Short-circuit

Calculations
© ABB Ltd – 03-03
 Talk will cover

Short circuit calculation

Demo of DOCWin
© ABB SACE – BM - 2
 Three phase 66/22kV
75 MVA
Transformer
Primary Secondary
Tertiary

66kV 22kV

IF = V/ 3
(Zt + Zs) = 1.1035 p.u

Zs can be neglected, IF = 22kV/ 3

% impedance voltage between pri & sec 1.1035
windings = 17.1% (given)
= 11.5 kA
Zt = Usc x E2
© ABB SACE – BM - 3

100 x (MVA)
= 17.1 x (22)2
100 x (75)
 Three phase 66/22kV
75 MVA
Transformer
Primary Secondary
Tertiary

66kV 22kV

Normally PG operates the transformers in parallel,

total fault current = 2 x 11.5kA or nearly 25kA

This gives upstream power short circuit :

© ABB SACE – BM - 4

3 x 22kV x 25 kA = 1000 MVA

 Consultant’s method
1. Upstream Network : 22kV 1000MVA 
Psc : Upstream power short circuit in MVA : 1000 MVA
22kV/400V 1MVA 5%
Zup = U 2 / Psc = 400 2 / 1000 = 0.16 mΩ


A
2. Transformer : 4 x 1c 120mm2 XLPE flat
touching on cable tray
ZT = Usc x U2 / Sn x 10-3 Usc :short circuit voltage (%) length 50m
120mm2 cable data
RT = Wc x U2 / Sn x 10-3 Wc : Copper Loss (W)
Rc = 0.38 m/m
XT = (ZT2 – RT2) Xc = 0.24 m/m

B

3. Cable : 400V 
Tabel mV/A/m of cable [R + JX] : IF = ?
© ABB SACE – BM - 5

Rc = R mΩ/m x Lm / 3
Xc = X mΩ/m x Lm / 3
 Consultant’s method
Impendance upstream network (Zup) = 0.16 mΩ
22kV 1000MVA 
Impendance of transformer (ZT) = 8 mΩ
22kV/400V 1MVA 5%

Impendance of cable :
Rc = 0.38 x 50 / V3 = 10.98 mΩ 
A
Xc = 0.24 x 50 / V3 = 6.94 mΩ 4 x 1c 120mm2 XLPE flat
touching on cable tray length
50m
Zc = (10.98 2 + 6.94 2) = 12.98 mΩ 120mm2 cable data
Rc = 0.38 m/m
400 Xc = 0.24 m/m

Fault current at A = = 28.3 kA 

3 x (0.16 + 8) B
400V 
400 IF = ?
© ABB SACE – BM - 6

Fault current at B = = 10.94 kA

3 x (0.16 + 8 + 12.98)
 Consultant’s method
To show why fault level at HV side can be
ignored. 22kV 1000MVA 
Per unit impedance of 22kV source = 1.0 MVA 22kV/400V 1MVA 5%
1000 MVA

= 0.001 A
4 x 1c120mm2 XLPE
This value is insignificant compared to the flat touching on cable
transformer and cable impedance. tray length 50m
120mm2 cable data
Hence the difference in total impedance up to the
Rc = 0.38 m/m
point of fault is negligible.
Xc = 0.24 m/m

B
400V 
IF = ?
© ABB SACE – BM - 7
 US Consultant’s method
Sometimes Consultant is very thorough. 22kV 1000MVA 
Because UL standard 1561 allows the marked
22kV/400V 1MVA 5%
impedance of a transformer to vary + 10%,

A
therefore the trend is to calculate ‘worse 4 x 1c120mm2 XLPE
flat touching on cable
case’. tray length 50m
120mm2 cable data
Isc = fault current / 0.9 Rc = 0.38 m/m
Xc = 0.24 m/m
 B
= 28.3kA / 0.9
400V 
= 31. 4 kA IF = ?
© ABB SACE – BM - 8
 Use ABB DOCwin software
22kV 1000MVA 
-U1
U Vref = 22000 V
LLL / IT
Plf = 374 kW
Qlf = 181 kvar 22kV/400V 1MVA 5%


-TM1
Vr2 = 400 V
Sn = 1000 kVA
2nd: LLLN / TN-S
-B3 A
Df = 1.00
V = 394.9 V
Ib = 600.0 A
4 x 1c120mm2 XLPE
 Cosphi = 0.91
flat touching on cable
-QF5 I"k LLL = 28.2 kA
I>

tray length 50m


-WC1
120mm2 cable data
12x(1x120)+4x(1x70)+1G70
dV = 0.63 %
Ib = 600.0 A
Iz = 669.2 A Rc = 0.38 m/m
L = 50 m

Xc = 0.24 m/m

 B
-QF3
S7S 1600 PR211-I R1600
-B1
Df = 1.00
V = 391.3 V
Ib = 600.0 A
400V 
 Cosphi = 0.91
-QF4
S7S 1600 PR211-I R1600
I"k LLL = 23.9 kA IF = ?
© ABB SACE – BM - 9


-L1
L Sr = 415.69 kVA
Cosphi = 0.90
Ir = 600.0 A
UF = 100%
dV = 2.18 %
 Short-circuit current

General rules

 in accordance with the rules in articles IEC 364-434.2, 434.3 and IEC 364-
533.2, the maximum prospective short-circuit current at the origin of the
circuit and the minimum prospective short-circuit current at the end of the
circuit must be determined for each circuit.

 the maximum prospective short-circuit current determines :

 the breaking capacity (Icu) of the circuit-breakers Icu ≥ than prospective Icc,
 the making capacity of the devices,
 the thermal and electrodynamic withstand of the ducts and switchgear.

 the minimum prospective short-circuit determines :

 choice of trip units (curve) and fuse when :
- protection of persons depends on it (TN-IT),
- cables are very long,
- the source is impedant (set).

 in all cases, protection must be compatible with the cable heat stress
∫ I2dt ≤ K2 S2
© ABB SACE – BM - 10
 Short-circuit current

General rules

 for whatever type of short-circuit current (min. or max.), the protection

device must clear the Isc within a time t < 5sec that is compatible with the
thermal stress that can be withstood by the protected cable

∫ I2dt ≤ k2.S2

S2
t= k2
I2
 t duration in s,
 S cross-sectional area in mm2
 I effective short-circuit current in A expressed, for a.c., as the r.m.s. value,
 k is a factor that takes into account the resistivity, temperature factor and heat
capacity of the conductor material, and the appropriate initial and final
temperatures.
© ABB SACE – BM - 11
 Short-circuit current

General rules

 values of k for common materials, for calculation of the effects of short-

circuit current

limiting limiting
conductor material insulation material initial final
temperature °C temperature °C k
copper pve 70 160/140 115/103
60°C rubber 60 200 141
85°C rubber 85 220 134
90°C thermosetting 90 250 143
impregnated paper 80 160 108
mineral
- conductor 70 160 115
- sleeves and seals 105 250 135

Aluminum pvc 70 160/140 76/68

60°C rubber 60 200 93
85°C rubber 85 220 89
90°C thermosetting 90 250 94
© ABB SACE – BM - 12

impregnated paper 80 160 71

 note : where two values of limiting final temperature and k are given, the lower value relates to
cables having conductors with a cross-sectional area greater than 300mm2
 Short-circuit current

Short-circuit calculation procedure

upstream Scc

HV/LV Usc (%)

transformer rating

Isc at transformer
terminals
conductor characteristics breaking capacity main
- power factor, • busbars : inst. trip setting circuit breaker
- coincidence factor, length,
- duty factor width, Isc of main LV
- foreseeable thickness. switchboard outgoers main LV
expansion factor • cables : breaking capacity switchboard
type of insulation inst. trip setting distribution
single-core or multicore, circuit breaker
length, Isc at head of
cross-section. secondary switchboards
- feeder • environment : breaking capacity secondary
- current ambient temperature, distribution
inst. trip setting circuit breaker
ratings installation method,
- voltage number of contiguous circuits. Isc at head of final
drops switchboards
breaking capacity final
distribution
inst. trip setting circuit breaker
© ABB SACE – BM - 13

load Isc at end of final

rating outgoers
 Short-circuit current

Definition

 a short-circuit current is an overcurrent resulting from a fault of negligible

impedance between points at different potentials in normal service.

U U
 Zt = R2 + X2  Icc3 = =
Z R2 + X2

Zt Zt
A

mΩ)
U

ZI U ZI

B
© ABB SACE – BM - 14
 Short-circuit current

The various short-circuits currents

 three-phase fault
ZL ZSC

U/ 3
~ V I sc3 =
Zsc
ZL

ZL

 phase-to-phase fault
ZL ZSC

U
~ U I sc2 =
2. Zsc
ZL ZSC
© ABB SACE – BM - 15

= 0,86. Isc3
 Short-circuit current

The various short-circuits currents

 phase-to-neutral fault
ZL ZSC

U/ 3
ZLn
~ V I sc1 =
Zsc + ZLn
ZLn
= 0,5. Isc3

 phase-to-earth fault
ZL ZSC

U/ 3
~ V I sc(0) =
Zsc + Z(0)
© ABB SACE – BM - 16

Z(0) Z(0)
 Short-circuit current

How to calculate a balanced short-circuit

 the “impedance method” :

 used to calculate fault currents at any point in an installation with a high
degree of accuracy
Un Un
Isck = =
3 R2 + X2 3 . Zk
k k

 the composition method :

 which may be used when the characteristics of the power supply are not
known
U
IscB = IscA . U + Zc . IscA

 the conventional method :

 which can be used when the impedance or the Isc in the installation
upstream of the given circuit are not known, to calculate the Isc at the end
© ABB SACE – BM - 17

of a line
 Short-circuit current

The case of several transformers in parallel feeding a busbar

 what happens with the breaking capacity of each CB

D1 D2 D1 D2 D3

D4 D4
© ABB SACE – BM - 20
 Short-circuit current

The case of a generator

n generator set characteristics :

 low short-circuit current depending on its transient reactance (2 to 5 ln),
 limited thermal withstand.

n protection characteristics :
 long time protection acting quickly (<15s) for an overload of 1.5 ln,
 low short time protection (< 2ln).

250 KVA
G 400
x’d = 30%

load shedding

non-priority priority
© ABB SACE – BM - 21

n value of Icc3 at the terminals of a set

Sn 1
Icc3 = . ; X’d (1) = transient reactance expressed as (30%)
V3 Un X’d
(1) The value of the transient reactance should be check to genset manufacture
 Short-circuit current

The case of a generator

n subtransient reactance : x”d in %

2
Un
X’’d = x.x’’d if no info = 20 %
Sn

n transient reactance : x’d in %

2
Un
X’d = x.x’d if no info = 30 %
Sn

n zero sequence reactance : xo in %

2
Un
Xo = x.xo if no info = 6 %
Sn
© ABB SACE – BM - 22

Note : to be checked to the manufacturer

 Short-circuit current

Limitation : why

n Installation of current limiting circuit breakers offers

several advantages :
 current limiting circuit breakers considerably reduce the
undesirable effects of short-circuit currents in an installation.
 cable heating is reduced hence longer cable life.
 electrodynamic forces reduced, thus electric contacts less
likely to be deformed or broken.
 measuring equipment situated near an electric circuit less
affected
 the cascading technique offers substantial savings on
equipment, enclosures and design by using lower rated
devices downstream.
© ABB SACE – BM - 24
 Short-circuit current

Principle of limitation

prospective current
i u

U arc limited current

arc voltage

t
network voltage
© ABB SACE – BM - 25
 Short-circuit current

What it is limitation : tables to use for applications

circuit breaker limitation capability : kA peak without

55 limitation
the limitation capability of a circuit
breaker is that characteristic whereby with
25
only a current less than the prospective limitation

fault current is allowed to flow under

short-circuit conditions.

kA rms
0 30
Isc
prospective  example :
Isc peak system prospective = 30 kA rms,
= 55 kA peak
Limited value = 25 kA peak
prospective Isc

limited Isc peak

I2 t total energy let through during
9x 106 half cycle without limitation
limited Isc

t 6 x 106 energy let through during

© ABB SACE – BM - 26

half cycle with limitation

kA rms
0 30
 Short-circuit current

Definition : discrimination

 discrimination (selectivity), is the coordination of

automatic protective devices in such a manner that a fault
appearing at a given point in a network is cleared by the
protective device installed immediately upstream of the
fault, and by that device alone.

no discrimination discrimination

CB1 CB1

CB2 CB2

CB1 and CB2 open only CB2 open

© ABB SACE – BM - 27

 why is discrimination useful ?

 Discrimination contributes to continuity of service, a necessity in many industrial,
commercial or institutional installations.
 Short-circuit current

Current discrimination

 by comparing the characteristic operating curves for :

 limitation of the downstream circuit  no tripping energy of the upstream

breaker (D1) : circuit breaker (D2)

∫i2 dt ∫i2 dt

tripping

no-tripping

D2
© ABB SACE – BM - 28

D1
 Short-circuit current

Full or restricted current discrimination

 case of full discrimination  case of restricted discrimination

i•2dt i dt
•
2

D2
D2

D1
D1

I Is I

D2
© ABB SACE – BM - 29

D1
Icc
 Short-circuit current

Improvement (continued)

n zone selective interlocking

D1 logic
relay

D2 logic
relay
© ABB SACE – BM - 30

D3 logic
relay

III
 Short-circuit current

Discrimination between HV fuses and LV circuit breaker

HV "current " safety

circuit- IF ≥ 1.35
breaker ICB
imag +20% 10%
D

HV/LV
transformer I
D ± 20% F ± 10%

Icc > Icc "time" safety

minimum
breaking
t tF tCB ≥ 2
current of HV tF
circuit- e.g. 0,1 =2
breakers 0,05

tD
•10ms
© ABB SACE – BM - 31

I
 Short-circuit current

Definition : cascading

 cascading is the use of the current limiting capacity of circuit breakers to permit
installation of lower rated and therefore lower cost downstream circuit breakers.

 the principle of cascading has been recognised by the IEC 364-434.3 standard

 cascading can only be checked by laboratory tests and the possible

combinations can be specified only by the circuit breaker manufacturer.

 comments : the upstream CB acts as a barrier against short-circuit currents.

They thus allow circuit breakers of lower breaking capacity than the prospective
short-circuit current at their point of installation to operate under the stress
conditions of normal breaking.
© ABB SACE – BM - 32
© ABB SACE – BM - 33