ELE B7 Power System Engineering

Unbalanced Fault Analysis

Analysis of Unbalanced Systems

z
z

ELE B7

Except for the balanced three-phase fault, faults

result in an unbalanced system.
The most common types of faults are single lineground (SLG) and line-line (LL). Other types are
double line-ground (DLG), open conductor, and
balanced three phase.
The easiest method to analyze unbalanced system
operation due to faults is through the use of
symmetrical components

Slide # 1

Symmetrical Components
z

The key idea of symmetrical component analysis is

to decompose the unbalanced system into three
sequence of balanced networks. The networks are
then coupled only at the point of the unbalance (i.e.,
the fault)
The three sequence networks are known as the

ELE B7

positive sequence (this is the one weve been using)

negative sequence
zero sequence

Slide # 2

Symmetrical Components
Balance
Systems

Unbalance Currents

Unsymmetrical
Fault

IA

IC

IB

zero sequence

Zero
Sequence

Symmetrical
components

Unbalance
System

Sequence Currents

Positive
Sequence

positive sequence
Three
balanced
Systems

Negative
Sequence

negative sequence

ELE B7

Slide # 3

Symmetrical Components
Assuming three unbalance voltage phasors, VA, VB and VC having a positive
sequence (abc). Using symmetrical components it is possible to represent each
phasor voltage as:

VA = VA0 + VA+ + VA
+
B

VB = V + V + V
0
B

VC = VC0 + VC+ + VC

Zero Sequence Component

Positive Sequence Component
Negative Sequence Component

Where the symmetrical components are:

ELE B7

Slide # 4

Symmetrical Components
+

The Positive Sequence Components (

VA , VB , VC )
Three phasors
Equal in magnitude
Displaced by 120o in phase
Having the same sequence as the original phasors (abc)
The Negative Sequence Components (
VA , VB , VC )
Three phasors
Equal in magnitude
Displaced by 120o in phase
Having the opposite sequence as the original phasors (acb)
0

The zero Sequence Components ( VA , VB , VC

Three phasors
Equal in magnitude
Having the same phase shift ( in phase)
ELE B7

VA+

VC+

120 o
120 o 120 o

VB+

VA

120 o
120 o 120 o

VC

VB0

VA0
VC0
Slide # 5

Example
VA = VA0 + VA+ + VA
VB = VB0 + VB+ + VB

V A0
VB 0
VC 0

Zero
Sequence
VA

VC = VC0 + VC+ + VC
V A0

V A+

Positive
Sequence

VC = 0

V A
VC +

120 o

V A+

120 o

VB +

VA

VC = 0

V A

VB
Unbalance
Voltage
ELE B7

Negative
Sequence

120 o
120 o VC

VB

VB

Synthesis Unsymmetrical phasors

using symmetrical components
Slide # 6

Sequence Set Representation

z

Any arbitrary set of three phasors, say Ia, Ib, Ic can

be represented as a sum of the three sequence sets
I a = I a0 + I a+ + I a
I b = I b0 + I b+ + I b
I c = I c0 + I c+ + I c

where
I a0 , I b0 , I c0 is the zero sequence set
I a+ , I b+ , I c+ is the positive sequence set
I a , I b , I c is the negative sequence set
ELE B7

Slide # 7

Conversion Sequence to Phase

Only three of the sequence values are unique,
I0a , I a+ , I a ; the others are determined as follows:

= 1120
0
0
0
Ia = I b = Ic
I b+ = 2 I a+

+2 + 3 = 0

3 = 1

(since by definition they are all equal)

I c+ = I a+

I b = I a

I c+ = 2 I a

1
1
1
1
I

a
1
Ia
1
I = I0 1 + I + 2 + I = 1 2 I +

b
a
a
a
a

2 1 2 I
I c
1


a
ELE B7

Slide # 8

Conversion Sequence to Phase

Define the symmetrical components transformation
matrix
1
1 1

A = 1
1 2

0
0

I
I
a
Ia
+
+

Then I = I b = A I a = A I = A I s



I c
I a
I
ELE B7

Slide # 9

Conversion Phase to Sequence

By taking the inverse we can convert from the
phase values to the sequence values
I s = A 1I
1
1 1
1 1
2
with A = 1
3
1 2

Sequence sets can be used with voltages as well

as with currents
ELE B7

Slide # 10

Example
If the values of the fault currents in a three phase system are:
I A = 150 45 I B = 250 150
I C = 100 300
Find the symmetrical components?
Solution:

VO

ELE B7

Slide # 11

Example
If the values of the sequence voltages in a three phase system are:
Vo = 100
V+ = 200 60
V = 100 120
Find the three phase voltages
Solution:
V A = 200 60 + 100 120 + 100

V A = 300 60
V B = 1 240( 200 60 ) + 1120( 100 120 ) + 100
V B = 300 60
VC = 1120( 200 60 ) + 1 240( 100 120 ) + 100
VC = 0

ELE B7

Slide # 12

Use of Symmetrical Components

Consider the following wye-connected load:
I n = I a + Ib + I c
Vag = I a Z y + I n Z n
Vag = ( ZY + Z n ) I a + Z n I b + Z n I c
Vbg = Z n I a + ( ZY + Z n ) I b + Z n I c
Vcg = Z n I a + Z n I b + ( ZY + Z n ) I c

ELE B7

Vag
Z y + Zn

Vbg = Z n
V
Z
n
cg

Zn
Z y + Zn
Zn

Ia

Z n Ib

Z y + Z n I c
Zn

Slide # 13

Use of Symmetrical Components

Vag
Z y + Zn
Zn

Z y + Zn
Vbg = Z n
V
Z
Zn
n
cg

= Z I V = A Vs
V
A Vs = Z A I s

Z y + 3Z n

1
A ZA =
0

ELE B7

Ia

Z n Ib

Z y + Z n I c
I = A Is
Zn

Vs = A 1 Z A I s

0
Zy

0
Z y
Slide # 14

Networks are Now Decoupled

V 0
Z y + 3Z n 0
+

0
Zy
V =

0
0
V

Systems are decoupled

V 0 = ( Z y + 3Z n ) I 0

V = Zy I

ELE B7

I
0
+
0 I

Z y I

V+

= Zy I+

Slide # 15

Grounding
z

z
z

ELE B7

When studying unbalanced system operation how a

system is grounded can have a major impact on the
fault flows
Ground current only impacts zero sequence system
In previous example if load was ungrounded the
zero sequence network is (with Zn equal infinity):

Slide # 16

Sequence diagrams for lines

z

ELE B7

Similar to what we did for loads, we can develop

sequence models for other power system devices,
such as lines, transformers and generators
For transmission lines, assume we have the
following, with mutual impedances

Slide # 17

Sequence diagrams for lines, contd

Assume the phase relationships are
Va
Zs Zm Zm Ia
V = Z
I
Z
Z
s
m b
b
m
Vc
Z m Z m Z s I c
where
Z s = self impedance of the phase
Zm

= mutual impedance between the phases

Writing in matrix form we have

V = Z I
ELE B7

Slide # 18

Sequence diagrams for lines, contd

Similar to what we did for the loads, we can convert
these relationships to a sequence representation
V
= Z I V = A Vs
I = A Is
A Vs

= Z A Is

Vs

= A 1 Z A I s

0
0
Z s + 2Z m
A 1 Z A =
Zs Zm
0
0

Z s Z m
0
0

Thus the system is again decoupled. A rule of thumb

is that Z+ = Z and Z0 is approximate 3 times Z+ .
ELE B7

Slide # 19

Sequence diagrams for generators

z

Key point: generators only produce positive

sequence voltages; therefore only the positive
sequence has a voltage source

During a fault Z+ Z Xd. The zero

sequence impedance is usually substantially
smaller. The value of Zn depends on whether
the generator is grounded
ELE B7

Slide # 20

Sequence diagrams for Transformers

z

ELE B7

The positive and negative sequence diagrams for

transformers are similar to those for transmission
lines.
The zero sequence network depends upon both how
the transformer is grounded and its type of
connection. The easiest to understand is a double
grounded wye-wye

Slide # 21

Transformer Sequence Diagrams

ELE B7

Slide # 22

Unbalanced Fault Analysis

z
z

The first step in the analysis of unbalanced faults is

to assemble the three sequence networks.
Consider the following example
VT =1.05

T1

G1

T2

Transmission Line

fault

ELE B7

VT =1.05

MVA

Voltage

X+

G1

100

11 kV

0.15

0.17

0.05

G2

100

11 kV

0.20

0.21

0.1

T1

100

11/220kV

0. 1

0.1

0.1

T2

100

11/220kV

0.1

0.1

0.1

Line

100

220kV

0.105

0.105

0.315

X-

Xo

G2
J0.0
5

Slide # 23

Sequence Diagrams for Example

Positive Sequence Network
J0.15

J0.1

J0.105

J0.1

1.050o

J0.2

1.050o

Negative Sequence Network

J0.17

ELE B7

J0.1

J0.105

J0.1

J0.21

Slide # 24

Sequence Diagrams for Example

Zero Sequence Network
J0.05

J0.1

J0.315

J0.1

J0.1

J0.15

ELE B7

Slide # 25

Create Thevenin Equivalents

z

Second is to calculate the Thevenin equivalents as

seen from the fault location. In this example the
fault is at the terminal of the right machine so the
Thevenin equivalents are:
j 0 . 1389

1 .05 0 0

I a+

I a

++
Va

I a0

j 0 .1456

V a

j 0 . 25

V a0

Zth+ = j 0.2 in parallel with j0.455

Zth = j 0.21 in parallel with j0.475
ELE B7

Slide # 26

Single Line-to-Ground (SLG) Faults

z

ELE B7

Unbalanced faults unbalance the network, but only

at the fault location. This causes a coupling of the
sequence networks. How the sequence networks
are coupled depends upon the fault type. Well
derive these relationships for several common
faults.
With a SLG fault only one phase has non-zero fault
current -- well assume it is phase A.

Slide # 27

SLG Faults, contd

Ignoring prefault currents, the
SLG fault can be described by
the following voltage and
current relationships:
Ib = 0

Ic = 0

&

Ia

Va
Zf

Ic

Ib

Vb

Vc

Va = I a Z f

The terminal unbalance currents at the fault point can be

transferred into their sequence components as follows:
1
I a0

1
I + = 1
3
a

1

I
a
ELE B7

1 I a


2
0


0

I a0 = I a+ =

I a =

Ia
3
Slide # 28

SLG Faults, contd

During fault,
Ia =

Va
Zf

and

I ao =

Va
3Z f

The terminal voltage at phase a can be transferred into

its sequence components as:

Va = Va0 + Va+ + Va
0
+

V
V
V
V
+
+
a
a
I a0 = a = a
3Z f
3Z f

ELE B7

Slide # 29

SLG Faults, contd

The only way that these two constraint can be satisfied
is by coupling the sequence networks in series
I ao

Zero
Sequence
Circuit
Ia

Va

Zf Vb

Vc

Zero
Sequence
Circuit

I a+

Ic

Ib

Vao

I ao

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

Va +

+
a

I = I = I

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

Va

Vao

Zo

Ia+

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

I a

0
a

I ao

Va +

Ia+

3Z f

1 0

Z+

Va

Va +

3Z f

Ia

Ia

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

Vao

Va

Va
Va0 + Va+ + Va
=
I =
3Z f
3Z f
0
a

ELE B7

Slide # 30

Example:
z

Consider the following system

VT =1.05

T1

T2

Transmission Line

G1

ELE B7

fault

G2
J0.05

Its Thevenin equivalents as seen from the fault

location are:
j 0 . 1389

1 .05 0 0

VT =1.05

I a+

I a

++

Vf

I a0

j 0 .1456

V f

j 0 . 25

V f0

Slide # 31

Example, contd
I

j 0 . 1389

With the sequence networks in

series, we can solve for the fault
currents

1 . 05 0

+
a

+
+

+
V

j 0 . 1456

I
j 0 . 25

0
1
.
05

0
I a+ = I a = I a0 =
= j1.964
j (0.1389 + 0.1456 + 0.25)

0
a

0
a

I = AI s I a = j 5.8 (of course, I b = I c = 0)

NOTE 1: These are the currents at the SLG fault point.

The currents in the system during the SLG fault should be
computed by analyzing the sequence circuits.
ELE B7

Slide # 32

Example, contd
From the sequence currents we can find the sequence
voltages as follows:
Va+ = 1.0500 I a+ Z + , Va = I a Z , Va0 = I ao Z o
V = AVs Va = 0, Vb = 1.166 j 0.178 , Vc = 1.166 + j 0.178

NOTE 2: These are the voltages at the SLG fault point.

The voltages at other locations in the system (during the
SLG fault) should be computed by analyzing the
sequence circuits.

ELE B7

Slide # 33

Line-to-Line (LL) Faults

z

The second most common fault

is line-to-line, which occurs
when two of the conductors
come in contact with each
other. With out loss of
generality we'll assume phases
b and c.

Ia
Va

Ib

Ic

Vb Z f Vc

Ib = Ic
&
Current relationships: I a = 0
Voltage relationships: Vb = Vc + I b Z f

ELE B7

Slide # 34

LL Faults, cont'd
Using the current relationships, we get
I a0


I +
a


I a

1
1
=
3

Ib

I
b
NOTE

Therefore,

I =0
0
a

1
I = ( 2 ) I b
3
1 2

I a = ( ) I b
3
+
a

Hence
ELE B7

I a = I a+

= 1120
= 0.5 + j 0.866

2 = 1240
2 = 0.5 j 0.866
2 = j 3
2 = j 3
Slide # 35

LL Faults, con'td
Therefore, it is obvious that, during a LL
Faults there is no zero sequence components
in the sequence circuit that represents this
fault.
During LL fault,
we have:
I =0
Vb = Vc + I b Z f
Using the symmetrical components,
then:
Vb = Va0 + 2Va+ + Va

Vao = 0

Zo

I a0 = 0

Va0 = I a0 Z 0 = 0

0
a

Vc = Va0 + Va+ + 2Va

I b Z f = Z f ( I a0 + 2 I a+ + I a )
ELE B7

Ia

Ib

Zf
+

Va

Vb

Vc

Slide # 36

LL Faults, con'td
Therefore,

Va0 + 2Va+ + Va = Va0 + Va+ + 2Va + Z f ( I a0 + 2 I a+ + I a )

I a+ = I a
Substitute for I a0 = 0
Va0 = I a0 Z 0 = 0

( 2 )Va+ = ( 2 )Va + ( 2 ) I a+ Z f

Then,

Va+ = Va + I a+ Z f
To satisfy I a = I a+ , Va+ = Va + I a+ Z f and I a0 = 0 ,
the positive and negative sequence networks must be
connected in parallel
I ao

Zero
Sequence
Circuit

I =0
0
a

V ao

Ia+

I a+ = I a
Ia
Va

ELE B7

Ib

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

Ia

Ic

Vb Z f Vc

Va+

+
a

+
a

V =V + I Zf

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

Va

I ao

Zero
Sequence
Circuit

Ia+

10

Vao
Ia+

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

Va +

Ia

Va +
Ia

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

Z+

Zf

Zf

Va

Va

Slide # 37

LL Faults-Example
In the previous example, assume a phase-b-to-phase-c
fault occurs at the busbar of generator 2 (G2)
j 0 .1389
1.0500

I a+

j 0 . 1389

Va+

I
j 0.1456

Zf

Va

Va0

Note: Zf = 0

ELE B7

Va+

Zf

I a

Va

j 0 . 1456

Solving the network for the currents, we get

I a0
j0.25

1 .05 0 0

I a+

1.0500
= 3.691 900
I =
j (0.1389 + 0.1456)
+
a

I a
1

1
I
b = 3 1

1
I c

1 0
0

0
2

3.691 90 = 6.39

6.39
3.69190

Slide # 38

LL Faults-Example, cont'd
Solving the network for the voltages we get
+
V fa
V fa

= 1.050 j 0.1389 3.691 90 = 0.5370

= j 0.1452 3.69190 = 0.5370

Vaf
1 0 1.074
1 1
f

2
0.537 = 0.537
Vb = 1

f
1 2 0.537 0.537
V

ELE B7

Slide # 39

Double Line-to-Ground Faults

z

With a double line-to-ground (DLG) fault two line

conductors come in contact both with each other
and ground. We'll assume these are phases b and c.
The voltage and the current relationships are:
Vb = Vc

Vb = Vc = ( I b + I c ) Z f

Ia = 0
+
a

Ia

Ia = I + I + I = 0
0
a

Va

Ib
Vb

Ic
Vc

Zf

Note, because of the path to ground the zero sequence

current is no longer zero.
ELE B7

Slide # 40

DLG Faults, cont'd

Using the symmetrical components, the terminal
voltages are:
0
+

Vb = Vb + Vb + Vb

Vb = Va0 + 2Va+ + Va
Vc = Va0 + Va+ + 2Va

Vb = Vc

Va0 + 2Va+ + Va = Va0 + Va+ + 2Va

( 2 )Va+ = ( 2 )Va

Va+ = Va
ELE B7

Slide # 41

DLG Faults, cont'd

Using the symmetrical components, the terminal
currents are:
I b = I a0 + 2 I a+ + I a
I c = I a0 + I a+ + 2 I a

The voltage between fault terminal and ground is:

Vb = Vc = ( I b + I c ) Z f

Express the above equation in terms of its symmetrical

components:
Va0 + 2Va+ + Va = ( I a0 + 2 I a+ + I a + I a0 + I a+ + 2 I a ) Z f

Using Va+ = Va , 1 + + 2 = 0 &

Then
Va0 Va+ = 3I a0 Z f
ELE B7

I a = I a0 + I a+ + I a = 0

Slide # 42

DLG Faults, cont'd

To satisfy I a = I a0 + I a+ + I a = 0 , Va+ = Va &
the three symmetrical circuits, during a double line to
ground fault, are connected as follows:
I ao

I ao
I ao

Zero
Sequence
Circuit

Vao

Zero
Sequence
Circuit

Ia+

I a+

Ia
Va

Ib

Ic

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

Va +
Ia

Vb

Vc

Zf

I a = I a0 + I a+ + I a = 0
Va0 Va+ = 3I a0 Z f

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

Va

Vao

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

Va +

Zo

3Z f

Va

3Z f

Ia+

1 0

Z+

Va+ = Va

Va +
Ia

Ia

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

Vao

Va

Va0 Va+ = 3I a0 Z f

ELE B7

Slide # 43

DLG Faults-Example
In previous example, assume DLG fault occurred at
G2 bus.
I a0
V a0

j 0 . 25

I a+
1 . 05 0 0 E

j 0 . 1389

3Z f

I a

I a+

j 0 . 1389

V a+
V

+
a

1 . 05 0 0

V a

V a0

j 0 . 25

I a
j 0 . 1456

j 0 . 1456

I a0

3Z f

Assuming Zf=0, then

+
0
V
1
.
05

0
a
=
I a+ = +

0
Z + Z //( Z + 3Z f ) j (0.1389 + j 0.092)

= 4.547 900
ELE B7

Slide # 44

DLG Faults, cont'd

I a

I a+

j 0 . 1389

V a+
1 . 05 0 0

I a0

j 0 . 1456

V a

V a0

j 0 . 25

3Z f

V fa+ = 1.05 4.547 90 j 0.1389 = 0.4184

I fa = 0.4184 / j 0.1456 = j 2.874
I 0fa = I +fa I fa = j 4.547 j 2.874 = j1.673
Converting to phase: I bf = 1.04 + j 6.82
I cf = 1.04 + j 6.82
ELE B7

Slide # 45

Unbalanced Fault Summary

z
z

ELE B7

SLG: Sequence networks are connected in series,

parallel to three times the fault impedance
LL: Positive and negative sequence networks are
connected in parallel; zero sequence network is not
included since there is no path to ground
DLG: Positive, negative and zero sequence
networks are connected in parallel, with the zero
sequence network including three times the fault
impedance

Slide # 46

Generalized System Solution

z
z
1.
2.

3.

ELE B7

Assume we know the pre-fault voltages

The general procedure is then
Calculate Zbus for each sequence
For a fault at bus i, the Zii values are the Thevenin
equivalent impedances; the pre-fault voltage is the
positive sequence Thevenin voltage
Connect and solve the Thevenin equivalent
sequence networks to determine the fault current;
how the sequence networks are interconnected
depends upon the fault type
Slide # 47

Generalized System Solution, contd

4.

Sequence voltages throughout the system are given

by
0
M
This is solved

0
for each

sequence
V = V prefault + Z I f
network!
0

M
0
5. Phase values are determined from the sequence values

ELE B7

Slide # 48

Unbalanced System Example

Bus 1

Bus 2

G1

G2

fault

Bus 3

For the generators assume Z+ = Z = j0.2; Z0 = j0.05

For the transformers assume Z+ = Z =Z0 = j0.05
For the lines assume Z+ = Z = j0.1; Z0 = j0.3
Assume unloaded pre-fault, with voltages =1.0 p.u.
ELE B7

Slide # 49

Positive/Negative Sequence Network

Bus 1
j0.2

j0.05

Bus 2
j0.3

j0.05

1.00o

j0.2

1.00o
j0.3

fault

j0.3

Bus 3

24 10 10
0.1397 0.1103 0.125
+
+
Ybus
= j 10 24 10 Zbus
= 0.1103 0.1397 0.125

10 10 20
0.1250 0.1250 0.175
Negative sequence is identical to positive sequence
ELE B7

Slide # 50

Zero Sequence Network

Bus 1
j0.05

j0.05

Bus 2
j0.3

j0.3

fault

j0.05

j0.05

j0.3

Bus 3

16.66 3.33 3.33

0.0732 0.0148 0.0440
0
0
= 0.0148 0.0435 0.0.292
Ybus
= j 3.33 26.66 3.33 Zbus

0.0440 0.0292 0.1866

3.33 6.66
3.33
ELE B7

Slide # 51

For a SLG Fault at Bus 3

The sequence networks are created using the pre-fault
voltage for the positive sequence thevenin voltage,
and the Zbus diagonals for the thevenin impedances
j 0 . 1750

1 .0 0 0

E
Positive Seq.

j 0 .1750

Negative Seq.

j 0 . 1866

Zero Seq.

The fault type then determines how the networks are

interconnected
ELE B7

Slide # 52

Bus 3 SLG Fault, contd

I +f
+
If

V+

V
ELE B7

1.00
=
= j1.863
j (0.1750 + 0.1750 + 0.1866)
=

If

0
If

= j1.863

1.00
0 0.7671
+
= 1.00 + Zbus
0 = 0.7671

1.00
j1.863 0.6740
0 0.2329

= Zbus
0 = 0.2329

j1.863 0.3260
Slide # 53

Bus 3 SLG Fault, contd

0 0.0820
0
0 = 0.0544
V 0 = Z bus

j1.863 0.3479
We can then calculate the phase voltages at any bus
0
0.3479

V3 = A 0.6740 = 0.522 j 0.866

0.3260
0.522 + j 0.866
0.4522
0.0820

V1 = A 0.7671 = 0.3491 j 0.866

0.2329
0.3491 + j 0.866
ELE B7

Slide # 54

Faults on Lines
z

ELE B7

The previous analysis has assumed that the fault is

at a bus. Most faults occur on transmission lines,
not at the buses
For analysis these faults are treated by including a
dummy bus at the fault location. How the
impedance of the transmission line is then split
depends upon the fault location

Slide # 55

Line Fault Example

Assume a SLG fault occurs on the previous system
on the line from bus 1 to bus 3, one third of the way
from bus 1 to bus 3. To solve the system we add a
dummy bus, bus 4, at the fault location
Bus 1

Bus 2
j0.1

j0.25

1.00o

j0.25

j0.0333

1.00o
j0.1

j0.0677
Dummy
fault bus

Bus 3

Bus 4

ELE B7

Slide # 56

Line Fault Example, contd

0 30
44 10
The Ybus
10 24 10

0
+
now has

Ybus
= j
4 buses
0 10 25 15
30

0 15 45

Adding the dummy bus only changes the new

row/column entries associated with the dummy bus

ELE B7

0.1397
0.1103
+
= j
Zbus
0.1250
0.1348

0.1103
0.1397
0.1250
0.1152

0.1250
0.1250
0.1750
0.1417

0.1348
0.1152

0.1417
0.1593

Slide # 57