ET601 – POWER SYSTEM PROTECTION CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2:FAULT CURRENT AND MVA CALCULATION METHOD

2.1 Understand the basic terms used in power system fault calculation

2.1.1 Define per-unit value

2.1.2 Determine impedance per unit as; (change of MVA base,change of voltage
base, change of both MVA base and voltage base)

2.2 Use the per-unit value formula in solving symmetrical fault problem

2.2.1 Determine the right steps for selection of base MVA and base voltage.
2.2.2 Draw the equivalent per-unit diagram
2.2.3 Apply per unit value formula in solving short circuit fault calculations.

2.1 Understand the basic terms used in power system fault calculation
2.1.1 Define per-unit value

In the analysis of power network various quantities will be considered such as impedance,
rating of the electrical equipment and value of power transmitted. These quantities may be
varies in size and value which can cause inconvenience when one is trying to analyze the
network. To overcome this problem i.e to simplify the mathematical solution in power
analysis, per unit is used. In per unit system, the actual values of quantities are
expressed as fraction of some reference quantities.

Per unit (denoted as p.u) is defined as

PER UNIT = ACTUAL VALUE (any unit)

BASE VALUE (any unit)

2.1.2 Determine impedance per unit as; (change of MVA base,change of voltage base,
change of both MVA base and voltage base)

Either it is star or delta connected, the following formula are applicable to both:

( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )

( ) ( )
( ) ( )

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For the system where a number of quantities in per unit are available with different bases, it
is necessary to define a new per unit value for each quantity base only one base value. The
following formula is then used

( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )

2.2 Use the per-unit value formula in solving symmetrical fault problem
2.2.1 Determine the right steps for selection of base MVA and base voltage.

It has already been discussed that 3-phase short-circuits faults results in symmetrical faults
current i.e. fault current in the three phase are equal in magnitude but displaced 120º
electrical from one another. Therefore, problems involving such faults can be solved by
considering one phase only as the same conditions prevail in the other two phase. The
procedure for the solution of such faults involving the following steps:

i. Draw a single line diagram of the complete network indicating the rating, voltage and
p.u reactance of each element of the network.
ii. Choose a numerically convenient value of base VA and convert all p.u. reactance to
this base value.
iii. Corresponding to the single line diagram of the network, draw the reactance diagram
showing one phase of the system and the neutral. Indicate the p.u reactance on the
base VA in the reactance diagram. The transformer in the system should be
represented by a reactance in series.
iv. Find the total p.u reactance of the network upto the point of fault. Let it be in Zp.u
v. Find the short-circuit current and short-circuit VA

2.2.2 Draw the equivalent per-unit diagram

Convert the single line diagram to equivalent per-unit circuit

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2.2.3 Apply per unit value formula in solving short circuit fault calculations.

A transmission line system has all phase fault at bus bar 22kV as shown in figure below.
Calculate the value of current and apparent power which having faults.

22kV//132kV 132kV//11kV
G1
Vbase new

j126Ω
60MVA To load
X = 0.1pu 40MVA 20MVA
X = 0.1pu X = 0.15pu
G2

30MVA
X = 0.1pu
Solution

Vbase new 22kV 132kV 11kV

Vbaseold

22kV//132kV 132kV//11kV
G1

j126Ω
60MVA To load
X = 0.1pu 40MVA 20MVA
X = 0.1pu X = 0.15pu
G2

30MVA
X = 0.1pu
F

MVAbase old

MVAbasenew 60MVA 60MVA 60MVA

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i. Convert all components values to the new per-unit values

( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )

( )

= 0.1 p.u

( )

= 0.15 p.u

( )

= 0.45 p.u

( )

= 0.2 p.u

( )
( )

= 0.434 p.u

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ii. Draw an impedance equivalent circuit for the system

XL = 0.434 p.u

G1 = 0.1 p.u
T1 = 0.15 p.u T2 = 0.45 p.u

G2 = 0.2 p.u

( ) ( )

iii. Apparent power fault

( )

= 638.298 MVA

iv. Current fault

( )( )

( )( )

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