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3 Transient Components

1. Faults on Power Systems 1.3.1 Transient Circuit Model 1.3.2 Asymmetrical Fault Current

Transient Components of Fault Current

The equivalent circuit of synchronous machines is a simple approximation that works well for steady
state conditions. A fault on a power system disturbs the steady state conditions and puts the system into
a transient state. During this transient state, the synchronous machine reactance is no longer constant.
When suddenly a large load (such as short circuit) is placed on a generator, the generator reactance
immediately drops. Then it gradually increases back to its steady state value. This interval is called a
transient state. Its duration depends on the size of the generator. For machines below 100 kVA it lasts
less than a second, for generators larger than 1000 MVA it may last as long as 10 seconds.

The minimum reactance during the transient state is called subtransient reactance. It may be as low as
15% of the steady state reactance. At the moment immediately after the fault, the short circuit current
will be much higher. As the reactance increases, the short circuit current decreases to a steady state
value. The faulted part of the system should be ideally disconnected from the system in 3 to 5 cycles,
that is in 50 to 80 ms, therefore it will be interrupting the current when it is almost at its highest value.

file:///D|/Engineering%20Stuff%2015-june-2008/Electrical%2...Protection%20and%20relays/1_3%20Transient%20Components.htm7/5/2008 9:27:24 AM