IEC SHORT-ClRCUlT CALCULATION

BY
JEAN-CLAUDE PHlLlPPE RIEFFEL VIVANCO

ABB, ASEA BROWN BOVERI S.A.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA

PRESENTATION FOR THE

1998; IEEE CEMENT INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
MAY 17921,1998
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
0-7803-3941-W98 $10.00 0 1998 IEEE-IAS

41

ABSTRACT
This paper analyzes how to calculate the three-phase and single-phase
short-circuit currents in type TT and TN networks, and the three-phase and twophase ones in type IT networks, for low voltage electrical plants with a radial
type of layout. The following are considered in the calculation:

- the transformer and generator contribution (the same or different)

- the motor contribution

the impedance of the medium voltage network, cables, busbars and other

components known to the designer.

With regard to the transformer and network contribution, the calculation
takes into account the recommendations of the IEC909[C], VDE 0102, and Teil
1[E] UTE NFC 15-100 [O] / C 15-105 [PI Standards and with regard to the motor

and generator contribution, the indications in the IEC363[A] Standards and in

R.Roepers [L] text.

The main reason to prepare this paper, is give step by step a complete
method to calculate, critical short circuit situation, specially if the power source
and load, are working in electrical limits

42

INTRODUCTI0N
Short-circuit (as IEC 909) is the accidental or deliberate connection
across a comparatively low resistance or impedance between two or more points
of a circuit which usually have differing voltage.
In order to select and determine the characteristics of equipment for
electrical networks it is necessary to know the magnitudes of the short-circuit
currents amd short-circuit powers wich may occur.
The calculation of short-circuit currents is always based on the
assumption of a dead short-circuit. Other influences, especially arc resistances,
contact resistances, conductor temperatures, inductances of current
transformers and the like, can have the effect of lowering the short-circuit
currents, 'Since they are not amenable to calculation, they are accounted for in
by a special factor called c, listed in IEC 909.
Putting together, a calculation method and practical assumptions, is
possible analyze many critical situations, and introduce changes to avoid plant
shut down and production losses.

43

1.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE MEDIUM VOLTAGE NETWORK

If a short-circuit is supplied by an electrical network where only the initial

symmetrical short-circuit power is known, then the equivalent impedance of the
network at the interconnection point of the plant being examined is calculated as
follows:

Formula (1)
where:

- UnQ = rated voltage of the system at the supply point Q [kV]

- S"kQ = apparent initial symmetrical short-circuit power at the connection
point Q [MVA]
- I"kQ = initial symmetrical short-circuit current at the connection point Q
PA1
- c = voltage factor (Values according to IEC 909 [C] and to NFC 15-100

PI)
If a transformer is placed between the medium voltage network and the
supply point Q, the equivalent impedance of the network is referred to the low
voltage side of the transformer, and the formula seen is changed to the
following:

ZQt =

cxUnQ2 1
X-=
S"kQ
tr2

cxUnQ
1
x -(ohm)
&.I"kQ
tr2

Formula (2)
where:
tr = rated transforming ratio of the transformer relative to the main
position of a voltage regulator (if provided).
Should neither S"kQ nor I"kQ be available, the data supplied in the CEI
14-4 [GI Standards can be used:
UnQ 5 24 kV
UnQ > 24 kV

44

S"kQ= 500 MVA

S"kQ=lOOO MVA

For power supplies with rated voltages over 35 kV carried out with overhead
lines, the equivalent impedance can be considered as a pure reactance XQ; in
all the other cases and when no exact values are available for the RQ network,
the following can be assumed:

XCI = 0.995*ZQ

[ohm]

If the power supply is derived directly from a low voltage network, the
equivalent impedance is calculated using the following formula:

ZQt =

cxUnQ2 1
X-=
S"kQ
tr2

cxUnQ
1
x -(ohm)
4 . Z " k Q tr2

Formula (3)
the initial symmetrical short-circuit current being known and, for
calculation of the resistance, the cosp dc short-circuit power factor. In case the
latter is riot known, the values given in the IEC 947-2 [D] and CEI 17-5 [HI
Standards can be assumed:
I"kQ [kA]
50 e I"kQ
20 ,< I"kQ 5 50
10 ,< I"kQ 5 20
6 e: I"kQ 5 10
4.5 c I"kQ 5 6
3 e I"kQ 5 4.5
1.5 e I"kQ 5 3
I"kQ 5 1.5
2.

cos p dc

0.20
0.25
0.30

0.50
0.70
0.80
0.90
0.95

CCINTRIBUTION OF THE MV/LV TRANSFORMERS

The positive sequence short-circuit impedance of a transformer with two

windings is calculated by means of the rated values of the transformer itself:

Ukr U r T 2
ZT=-x(ohm)
100% SrT
Formula (4)

45

Then the resistance is calculated:

PkrT
(ohm)
3xZrT
Formula (5)

Rt =

and finally the reactance:

XT = d m ( o h m )
Formula ( 6 )
where:

- UrT is the rated (or no-load) voltage of the LV side transformer [VI
- IrT is the rated current of the LV side transformer [A]

- SrT is the apparent rated power of the transformer [VA]

-

PkrT is the power dissipated in the transformer windings to the rated

current [W]
- ukr is the rated short-circuit voltage in percentage
when the data is missing, reference can be made to the CEI 14-4 [GI and to the
NFC 15-105 [PI Standards:
SrT [kVA]
1600 < SrT < 3200
1250 < SrT < 1600
1000 < SrT < 1250
800 < SrT < 1000
630 < SrT < 800
SrT < 630

ukr

r/~]
CEI 14-4
6.25
6.25
5.00
5.00
5.00
4.00

ukr [YO] NFC15-105

6.50
6.00
5.50
5.00
4.50
4.00

Since the value of the dissipated power PkrT is not always available, the
tables supplies the deduced default values, as far as possible, from the
Standards. The values taken from the UNEL 21001-74 [I] and DIN 42500 series
A tables are given, relative to three-phase transformers with natural cooling in
oil:
SrT [kVA]

PkrT [W]

25

700

50

1100
1750
2350
3250
4600
6500

100
160
250
400
630

In the NFC 15-105 [PI guide: Pkrt [W] = 3 * ukr[%] * SrT [kVA].
46

For the zero sequence short-circuit resistance and reactance, as default data
and in colmpliance with the Standards, the following valid relationships are
proposed for transformers with primary windings connected in a delta and
secondary windings connected in a star:
ROT/RT = 1

3.

XOT/XT = 0,9

COINTRIBUTION OF THE GENERATORS

The symmetrical component lac, function of the time, for three-phase shortcircuit is given by:
-t

-t

lac = ( I K - I K ) F x e + ( Z K - I K ) F x e + Z k (A)
Formula (7)
where:

E
I .K = - ( A )

E
ZK = - ( A )
2

Z:= ,/(Xd

+ Xn)+ Rn2

ZK = - ( A )

Formula (8)

subtransient impedance (ohm) Formula (9)

2 := d(Xd + X n ) 2+ Rn2 transient impedance (ohm) Formula (10)

Z = J ( X d + X n ) 2 + Rn2

synchronous impedance (ohm) Formula (11)

E = -x ,/( 1 + x d x sen p)

+ (xd x cos p)

(V)

Formula (1 2)

+ ( x d x ~ o s p ) ~ (V)

Formula (13)

,, 1.3xU
E =x J ( l + x d x s e n p ) + ( x d x c o s p ) (V)

Formula (14)

J3

E = =U- x d ( l + x d x s e n p )

&

&

E and E are the subtransient and transient (phase) e.m.f. respectively

and is calculated under energization conditions corresponding to normal

service.

47

E is the synchronous phase e.m.f. calculated taking into account an overenergization of the generator of 30% due to the overcurrent. See the following
page for the meaning of the symbols used.

In the NFC 15-105 [PI guide:

lac = 7
Z

A'Z

lac = - (A)

Formula (15)

Symbols used :

- U rated voltage between lines of the generator

[VI

- x"d=X"d*Sg/U2 [P.u.]; X"d [ohm] subtransient reactance of the generator

- x'd=X'd*Sg/U2 [P.u.]; X'd [ohm] transient reactance of the generator

- xd=Xd*Sg/U* [P.u.]; Xd [ohm]] synchronous reactance of the generator
- Xn and Rn reactance and resistance of the connections outside the
generator [ohm]
- Sg rated power of the generator [VA]
-

cosp rated power factor of the generator

T" = X "d + Xn X- X'd x T "d

X'd + X n

T' =

X"d

subtransient time constant [SI Formula (16)

X ' d + X n X'd
x -x T 'd transient time constant [s]
X d + X n X'd

Formula (17)

- T"d and T'd subtransient and transient time constants of the generator
[SIFor the continuous component:

Formula (18)
where:

48

X"d + XIZ
2 . n .f x ( R a + R n )

Tdc = circuit

time constant of the continuous component of the

[SI
Formula (19)

generator armoring resistance [ohm] Formula (20)

Tdc, g
g enerator [s]

time constant of the continuous component of the

Therefore the peak value of the short-circuit current is given with sufficient
approximation by:
T
T
T
Ip = f i - I m x - + Z d c x - + Z d c x 2
2
2

where:

Formula (21)

- lac(T/2) and ldc(T/2) are tI le values of tl le symmetrical component and

of the continuous component respectively, calculated at time t=T/2.

4.

CONTRIBUTION OF THE MOTORS

With regard to the contribution of the motors, reference was made to the above
mentioned IEC 363 [A] Standard. The following is valid for the symmetrical
component:
Ik,m= m*ln,m

[AI

Formula (22)
where:

- In,im = total rated current of the motors operating simultaneously [A]

- m = factor, whose values are given in the following table according to
the time, in periods measured from the starting moment of the fault, also taking
into account the motor supply cable impedance.

49

tu)
m

0
6.25

Y2T
4

T
2.5

2T
1

Instead, for the peak value, there is the following:

Ip,m = 8 * In,m

[AI

Formula (23)

5.

TOTAL SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENT

The total short-circuit current values are calculated by the algebraic sum of the
values calculated for the transformers, generators and motors, considering the
main busbar impedance as zero. The following are calculated to calculate the
short-circuit current in the subswitchboards:
- the value, according to the time, of the Zeq equivalent impedance in
node corresponding to the general switchboard by means of the total
symmet ricaI sho rt-circuit c urrent ;
- the equivalent power factor and therefore the equivalent values of the
Req resistance constant and of the Xeq reactance according to the time, by
means of the value of the total one-directional current.;

- the value of the short-circuit current in the subswitchboard, adding Req

and Xeq to the resistance and reactance of the RI and XL connections thus
obtaining the total impedance Zk at the fault point, according to the time and
t he ref ore:

Formula (24)
where e is a factor which in low voltage for Un 5 400V is 1 (IEC 909) or
1.05 (NFC 15-105 [PI).
6.

PHASE TO PHASE FAULT CLEAR OF EARTH

Regardless of the system configuration, the initial short-circuit current for a

phase to phase short-circuit without earthing is calculated using the following
formula:

50

I "k 2 =

--c x

cxUn

,/( 2. RQ + 2. RT + 2. RL) + (2. XQ + 2 . XT + 2. X L )

u
t
2

2 . Zk

Formula (25)
Therefore the l"k2 current can be calculated from the three-phase short-circuit
current, i n fact:

Formula (26)

LI

L2

L3

I"k2

Fig. 1
7.

PHASE TO EARTH FAULT

The initial short-circuit current for single-phase fault (phase-neutral,

phase-PE, phase-earth) is important for evaluating the thermal stress of the
cable, for short-circuit at the end of a four-pole or single-phase line.
The current is calculated in the following way:

J( 2. RQ + 2. RT + 2 . RL + RT 0 + RLO) + (2. X Q + 2 . XT + 2- XL + X T 0 + XLO)

(A)
Formula (27)
where:

RTO , XTO = resistance and reactance at zero sequence of the

transformer
RLO , XLO = resistance and reactance at zero sequence of the whole line
up to the fault point (PE or neutral included).
51

It is assumed that:
RLO = RL+3Rpe and XLO = 3XL
Formula (28)
RT, XT = resistance and reactance at the direct sequence of supply
RL, XL = resistance and reactance at the direct sequence of the line up to
the fault point (PE or neutral included)
Rpe= resistance of the protection conductor (PE).
Finally, the following of the short-circuit current is determined at every
point of the plant:
- the symmetrical and unidirectional component according to the time
- the maximum peak value
- the power factor.

L1
L2

I
I "k 2

Fig. 2
8.

CALCULATION OF THE MINIMUM FAULT CURRENTS

For the calculation of the minimum fault currents proceed as follows:

- recalculate the line impedance with R=l.5R20

- take into consideration a different power factor to establish the

equivalent supply voltage (1 according to NFC and Table I of IEC 909)
- disregard the contribution of motors.
These formula are the same as those used to calculate the max. shortcircuit currents.
9.

52

RESISTANCE AND REACTANCE OF THE CONNECTIONS

The resistance and reactance values of the cable and busbar lines can be
deduced from the Cable Sizing and Busbar Current Capacity Check
program:;.
With regard to the protection conductor cross-section (PE), which, in the
absence of the true value, allows calculation of its resistance, the methods
foreseen in the 64-8 [K] and in NFC 15-100[0] Standards are given:
I'

111ZXf

1) s p =--

I'

I'

I'

Formula (29)

mm2)

where:

- I is the effective value of the fault current running through the

conductor due to direct earthing fault [A]
- t is the lprotection device trip time [SI
- k depends on the conductor material, on the type of insulator and on
other factors(see the Standards mentioned above for the value of k).
2) The values of the following table can be assumed:
Phase cross-section
[1nm2]
S < 16
16 e: S < 35
s > 35

Min. Sp cross-section

"*I

sp =s
Sp=16
s p = SI2

These values are only valid if the protection conductor is made of the
same material as the phase conductor, otherwise it is necessary to recalculate
the cross-section in order to obtain the equivalent conductance.
10.

TYPICAL SIZES REGARDING SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES

caption :
Values in the following tables, are only references, could be used in a previous
procedure if apply.
a) WITH PLAIN ROTOR (TURBOALTERNATORS)
b) WITH RISING POLES WITH DAMPER WINDING (RAPID ROTOR, 2pcl6)
c) WITH RISING POLES WITH DAMPER WINDING (SLOW ROTOR, 2 ~ 4 6 )
d) WITH RISING POLES WITHOUT DAMPER WINDING (RAPID ROTOR,
2~46)
e) WITH RISING POLES WITHOUT DAMPER WINDING (SLOW ROTOR,
2~46)

53

SUBTRANSIENT
REACTANCE(*)
Xd" in YO
TRANSIENT
REACTANCE(*)
Xd' in YO

(a)

(b)

12
9i15

20
18
14i23 15+
25
30
27
20i32 22+
36

18
14i
23

(c)

(4

(9

25
30
2 2 ~ 3 5 25i40
27
22 i35

33
25i40

(e)

(*) the reactance is intended saturated

SYNCHRONOUS
REACTANCE (*)
Xd' in YO
NO-LOAD SHORTCIRCUIT
RATIO kO
INVERSE SEQ.
REACTANCE
X2 in %

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

160
120 i
200
0.6
0.5t
0.8
12
9i15

100
80 i
140
1 .o
0.7f
1.6
20
14i25

100
75i
125
1 .o
0.8t
1.2
24
15s
27

100
100
8 0 ~ 1 4 0 75i125

1 .o
1 .o
0.7i1.6 0.8 i 1.2
45
36i63

50
35~60

(*) the reactance is intended saturated

ZEROSEQUENCE
REACTANCE
XO in YO
SUBTRANSIENT
REACTANCE
TIME CONSTANT
Td" in s
TRANSIENT
PERIOD TIME
CONSTANT Td' in
S

54

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

2i10

3i20

3i22

4i24

4i30

0.03
0.01
t0.05

0.03
0.01
i0.05

0.01

1.3
0.5i
1.8

1.6
0.7+
2.5

1.6
0.7i
2.5

0.03
9.05
1.6
1.6
0.7i 2.5 0.7i 2.5

TIME COINSTANT
OF NO-L,OAD
OPERATION TdO
in s
CONTINIJOUS
COMPONENT
TIME CONSTANT
Tg in s

(a)
10
5t15

(b)
6

0.15
0.05 f

0.18
0.22
0.10 i 0.1

0.30

0.30

4tlO

(c)

(d)

5
3t8

6
4i10

0.30

0.30
0.15

(e)
5
3t8

0.35
i

0.2t0.50

0.50

55

REFERENCES
A) IEC Publication 363, 1972, short-circuit capacity of circuit breakers in
inst aI I at ions in ships
B) IEC Publication 865, 1986, "Calculation of the effects of short-circuit
c urrent s .
C) IEC Publication 909, 1988 "Short-circuit current calculation in three-phase
a.c. systems".
D) IEC Publication 947-2,1989 (UNE-EN 60947-2) "Low-voltage switchgear and
cont roI gea r
Part 2 : Circuit-breakers"
E) DIN VDE 0102 Teil 1/11.71, Leitsatze fur die Berechnung der
KurzschluOstrome - Drehstromanlagen mit Nennspannungen uber 1kV".
F) DIN VDE 0102 Teil 2/11.75 I' VDE recommendation to the calculation of
short-circuit currents - Three-phase installation with rated voltages up to 1000
V".
G) CEI 14-4, 1983, "Trasformatori di potenza".
H) CEI 17-5,1978, I' lnterruttori automatici per corrente alternata e tensione
nominale non superiore a 1000 V e per corrente continua e tensione non
superiore a 1200V.
K) CEI 64-8, Junio 1987, "lmpianti elettrici utilizzatori a tensione nominale non
superiore a 1000 V in corrente alternata e a 1500 V in corrente continua".
I) UNEL 21001-74, "Trasformatori trifasi a raffreddamento naturale in olio, con
avvolgimento di rame - Potenza da 25 a 630 kVA - Alta tensione da 6 a 20 kV Frequenza 50 Hz".
L) R.Roeper: "Le correnti di corto circuito nelle reti trifasi". ed. Delfino, Milano,
1975.
M) Vito Carrescia: "Fondamenti di Sicurezza Elettrica". ed. HOEPLI
N) lnformazione Tecnica Nr. 5 "Cabine di trasformazione MT/BT. Calcolo delle
correnti di corto circuito e coordinamento delle protezioni contro le
sovracorrenti".
0) NFC 15-100, Mars 1990: "Installations electriques a basse tension"
P) UTE C 15-105, Juin 1991: "Installations electriques a basse tension:
Guide Pratique - Determination des sections de conducteurs et choix des
dispositifs de protection".
'I.

I'

'I.

'I

56