ETHS1S/3002074160/ED2.104.

001

SHORT-CIRCUIT FORCE CALCULATION ON

FLEXIBLE CONDUCTOR FOR
400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant,
4X600 MW Units, Tamnar, Raigarh, Chattisgarh

Client : Jindal Power Limited

Name

Department

Telephone

Place

Date

Author: Mohd. Sharib

SPEL

4344251

Gurgaon

25.08.10

Approval: Saurabh Jain

SPEL

4344046

Gurgaon

25.08.10

Revised Items

Page

Remarks

Signature

Index of Revisions:
Rev:

Date

Name of
Reviser

Name of
Approver

Siemens Power Engineering Pvt. Ltd.,

Copying of this document, and giving it to others and the use or communication of the contents thereof, are forbidden
without express authority. Offenders are liable to the payment of damages. All rights are reserved in the event of the
grant of patent or registration of a utility model or design.

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant

Page 1 of 11

ETHS2S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Page

Contents
1.0

Introduction

.....

2.0

System Data .....

3.0

Conductor Data..

4.0

Installation Data..

5.0

Calculation

.....

6.0

Attachments .....

7.0

Conclusion

.....

8.0

References

.....

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant

Page 2 of 11

ETHS3S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

s
1

Introduction
In installations with strained flexible conductors the short circuit current carried by the conductors causes
development of stress in the conductors due to the electromagnetic force amongst the conductors in par-allel phases. This conductor force is in addition to the static tension on the conductor (measured from
sag-tension calculation) and is sustained by the supporting structures. The objective of this calculation
is to determine the maximum force generated on the conductor bundle during a short circuit in order to
design the switchyard structures to sustain such forces.
Further for line-to-line short circuits, conductor swing out typically results in decreasing phase-to-phase
clearance between conductors strung in parallel. In this calculation the 'spacer span' on conductor bun-dle is determined to optimize the tensile forces to values that enables maintaining of the minimum air
clearances between phases during horizontal span displacements of conductor bundles at L-L short
circuit.

System Data
Switchyard
1
2
3
4
5
6

Nominal System Voltage

System Frequency
Short Circuit Fault Current at Bus
Duration of Fault Current
Average (daily ambient) Temperature
Maximum Operating Temperature

400
50
50
1

kV
Hz
kA
sec

32

C
C

75

Conductor Data
ACSR MOOSE

Conductor Diameter

Total Cross-sectional Area

Conductor Weight

Modulus of Elasticity

Mass of Spacer Unit

Effective distance between sub-conductor in

bundle

31.77
597
2.004
6.73E+10
1.94
0.45

mm
mm 2
kg/m

N / m2
kg
m

Installation Data
1

Phase-to-Phase Spacing

Length of Insulator String - TWIN ACSR MOOSE

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant

7
3.843

m
m

Page 3 of 11

s
5

ETHS4S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Calculation
The basic methodology of this is as explained in IEC-865 (Part 1) : 1993 and further elaborated in the so-lved examples of IEC-865 (Part 2) : 1994. All the terms , factors and some miscellaneous data used in
the calculation are as defined in IEC-865 (Part 1) : 1993.
As per the values obtained in the calculation, we have plotted curves of Pinch Force ( F pi ), Drop Force
( F f ) and Tensile Force ( Ft) against the spacer span varying from 1.0 m to 10.0 m through every 0.5 m.
The curves give the maximum force in the conductor and the 'critical spacer span' at which it occurs.
The actual spacer span selected is a span lower than the critical spacer span. Minimum air clearance
is determined for the force optimized with the selected spacer span and with the value of static normal
tension as the minimum tension under no wind condition (from sag-tension calculation) for line-to-line
fault current.

Attachments
Attachment - 1: Detailed Calculation for TWIN ACSR MOOSE conductor of 137 m.
Attachment - 2: Characteristic curves showing behavior of Short Circuit forces against spacer span for arrangement
of conductors in different spans.

Attachment - 3: Summary of Results.

Conclusion

1. For design of support structure the maximum value of short circuit force to be considered is to be
decided from Attachment 3. This includes the tensile forces owing to dead load of conductor and wind
load on conductor, and has been expressed on 'per phase' basis. This force shall be applied to two
Phases of the girder supporting them whereas the third phase shall have normal static tension from
sagtension calculation. This is as per note no. 2 under clause no. 2.4.2 of IEC-865 (Part 1).
2. As per IEC-61936 (Part-1, Clause 5.4.3), the minimum air clearance between phase conductors at
maximum swing out position due to short circuit shall be at least 50 % of the mandatory phase-to-phase
clearance. 400 kV outdoor switchyard with rated Lightning Impulse Withstand voltage of 1425 kV,
the mandatory phase-to-phase clearance is 4 m. Thus the minimum air clearance shall be greater
than 2 m.

References
1. IEC-865 (Part 1) : 1993 Short Circuits Currents - Calculation of Effects.
2. IEC-865 (Part 2) : 1994 Short Circuits Currents - Calculation of Effects.
3. IEC-61936 (Part 1) : 2002 Power installations exceeding 1 kV a.c. - Common Rules
4. Technical Data sheets for ACSR Moose Conductor Manufacturer.
5. Technical Specification for 400 kV Switchyard
6

400kV ELECTRICAL LAYOUT PLAN - DRAWING NO. (0)-G71770-AC152-L152-001

7.

400kV ELECTRICAL LAYOUT SECTION - DRAWING NO. (0)-G71770-AD152-L153-001

8.

400kV CLEARANCE DIAGRAM PLAN & SECTION- DRAWING NO. (0)-G71770-AD152-L156-001

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant

Page 4 of 11

Attachment - 1

ETHS1S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Detailed Calculation for TWIN ACSR MOOSE conductor of 137 m

1.0 Input Data
Following are the input data for the calculation. Other terms, factors and data used in the
calculation are as defined in IEC-865, Part-I.

as :
As :

Centre line distance between conductors (phase

to phase spacing)
Effective distance between sub-conductors
Cross-section of one sub-conductor

ds :

Diameter of the sub-conductor in bundle

E:

Final value of Young's modulus of elacticity of

the sub-conductor

a:

=
=
=
=
=
=

m
m
mm 2
m2
mm
m

4.50E-01
5.97E+02
5.97E-04
31.77
0.03177

6.73E+10 N/m2
2

{ref.: Layout Plan}

{assumed}
{ref.: Vendor Data}
{ref.: Vendor Data}
{ref.: Vendor Data}

Fst (max):
Fst (min):
f:
gn :

Max Initial static tensile force in main conductor

Min Initial static tensile force in main conductor
System frequency
acceleration due to gravity

=
=
=
=
=

6.73E+10
137428.96
60068.40
50
9.81

I"k3 :

3 initial symmetrical short circuit current (r.m.s)

50000

{ref.: Tech Spec.}

137.00

{ref.: Layout Plan}

127.315 m

=
=
=

3.8425
1.00
2.004

m
m
kg / m

{ref.: Vendor Data}

2.38

kg / m

{ref.: IEC-865-Part 2}

ACSR MOOSE

l:
lc :
li :
lb:
m' :
ms' :

Centre line distance between supports (main

conductor span)
Cord length of the main conductor in the span.
(l - 2lb-2li)
Length of one insulator string
Beam Depth
Mass per unit length of one sub-conductor
Resultant mass per unit length of one subconductor after considering the mass of spacers
within the span
= m' +
{(ns x mz)/(n x lc)}

N/m
N{No.of sub-conductor x 7005 x 9.81}
N{No.of sub-conductor x 3062 x 9.81}
Hz
{ref.: Tech Spec.}
m/s 2

{ref.: Vendor Data}

ns :

Conductor Type
No. of sub-conductor in a main conductor
bundle
Resultant spring constant of both supports of
one span
Nos. of spacers in the span

50

mz :

Mass of one set of connecting pieces (spacer)

1.94

kg

{ref.: Vendor Data}

ls :

Distance between two adjacent spacer

2.5

{selected}

Tk1 :

Duration of first short circuit current flow

0 :

Magnetic constant, permeability of vacuum

Factor for the calculation of peak short

circuit current

1.8

Time constant of the network

0.042

Factor for the relevant natural frequency

estimation

1.49

n:
S:

=
=

TWIN

1.00E+05 N/m

{ref.: IEC-865-Part 1}

Sec

1.257E-06 N A

-2

2.0 Detailed Calculation

Calculation for Short Circuit Forces
2.1 The characteristic Electromagnetic Load per unit length on flexible main conductor in 3 system is given by :

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plan

Page 5 of 11

Attachment - 1

ETHS2S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Detailed Calculation for TWIN ACSR MOOSE conductor of 137 m

F'

=
=

(0/2) x (0.75) x (I"k32/a) x (lc/l)

49.78
N/m

N/m

{ref.: Eqn. 19 of IEC-865-I}

2.2 The ratio of electromagnetic force under short circuit to gravitational force on a conductor is given by :
r

=
=

F'/(n x m's x gn)

1.06

{ref.: Eqn. 20 of IEC-865-I}

2.3 The direction of the resulting force exerted on the conductor is given by :
1

=
=

tan-1 r
46.77

degrees
degrees

{ref.: Eqn. 21 of IEC-865-I}

2.4 The equivalent static conductor sag at midspan is given by :

bc

=
=

(n x m's x gn x l2 ) / (8 x Fst)
0.80
m

{ref.: Eqn. 22 of IEC-865-I}

sec

{ref.: Eqn. 23 of IEC-865-I}

2.5 The period, T, of conductor oscillations is given by :

T

=
=

2 x {0.8 x (bc / gn)}1/2

1.60
sec

2.6 The resulting period, Tres, of the conductor oscillation during the short circuit current flow is given by :
Tres

=
=

T/[{1+r2}1/4 x {1-(2/64) x (1/900)2}]

1.38
sec

sec

{ref.: Eqn. 24 of IEC-865-I}

2.7 Actual Young's modulus of conductor, E s, is given by:

Es

=
=

E[0.3+0.7 x sin{Fst /(n x As) x (900 /fin)}]

E

where,

fin =

5.00E+07

N/m2

=> Es

5.00E+07

N/m2

N/m2
N/m2

for : Fst/nAs fin

for : Fst/nAs > fin

{ref.: Eqn. 26
IEC-865-I}

{ref.: Eqn. 27 of IEC-865-I}

2.8 The stiffness norm is given by:

N

=
=

{1/(S x l)} + {1/(n x Es x As)}

1.68E-05
1/N

1/N

{ref.: Eqn. 25 of IEC-865-I}

2.9 The stress factor, , of the main conductor is given by:

=
=

(n x gn x ms' x l)2 / (24 x Fst3 x N)

0.00

{ref.: Eqn. 28 of IEC-865-I}

2.10 During or at the end of the short circuit current flow, the span will have oscillated out of the steady state to the
angle given by:
1[1-cos(3600 xTk1/Tres)] degrees
for :0 (k1/res) 0.5 {ref.: Eqn. 29 IEC:865-1}
k
=
21
for : (Tk1/Tres) > 0.5
or k
=
degrees
where,

Duration of the first short circuit current flow is given by:

Tk1 =
0.64
sec
Tk1/Tres=
0.46
sec
now,
therefore, as per Cl. No. 2.3.2.1 of IEC 865-1, the value of Tk1 (=0.4T) shall be used to calculate k

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plan

Page 6 of 11

Attachment - 1

ETHS3S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Detailed Calculation for TWIN ACSR MOOSE conductor of 137 m

=>

92.30

degrees

2.11 Maximum swing out angle during or after short circuit current flow, m, is given by:
1.25 cos-1
for : 0.766 1
m
{ref.: Eqn. 31 of IEC-865-I}
=
degrees
100 + cos-1
for : -0.985 < 0.766
or m
=
degrees
1800
for : < -0.985
or m
=
degrees
2.11.1 where, Quantity for the maximum swing-out angle, , is given as:
1-r sink
for : 0 k 900

=
or
for : k > 900
=
1-r
=>
=
-0.06
therefore
m
=
103.67
degrees

{ref.: Eqn. 30 of IEC-865-I}

2.12 The load parameter, , is obtained as follows:

or

=>

=
=
=

3[ (1+r2) - 1]
3[r x sin(k) + cos(k) -1]
1.38

for : Tk1 Tres/4

for : Tk1< Tres/4

{ref.: Eqn. 32 of IEC-865-I}

2.13 Span reaction factor, (,), is calculated as a real solution of the equation:

23 + (2 + )2 + (1 + 2) (2 + ) = 0
=>

0.024

for : 0 1

{ref.: Eqn. 33 of IEC-865-I}

(approximately)

2.14 The 'short circuit tensile force', F t, is given by:

Fst(1 + )
Ft
=
1.1 x Fst(1 + )
or Ft
=
=> Ft
=
156199.57 N
2.15 The 'drop force' is given by:
1.2 x Fst (1+ 8 x m/1800)
Ff
=
or Ff
=
non-significant
=> Ff
=
164929.65 N

{ref.: Eqn. 34 of IEC-865-I}

for : n = 1, single conductor
for : n 2, bundled conductor

for : r > 0.6, m 700

for : r < 0.6, m < 700

{ref.: Eqn. 35 of IEC-865-I}

2.16 Short circuit current force between sub-conductors in a bundle is given as:
(n-1) x (0/2) x (I"k3/n)2 x (ls/as) x (2/3)
F
=
{ref.: Eqn. 45 of IEC-865-I}
where,
the factor, v2, is given by figure 8 of IEC:865-1, as a function of factor v 1 which is in turn given as:
{f /sin(1800/n)} x [{(as-ds) x m's}/{(0/2) x (I"k3/n)2 x (n-1)/as}]1/2
1
2.16.1
=
=
3.00
{ref.: Eqn. 46 of IEC-865-I}
corresponding to this value of factor 1, the value of 2 is observed from curve as:
1- {sin(4fTpi-2) + sin2} / 4fTpi + f / fTpi x (1-e-2fTpi/f) x sin2-8fsin/{1+(2f)2} x
2
=
[{2f x cos(2fTpi-)/2fTpi + sin(2fTpi-)/2fTpi} x e-fTpi/f + (sin-2fcos)/2fTpi]
2
=
1.68
the factor, v3, is given by :
3
{(ds/as)/sin(1800/n)} x [{(as/ds)-1}1/2 / {tan-1{(as/ds)-1}1/2}]
2.16.3
=
=
0.20
=
5946.95
N
=> F

2.16.2

2.17 Tensile force, Fpi,caused by pinch effect is given as:

Fst x {1+ (e/st) x }
Fpi
=

{ref.: AnnexA. A.6 of IEC-865-I}

{ref.: AnnexA. A.7 of IEC-865-I}

for : j 1, i.e. sub-conductors in bundle clash against

each other during short circuit.
{ref.: Eqn. 50 of IEC-865-I}

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plan

Page 7 of 11

Attachment - 1

ETHS4S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Detailed Calculation for TWIN ACSR MOOSE conductor of 137 m

or Fpi

2.17.1

2.17.2
2.17.2.1
2.17.2.2
2.17.3
2.17.3.1
2.17.3.2
2.17.3.3

Fst x {1+ (e/st) x 2}

for : j < 1, i.e. sub-conductors in bundle reduce their

distance but don't clash during short circuit.

{ref.: Eqn. 54 of IEC-865-I}
The parameter j, determines the bundle configuration during short circuit current flow and is given as:
{pi / (1 + st)}1/2
j
=
{ref.: Eqn. 49 of IEC-865-I}
=
0.3582
where the strain factors characterizing the contraction of the bundle shall be calculated from :
st
1.5 x {(Fst x ls2 x N)/(as-ds)2} x {sin(1800/n)}2
=
{ref.: Eqn. 47 of IEC-865-I}
=
123.92
pi
0.375 x n x {(F x ls3 x N)/(as-ds)3} x {sin(1800/n)}3
=
{ref.: Eqn. 48 of IEC-865-I}
=
16.03
Now,
for : j 1, the factor e is given as:
1/2 + [9/8 x n(n-1) x (0/2) x (I"k3/n)2 x N x 2 x {ls/(as-ds)}4 x [{sin(1800/n)}4 / 3] x [1
e
=
-{tan-14} / 4]-1/4]1/2
{ref.: Eqn. 52 of IEC-865-I}
(as - ds) / ds
with, 4
=
{ref.: Eqn. 53 of IEC-865-I}
=
N.A
for : j2/3 j
and is given by the real solution of 3 + st 2 pi = 0
=>
=
NA
{ref.: Eqn. 51of IEC-865-I}
=> e

N.A

2.17.4 Now,
e
2.17.4.1

for : j < 1, the factor e is given as:

1/2 + [9/8 x n(n-1) x (0/2) x (I"k3/n)2 x N x 2 x {ls/(as-ds)}4 x [{sin(1800/n)}4 / 4] x [1
=
-{tan-14} / 4]-1/4]1/2
{ref.: Eqn. 55 of IEC-865-I}
(as - ds) / (as -(as - ds))
=
{ref.: Eqn. 56 of IEC-865-I}
2.17.4.2 with, 4
=
0.03
3
2.17.4.3 and is given by the real solution of +stpifn=0
1/2 x {as-(as-ds)}
ya
=
=
2.2E-01
as x (2ya/as) / sin(1800/n) x {(1-2ya/as)/2ya/as}1/2/arctan{(1-2ya/as)/2ya/as}1/2
asw
=
0.44
asv3/asw
fn =
=>

0.03

=> e
=
408.14
thereby the magnitude of Pinch Force, Fpi, is calculated as :
Fpi
=
137753.16 N
Calculation for Horizontal Span Displacement and Minimum Air Clearance
Note:

Values of all parameters are at 75 C (maximum conductor temperature ) and L-L fault current of 43.3 kA
2.18 The elastic expansion is given by :
ela
N x (Ft - Fst)
=
where,
N
Ft
Fst

{ref.: Eqn. 36 of IEC-865-I}

=
1.34E-03
at final conductor Temperature (=75C )
=
=
=

8.54E-08 1/N
75703.31 N
60068.40401 N

2.19 The thermal expansion is given by :

cth {I"k3/(n x As)}2 x Tres/4
th
=
cth {I"k3/(n x As)}2 x Tk1
or th
=

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plan

for : Tk1 Tres/4

for : Tk1< Tres/4

{ref.: Eqn. 37 of IEC-865-I}

Page 8 of 11

Attachment - 1

ETHS5S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

Detailed Calculation for TWIN ACSR MOOSE conductor of 137 m

where,
cth

I"k3
Tk1
Tres

=
=
=

=> th

2.7E-19

m4/A2sec

43.30 kA
0.97 sec
2.21 sec

for : Aluminium, aluminium alloy & aluminium/steel

conductors with cross-section ratio of Al/St >6
at final conductor Temperature (=75C )
at final conductor Temperature (=75C )

1.96E-04

2.20 Dilation factor, CD, allows for sag increase caused by elastic and thermal elongation of the conductor is given by:
CD
where,
bc
ela
th

{1 + 3/8 x (l/bc)2 x (ela +th)}1/2

{ref.: Eqn. 38 of IEC-865-I}

=
2.06
at final conductor Temperature (=75C )
=
1.83 m
=
1.34E-03
=
1.96E-04

2.21 Form factor, CF, allows for a possible increase in the dynamic sag of the conductor caused by a change in shape
of the conductor curve and is given by:
for : r 0.8
CF
=
1.05
{ref.: Eqn. 39 of IEC-865-I}
or CF
=
0.97 +0.1r
for : 0.8 < r < 1.8
for : r 1.8
or CF
=
1.15
=> CF

1.05

2.22 The maximum horizontal displacement within a span, b h, due to short circuit in spans with strained conductors
connected to potrals with tension insulator strings is given by:
CF CD bc sin1
bh
for : m 1
=
{ref.: Eqn. 41 of IEC-865-I}
CF CD bc sinm
for : m < 1
or bh
=
=> bh
=
2.46
m
where,
m

at final conductor Temperature (=75C )

=
86.65
degrees

2.23 The distance between the midpoints of the two main conductors during a line-to-line two-phase short circuit is in
the worst case given by:
a - 2bh
amin
=
{ref.: Eqn. 42 of IEC-865-I}
amin
=
2.08
m

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plan

Page 9 of 11

Attachment - 2

ETHS1S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

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L

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant

Short Circuit Forces Vs Spacer Span

9.5

10.0

9.0

8.5

8.0

7.5

7.0

6.5

6.0

5.5

5.0

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

200000
180000
160000
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
1.0

Short Circuit Forces (N)

Sl. No. Spacer Span Tensile Force (Ft) Drop Force (Ff) Pinch Force (Fpi)
(m)
(N)
(N)
(N)
1
1.0
154540.27
167450.01
139415.11
2
1.5
155467.93
167670.69
139675.50
3
2.0
155919.98
167766.64
141092.88
4
2.5
156199.57
167822.58
142050.24
5
3.0
156371.57
167856.7
143116.65
6
3.5
156500.57
167882.09
144260.10
7
4.0
156608.08
167903.09
145483.20
8
4.5
156672.59
167915.62
146715.84
9
5.0
156737.12
167928.08
148028.73
10
5.5
156780.14
167936.36
149383.46
11
6.0
156823.17
167944.61
150814.57
12
6.5
156866.2
167952.83
152350.69
13
7.0
156887.72
167956.93
154012.39
14
7.5
156930.77
167965.1
189262.12
15
8.0
156952.3
167969.18
187356.11
16
8.5
156973.83
167973.24
185635.29
17
9.0
156973.83
167973.24
184034.48
18
9.5
156995.36
167977.3
182609.85
19
10.0
157016.9
167981.35
181316.99

Tensile Force (N)

Drop Force (N)

Spacer Span (m)

Pinch Force (N)

Page 10 of 11

Attachment - 3

ETHS1S/3002074160/ED2.104.001

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Serial No.

Span
(m)
l
137

No. of sub conductors Critical Spacer Chosen Spacer

per phase
Span
Span
(m)
(m)
ls
n
2

400 kV Switchyard at O P Jindal Super Thermal Power Plant

2.5

Short Circuit Force at minimum

temperature and Full Wind at 3-Ph fault
(N)
Fst
Ft
Ff
Fpi
137429

156199.6 167822.6 142050.2

Initial Static Tension at Maximum

temperature and Full Wind
(N)
Fst

Minimum air clearance

amin for L-L fault

60068.4

2.076

(m)
amin

Maximum Short Circuit Force

per phase for design structures
(N)
(kg)
167822.58

17107.30

Page 11 of 11