Pole 160% N/A

There is no generator contribution to the steady-state short-circuit current for

generator exciter types specified as terminal fed.

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3.0 BASIS OF ASSESSMENT OF DC COMPONENT DECAY WITH RESPECT

TO TIME BASED ON NON DECAYING AC SYMMETRICAL FAULT AS
APPLIED TO HV CIRCUIT BREAKER TESTING AND DUTY SELECTION

FIGURE-1 FACT ABOUT DC COMPONENT OF FAULT WHEN FAULT

OCCURS AT ZERO VALUE OF AC VOLTAGE

90 Deg or
t=1/2 cycle
0 deg Voltage
Wave
Voltage Zero Axis
t=0

Current Wave
(90 Deg Lag) 90 Deg

0 deg
Current & Voltage
Zero Axis
t=0

Iac-p=
Sqrt(2)xIac rms

Shifted Current Zero

Axis = Idc

Voltage & True

Current Zero Axis
t=0
Idc = Iac-p

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When fault occurs at zero point of Voltage Sine Wave in an inductive

circuit (with high inductive reactance Xl) then Current Sine Wave Lags
Voltage Sine Wave based on the zero axis which is the zero axis ipf the
voltage wave as reference .

If at t= 0, instantaneous value of Voltage of the Voltage Sine Wave is

zero, it is expected that the s instantaneous of fault current (I(t) = V(t) / Z)
should be zero.

When Voltage & Current Axis are same, the instantaneous value of
current is not zero but negative peak value because the current lags
voltage by 90 degree if the circuit impedance Z is purely inductive.

To meet the logic of instantaneous values of voltage and current being

equal to zero at t=o when instantaneous value of voltage =0, it is obvious
that there has to be a shift in current axis from zero reference voltage
axis.

The shift in current axis from voltage reference zero axis is representative
of the dc component of the fault current.

If there is no decay in AC and DC current, then at ½ cycle ([.e 10 milli-

sec) as shown in figure below the current shift i.e Current zero axis is
shifted from the Voltage zero or reference zero axis by an amount equal
to Idc (at ½ cycle = 10 milli-sec) = Iacpeak = Iac-p= √2 x Iac rms; where

Iac rms is rms value of the symmetrical fault ac current.

If both Ac & DC fault current are assumed not to hace decay then the
maximum instantaneous value of fault current occurs at ½ cycle i.e 10
msec after the zero point of the voltage way . The instantaneous value of
this maximum current is called the peak fault making current or
momentary current. The peak making fault current with non decaying AC
& DC fault components = Iac-p+Idc= √2 x Iac rms + √2 x Iac rms =
2 x √2 x Iac rms

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Usually DC component of fault current decays based on the X/R of the

faulted sources circuit. This is based on the shorted circuit source TIME
CONSTANT in seconds called Τ = TAU = L/R which is ratio of circuit
inductance to circuit resistance.

X/R is easily derived from circuit X & R values, and the expression of Τ =
TAU in terms of X/R is Τ = L/R = 2 π f *L / 2 π f * R = (X/R)/ 2 π f
i.e Τ = (X/R)/ 2 π f

If Iac rms is assumed not to decay and if Idc decay due to system X/R
ratio, then the decay of Idc with respect to time =
–t/Τau )=
Idc (t) = Idc (t=0) x e , But Idc (t=0 Iac-p= √2 x Iac rms
–t/Τau
Hence Idc (t) = √2 x Iac rms x e

Peak making fault current = instantaneous value of Iac + Idc at ½ cycle =

10 milli-sec

Hence making fault current = I instantaneous (t = 10 m sec) =

Iac (t=10 msec) + Idc (t=10 msec)
–t/Τau
= √2 x Iac rms + √2 x Iac rms x e
–t/Τau
= √2 x Iac rms ( 1 + e )

With Fault Source Circuit X/R =14, Τ = Τau = (X/R)/ 2 π f = 14/314.2 (if
frequency = f =50 Hz)
With X/R = 14, Τau = 0.0445761 second ( 0r 44.576 milli-sec)

With X/R =14, Peak Making Fault Current =

–10/44.5765
√2 x Iac rms ( 1 + e ) = √2 x Iac rms ( 1 + 0.8 )

= √2 x 1.8 x Iac rms = 2.54 x Iac rms

Thus with X/R = 14, Peak Making Fault Current =
2.54 x Symmetrical AC rms Fault

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Thus peak fault making current factor = 2.54 (usually rounded off to 2.5)

A 40 kA symmetrical AC rms fault rated switchgear has a peak making

fault current capability of 2.5 x 40 = 100 kA peak.

Similarly the peak making fault current capability of switchgear/CB with

rated symmetrical AC rms fault current of 25 kA rms is is xx kA peak

FIGURE-1 DETAILS OF AC & DC COMPONENT

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3.0 FAULT LEVEL STUDIES-CIRCUIT BREAKER DUTY

3.1 General

The IEC 60909 standard entitled" short circuit current calculation in three-
phase AC systems " provides very conservative results as per the objective of
the standard set out in its Clause 2.0, which is to establish a general,
practicable and concise procedure leading to conservative results with
sufficient accuracy.

The method is conservative because of its application of various factors that

account for errors, safety & all possible pre-fault voltage operating
possibilities (such as KG & C maximum defined in IEC 909).

3.2 Circuit Breaker Duty Requirements and Switchgear Selection

3.2.1 General

A) For HV Circuit Breakers

The HV switchgear ratings are as per IEC-61227 (which replaces old IEC
60056). These are based on Figure 8 of IEC-60056 (i.e. the figure for
"Determination of short-circuit making & breaking currents, and of percentage
D.C. component"); and based on Figure 9 of IEC-60056 (i.e. figure for
"Percentage D.C. component in relation to time interval t"). These figures
have been based on the following considerations, which needs to be
assessed for the HV switchgear rating selection:-

• The fault inception occurs at the zero point of AC sine wave of system
voltage, which results in a maximum offset of the resulting fault current.

See Figure-1 For Details. Also Refer Calculation on last page that shall
form part of Figure 1 for calculation of
• peak fault making current i.e the maximum instantaneous fault
current occurring at ½ cycle or 10 miilisec in 50 HZ system.
–10/Τau in milli-sec
I peak at t=10 millisec = √2 x Ik ‘’ ( 1 + e )

Where Ik ‘’ is initial fault symmetrical rms current

• dc component of fault current at any instant of time,
–t/Τau
Idc(t in millisec) = √2 x Ik ‘’ ( 1 + e ) both t/Tau in milli-sec

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• % dc component of fault current at any instant of time,

% dc (t in millisec) =100* Idc(t in millisec) / Iac peak (t in millisec)

If AC decay is ignored Iac peak (t in millisec) = √2 x Ik ‘’

• lastly the Asymmetrical current at any time t

2 2
I asymm (t) in rms = Sqrt [ (Iac sym rms(t)) + Idc(t) ]

• As discussed the fault current can be considered as having 2

components, an AC component characterised by an r.m.s value, referred
to as symmetrical AC fault current rating and a D.C. component equal to
the peak a.c value at time zero, which decay exponentially with time
based on the system X/R ratio at the fault location.

• The fault is remote from the generation, and hence AC component of fault
is essentially constant. The D.C. component time constant is determined
by the X/R ratio, with a value of 44.5 milli-second( i.e L/R), which is
equivalent to source X/R ratio of 14 at 50 Hz or a equivalent X/R value of
16.8 at 60 Hz..

• The switchgear must be capable of closing and latching when closed on

to a fault giving rise to a peak instantaneous current which is sum of the
instantaneous of peak value of I ac plus I dc (at t = 10 milli-sec as per
IEC). This can be expressed in terms of rated symmetrical short circuit
current by a factor of 2.5 given in the IEC standard.

• The HV switchgear should be capable of interrupting an asymmetrical

fault current containing AC symmetrical component up to rated short
circuit current and a % DC. component upto a value assigned by the
switchgear manufacturer, which is based on the % DC current component
at the minimum circuit breaker operating time with a source circuit time
constant ( i.e L / R ) of 44.5 milli-sec(i.e X/R ratio of 14 at 50 Hz as per
IEC 60056 or a equivalent X/R value of 16.8 at 60 Hz.).

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B) For LV Circuit Breakers

The LV 415 V circuit breakers / switchgear have been based on the use of air
break magnetic type Air Circuit breakers or MCCBs. For 415 V switchgear /
circuit breakers, IEC 439 & IEC 947 applies and accordingly the LV circuit
breaker should have the ability to make on to a peak fault current equivalent
to the following multiple of their symmetrical break capacity.

Breaking Capacity kA Multiplying Power Evaluated Time

Factor (n) Factor Constant in milli-sec
(pf) with X/R evaluated
at 50 Hz as per IEC
>50 kA 2.2 0.20
4.899
20 to 50 kA 2.1 0.25
3.873
10 to 20 kA 2.0 0.30
3.180
5 to 10 kA 1.7 0.50
1.732
<5 kA 1.5 0.70
1.020

{ Where power factor = pf is equivalent R/Z ratio of system,

and Where (X/R)^2 = ((Z/R)^2 -1) or (X/R)^2 = ((1 / pf )^2 -1)
Based on Z ^2 = X^2 + R^2 ; and
Where n = Ratio Of Peak To Symmetrical ac rms fault current }.

3.2.2 Criteria used in the study for assessing the adequacy of the switchgear
by comparing evaluated fault current with the corresponding switchgear
fault ratings.

A Switchgear is considered to be adequate to meet its fault or short circuit

duties provided the equivalent time constants of source system i.e X/R ratios,
peak make fault and symmetrical / asymmetrical break fault current levels at
the corresponding switchgear meets the following IEC requirements:-

• The peak fault make, symmetrical fault break and asymmetrical fault
break ratings evaluated at the switchgear exceeds by a margin of 5.0 %
over the corresponding switchgear peak, symmetrical break and
asymmetrical break fault levels evaluated using IEC 909.

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• The source system time constant (or equivalent X/R ratio) evaluated at
the HV switchgear is less than the IEC standard of 44.5 milli-sec (i.e X/R
ratio < 14 at 50 Hz) against which the circuit breakers i.e. HV circuit
breakers are normally tested as a standard. With source system time
constant at the HV switchgear less than 44.5 milli-sec (i.e X/R ratio 14 at
50 Hz as per IEC), the peak make fault current would not exceed its rating
provided the calculated initial symmetrical fault current (Ik") is less than
the breaker symmetrical fault rating [(Ib or Iac (rms)].

• For LV Air Break Circuit breakers / MCCBs, the peak & symmetrical fault
ratings are related based on source system time constant or power factor
and fault levels as given in Table in Section 5.2 B of the report.

• Typically with modern HV circuit breaker based on Figure 9 of IEC 60056,

the value of % d.c component will be around 32.6 % corresponding to a
minimum operating time of 30 milli-second; and around 25 %
corresponding to a minimum operating time of 60 milli-second; and
around 18 % corresponding to a minimum operating time of 80 milli-
second

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MOTOR AC FAULT CURRENT DECAY USING CLASSICAL

MTD WHICH IS ALSO USED IN IEC 61363 (IN IEC 60909 μ & Q
FACTORS CALCULATED FROM EMPIRICAL VALUES USED)

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TYPICAL IEC 60056 SHEETS FOR HV CB

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TYPICAL IEC 60056 SHEETS FOR HV CB

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TYPICAL IEC 60056 SHEETS FOR HV CB

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