Electrical Design Analysis

Faults - Scenario 9
By Engr. Rez Cab - May 09, 2020

Below is a modified version of Example D14 (Simplified Fault Current

Calculation) in Appendix D of the 2017 Philippine Electrical Code (PEC).

This post presents a single- phase system, without any motors present
in the adjacent circuits, tapping into the three- phase source. This serves
as a comparison to the previous scenario where a three- phase system
taps into the three- phase source.

The goal here is to examine what magnitudes are to be expected in

single- phase circuits compared to three- phase circuits, and how these
magnitudes f actor into the selection of protective device ratings.

SITUATION

An industrial complex receives 230 V, 60 Hz f rom a single- phase

distribution transf ormer rated 300 kVA and an impedance of 5%. The
transf ormer taps into a three- phase 34.5 kV supply with a 1,000 MVA
short- circuit capacity.

Using the per- unit method, what maximum symmetrical f ault currents
may occur in each of the f ault points "a", "b", and "c"? From these f ault
currents, what are the minimum symmetrical kiloAmpere Interrupting
Capacity (kAIC) ratings needed f or each molded case circuit breaker
(MCCB) A, B, and C?

ANALYSIS

1.) ESTABLISH COMMON BASE VALUES.

New base power, 1ph: S,base,new = 300 kVA

No need to establish a common base voltage. By retaining the existing
base voltages, the per- unit supply voltage f or each sub- circuit is pegged
at 1 pu.

2.) CONVERT PER- UNIT VALUES FROM THE GIVEN BASE VALUE TO THE
COMMON BASE VALUE.

When analyzing mixed polyphase systems, it is important to consider

using single- phase base values since it is the lowest common
denominator, making it easier to apply base conversion to all circuits
regardless of the number of phases present.

2.1.) SOURCE SUB- CIRCUIT

Actual power, 3ph: S,src,3ph = 1,000 MVA

Actual voltage, LL: V,src,LL = 34.5 kV
Actual impedance, 1ph: Z,src,1ph = (V,src,LL)^2 / S,src,3ph

Actual power, 1ph: S,src,1ph = (1,000MVA / 3) = 333.3333 MVA

Actual voltage, LN: V,src,LN = [ 34.5kV / sqrt(3) ] = 19.9186 kV

Z,src,1ph = (V,src,LL)^2 / S,src,3ph

Z,src,1ph = [ sqrt(3) * V,src,LN ]^2 / (3 * S,src,1ph)
Z,src,1ph = [ 3 * (V,src,LN)^2 ] / (3 * S,src,1ph)

Actual impedance, 1ph: Z,src,1ph = (V,src,LN)^2 / S,src,1ph

For the source sub- circuit, the actual values can be used as given base
values, but only the equivalent single- phase base values shall be adopted
f or consistency.

Base power, 1ph: S,base = S,src,1ph

Base voltage, LN: V,base = V,src,LN
Base impedance, 1ph: Z,base = (V,base)^2 / S,base

2.1.1.) Source impedance, given, per- unit:

Z,src,pu = Z,src,1ph / Z,base

Z,src,pu = [ (V,src,LN)^2 / S,src,1ph ] / [ (V,base)^2 / S,base ]
Z,src,pu = [ (V,src,LN)^2 / S,src,1ph ] / [ (V,src,LN)^2 / S,src,1ph ]
Z,src,pu = 1 pu

2.1.2.) Source impedance, new, per- unit:

Z,src,new,pu = Z,src,1ph / Z,base,new

Z,src,new,pu = Z,src,pu * Z,base / Z,base,new
Z,src,new,pu = Z,src,pu * (V,base^2 / S,base) / (V,base^2 / S,base,new)
Z,src,new,pu = Z,src,pu * V,base^2 * S,base,new / (V,base^2 * S,base)
Z,src,new,pu = Z,src,pu * S,base,new / S,src,1ph
Z,src,new,pu = 1 * 300kVA / 333.3333MVA
Z,src,new,pu = 0.0009 pu

2.2.) TRANSFORMER LOAD- SIDE SUB- CIRCUIT

Base power, 1ph: S,base = 300 kVA
Base voltage, 1ph: V,base = 230 V
Base impedance, 1ph: Z,base = (V,base)^2 / S,base

2.2.1.) Transf ormer impedance, given, per- unit: Z,xmr,pu = 5% = 0.05 pu

2.2.2.) Transf ormer impedance, new, per- unit:

Z,xmr,new,pu = Z,xmr,1ph / Z,base,new

Z,xmr,new,pu = Z,xmr,pu * Z,base / Z,base,new
Z,xmr,new,pu = Z,xmr,pu * (V,base^2 / S,base) / (V,base^2 / S,base,new)
Z,xmr,new,pu = Z,xmr,pu * V,base^2 * S,base,new / (V,base^2 * S,base)
Z,xmr,new,pu = Z,xmr,pu * S,base,new / S,base
Z,xmr,new,pu = 0.05 pu * 300 kVA / 300 kVA
Z,xmr,new,pu = 0.05 pu

2.2.3.) Conductor impedance, 1L:

For the cable conductors in the load- side circuit, their specifications are
250 mm^2 THW in steel conduit at 100 f t long (30.4878 m).

According to 2017 PEC Table 10.1.1.9 [ or 2017 NEC Chapter 9 Table 9 ]

AC Resistance and Reactance f or 600 V Cables, the resistance and
reactance f or such specification are 0.029 ohms per 305 meters and
0.048 ohms per 305 meters, respectively. [ 305 meters ~= 1,000 f eet ]

Z,wire,1L = [ (0.029 + j0.048) ohms / 305 m ] * 30.5 m

Z,wire,1L = (0.0029 + j0.0048) ohms
Z,wire,1L = 0.005608 ohms < 58.86 deg

2.2.4.) Conductor impedance, per- unit:

Z,wire,pu = Z,wire,1L / Z,base,new

Z,wire,pu = Z,wire,1L / (V,base^2 / S,base,new)
Z,wire,pu = 0.005608 ohms / (230V^2 / 300 kVA)
Z,wire,pu = 0.0318 pu

3.) FAULT CALCULATIONS

3.1.) AT FAULT POINT "a"

3.1.1.) One- line diagram f or circuit at f ault point "a":

o|---V,pu---Z,a,pu---"a"---|>

o|---V,pu---Z,src,new,pu---Z,xmr,new,pu---"a"---|>

3.1.2.) Short- circuit current at f ault point "a", per- unit:

i,a,pu = V,pu / Z,a,pu

i,a,pu = V,pu / (Z,src,new,pu + Z,xmr,new,pu)
i a pu = 1 / (0 0009 + 0 05)
i,a,pu = 1 / (0.0009 + 0.05)
i,a,pu = 19.6464 pu

3.1.3.) Short- circuit current at f ault point "a", 1ph:

i,a,sc = i,a,pu * i,base,new

i,a,sc = i,a,pu * S,base,new / V,base
i,a,sc = 19.6464pu * 300kVA / 230V
i,a,sc = 25,625.7391 Amps
i,a,sc = 25.626 kiloAmps

3.1.4.) Minimum interrupting capacity of MCCB A:

1- phase molded case circuit breaker A >= 26 kAIC symmetrical

3.2.) AT FAULT POINT "b"

3.2.1.) One- line diagram f or circuit at f ault point "b":

o|---V,pu---Z,b,pu---"b"---|>

o|---V,pu---|---Z,src,new,pu---Z,xmr,new,pu---|---"b"-

3.2.2.) Short- circuit current at f ault point "b", per- unit:

i,b,pu = V,pu / Z,b,pu

Z,b,pu = (Z,src,new,pu + Z,xmr,new,pu)

Z,b,pu = 0.0009 + 0.05
Z,b,pu = 0.0509 pu

i,b,pu = 1 / 0.0509
i,b,pu = 19.6464 pu

3.2.3.) Short- circuit current at f ault point "b", 1ph:

i,b,sc = i,b,pu * i,base,new

i,b,sc = i,b,pu * S,base,new / V,base
i,b,sc = 19.6464pu * 300kVA / 230V
i,b,sc = 25,625.7391 Amps
i,b,sc = 25.626 kiloAmps

3.2.4.) Minimum interrupting capacity of MCCB B:

1- phase molded case circuit breaker B >= 26 kAIC symmetrical

3.3.) AT FAULT POINT "c"

3.3.1.) One- line diagram f or circuit at f ault point "c":

o|---V,pu---Z,c,pu---"c"---|>

o|---V,pu---|---Z,src,new,pu---Z,xmr,new,pu---|---Z,wi
3.3.2.) Short- circuit current at f ault point "c", per- unit:

i,c,pu = V,pu / Z,c,pu

Z,c,pu = (Z,src,new,pu + Z,xmr,new,pu) + Z,wire,pu

Z,c,pu = (0.0009 + 0.05) + 0.0318
Z,c,pu = 0.0509 + 0.0318
Z,c,pu = 0.0827 pu

i,c,pu = 1 / 0.0827
i,c,pu = 12.0919 pu

3.3.3.) Short- circuit current at f ault point "c", 1L:

i,c,sc = i,c,pu * i,base,new

i,c,sc = i,c,pu * S,base,new / V,base
i,c,sc = 12.0919pu * 300kVA / 230V
i,c,sc = 15,772.0435 Amps
i,c,sc = 15.772 kiloAmps

3.3.4.) Minimum interrupting capacity of MCCB C:

1- phase molded case circuit breaker C >= 16 kAIC symmetrical

CONCLUSION

All f ault points in the single- phase side experience significantly larger
f ault currents compared to the three- phase side of this
previous scenario. Although the per- unit currents are somewhat similar,
the actual currents in the single- phase system are concentrated on one
circuit instead of being distributed over three circuits "firing" their sine
waves in succession "120 degrees" apart in the time domain [ | tan (120
deg) | = square root of 3 ].

The maximum symmetrical f ault currents are 25.626 kiloAmperes at

point "a", 25.626 kiloAmperes at point "b", and 15.772 kiloAmperes at
point "c".

The minimum symmetrical kiloAmpere Interrupting Capacity ratings

needed then is 26 kAIC f or 1ph MCCB A, 26 kAIC f or 1ph MCCB B, and 16
kAIC f or 1ph MCCB C.

//==========

REFERENCES

1.) Philippine Electrical Code (SI Modernized Metric System)

1.1.) 2017 PEC Table 10.1.1.9 Alternating- Current Resistance and

Reactance f or 600- Volt Cables, 3- Phase, 60Hz, 75degC - Three Single
Conductors in Conduit.
1.2.) 2017 PEC Appendix D Example D14 Simplified Fault Current
Calculation.

2.) National Electrical Code (US Inch- Pound System)

2.1.) 2017 NEC Chapter 9 Table 9 Alternating- Current Resistance and

Reactance f or 600- Volt Cables, 3- Phase, 60Hz, 75degC (167degF) -
Three Single Conductors in Conduit.

2.2.) [Not f ound in 2017 NEC Annex D] (Simplified Fault Current

Calculation).

calculations education engineering f aults NEC PEC

saf ety scenarios schematics sizing technical

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