Step by step calculation of overload and short circuit

currents
electrical-engineering-portal.com/overload-short-circuit-currents

By Edvard June 26, 2017

Determination of overcurrents and short circuit currents

In a heating system a motor-driven pump with a power of 200 kW, cos φ = 0.88, η =
0.93 is connected through an overhead cable with 1= 45 m (Figure 1).

Step by step calculation of overload and short circuit currents (photo credit: oempanels.com)

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 Determination of overload and short circuit
currents
Let’s see the calculation of the following:

1. Operating current
2. Overload protection
3. Voltage drop
4. Protection by cut-off
5. Short circuit protection
6. Overcurrent relay
7. Direct starting

1. Operating current

2. Overload protection
In = 400 A selected. From Table 1 we find a current carrying capacity of 445 A for
an NYY cable with a cross-section of 240 mm 2 .

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3. 2 % voltage drop is permissible (20 °C)

4. Protection by cut-off ff
Requirement:

I”k1 > Ia must always hold true:

The cut-off current of the 400 A gL fuse in 5 seconds is (Figure 1 below):

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The condition: I”k1 > Ia must always hold true.

Since in this example I”k1 > Ia, i.e. 1976.5 A < 2800, the condition is not satisfied.

Measure:

1. Increase the cross-section of the cable, if possible

2. Use a smaller value fuse.

5. Calculation proof of short circuit protection

6. Overcurrent relay

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Current setting for a power circuit breaker of 240-400 A to IrM = 353 A:

Protection: 400 A – AC3

7. Direct starting
With Ian / IrM = 7 and a start time of max. 10 s:

In = 500 A and NH fuse is required.

TABLE 1
Loading capacity, overhead installation, cable with U0/U = 0.6/1 kV

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 TABLE 1 – Loading capacity, overhead installation, cable with U0/U = 0.6/1 kV

Figure 1 – Fuse characteristics from 2A to 1000A

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 Figure 1 – Fuse characteristics 2A – 1000A

Terms and Definitions

Overcurrent

Overcurrent refers to every overload current and every short circuit current which is
greater than the maximum permissible current carrying capacity I.

Overload

The overload is greater than the rated current and arises during the fault-free
operating condition. High loading of a motor or the simultaneous use of several
loads can lead to overloading of the cable or the line.

Short circuit

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The terms short circuit and ground fault are used to describe faults in the functional
isolation of operational equipment when energized parts are shunted out
as a result.

In accordance with IEC 60 909, a short circuit arises through a fault, accidentally or
intentionally, between active lines under voltage standing in opposition, through a low
resistance or impedance.

Short circuit current

In accordance with IEC 60 909, a short circuit current flows as a result of a

fault for the duration of the short circuit. Here it is necessary to distinguish
between short circuit current at the fault location and the transferred short circuit
currents.

Lines and cables must be protected against excessive temperature rises as a result
of an overcurrent (overload and short circuit protection) with overcurrent protective
equipment.

Load carrying capacity

The load carrying capacity defines, under certain conditions, the highest permissible
currents.

Loading

Loading describes the currents to which a cable or line is subjected through a

particular mode of operation or a fault condition.

Current carrying capacity

The current carrying capacity of a cable or a line depends on:

1. the type of installation,

2. the grouping of lines and cables,
3. the ambient temperature,
4. the operating temperature,
5. the number of core wires and the insulation material,

which must be considered in the form of correction factors for the dimensioning of lines
and cables.

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Rated short-time current density

This value is the effective value of the current density which a cable is able to
withstand the rated short circuit duration.

Rated short-time current

This value is the effective value of the current which electrical operational equipment,
under predefined conditions, is able to withstand over the rated short circuit duration.

The rated short-time current and the related rated short circuit duration are determined by
the manufacturer of the operational equipment.

Reference // Analysis and design of low voltage power systems by Ismail Kasikci

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