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Infinite Bus Calculations
Infinite Bus Calculations
Infinite Bus Calculations
A short circuit usually occurs as a result of a fault in a power system. The fault may be a
conductor breaking and falling to the ground, or two or more electrical conductors coming in
contact with each other.
Such faults result in the formation of a low resistance path for the current. This is a short circuit
condition.
The excessive heat generated from the high current causes the conductors to burn or catch fire.
Not only these currents damage equipment like generators, motors, and other electrical
appliances but can also burn the motor windings.
Another hazardous effect of short circuits is arc flashes that destroy the equipment and can
prove lethal to surrounding people and equipment.
Having adequate knowledge of short circuit current helps in determining the protection of a
system before an incident occurs.
This method calculates the worst possible or maximum current that propagates from the
transformer in case of a short circuit. We get maximum value because the source and any
other impedances are ignored or considered equal to zero except the transformer impedance.
The transformer impedance plays a vital role in the calculation of SCC as it limits the maximum
permissible SCC which can be transferred to the LV side.
Data required:
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The infinite bus calculations are performed across a 3-phase transformer in a power system.
Therefore, we should have the data on the transformer KVA rating, primary and secondary
voltage, and percentage impedance. This data can be easily obtained from the transformer
nameplate.
Calculation
This calculation is performed in two simple steps which are as follows:
Step 1:
Calculate the full load ampere (Current) rating at the transformer secondary.
FLA secondary =
(KVA3 phase)
= ------------------
KVL-L x √3
Where :
FLAsecondary = Secondary Full Load Amps
KVL−L = Secondary Voltage in kV
KVA3 phase = Transformer Three Phase kVA
Step 2:
Calculate the short circuit current on the secondary of the transformer.
SCA secondary =
(FLAsecondary x 100)
= ---------------------
%Z
Where :
SCAsecondary = Short Circuit Amperes on Secondary of transformer
% Z = Percentage Impedance of transformer
Sample calculations:
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Utility available short ckt (Isc u) current gets larger utility %z aproaches to zero
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Since
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Now if we consider as infinite bus per unit impedance is disappears because it is negligible
(or) equals to 0 then we can able to remove from thevinins equalent ckt.
Most possible fault current (infinity) we could get from secondary of the transformer hence it is
infinite bus.
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Short circuit calculations using infinite bus methods are not suitable for arc flash studies.
Infinite bus method gives the worst possible current in the event of a short circuit, therefore a
relay or protection system configured using infinite bus method current will trip the circuit in
minimum time.
However, for a smaller value of fault current, the inverse time characteristics of that relay will
delay the operation of protection systems (delayed tripping time).
The prolonged time will release greater incident energy in the event of an arc flash at such a
current value. So infinite bus methods are not suitable for arc flash studies.
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