Sequence Components

Introduction
Electrical systems occasionally experience short circuits. These short circuits are
hazardous to the safety of both equipment and people. Though the protective devices will
isolate the faults safely, the parts of the system should withstand the resulting mechanical
and thermal stresses. Fault impedance and current estimates also form input for the
setting and coordination of protective devices like overcurrent relay, distance relay etc.
Hence it is very important to estimate the magnitude of the fault currents. The
equipments are selected based on this value. Fault currents can be estimated by either by
hand calculation or by fault analysis program.
Sources of Fault Current
The fault current in a system can be contributed by any of the following.
Synchronous Motors and Condensers
Induction Machines
Synchronous Generators
Electrical Utility System
Distributed Generation
Faults in a 3 phase system can be single line to ground, line to line ground, line to line or
three phase. Power system operation during any of these faults can be analyzed using
sequence components. The method of sequence component was discovered by Charles.
L. Fortescue in 1918. He came up with the following intuition that [any 3 unbalanced
system has 6 degrees of freedom; whereas, a
3
balanced system has only 2 degrees of
freedom. Hence an unbalanced 3 system having 6 degrees of freedom can be
synthesized by 3 sets of balanced system each having 2 degrees of freedom].
Note: this idea can be easily extended to N-phase system where 3 N .
For a three phase system with phase sequence abc, the three sets of balanced phasors are
called positive, negative and zero sequences.
Positive Sequence Components
It represents a set of balanced phasors
1 a
V
uur
,

1 b
V
uur
and
1 c
V
uur
,
where,

2
1 1 b a
V a V
uur uur
--------------(1)

1 1 c a
V aV
uur uur
--------------(2)

Where
2 3 j
a e

a is cubic root of unity. Multiplying a phasor by a causes a rotation of 120 in the

anticlockwise direction. Similar usage of a
2
results in 240 in the anticlockwise direction
or equivalently a lag of 120120 . The positive sequence of phasors is the same balanced
set of phasors that we expect in steady operation of an ideal positive system. a, b and c
phasors are nothing but V
a1,
V
b1
and V
c1
respectively. The sequence phasors are shown in
fig1a. If the stator of an induction motor is subjected to the sequence voltage, it should
cause rotation in anticlockwise direction. Note that placement of Va1 can be arbitrary in
the x-y plane. But once, V
a1
is fixed both V
b1
and V
c1
get fixed. Thus, a positive sequence
set of phasors have 2 degrees of freedom i.e. we can decide |V
a1
| (magnitude) and 1 a
V

arbitrarily.
Negative Sequence Components
Negative sequence phasors are used to represent a balanced set of phasors (each of equal
magnitude and phase difference of 120) but in which the interval of V
b1
and V
c1
has been
reversed with respect to the sequence phasor. Thus,
2 2 b a
V aV
uuur uuur
-----------------------
(3)
2
2 2 c a
V a V
uur uuur
-------------- (4)

This is illustrated in fig1b. Note that placement of V
a2
in x y plane can be arbitrary.
However, once V
a2
is fixed

V
b2
and V
c2
are automatically fixed. Thus, sequence
components have exactly 2 degrees of freedom which to fix magnitude and angle of

V
a2 .
If stator of an induction motor is subject to negative sequence voltage the rotor will rotate
in clockwise direction. i.e. in exactly opposite direction to that obtained with the positive
sequence voltage.
Zero Sequence Voltage
The zero sequence phasors V
a0,
V
b0
and V
c0
are a set of balanced phasors defined as
follows.
0 0 0 a b c
V V V
uuur uuur uur
------------ (5)
Again there are two degrees of freedom in placing the zero sequence phasors. Application
of zero sequence does not create any rotation to the rotor of an induction machine. An
unbalanced set of phasors can be synthesized by linear combination (superposition of
positive, negative and zero sequence phasors).
For example,
(Animation)
Mathematical description of sequence components
So far we have seen that,
1 2 0 a a a a
V V V V + +
uur uur uuur uuur
1 2 0 b b b b
V V V V + +
uur uur uuur uuur
1 2 0 c c c c
V V V V + +
uur uur uur uur
Using equation (1) to (5), we get
0
2
1
2
2
1 1 1
1
1
a a
b a
c a
V V
V a a V
V V
a a
1
1 1
1
1 1

1
1 1
1
1 1
] ]
]
or compactly,
[ ]
abc 012
a
V = T V
1 1
] ]
where
2
2
11 1
T = 1
1
a a
a a
1
1
1
1
]
and
2 3 j
a e

Matrix [T] defines a linear transformation of phasors from sequence domain to phase
domain. Matrix [T] enjoys some beautiful properties. For example, every pair of rows or
columns of matrix [T] are orthogonal. For example,
If C
1
= (1, 1, 1)
t
and

C
2
= (1, a
2
, a)
t
Then, (C
1
)
H
C
2
=(C
2
)
H

C
1
= 0 where H is hermitiar operator defined as transpose and
conjugate of a vector or matrix.
Similarly,
In other words, T
H
= T T
n
= D, where D is a diagonal matrix
With
3 0 0
0 3 0
0 0 3
D
1
1

1
1
]
It can be
Thus,
1 2
2
1 1 1
1 1
1
3 3
1
H
T T a a
a a

1
1

1
1
]

and
0
2
1
2
2
1 1 1
1
1
3
1
a a
a b
a c
V V
V a a V
V V
a a
1
1 1
1
1 1

1
1 1
1
1 1
] ]
]
One should understand the significance of linear transformation clearly.
Sequence transformation matrix [T] provides a methodology to convert sequence
domain phasors to phase domain phasors.
Conversely, inverse matrix [T
-1
] transformation provides a mechanism to convert
phasors in abc domain to sequence domain.
There is no loss of information in either domain.
The transformation [T] and [T
-1
] are linear . i.e. if
abc
x
V and
abc
y
V
are two sets of 3
phasors in abc domain, then superposition V
x
abc
and V
y
abc
in phase domain is
equivalent to corresponding superposition in sequent domain. Conversely, if we
superpose phasors in sequence domain, in abc domain, it also amounts to
equivalent superposition of phasors. Thus,

-1 abc abc -1 abc -1 abc
x y x y
T ( V + V ) = T (V ) + T V

012 012
x y
= V + V
Where
012 0 1 2
x x x x
V = [V , V , V ] and
012 0 1 2
y y y y
V = [V , V , V ]
Similarly,
012 012 012 012
x y x y
T( V + V ) = T(V )+ T(V )
abc abc
x y
= V + V
A system having unbalanced current phasors I
a,
I
b,
I
c
and voltage phasors

V
a
, V
b,
V
c
can
be represented by the following where Z
s
and Z
m
are the self impedance and the mutual
impedance respectively.
Modeling Network in Sequence Components
We now show that corresponding network models is also simplified in sequence domain.
If the three phase network elements enjoy a particular symmetry (circulant structure)
then, application of sequence component transformation diagonalizes three phase
impedance or admittance matrix. Thus, we achieve decoupling in positive, negative and
zero sequence networks, provided that network is balanced. Hence, sequence component
analysis is used when network is balanced but phasors or loads unbalanced.
{
a s m m a
b m s m b
c m m s c
abc
abc
I
V
V Z Z Z I
V Z Z Z I
V Z Z Z I

1 1 1
1 1 1

1 1 1
1 1 1

] ] ]
123
-----------(6)
Substituting,
[ ]
0
1
2
a
a
b a
c
a
I
I
I T I
I
I
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
]
]
and
[ ]
0
1
2
a
a
b a
c
a
V
V
V T V
V
V
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1

]
]
012 -1 012
[ V ] = [T ] [Z] [T] [I ]
Where[ ]
2
2
2 3
11 1
1
1
j
T a a And a e
a a

1
1

1
1
]
0 0
1 1
2 2
2 0 0
0 0
0 0
a a
s m
a s m a
s m
a a
V I
Z Z
V Z Z I
Z Z
V I
1 1
+ 1
1 1
1

1 1
1
1 1
1

]
] ]
a Reference Phase.
T changes with Reference Phasor.
Q. Write a transformation with b-Phase as Reference Phase.
Simplifying,
Let Z
0
=Z
s
+ 2Z
m
Z
1
=Z
s
- Z
m
Z
2
=Z
s
- Z
m
Thus, we see that positive, negative and zero sequence networks are decoupled. In
general, if Z matrix has following symmetry we can decouple the positive, negative and
zero sequence networks.
1 2
2 1
1 2
s m m
abc m s m
m m s
Z Z Z
Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z
1
1

1
1
]
, then [ ]
1
012 abc
Z T Z T

0
1
2
Z
Z
Z
1
1

1
1
]
where
0 1 2 m m s
Z Z Z Z + +
2
1 1 2 m m s
Z Z a Z aZ + +
2
2 1 2 m m s
Z Z aZ a Z + +
Thus all the sequence components can be determined from the above equations.
Advantages of Sequence Transformation
1. It is used when the network is balanced. A 3 3 n n linear system solver
abc abc abc
I Y V can be decoupled into three
n n
linear system solver
0 0 0 1 1 1
, I Y V I YV
and
2 2 2
I Y V
. Hence it provides easy decoupling of the
network.
2. It can be applied for both balanced and unbalanced loads.
3. Zero sequence currents provide sensitive earth fault detection technique.
Sequence Components in Fault Analysis Program
Step 1-
Three Phase Model.
Formulate Admittance Matrix.
Step 2-
Sequence Model Formulation.
Step 3-
Inject 1.0 p.u. current at bus l i.e. Let,
Compute Vl of desired sequence i.e. solve

Zth 0,1,2 at l bus= Vl012
Input to the fault analysis program depends on the type of fault.
1. Three phase fault: For three phase fault only positive sequence data is required.
Negative and zero sequence networks are not excited in this case.
2. SLG fault: Positive, negative and zero sequence data is required.
Interconnection Of Sequence Network and Fault Current Formula
1. Three phase fault: Three phase faults are considered to be symmetrical and hence
sequence components are not necessary for their calculation.
Three Phase Fault:
For a Three Phase Fault only Positive Sequence Network is considered. The fault currents
are given by the following equations.
1
1
a
E
I
Z

(solid fault)
1
1 f
a
E
I
Z Z

+
(Fault through impedence Z
f
)

Single Line to Ground Fault (SLG):
The Positive Sequence, negative sequence and Zero sequence fault currents are given by
1 2 0
1 2 0
a
E
I I I
Z Z Z

+ +
(Solid Fault)
1 2 0
1 2 0
3
f
a
E
I I I
Z Z Z Z

+ + +
(Fault through impedence Z
f
)
1 2 0 1 2 0
3 3 3
aF
I I I I I I I + +
1
E
2
E
0
E
a
f
a s m m a
b
f b m s m b
c
c m m s c
f
V
E Z Z Z I
V E Z Z Z I
E Z Z Z I
V
1
1 1 1
1
1 1 1
1
1 1 1
1
1 1 1
] ] ]
1
]
120 240
0 0 0
1 1 1
2 2 2
0
0
a
V Z I
V E Z I
V Z I
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
] ] ] ]
0 0 0
V Z I
1 1 1 a
V E Z I
2 2 2
V Z I
1 2 0 a a a a f a
V V V V Z I + +
1 1 2 2 0 0 f a a
Z I E Z I Z I Z I
1 1 2 0 1
3 ( )
f a
Z I E Z Z Z I + +
1 2 0
1 2 0
3
a
f
E
I I I
Z Z Z Z

+ + +

a
f
V
LL fault:
The Zero Sequence Data is not required for this fault.
1 2
1 2
a
E
I I
Z Z

+
(solid fault)
1 2
1 2 f
a
E
I I
Z Z Z

+ +
(fault through impedence Z
f
)
Line to Line Ground Fault (LLG):-
1. solid fault:

1
2 0
1
2 0
a
E
I
Z Z
Z
Z Z

+
+

0
2 1
2 0
Z
I I
Z Z

+

0
0 1
2 0
Z
I I
Z Z

+
2. Fault through impedence Z
f

1
2 0
1
2 0
3
2 2
2 3
F F
FG
F
F FG
a
E
I
Z Z
Z Z Z
Z
Z
Z Z Z Z

_ _
+ + +

, ,
+ +
+ + +

0
2 1
2 0
3
2
3
F
FG
F FG
Z
Z Z
I I
Z Z Z Z
_
+ +

,

+ + +

2
0 1
2 0
2
3
F
F FG
Z
Z
I I
Z Z Z Z
_
+

,

+ + +
Zf is fault impedence between the lines, while ZFG is the fault impedence to
Ground.
0
Z
1
Z
2
Z
abc
Z
0
1 1 1
1
2 1 1
3
0 3 3
a
b
c
I I
I I
I I

1 1
1
1 1
1

1 1
1
1 1
1
]
] ]
0
2 I I

0 I

0
I I

0 I

0
0 I