Nihar S Raj, Business Head – Power Consulting (Asia) , Presentation, Intercontinental, 22nd Sep 2016

Short Circuit in Power System

Technical Colloquium Indonesia PLN - ABB

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September 21, 2016 | Slide 1
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September 21, 2016 | Slide 2
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Industrial Power
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System Studies Manoj K
Arc Flash
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Distr. Planning Failure Analysis
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August 3, 2016
Short Circuit
Agenda

1. What is Short Circuit

2. Some Basics
3. Why does this occur in Power System
4. Effects of Short Circuit
5. Some solutions…
6. Case Studies

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 4
Short Circuit
What is it ??.

• Accidental or intentional conductive path between two or more conductive parts forcing
the electric potential differences between these conductive parts to be equal or close to
zero.
– IEC 60909-0 (ed1.0) 2001
• Different Definitions….
• An unwanted low-resistance connection between two points in an electric circuit.

• An abnormal electric path

• The condition that occurs when a circuit path is created between the positive and negative
poles of a battery, power supply, or circuit.

• A situation that occurs when hot and neutral wires come in contact with each other.

• An accidentally established connection between two points in an electric circuit, such as when a
tree limb, or an animal bridges the gap between two conductors.

One of the most critical aspect in Power System affecting economics & availability

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 5
Short Circuit
Basic – Simlpe Electric Circuit

ur
r E
i= § Normal Power flow in the network
R + jX
L C
§ The current flow in the network depends on
the network elements R, L and C
R ur
r E
E i=
æ 1 ö
R + j çwL - ÷
è w ø
150

100
E
I C
ur
r
50

E
0
i=
R + jX
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
-50

-100

( R)
æ ö
-150
i ç
magnitude = ç E ÷
2÷
iangle = tan-1 X
è R +X ø
2

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 6
Short Circuit
Basic – Simlpe Electric Circuit

Zsc § A constant AC power source

§ A switch
switch
ZL § Impedance Zsc

E - Zsc represents all impedances

upstream to the switch

§ Load impedance ZL

L § Upstream of switch includes various

networks with different voltage levels ,
transmission lines, cables, generators,
R switch transformers etc

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 7
Short Circuit
Basic – Mathematical Solution

Applying kirchoff’s voltage law (KVL)

di
L Emax sin( wt + f ) = R.i + L
dt
f Î (0, 2p )rad
R switch
There are two solution part of this
equation
E
§ Natural response

§ Particular solution
i (t ) = in (t ) + i p (t )

æ æ w L öö
R
- ( )t Emax
i p (t ) = C1 .e L
+ .sin ç wt + f - tan -1 ç ÷÷
R 2 + w 2 L2 è è R øø

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 8
Short Circuit
Basic – Expression for Short Circuit Current

Aperiodic component
R
-( )t é Emax æ æ w L ö öù
i (t ) = e L
. ê- .sin ç f - tan -1 ç ÷ ÷ú +
ë R +w L
2 2 2
è è R ø øû
Emax æ æ wL öö
.sin ç wt + f - tan -1 ç ÷÷
R 2 + w 2 L2 è è R øø

DC component Alternating and sinusoidal component

§ Initial value depend upon f i.e. the point on wave when switching is done

§ Decay rate is depend upon the ratio of R/X ( R/(wL) )

Sinusoidal component
§ Magnitude independent of ratio R/X

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 9
Short Circuit
Basic –Short Circuit Current Wave Form

1. Sub transient period : 10 – 20 ms

2. Transient period : 20ms – 100 ms

3. Steady State : 100 – 300 ms

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 10
Short Circuit
Basic – Symmetrical Short Circuit Current Wave Form

Xl = Leakage Reactance
Xa = Armature Reactance
Xf = Field Reactance
XD = Damper winding Reactance

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 11 Machine is Unloaded
Short Circuit
Basic – Peak Current

Peak current is deduced from the RMS value of the symmetrical short circuit current using
equation

Where, k depends on the R/X or X/R ratio

Peak current are calculated to determine

Making capacity of the Circuit breaker
Electro-dynamic force that installation must withstand

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 12 Machine is Unloaded
Short Circuit
Basic – Magnitude of short circuit current

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 13
Short Circuit
Basic – Effect of X/R ratio on Fault current

High X/R ratio increases

Powerthe
& Automation
decay, Iinst & the peak current

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September 21, 2016 | Slide 14
Short Circuit
Basic – Instant of Fault

What happens at 90 deg ??

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September 21, 2016 | Slide 15
Short Circuit
Basic – Instant of Fault

1. With the increase in the value of q, the DC component comes down for a fixed value of X/R

2. It is max at 0 deg and min at 90 deg again the value will increase but in the opposite direction
3. The switching instant is equally important.

4. Incase of normal switching this aspect is controlled by controlled switching.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 16
Short Circuit
Basic – Type of Faults in Power System

Symmetrical
Line to line to line (L-L-L) fault,
Also known as three phase fault
Asymmetrical
Line to ground (L-G) fault
Line to line (L-L) fault
Line to line to ground (L-L-G) fault

75 – 80% is LG Fault
7 – 8% is LL Fault
10-12% is LLG Fault
8 – 10% is LLLG Fault

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 17
Short Circuit
Basic – Boundary Condition

• The nature of each type of short circuit creates certain mathematical boundary
conditions
• These conditions are useful to model a faulted system with sequence impedance
network
T y p e o f fau lt B o u n d a ry c o n d itio n s

S in g le p h a s e Ib = I c = 0 a n d V a = 0

2 P h as e to g ro u n d I a = 0 an d V b = V c = 0

2 Phase Ib = - I c a n d V b = V c

3 Phase I a + I b + I c = 0 a nd V a = V b = V c
3 P h ase

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 18
Short Circuit
Basic – Standards

• The available software packages for fault analysis are

• NEPLAN
• ETAP
• PSS/E
• and many more….
141-1993 IEEE Red Book
399-1997 IEEE Brown Book
242-2001 IEEE Protection and Coordination of Industrial and Commercial Power System

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 19
Short Circuit
Different Cause....

Lightning Phenomenon Switching Phenomenon

Lightning strike on the transmission lines Switching phenomenon is critical at EHV and
UHV levels
Travelling wave phenomenon
Switching of CB’s can produce high stress on
High tower footing resistance can also lead to insulation within system leading to dielectric
high stress on the insulators failures
Can lead to Insulator flashover This may cause faults within system.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 20
Short Circuit
Different Cause...

Insulator contamination Equipment failure

Contamination of insulators, deposition of salts Undesired voltage and currents within the
system can stress insulation and accelerate the
Stringent environmental issues near industry & equipment aging.
Sea coast / saline areas Inadequate rating, increase in fault levels,
There is also an increase PD activity incorrect erection, problems in protection are
few of the trigger for equipment failure.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 21
Short Circuit
Different Cause...

Growing Power System Nature

Load -1

Load -2

Load -3
Vac

With increase in load & generation, grid becomes Increased snow condition can increase the line
more complex. loading leading to Transmission line failure

With growth in the AC systems there is increase High storm condition can also lead to
in the fault levels within the Power System transmission line failure leading to short circuit
within Power System.
This increases the short circuit levels within
system.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 22
Short Circuit
Different Cause...

Vegetation Improper Maintenance

Trees near the transmission line are one of the Improper maintenance and higher loading of
big contributors to faults. equipments can reduce the equipment life

Increased load can also increase sag, thereby Earthing, erection, testing & maintenance are
reduce clearance critical aspects
Any small negligence can lead to failure thus
faults

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 23
Short Circuit
Effect of Short Circuit Current

High Electrodynamic Forces – Can lead to massive “DAMAGE”

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 24
Short Circuit
Effects of Short Circuit Current.

Very High Arc Energy – Safety Issues Switchgear Adequacy

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 25 NEPLAN®
Short Circuit
Effects of Short Circuit Current

Damage to Insulation Welding conductor Fire and Danger to life

High thermal energy leads It can also lead to fusing or Fire and Damage to
to insulation damage. melting of conductors equipments and persons

High Fault currents needs to be AVOIDED & In-depth System Study is REQUIRED

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 26
Short Circuit
Effect of Short Circuit Current

1. Voltage dip till the fault is cleared – till few milli seconds (Depends on Protection setting)

2. Shutdown of the part of network – Area depends on the protection philosophy design and operation
of protective relays
3. Dynamic instability and loss of synchronism

4. Disturbance in control / monitoring system

5. The high induced current may also cause disturbance in the nearby circuits.

Short Circuit Currents can have multiple effects.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 27
Short Circuit
Effect of Short Circuit Current - EDF

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 28 Ref : Parametric Analysis of Electrodynamic forces in Power System based on IEC 60865 by Nihar Raj
Short Circuit
Significance of Short Circuit Current

1. Maximum Short Circuit Current

1. Breaking capacity of circuit breaker

2. Making capacity of circuit breaker

3. Electrodynamic withstand capacity of the switchgear and different elements of Power System

4. Thermal capacity of Switchgear

5. Insulation degradation

2. Minimum Short Circuit Current (Sensitivity of Protection System)

3. Sizing of equipments (CT, Transformer, Isolator, Busbars etc..)

4. Network Stability

5. Voltage stability and Reactive Power compensation

6. Decides the strength of network to absorb Renewable Power.

Both values : “Maximum” & “Minimum” is Important

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 29
Short Circuit
Significance of Short Circuit Current – Deicing & Arc Furnace

Short circuit current can create heat due to Joule’s effect

This can help in de-icing
Requirement is also to know the right amount of current to be passed without damaging
the conductor.
Arc furnace – Aluminum Smelter : High heat is produced by the electric arc

Both values : “Maximum” & “Minimum” is Important

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 30
Short Circuit
Significance of Short Circuit Current - Earthing

Self & Mutual Impedance

Equipotential Surface Self Impedance Considered
Considered

1. Fundamental input for Earthing Designs

2. With increase in the value of currents safety is a concern

3. Earthing design to be done as per FEM solutions

4. Site measurements are very important to ensure safety of design

Very Critical for Earthing Design impacting SAFETY of Human & Equipment

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 31
Short Circuit
Fault Current Reduction - Methods

• There are several methods that can be used to reduce fault level in the network.
• Current limiting reactors
• Is-limiter
• Superconducting fault current limiter
• Solid-state fault current limiter
• Network splitting

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 32
Short Circuit
Fault Current Reduction – Is Limiters

T0 : Response time of the protection relay: 10 - 20 ms

i T1 : Operating time of the protection relay: 30 - 40 ms
T2 : Operating time of the circuit-breaker: 40 - 80 ms
T3 : Arc duration: 10 - 20 ms

90 - 160 ms

Total time of
current flow through
Is-limiter: T = 5 - 10 ms
t

T0 T1 T2 T3

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 33
Short Circuit
Fault Current Reduction – Is Limiters

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 34
Short Circuit
Fault Current Reduction – Is Limiters

250 kA
i i = i 1 + i2
without IS-limiter

50 kA 50 kA u
125 kA
50kA x χ x 2 i = i 1 + i2
50 kA with Is-limiter
50 kA i1

i2

t
Current curve at the short-circuit location

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 35
Short Circuit
Case Study 01 : High Reliability High Short Circuit

35kA
22kA

33kV Switchgear Short Circuit Withstand capability is 25kA/1sec

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 36 Reference : Technical Paper distributed.
Short Circuit
Case Study 01 : High Reliability High Short Circuit

• To mitigate the adverse effects of increased short circuit levels, analysis done to
provide optimal current limiting device.
• Comparative analysis between current limiting reactor & Is limiter were made.

Current Limiting reactor Is Limiter

Adds voltage drops No voltage drop
Reactive power loss No reactive power loss
Space required is more Less Space required

• As technically Is limiter provides more benefits to the refinery system, 5 Nos. of Is

limiters were proposed to installed in 33kV Ties

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 37 Reference : Technical Paper distributed.
Short Circuit
Case Study 01 : High Reliability High Short Circuit

System studies Customer Need

High Reliability
Optimize on Generator cost
Transient stability of the system

ABB Response
Detail system study and close coordination with
customer.
Introduction of Fault current limiter and Reactive
power study to improve power factor

Customer Benefit
Improved Active Power within system
Limitation of short circuit currents with Is limiters
Improved system stability.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 38 Reference : Technical Paper distributed.
Short Circuit
Case Study 02 : High EDF for 400kV Substation

High Electrodynamic Forces Customer Need

Substation in polluted area
High short circuit level
Requirement of design as per standards

ABB Response
Detail design and calculations
Solution to overcome the effect of high
Electrodynamic forces

Customer Benefit
Safe Engineered solution running for more than
12 years.
High reliability. Safe Gantry and Structure
design.

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 39 Reference : ABB Executed Project
Short Circuit
Case Study 03 : Safe Solution for High Short Circuit Current

Safe Earthing Solution Customer Need

Identify unsafe areas within Installation
Check the health of existing earthing system
Upgrade the earth installation from 40kA to 63KA

ABB Response
Detail site measurements as per latest standards
Simulation on FEM software to identify areas to be
strengthened.

Customer Benefit
Safe solution to the customer for increased fault
level of 63KA
Earthing Health assessment for the entire Power
Plant

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 40
Reference : ABB Executed Project
Short Circuit
Summary

One of the most vital element in

Power
Power
& System
Automation
Planning – “Short Circuit Current”

• Short Circuit Studies are MUST on regular basis.

• Maximum and Minimum short circuit currents; both are equally important
• Short circuit currents are formed up on AC and DC components which have different decay.

• Different network parameters decide the value of the short circuit currents in system.

• There are different challenges for high & low value of the short circuit currents in system which affect
the safety of person and equipments

• ABB has an rich experience of dealing with different issues and providing different solutions which
have added value to customer requirements.

Short Circuit Currents decide the system economy, availability & safety

© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 41 ABB Power Consulting
Short Circuit
Speaker Introduction

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September 21, 2016 | Slide 42
© ABB
September 21, 2016 | Slide 43