Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines

Under Fault Conditions

Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

Steady-state equivalent circuit of the generator

E g  Vt  jX dg I L
is its no-load voltage Eg in series with its
synchronous reactance Xdg. If a three-phase
fault occurs at point P, we see that a short
circuit from P to neutral in the equivalent
circuit does not

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

E g  Vt  jX dg I L satisfy the conditions for calculating

subtransient current, for the reactance of the
generator must be X”dg if we are calculating
subtransient current I” or X’dg if we are
calculating transient current I’.

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

The figure (b) gives the desired result. Here a

E g  Vt  jX dg I L voltage E”g in series with X”dg supplies the
steady-state current IL when switch
S is open and supplies the current to the short
circuit through X”dg and Zext when switch S is
closed. If we can determine E”g , the current
through X”dg will be I".

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

E g  Vt  jX dg I L
With switch S open, we see that
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L  I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L
and this equation defines E”g , which is called
the subtransient internal voltage.

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

E g  Vt  jX dg I L Similarly, when calculating transient current

I’, which must be supplied through the
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L transient reactance X’dg , the driving voltage
is the transient internal voltage E’g , where
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L  I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

E g  Vt  jX dg I L Thus, the value of the load current IL

 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
 I L
determines the values of the voltages E”g
E g  Vt  jX dg and E’g , which are both equal to the no-load
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
 I L
voltage Eg only when IL is zero so that Eg is
E g  Vt  jX dg then equal to Vt.

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

At this point it is important to note that the

E g  Vt  jX dg I L
particular value of E”g in
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L series with X”dg represents the generator
immediately before and immediately after
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg
E g  Vt  jX dg  I L the fault occurs only if the prefault current
in the generator has the corresponding
value of IL.
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext P Zext P
+ + + +
jXdg IL jXdg IL
+ Vt Vf ZL + Vt Vf ZL
Eg E g
S
- - - - - -
Fig. 2-9 Equivalent circuit for a generator supplying a balanced three-phase load.
Application of a three-phase fault at P is simulated by closing switch S.
(a) Usual steady-state generator equivalent circuit with load; (b) circuit for calculation of I.

On the other hand, Eg in series with the

E g  Vt  jX dg I L synchronous reactance Xdg is the equivalent
E g  Vt  jX dg 
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg I L  circuit of the machine under steady-state
conditions for any value of the load current.
E g  Vt  jX dg 
 I L  V f  Z ext  jX dg  IL  The magnitude of Eg is determined by the field
current of the machine, and so for a different
value of IL in the circuit of Fig.(a) |Eg| would
remain the same but a new value of E”g would
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
be required.
 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Synchronous motors have reactances of the same type as generators. When a
motor is short-circuited, it no longer receives electric energy from the power
line, but its field remains energized and the inertia of its rotor and connected
load keeps it rotating for a short period of time. The internal voltage of a
synchronous motor causes it to contribute current to the system, for it is then
acting like a generator. By comparison with the corresponding formulas for a
generator the subtransient internal voltage E”m and transient internal voltage
E’m for a synchronous motor are given by
Em  Vt  jX dm
 I L
Em  Vt  jX dm
 IL

where Vt is now the terminal voltage of the motor.

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext IL Zext
P P
+
jXdg jXdm jXdg I g Im jXdm
+ Vf + +
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -
(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault
Fig. 2-10 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

E g  V f  Z ext  jX dg
  I L
Vf Vf
I f  I g  I m   …………..(A)

Z ext  jX dg 
jX dm
Em  V f  jX dm
 I L
I gf 
I mf
E g Vf
I g    IL Where I gf and I mf
 are the

Z ext  jX dg 
Z ext  jX dg respective contributions of
Em Vf the generator and motor
I m    IL

jX dm 
jX dm Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
to the fault current I f .
 Internal Voltages of Loaded Machines
Under Fault Conditions
Zext IL Zext
P P
+
jXdg jXdm jXdg I g Im jXdm
+ Vf + +
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -
(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault
Fig. 2-10 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

Fault currents in systems containing generators and motors under load may be
solved in either one of two ways:
(1) by calculating the subtransient (or transient) internal voltages of the machines
or
(2) by using Thévenin's theorem.

A simple example will illustrate the two approaches.

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

Example 2-2
A synchronous generator and motor are rated 30,000 kVA, 13.2 kV, and both
have subtransient reactances of 20%. The line connecting them has a reactance
of 10% on the base of the machine ratings. The motor is drawing 20,000 kW at
0.8 power factor leading and a terminal voltage of 12.8 kV when a symmetrical
three-phase fault occurs at the motor terminal. Find the subtransient current in
the generator, motor, and fault by using the internal voltage of the machines.

IL
j0.10 P j0.10 P
+

j0.20 j0.20 j0.20 Ig Im j0.20

+ Vf +
+
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -

(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault

Fig. 2-11 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
Solution 2-2 (using transient/subtransient internal voltages)
IL
j0.10 P j0.10 P
+

j0.20 j0.20 j0.20 Ig Im j0.20

+ Vf +
+
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -

(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault

Fig. 2-11 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

Solution: The prefault equivalent circuit of the system corresponds to Fig (a).
Choosing a base of 30,000 kVA, 13.2 kV and using the voltage Vf at the fault
point as the reference phasor, we obtain

12.8
Vf   0.9700 per unit
13.2
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
Solution 2-2 (contd…)(using transient/subtransient internal voltages)
IL
j0.10 P j0.10 P
+

j0.20 j0.20 j0.20 Ig Im j0.20

+ Vf +
+
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -

(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault

Fig. 2-11 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

30,000 20,00036.9
Base current   1312A IL   112836.9 A
3  13.2 0.8  3  12.8
112836.9
  0.8636.9 per unit
1312
 0.86(0.8  j 0.6)  0.69  j 0.52 per unit

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

Solution 2-2 (contd…)(using transient/subtransient internal voltages)
IL
j0.10 P j0.10 P
+

j0.20 j0.20 j0.20 Ig Im j0.20

+ Vf +
+
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -

(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault

Fig. 2-11 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

For the generator, 0.814  j 0.207

I g 
Vt  0.97  j 0.1(0.69  j 0.52) j 0 .3
 0.918  j 0.069 pu  0.69  j 2.71 pu
 1312(0.69  j 2.71) A
E g  0.918  j 0.069  j 0.2(0.69  j 0.52)
 905 - j 3550 A
 0.814  j 0.207 pu
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
Solution 2-2 (contd…)(using transient/subtransient internal voltages)
IL
j0.10 P j0.10 P
+

j0.20 j0.20 j0.20 Ig Im j0.20

+ Vf +
+
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -

(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault

Fig. 2-11 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

For the motor,

Vt  V f  0.970 per unit
Em''  0.970  j 0  j 0.2(0.69  j 0.52)
 0.970  j 0.138  0.104
 1.074  j 0.138 per unit

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

Solution 2-2 (contd…)(using transient/subtransient internal voltages)
IL
j0.10 P j0.10 P
+

j0.20 j0.20 j0.20 Ig Im j0.20

+ Vf +
+
If +
E g E m E g
E m
- Neutral - - - Neutral -

(a) Before the fault (b) After the fault

Fig. 2-11 Equivalent circuits and current flows before and after a fault at the
terminals of a synchronous motor connected to a synchronous generator by line
impedance Zext .

In the fault
1.074  j 0.138
I m 
j 0 .2 I f  I g  I m
 0.69  j 5.37 pu  0.69  j 2.71  0.69  j 5.37 pu
 1312(0.69  j 5.37) A  -j8.08  1312 A
 905  j 7050 A  -j10 ,600 A
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
 Thévenin's Method

Fig. 2-12 Circuits illustrating the additional current flows due to the three-phase fault
at P. (a) applying Vf to network to simulate the fault.
(b) Thevenin equivalent looking into the circuit at point P.

The alternative approach using Thevenin's theorem is based on the

observation that Eq. (A) requires a knowledge of only Vf , the
prefault voltage of the fault point, and the parameters of the network
with the subtransient reactances representing the machines.
Vf Vf
I f  I g  I m   …………..(A)
I g  I gf
  IL Z ext 
 jX dg 
jX dm
  I mf
Im   I L
I gf 
I mf
 Thévenin's Method

Fig. 2-12 Circuits illustrating the additional current flows due to the three-phase fault
at P. (a) applying Vf to network to simulate the fault.
(b) Thevenin equivalent looking into the circuit at point P.

Therefore, I f and the additional currents produced throughout the

network by the fault can be found simply by applying voltage Vf to
the fault point P in the dead subtransient network of the system, as
shown in Fig. 2-12(a).

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method

Fig. 2-12 Circuits illustrating the additional current flows due to the three-phase fault
at P. (a) applying Vf to network to simulate the fault.
(b) Thevenin equivalent looking into the circuit at point P.

If we redraw that network as shown in Fig. 2-12(b), it becomes

clear that the symmetrical values of the subtransient fault currents
can be found from the Thevenin equivalent circuit of the
subtransient network at the fault point.

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method

Fig. 2-12 Circuits illustrating the additional current flows due to the three-phase fault
at P. (a) applying Vf to network to simulate the fault.
(b) Thevenin equivalent looking into the circuit at point P.

The Thevenin impedance Zth is

jX dm Z ext  jX dg
 
Z th 
Z ext  j X dg  
  X dm

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method

Fig. 2-12 Circuits illustrating the additional current flows due to the three-phase fault
at P. (a) applying Vf to network to simulate the fault.
(b) Thevenin equivalent looking into the circuit at point P.

Upon the occurrence of a three-phase short circuit at P, simulated by

closing switch S, the subtransient current in the fault is

I f 
Vf


V f Z ext  j X dg  
  X dm 
Z th  Z ext  jX dg
jX dm  

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method
Example 2-2a (Using Thévenin's theorem)
A synchronous generator and motor are rated 30,000 kVA, 13.2 kV, and both
have subtransient reactances of 20%. The line connecting them has a reactance
of 10% on the base of the machine ratings. The motor is drawing 20,000 kW at
0.8 power factor leading and a terminal voltage of 12.8 kV when a symmetrical
three-phse fault occurs at the motor terminal. Find the subtransient current in
the generator, motor, and fault by using Thévenin's theorem.

j0.10 P j0.20 j0.10

Igf Imf
P
j0.20 - j0.20 Igf
+
Vf
Vf j0.20 S
+
- Igf
If I f

(a) (b)

Fig. 2-
13
Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman
 Thévenin's Method
Solution 2-2a
j0.10 P j0.20 j0.10

Igf Imf
P
j0.20 - j0.20 Igf
+
Vf
Vf j0.20 S
+
- Imf
If If

(a) (b)

Fig. 2-13

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method
Solution 2-2a
j0.10 P j0.20 j0.10

Igf Imf
P
j0.20 - j0.20 Igf
+
Vf
Vf j0.20 S
+
- Imf
If If

(a) (b)

Fig. 2-13

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method
Solution 2-2a
j0.10 P j0.20 j0.10

Igf Imf
P
j0.20 - j0.20 Igf
+
Vf
Vf j0.20 S
+
- Imf
If If

(a) (b)

Fig. 2-13

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method
Solution 2-2a
j0.10 P j0.20 j0.10

Igf Imf
P
j0.20 - j0.20 Igf
+
Vf
Vf j0.20 S
+
- Imf
If If

(a) (b)

Fig. 2-13

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

 Thévenin's Method
Solution 2-2a
j0.10 P j0.20 j0.10

Igf Imf
P
j0.20 - j0.20 Igf
+
Vf
Vf j0.20 S
+
- Imf
If If

(a) (b)

Fig. 2-13

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman

Thank You

Prepared by: Prof. Dr. M. Quamruzzaman