4.9.

Single line to ground (LG) fault analysis :

An unloaded balanced three-phase synchronous generator with neutral grounded through an impedance
Zn is shown in Fig. 4.54. Suppose a single line to ground fault (LG) occurs on phase a though
f .
an impedance Z

Figure 4.54: LG fault on phase a of an unloaded generator

Since the generator is unloaded, the following terminal conditions exist at the fault point:

Va = Zf Ia
Ib = 0

(4.96)

Ic = 0
Substituting Ib = Ic = 0 in equation (4.86), the symmetrical components of currents can be
calculated as:

1 1 1 I
I

a
a0
1

Ia1 = 1 a a2 0
3

Ia2
1 a 2 a 0

162

(4.97)

Solving the above equation, the values of the symmetrical components of fault current Ia are:

1
Ia0 = Ia1 = Ia2 = Ia
3

(4.98)

The voltage of phase a can be expressed in terms of symmetrical components from equation (4.83),
as
Va = Va0 + Va1 + Va2
(4.99)
Substituing in the equation the values of Va0 , Va1 and Va2 from equation (4.94) into equation (4.99),
Va can be written as (with Ia0 = Ia1 = Ia2 from equation (4.98)):

Va = Ea (Z0 + Z1 + Z2 )Ia0

(4.100)

f Ia = 3Zf Ia0 . Hence, equation (4.100) can be expressed as:

From equations (4.96) and (4.98), Va = Z
3Zf Ia0 = Ea (Z0 + Z1 + Z2 )Ia0
or,

Ia0 =

Ea
Z0 + Z1 + Z2 + 3Zf

(4.101)

The fault current, therefore, is:

If = Ia = 3Ia0 =

3Ea
Z0 + Z1 + Z2 + 3Zf

(4.102)

From equations (4.98) and (4.101), it be easily interpreted that the three sequence networks are
connected in series as shown in Fig. 4.55.

Figure 4.55: Connection of sequence networks for LG fault

n = 0 and for bolted fault Zf = 0.

Note that, for solidly grounded generator, Z
Extending the above concept to the analysis of LG fault in a power system, the Thevenins equiv163

alent circuit (as seen from the fault point) is obtained, individually for the three sequence networks.
1th ,
For the positive sequence network Vth , the open circuit pre-fault voltage at the fault point, and Z
the positive sequence Thevenins equivalent impedance as seen from the fault point are determined.
2th and Z0th ,
For negative and zero sequence networks, only the Thevenins equivalent impedances Z
respectively are calculated. The three Thevenins equivalent networks are then connected in series.

4.9.6

Line to Line (LL) fault analysis :

f , on
Fig. 4.56 shows a line to line fault (LL) between phases b and c through an impedance Z
an unloaded three phase generator. The terminal conditions at the fault point are:

Figure 4.56: LL fault between phases b and c of an unloaded generator

Vb Vc = Zf Ib
Ib + Ic = 0
164

(4.103)

Ia = 0
Substituting Ia = 0 and Ib = Ic in equation (4.86), the symmetrical components of cuurents can be
calculated as:

I
1 1 1 0

a0

1
Ia1 = 1 a a2 Ib

3

2
Ia2
1 a a Ib

(4.104)

Solving the above equation, the values of the symmetrical components of the current Ia are:

Ia0 = 0
1
Ia1 = (a a2 )Ib
3
1
Ia2 = (a2 a)Ib = Ia1
3

(4.105)

From equation (4.83), we have

Vb Vc = (a2 a)(Va1 Va2 ) = Zf Ib

(4.106)

Substituting Va1 and Va2 from equation (4.94) and noting that Ia1 = Ia2 , one can write:

(a2 a) [Ea (Z1 + Z2 )Ia1 ] = Zf Ib

(4.107)

Also from equation (4.105),

Ib =

3Ia1
(a a2 )

(4.108)

Substituting this value of Ib in equation (4.107), we get:

[Ea (Z1 + Z2 )Ia1 ] =

3Zf Ia1
(a a2 )(a2 a)

Since, (a a2 )(a2 a) = 3, the above expression can be simplified and written as:

Ia1 =

Ea
(Z1 + Z2 + Zf )

(4.109)

The phase currents during fault can be calculated as:

I 1 1 1 0
a

Ib = 1 a2 a Ia1

Ic 1 a a2 Ia1

Solving for the phase currents, the expressions for Ib and Ic can be written as:

165

(4.110)

Ib = Ic = (a2 a)Ia1

(4.111)

Substituting Ib from equation (4.111) in equation (4.106) one gets:

(Va1 Va2 ) = Zf Ia1

The equivalent circuit of the fault in terms of the sequence networks is shown in Fig. 4.57. The
circuit has been drawn on the basis of equation (4.105) and the above equation. It shows that the
positive sequence and negative sequence networks are connected in phase opposition bridged by the
f . Also, since Ia0 = 0, the zero sequence network is open circuited and hence is
fault impedance Z
not shown in the diagram.

Figure 4.57: Connection of sequence networks for an LL fault between phases b and c of an
unloaded generator
Extending the above concept to LL fault calculations in a power system, it can be concluded that,
the Thevenins equivalent positive and negative sequence networks, as seen from the fault point, can
be connected in phase opposition through the fault impdedance for calculating fault current.

4.9.7

Double Line to ground (LLG) fault analysis :

Fig. 4.58 shows a double line to ground (LLG) fault on phases b and c through an impedance
Zf on an unloaded three phase generator. The terminal conditions at the fault point are:

Vb = Vc = Zf If = Zf (Ib + Ic )
Ia = Ia1 + Ia2 + Ia0 = 0

(4.112)

b and V
c can be written as:
From equation (4.83), V
Vb = Va0 + a2 Va1 + aVa2
Vc = Va0 + aVa1 + a2 Va2
166

(4.113)

Figure 4.58: LLG fault between phases b and c of an unloaded generator

Since Vb = Vc , from equation (4.113), one can write

Va1 = Va2

(4.114)

Substituting Ib and Ic in terms of their sequence components from equation (4.85), voltage of phase
b can be expressed as:

Vb = Zf (Ia0 + a2 Ia1 + aIa2 + Ia0 + aIa1 + a2 Ia2 )

167

Vb = Zf (Ia0 + a2 Ia1 + aIa2 + Ia0 + aIa1 + a2 Ia2 )

= Zf (2Ia0 + (a2 + a)(Ia1 + Ia2 ))
= Zf (2Ia0 (Ia1 + Ia2 ))
Since 1 + a + a2 = 0 and Ia = Ia1 + Ia2 + Ia0 = 0, hence

Vb = 3Zf Ia0

(4.115)

Further substituting Vb from equation (4.115) and the condition of equation (4.114) in equation
(4.113), we get:

3Zf Ia0 = Va0 + (a2 + a)Va1

= Va0 Va1

(4.116)

Substituting Va0 and Va1 from equation (4.94) in equation (4.116), the zero sequence component of

Figure 4.59: Connection of sequence networks for an LLG fault between phases b and c of an
unloaded generator

current Ia0 is given by:

(Ea Z1 Ia1 )
Ia0 =
(Z0 + 3Zf )

(4.117)

For calculating the negative sequence component of current, Ia2 , substitute Va1 and Va2 from equation
(4.94) in equation (4.114). The expression for Ia2 is:

(Ea Z1 Ia1 )
Ia2 =
Z2

(4.118)

Finally, by substituting Ia0 and Ia2 from equations (4.117) and (4.118) in equation (4.112), the value
168

of the positive sequence component of current Ia1 is found out as:

Ia1 =

Ea
Z2 (Z0 + 3Zf )
Z1 +
(Z0 + Z2 + 3Zf )

(4.119)

f If , from equation (4.115) one can conclude that

Since Vb = Z
If = 3Ia0

(4.120)

The equivalent circuit for the fault in terms of the sequence networks is shown in Fig. 4.59. The
circuit shown in Fig. 4.59 is based on equations (4.114) and (4.116). For LLG fault calculations in
a power system, the Thevenins equivalent of the three sequence networks, as seen from the fault
point, are found out. The positive and negative sequence equivalents are connected in parallel and
f . In the next lecture,
the combination is then connected to the zero sequence network through 3Z
BUS matrix.
we will study the procedure of unbalanced fault analysis using Z

169