Symmetrical Components Made Easy

Part 1
April 8, 2014 By Kevin Donaldson Leave a Comment
Before computer software applications, the task of calculating fault currents for a three-phase electrical system was a challenging task.
A mathematical theorem using Symmetrical Components and Sequence Networks was the most practical method to conduct fault
studies. Although we now have computers systems to calculate and perform in-depth fault and coordination studies, there continues a
need to have a good understanding of these theoretical components. Modern protective relays calculate Symmetrical Components and
use these values for protection settings and logic.
There are three Symmetrical Components: positive, negative and zero sequence. The general equations to determine these sequence
quantities from a three-phase system, is as follows:

Positive Sequence Components in a Non-
Faulted, three-phase power system
Below is a phasor diagram of a balanced, non-faulted three-phase power system. The phases are equal in amplitude and phase angle.
The following set of drawings pictorially calculates the amount of positive sequence component in a balance system. The vector
addition of 120
o
and 240
o
corresponds to the a and a
2
constants in the Positive Sequence formula above.

Thus, the positive sequence component in a non-faulted, balanced system is equal to one of the phases.
Negative Sequence Components in a
Non-Faulted, three-phase power system
Performing the same phasor calculation, we can determine the amount of negative sequence component in a non-faulted, balanced
three-phase power system. The negative sequence formula is proven.
Adding a and a
2
to the appropriate phasors, as per the negative sequence formula, then adding the phasor by placing the arrow tip to
arrow tail results in a return to zero position. Thus, there is no negative sequence component in a non-faulted, three-phase system.

Zero Sequence Components in a Non-
Faulted, three-phase power system
Lastly, we calculate the amount of Zero Sequence Component in the same three-phase system. The formula for zero sequence is
straight forward, in that there is no angle addition (i.e. no a or a
2
) and is simply phasor addition by placing the phasors tip to tail.

Thus, there is no zero-sequence component in a non-faulted, balanced three-phase system.
Conclusion:
Strong knowledge and understand of Symmetrical Components is key to testing and troubleshooting power system protection.
Symmetrical Components are calculated and formulas proven by phasor diagrams.
There is only positive sequence in a balanced three-phase system no negative sequence or zero sequence.
In the next post we will examine the sequence components of a phase to ground fault.

Symmetrical Components Made Easy
Part 2
April 15, 2014 By Kevin Donaldson Leave a Comment
In the last post we examined and calculated the symmetrical components in a non-faulted, three-phase electrical power system. This post expands on
the same process of using phasor diagrams to describe, illustrate, visualize and calculate the three symmetrical components: Positive Sequence,
Negative Sequence and Zero Sequence. An examination of a phase to neutral (also referred to as phase to ground) fault will be conducted.
Positive Sequence Components B-N Fault

Thus, there is significant positive sequence in the phase to neutral fault and the positive sequence phasor is lagging the reference phase (phase A).
Negative Sequence Components B-N
Fault

Thus, there is some negative sequence in the phase to neutral fault and the negative sequence phasor is leading the reference phase (phase A).
Zero Sequence Components B-N Fault


Thus, there is some zero sequence in the phase to neutral fault.
Conclusion:
Sequence components can be calculated and illustrated using phasor diagrams for a phase to neutral fault.
There is positive, negative and zero sequence components in a B-N fault; whereas a non-faulted system has only positive sequence see
Symmetrical Components Made Easy Part 1