SELECTED TOPICS in POWER SYSTEMS and REMOTE SENSING

What influences length of CCT?

ANETA ELESCHOV, ANTON BEL, MIROSLAVA SMITKOV
Department of Electrical Power Engineering
Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
Ilkovicova 3, 812 19 Bratislava
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
zaneta.eleschova@stuba.sk, http://www.fei.stuba.sk

Abstract: - Stability and reliability of electric power system is highly actual topic nowadays, especially in the light of
recent accidents like splitting of UCTE system and north-American blackouts. Critical Clearing Time (CCT) is basic
criteria to analyze transient stability of power system. CCT is important indicator concerning dynamic stability of synchronous
generator. This indicator determines maximal admissible duration of fault in power system, when examined generator can sustain
its dynamic stability. If the CCT is lower than real operational time of fault break (short-circuit), synchronism dropout of
generator can occur. Value of CCT for individual generators is thus important for stability of the whole power system. This
contribution deals also with analysis of the factors influencing CCT duration.

Key-Words: - CCT (critical clearing time), power system stability, synchronous generator, short-circuit.

1 Introduction It means that CCT calculated for three-phase fault on

Transmission system operators, as well as scientific
com-munity, pay attention to the power system stability
and safe-ty. On the present, questions of the power
system stability and safety are high actual. It is necessary
to find out such preventive measures to avoid severe
contingencies in the power system operation, e.g.
blackout.
The power system analyses of blackouts show that
main problem is the voltage stability and observance
of the N-1criterion.
Even while the voltage stability as an evaluation tool
for voltage stability of power system as a whole is
gaining importance, its necessary to secure also dynamic
stability of interconnected parallel generators. The main
criterion for evaluation of transient stability is Critical
Clearing Time (CCT).
2 Critical Clearing Time
nearest bus bar of individual generator will be sufficient
to sustain transient stability of synchronous generator for
all remaining types of fault in the more distant places in
power system with times shorter than CCT. Thus, if
operational time of circuit breaker in the system is
shorter than the smallest value of CCT (smallest CCT of
individual generators in the power system), the
occurrence of short-circuit in power system should not
threaten transient stability of generators.
Its important to underline, that during fault on bus bar
in real operation occurs disconnection of all outputs
from this bus-bar. Since this is n-k contingency, it is
necessary to examine the reaction of generators on this
contingency by the means of dynamic simulation. Or if
we consider the scenario of protection failure (activation
of backup protections), or breaker failure (activation of
breaker failure relay), this can be considered as n-k
contingency too and it is necessary to examine reaction
of generators on this event by the means of dynamic
simulation.

2.1 Definition
CCT is then principal criterion to transient stability
assessment and every generator connected to the power
system should have CCT longer than the operational
time of circuit breaker in power system, even while CCT
is not sufficient criterion to evaluate transient stability
when considering various scenarios of severe faults
occurrence in power system (multiple contingencies).
CCT value is based on the most severe failure with the
influence on synchronous generator transient stability in
the most unfavorable place of occurrence, i.e. the three-
phase fault on the nearest bus bar of power substation,
where the generator is connected.
2.2 Algorithm of Calculation and Verification
Algorithm for calculation or simulation of CCT duration
is defined as following:
1. three-phase fault on the nearest bus bar of power
substation, where the generator is connected,
2. fault sustained while generator preserves its transient
stability,
3. disappearing of fault.

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 SELECTED TOPICS in POWER SYSTEMS and REMOTE SENSING

Verification of the CCT will be based on transient
stability analysis of single generator in NPP. The most
important parameters of generator: Sn = 259 MVA, Vn =
15,75 kV, x d = 0,269 , H= 4.9450 s.
Examined generator and equivalent model of power
system (as seen on Fig. 1) has been modelled in Matlab
Simulink using One Machine Infinitive Bus (OMIB)
model.
This model demonstrate typical example of transient
stability examination three-phase fault on one of two
parallel lines and its subsequent disconnection. This
variant was executed in Matlab Simulink and also by
numerical computation.
Simulation algorithm three-phase fault on bus bar in
substation A:
1. fault occurring on bus bar,
2. fault sustained while generator preserves its transient
stability,
3. disappearing of fault.
Simulation algorithm three-phase fault on V3 line:
1. fault occurrence on power line,
2. fault sustained while generator preserves its transient
stability,
3. disconnection of power line, where fault occurred.
Steady-state before short-circuit strike:
Substation B V = 414.6 kV,
Generator power: P = 221.6 MW, over-excited state.

Infinite bus substation B which represents entire

Fig. 1 Equivalent model for transient stability power system in this model and was modeled with three
examination of generator in NPP values of short-circuit power:
ideal with very high short-circuit power,
Three-phase fault in three locations were simulated in Sk = 6 GVA ,
Matlab Simulink: Sk = 2,5 GVA .
1. fault on bus bar in substation A, Simulation outcome is summarized in the following
2. fault on V3 line, in the middle, table.
3. fault on V3 line, near substation A.

Table 1 CCT determined by transient simulation in Matlab Simulink

Ideal - very high short-
Place of failure Sk = 6 GVA Sk = 2,5 GVA
circuit power

substation A CCT = 310 ms CCT = 290 ms CCT = 265 ms

power line V3, in the middle CCT = 500 ms CCT = 300 ms CCT = 270 ms
power line V3, near substation A 10%
CCT = 340 ms CCT = 290 ms CCT = 270 ms
of line length
power line V3, near substation A 1%
CCT = 300 ms CCT = 285 ms CCT = 265 ms
of line length

Length of line V3 is cca 15 km.

CCT value for ideal bus bar (infinite bus) has been machine. Based on the equation solution of the rotor
significantly higher than for lower short-circuit power, swinging we can define critical time of fault duration, i.
particularly for simulation of fault in the middle of the e. ascension time of rotor in synchronous generator while
power line. it reaches critical angle critical.
Simulation verified, that CCT value is dependent on
short-circuit power, hence hardness of power system
against which is generator examined.
CCT can be calculated using method of area equality.
This criterion can be used for qualitative evaluation of
transient stability we can easily and illustratively obtain
critical value of rotor angle in synchronous generator and
so determine the border of transient stability in examined

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 SELECTED TOPICS in POWER SYSTEMS and REMOTE SENSING

Rotor angle variation in time and CCT calculation are

solved with differential equation describing rotor
swinging during the transient event:
d 2 0 P
=
dt 2 TmSn

Numerical solution was modelled in the configuration

Fig. 2 Transient stability assessment for three-phase
fault on bus bar (curve maximum before and after fault
are the same, curve max. fault state is null)
according to the Fig. 1.
Transient stability was examined using the CCT value
for three-phase fault on bus bar in substation A and for
three-phase fault on one of parallel lines (in the middle
and near substation A), so we evaluated the same
conditions that were simulated in Matlab Simulink.
Steady-state before short-circuit strike:
Substation B V = 414.6 kV,
Generator power: P = 221.6 MW, over-excited state.

Preconditions for transient stability numerical

calculation on synchronous machine in the case of
transient event three-phase fault:
electromotive force (e.m.f) of generator is constant
before the failure, during the fault and after it, because
we do not consider AVR on generator,
voltage in substation B is constant before the
failure, during, and after it by definition of infinite
bus,
only coupling reactance changes, because of changes
in configuration.

Results of calculations values of curve maximum

Fig. 3 Transient stability assessment for three-phase fault
on power line and its subsequent disconnection P = f() for the state before fault p Im , during the
fault, p IIm and state after the fault clearing p III (1)
m , coupling
Transient stability can be analyzed using areas reactance values, critical angle values, and CCT values
accelerating S+ and decelerating S: are in the following table.
S+ = S transient stability border critical angle value
S+ > S transient stability loss
S+ < S transient stability preservation

Table 2 Results of numerical simulations - application of areas equality criterion and solution of differential equation
xI p Im x II p IIm x III p III
m critical CCT
Place of failure
[p.u.] [p.u.] [p.u.] [p.u.] [p.u.] [p.u.] [] [ms]
substation A 0,464 2,61 0 0,464 2,61 98,2 320
power line V3, in the middle 0,464 2,61 1,354 0,89 0,467 2,59 134,2 667
power line V3, near substation A
0,464 2,61 4,901 0,247 0,467 2,59 103,1 357
10% of line length
power line V3, near substation A
0,464 2,61 44,8 0,027 0,467 2,59 98,5 323
1% of line length

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 SELECTED TOPICS in POWER SYSTEMS and REMOTE SENSING
Verification based on dynamic simulation on model
Slovak Power System
This verification has been based on model of Power
System in Slovak Republic. Model was adjusted so that
in NPP Mochovce is switched only single generator,
since CCT calculation is based on the presumption, that
transient stability of generator is examined against the
power system.
Two models were used for this simulation: one with all
lines from V. ur substation switched on and second
with only parallel lines from V. ur to Levice substations
switched on (lines V495 and V492 switched off). Second
variant of model with switched off lines V425 and V492
was chosen intentionally, to demonstrate typical example
of transient stability examination three-phase fault on
one of two parallel lines and its subsequent
disconnection.
Those models were carried out with the following
simulations:
1. fault on bus bar in V. ur substation,
2. fault on V490 line, in the middle,
3. fault on V490 line, near V. ur substation.
Simulation algorithm fault on bus bar in V. ur
substation:
Table 3 CCT determined by dynamic simulation on model of Slovak Power System
Place of failure Switched-off lines V425 & V492
fault on bus bar in V. ur
260 ms
substation
fault on V490 line, in the
270 ms
middle
fault on V490 line, near V.
ur substation 10% of line 270 ms
length
fault on V490 line, near V.
ur substation 1% of line 255 ms
length
3 Factors Affecting the Length of CCT
Results of the simulation in MATLAB Simulink bring
the evidence that CCT duration is affected also by the
following factors:
short-circuit power as well as voltage in
transmission substation, where the generator is
connected, i.e. the place with the most unfavorable
conditions for occurrence of three-phase fault, based on
dynamic stability assessment,
ISSN: 1792-5088
1. fault occurring on bus bar,
2. fault sustained while generator preserves its dynamic
stability,
3. disappearing of fault.
Simulation algorithm fault on V490 line:
1. fault occurrence on power line,
2. fault sustained while generator preserves its dynamic
stability,
3. disconnection of power line, where fault occurred.
Steady-state before short-circuit strike:
V. ur substation U = 415 kV,
Levice substation U = 414.6 kV,
Mochovce generator power: P = 221.6 MW, over-excited
state.
Simulation outcome is summarized in the following
table. Simulations were calculated with the step 10 ms for
increasing fault duration time.
Upper mentioned CCT values in the model with
switched-on lines V425 and V492 are obtained because
in this power system configuration the on V. ur
substation is higher value of short-circuit power.
Dependence of CCT value from short-circuit power is
proved by the simulation in Matlab Simulink.
Switched-on lines V425 & V492
280 ms
310 ms
290 ms
280 ms
operational condition of analyzed generator
(underexcited generator, or overexcited generator).
Influence of voltage and short-circuit power on CCT
duration in transmission system substation, where the
generator is connected have its graphical representation
in Figs. 4 and 5.
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 SELECTED TOPICS in POWER SYSTEMS and REMOTE SENSING

CCT [s]
this method is the shortest, even shorter then with fault
0.3 occurring on power line with subsequent disconnection
of this line.
Then the CCT value obtained for three-phase fault on
0.25 the nearest bus form examined generator is the most
severe failure for transient stability of generator.
If this calculated CCT value is longer than operational
0.2 time of circuit breaker in power system, then the
Overexcited
generator will sustain its transient stability in the case of
Underexcited
more distant faults (with the shorter duration than CCT).
0.15
Its important to underline, that in considered scenarios
380 390 400
U [kV]
410 420
of multiple contingencies in power system (fault
occurring on bus bar followed by disconnection of all
Fig. 4 Influence of voltage on CCT duration in
outputs on this bar, or scenario of distant protections
transmission power substation
failure, or breaker failure), verification by the dynamic
0.35
simulation is necessary.
CCT [s] CCT is then principal criterion to transient stability
0.3
assessment and every generator connected to the power
0.25
system should have CCT longer than the operational
time of circuit breaker in power system, even while CCT
0.2
is not sufficient criterion to evaluate transient stability
0.15
when considering various scenarios of severe faults
occurrence in power system (multiple contingencies).
0.1
Analysis of dynamic simulation verified, that CCT value
0.05
Overexcited is dependent on short-circuit power in power system (i.e.
Underexcited
its "hardness"). CCT value based on area equality
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
criterion and the solution of differential equation of
Sk [GVA] generators rotor swinging is conservative and thus the
Fig. 5 Influence of short-circuit power on CCT duration CCT value has to be obtained using the dynamic
in transmission power substation simulations in high-quality dynamic model of power
system.
Results of the simulation positively confirm that for Analysis of dynamic simulation results proved, that
the dynamic stability of synchronous generator is CCT duration is partially dependent on short-circuit
underexcited state worse operational condition than power. But even very low values of short-circuit power
overexcited. does not influence CCT duration.
CCT duration dependence on short-circuit power in CCT duration is unequivocally influenced by the
power substation points to interesting fact this operational state of generator, where the most
dependence is nonlinear and from certain value of unfavorable state is underexcited. This factor has to be
short-circuit power the CCT doesn't rise. accounted for when investigating CCT.
Analysis proved also the influence of voltage on CCT
duration and the linearity of this dependency. To
maintain voltage stability we recommend the operation
4 Conclusion of transmission system with elevated voltage on power
CCT was defined as maximal duration of three-phase substations. Higher voltage on substations influences
fault (as the most severe failure for transient stability of also dynamic stability of transmission system, because
generator) on the nearest bus from examined generator of its positive impact on CCT duration.
(as the most unfavorable place of occurrence).
Algorithm of calculation consisted of:
1. fault occurring on the nearest bus bar, References:
2. fault sustained while generator preserves its transient [1] Kundur, P.: Power System Stability and Control.
stability, USA, EPRI 1994.
3. disappearing of fault. [2] Anderson, P.M., Fouad, A.A.: Power System
Control and Stability. USA, IEEE Press 1994.
Simulations in Matlab Simulink as well as numerical
calculation demonstrated, that CCT value obtained with

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 SELECTED TOPICS in POWER SYSTEMS and REMOTE SENSING

[3] Revkov, D., Eleschov, ., Bel, A.: Prechodn

javy v elektrizanch sstavch. Vydavatestvo STU,
Bratislava 2008. s. 196 ISBN 978-80-227-2868-3
[4] Eleschov, ., Grepiniak, J., Bel, A.: Kritick as
trvania skratu ako kritrium dynamickej stability
elektrizanej sstavy. EE - asopis pre elektrotechniku
a energetiku, mimoriadne slo, 2006. ISSN 1335-
2547.

Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Slovak Research and
Development Agency under the contract
No. APVV-0337-07.

ISSN: 1792-5088 194 ISBN: 978-960-474-233-2