Fundamental Principles and System Description

Engineering Information

1.2.7 Connection of converters to supply systems with different short-circuit powers

Definition of the relative short-circuit power RSC

According to EN 60146-1-1, the relative short-circuit power RSC is defined as the ratio between the short-circuit
power SK Line of the supply system and the rated apparent power (fundamental apparent power) SConverter of the
converter at its point of common coupling PCC.

Supply systems with high relative short-circuit power RSC > 50 (strong systems)
Relative short-circuit powers of RSC > 50 always require the installation of line reactors for 6-pulse rectifier circuits
(G130, G150, S120 Basic Line Modules and S120 Smart Line Modules). These limit the line-side current harmonics
and protect the converter (rectifier and DC link capacitors) against thermal overloading. No special conditions apply in
the case of 6-pulse rectifier circuits with Line Harmonics Filters (LHF and LHF compact) or Active Infeeds (S150,
S120 Active Line Modules).

Supply systems with medium relative short-circuit power 15 • RSC • 50

Supply systems with medium-level, relative short-circuit power in the 15 • RSC • 50 range do not generally
necessitate any special measures. Depending on the converter output power rating, it might be necessary to install
line reactors where 6-pulse rectifier circuits are used. No special conditions apply in the case of 6-pulse rectifier
circuits with Line Harmonics Filters (LHF and LHF compact) or Active Infeeds (S150, S120 Active Line Modules).

Supply systems with low relative short-circuit power RSC < 15 (weak systems)
If SINAMICS converters are connected to supply systems with a low, relative short circuit power RSC < 15, it must be
noted that not only the supply system perturbation, i.e. the voltage harmonics in the line voltage, is increasing but
also other undesirable side-effects may occur. For this reason, the minimum permissible value of the relative short-
circuit power for SINAMICS units is about RSC = 10.

If the RSC value drops to below 10 with a 6-pulse rectifier circuit, the voltage harmonics can reach critical levels. The
permissible harmonic limits specified in the standards are exceeded and reliable operation of the converter and other
equipment connected at the PCC can no longer be guaranteed. For additional information, please refer to "Standards
and permissible harmonics" in the section "Harmonic effects on supply system".

If the RSC value drops to below 10 on 6-pulse rectifier circuits with Line Harmonics Filters, the detuning of the Line
Harmonics Filter caused by the high impedance of the supply system will lead to a considerable increase of the
fundamental wave of the line voltage. This can reach values beyond the permissible line voltage tolerance of the
converters, which means that they cannot operate properly under supply conditions of this type.

Restrictions also apply in the case of Active Infeeds. With RSC values of < 15, the dynamic control response is
impaired and the voltage harmonics at pulse frequency in the line voltage start to rise. With RSC values of < 10, there
is the same risk as with 6-pulse rectifier circuits that the converter and other equipment connected at the PCC will no
longer operate reliably. Normal operation becomes virtually impossible with RSC values of < 5.

Relative short-circuit power values of RSC < 10 can be encountered, for example, when converters are supplied by
transformers of the correct power rating that have high relative short-circuit voltages (per unit impedances)
of vk > 10 %. RSC values of < 10 are generally also encountered when converters are operated on separate supply
systems which are supplied by diesel-electric generators of the correct power rating. In such cases, the power supply
conditions must be analyzed precisely. It is often necessary to consider overdimensioning the transformers or

SINAMICS Engineering Manual – November 2015 49/528

” Siemens AG