1
Analysis of Short-circuit Asymmetrical Currents
in Power Distribution Systems
M. J. S. Ramos, D. P. Bernardon, Member, IEEE, L. Comassetto, M. Resener, Member, IEEE, and E.
B. Daza
Abstract--This work focuses on the study of electromagnetic
transients existing in power systems in the occurrence of phase to
ground and three phase faults, aiming to evaluate the dynamic
capability of circuit breakers, switch disconnectors and current
transformers. The substation equipments such as circuit
breakers, current transformers and switch disconnectors are
usually specified according to symmetrical short circuit currents.
In this sense, this paper presents an analysis of the impact of
short-circuit currents during the transient period, through
simulations using data from a real system in the ATPDraw
software. Through the results obtained from the simulations it
was possible to evaluate the dynamic stress submitted to the
equipment of the substations in the occurrence of faults. The
study shows the importance of the analysis of asymmetrical
short-circuit currents during the specification of the equipments
rating, which should support these currents, or yet evaluation of
existing equipments in the case of a system expansion that can
significantly influence the short-circuit level.
Index Terms-- transients, short-circuit currents, asymmetry
factor, ATPDraw, dynamic capability
I. INTRODUCTION
I n the analysis of dynamic and thermal capacities of
electrical equipments it is important to consider the
overcurrent transients that occur in power systems during a
fault, and to which these equipments are submitted and
intended to support. If not considered in the design of
equipment, it can be submitted to current values above its
rating, reducing its useful life or even causing the equipment
failure.
The substation equipment such as circuit breakers, current
transformers and switch disconnectors are usually specified
according to the symmetrical short-circuit current values. It is
known that in power distribution systems (PDS) the value of
the DC current component is practically zero for fault points
electrically distant from the substation (medium voltage), so
the asymmetry factor of the fault current can be
neglected. However, in transmission or subtransmission
M. J. S. Ramos is with AES Sul Power Utility, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
(e-mail: maicon.ramos@aes.com).
D. P. Bernardon is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal
University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil (e-mail:
dpbernardon@ufsm.br).
L. Comassetto is with AES Sul Power Utility, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
(e-mail: lorenzo.comassetto@aes.com).
M. Resener is with CEEE-D Power Utility, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil (e-
mail: mariana.resener@ceee.com.br).
E. B. Daza is with AES Sul Power Utility, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil (e-
mail: eric.daza@aes.com).
networks, or even substations connected to power sources with
high short circuit level, the asymmetry factor has a
considerable contribution since these systems are
predominantly inductive.
In this sense, this paper presents an evaluation of the impact
of short-circuit current during the transient period, through
simulations using data from a real system in ATPDraw. Also,
it is presented asymmetry factor curves for the first six cycles
after the fault, considering X / R ratios from 1 to 70, which
were validated through simulations in ATPDraw and can be
used as an indicator in the initial evaluations of the dynamic
capability of equipments.
As a case study, it was modeled a part of the
subtransmission system belonging to AES Sul Distribuidora
Gaúcha de Energia S / A. The simulated system is part of the
system that serves the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Rio
Grande do Sul, Brazil, which is connected to 230 kV grid
through the Industrial City (CIN), Scharlau (SCH) and
Taquara (Taq) substations. Faults were simulated in the 23 kV
buses of the substations São Leopoldo (SLE), Sapucaia (SPC)
and Esteio (EST), which were chosen because of their
different X/R relationships. The simulations were performed
considering an operating voltage of 1.02 p.u and a breaker
opening time equal to 60 ms.
With the results obtained from the simulations it was possible
to evaluate the dynamic effort to which substation equipments
are submitted during faults. The values of short circuit
currents show that there for some faults the breakers and
current transformers of the system considered can be
submitted to current values above its dynamic capacity.
II. SHORT-CIRCUIT CURRENTS
The short-circuit study can be considered as a transient
electromagnetic study involving a number of problems in the
treatment of voltage sources, general in alternating current,
and also involving resistive, capacitive and inductive (self and
mutual) elements [1].
To determine the short-circuit current, it is extremely
important to consider all short-circuit sources, with
impedances known. There are basically three sources of short-
circuit current: generators, synchronous motors and induction
motors [2].
The fault current can be defined by the current that
circulates in the system during a short-circuit situation. The
magnitude of fault current is basically determined by
the internal electromotive forces of the machines connected to
the system, by their impedances and the impedances of the
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system between the machine and the ffault point. Also, component. These components can n be seen in Fig 3, which
the connection type and impedance of pow wer transformers shows the components and alternatiing current and the sum of
influence the magnitude of short-circuit level. these components.
During a fault in the power system, the equipment must
withstand, without impairing its performannce and without
significant loss of life, any stresses impossed by the short-
circuit currents. Moreover, the circuit breakeer must be able to
interrupt these currents, and support the cuurrents when it is
closed re-establishing a fault current in tthe case of a
permanent fault.
The fault types that can occur in a three phase electrical
system are three-phase, phase to phase, phhase to phase to
ground and phase to ground. Fig. 1 and 2 prresent the models
of representation for these faults. Fig 3: Components of cu
urrent short-circuit.

The short-circuit current can be caalculated by (1) [3]:

/ sen / sen (1)
where:
i t short-circuit current [A];
maximum amplitude of the volttage at the fault point [V];
Z Thevenin impedance module [Ω Ω];
electrical angular frequency [rad/s];
Fig 1: Three-phase and phase to phase fault m
models.
voltage angle at the fault momen nt [rad];
angle of the Thevenin impedancce [rad];
time [s];
time constant equivalent circuitt L/R [s].
The asymmetry of the short-cirrcuit current is a direct
function of the instant when the fau
ult occurs in relation to the
voltage. The parameter θ of the equation (1) is used to
represent the time instant of the voltage in the fault moment
[4]. If the voltage at the fault time is null, then the
asymmetry will be maximum, and iff the voltage is maximum,
Fig 2: Phase to phase to ground and phase to grouund fault models.
the asymmetry will be minimal. Fig F 4 shows the system
A. Short-Circuit Current Behavior voltage and current for a pre-fault and post-fault conditions,
considering a minimum value off θ, where the maximum
In the time domain the short-circuit currennt can be analyzed
asymmetric fault current occurs for an
a asymmetry factor (X/R)
in two periods: transient and steady state. Duuring the transient
equal to 10.
period, this current is asymmetric. After this period, the
current enters into a steady state, becoming syymmetrical.
The short-circuit is composed of symm metrical sinusoidal
current (alternating component) and the continuous

Fig 5: Assymetry factor for the first six cycles after the fault.
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kV buses at substations São Leopoldo (SLE) and Sapucaia

(SPC). These substations were chosen due to their different
relationships X/R, which makes it possible to validate the
parameters of asymmetry shown in Fig 5. The substations
attend 88.200 customers of the AES Sul, which represent 8%
of the total number of customers of the utility. The installed
capacities are 60 MVA, 37.5 MVA and 42 MVA for the
substations SLE, SPC and EST respectively.
The connection points CIN-230 kV, CAC-138 kV, 138 kV
and SCH-PPE-69 kV were represented by the Thevenin
equivalent seen from each bar. The power transformers and
capacitor banks substations were modeled, with the feeders
Fig 3: System pre and post fault response for θ = 0°.
represented by concentrated loads.
The parameters calculated for modeling the system studied
B. Asymmetry Factor are presented in Tables I-V.
It is possible calculate the asymmetrical current using the
asymmetry factor (AF), defined as the ratio between the TABLE I
THEVENIN EQUIVALENT PARAMETERS.
asymmetric current and the symmetric current, given by (2):
Thevenin Equivalent Parameters
. / (2)
where: Voltage R+ R0 XL+ XL 0
current peak value in the transient period; Source
(kV) (Ω) (Ω) (Ω) (Ω)
current peak value in steady state.
CIN - 230 kV 230 0,54 0,81 5,79 4,33
Fig 5 presents the asymmetry factor for the first six cycles
after the occurrence of a fault, obtained using equation (1) for PPE x EST 69 0,25 0,27 6,74 2,33
X / R ranging from 1 to 70. SCH x CIN 138 2,19 4,21 12,30 20,90
SCH x SLE 138 0,59 0,42 5,45 3,65
III. CASE STUDY CAC 1 - 138 kV 138 8,30 10,95 40,45 55,28
In order to analyze the impacts of the asymmetric current REFAP - 69 kV 69 0,00 0,00 15,16 34,19
data from a real distribution system from a Brazilian utility
was used for numerical simulations. This system serves the
metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
It is connected to the 230 kV transmission grid through three
substations, named Cidade Industrial (CIN), Scharlau (SCH)
and Taquara (TAQ).
Fig 6 shows the equivalent diagram of the power system
analyzed. In this system the main points of analysis are the 23

Fig 6: Diagram of electrical system studied.

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TABLE II
TRANSFORMERS PARAMETERS.

Transformers Power Parameters

Primary Secundary Tertiary Rated

Impedance Impedance Impedance Impedance Impedance Impedance
Transformer Voltage Voltage Voltage Power
ps + (%) pt + (%) st + (%) ps 0 (%) pt 0 (%) st 0 (%)
(kV) (kV) (kV) (MVA)
CAC 1 - TR1 138 69 13,8 35 9,73% 6,24% 15,28% 3,97% 6,24% 15,28%
CAC 1 - TR2 138 69 13,8 35 11,57% 7,81% 20,42% 4,42% 7,81% 20,42%
CAC 1 - TR3 138 69 13,8 35 11,57% 7,81% 20,42% 4,42% 7,82% 20,42%
CIN - TR1 230 23 13,8 50 14,26% 25,10% 8,56% 12,21% 17,23% 5,28%
CIN - TR2 230 23 13,8 50 14,00% 24,64% 8,40% 13,78% 22,02% 5,78%
CIN - TR3 230 138 13,8 150 6,54% 26,88% 17,49% 6,54% 26,88% 17,49%
CIN - TR4 230 138 13,8 150 6,54% 26,88% 17,49% 6,54% 26,88% 17,49%
CNA 3 - TR1 138 23 13,8 37,5 11,69% 13,43% 9,37% 9,96% 9,93% 3,70%
CNA 3 - TR2 138 23 13,8 37,5 11,70% 13,43% 9,37% 9,95% 9,18% 3,60%
EST - TR1 69 23 13,8 42 9,11% 16,04% 5,47% 14,75% 21,18% 4,50%
SPC - TR1 138 23 13,8 37,5 11,41% 11,91% 6,84% 11,31% 11,91% 6,84%
SLE - TR1 138 23 13,8 60 9,75% 17,16% 5,85% 8,62% 11,79% 3,00%

TABLE III TABLE V

LOAD PARAMETERS. SHUNT CAPACITOR PARAMETERS.

Load Parameters Shunt Capacitors Parameters

Load in MW Voltage in Rc Xc Rated Reatância

Load Bus Power Susceptance
and Mvar the load (pu) (Ω) (Ω) Load Bus Voltage do banco
(Mvar) (uS)
(kV) (Ω)
CIN TR1 28,5+14,9i 1,02 45,89 23,99
CNA 3 - 1 3,6 23,1 148,225 6746,50
CIN TR2 30,9+12i 1,02 46,84 18,19
CNA 3 - 2 3,6 23,1 148,225 6746,50
CNA 3 42,9+19,3i 1,02 32,29 14,53
SPC 3,6 23,1 148,225 6746,50
SPC 24,6+12,7i 1,02 53,46 27,60
SLE 10,8 23,1 49,408 20239,50
SLE 48,1+22,3i 1,02 28,50 13,21
EST 10,8 23,1 49,408 20239,50
EST 31,3+20,8i 1,02 36,91 24,53
A set of simulations was performed using the software
TABLE IV
LINE TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS. ATPDraw aiming to evaluate the transient behavior of
asymmetric fault currents and possible disturbances in the
Line Transmission Parameters system. The asymmetric fault currents obtained from the
simulations were compared to those obtained directly using
the asymmetry factors presented in Fig 5.
Line Voltage R+ R0 XL+ XL0 BC+ BC0 In order to assess the magnitude of the current asymmetric
Transmission (kV) (Ω) (Ω) (Ω) (Ω) (uS) (uS) during the first cycles after fault occurrence, and validate the
asymmetry factors shown in Fig 5, simulations of single phase
CIN x CNA 3 138 0,51 1,81 1,92 5,60 12,60 12,60 and three phase faults were performed in ATPDraw. Also,
CNA 3 x CAC 1 138 1,09 3,83 4,06 11,79 26,25 26,25 values were calculated from the fault current in steady state
SCH x SLE 138 0,82 2,86 2,84 8,68 21,06 21,06 obtained from simulations using the software ASPEN
CAC 1 x Der_REF 69 1,04 2,70 3,17 10,09 21,00 21,00 OneLiner.
Through the simulation results for the first cycles after the
Der_REF x REF 69 1,36 2,96 2,07 4,94 21,00 21,00
fault, it was possible to evaluate risks to the equipment of 23
Der_REF x EST 69 0,85 3,03 3,17 9,20 21,00 21,00 kV, submitted to the dynamic stresses caused by the fault
PPE x EST 69 3,18 10,98 11,39 33,49 75,61 75,61 currents. The simulations were done considering the operating
CAC 1 x Der_SPC 138 1,41 5,28 5,05 17,29 27,31 27,31 voltage of 1.02 p.u and an opening time of the circuit breaker
Der_SPC x SPC 138 0,50 1,64 1,70 5,08 10,50 10,50 equal to 60 ms. The fault was applied at the instant when the
Der_SPC x SLE 138 0,72 2,65 2,53 8,72 13,13 13,13 phase voltage passes through zero, generating a maximum
asymmetry in the fault current of phase A. The magnitude of
the currents shown is expressed as peak values. Equation (3)
 5

can be used to calculate the RMS (Root Mean Square) of the acceptable for routine assessments regarding the dynamic
graphs or to calculate the peak value of the short circuit from capability of equipments.
the RMS value extracted from the simulations using ASPEN
OneLiner: TABLE IV
FAULT CURRENTS FOR THE SLE SUBSTATION.
√2 (3) Fault currents simulated and calculated to bus of 23 kV of the substation
São Leopoldo
where: Solid phase-ground Solid three-phase
IRMS current RMS [A]; short-circuit (kA) - Absolute short-circuit (kA) - Absolute
IPEAK current peak [A]. Cycle X/R 37 X/R 33
error (%) error (%)
Simulated Calculated Simulated Calculated
A. Substation São Leopoldo – A.F X/R (37)
1° 47,20 46,10 2,33% 34,60 34,40 0,58%
Fig 7 shows the peak current in phase A during a solid
2° 43,10 42,70 0,93% 31,50 31,50 0,00%
three-phase fault at the 23 kV bus the substation São
3° 39,70 39,30 1,01% 29,00 29,00 0,00%
Leopoldo. From Fig. 7 it is possible to verify the existence of 4° 37,10 37,20 0,27% 27,00 27,20 0,74%
a unidirectional component that decreases exponentially with 5° 35,20 35,30 0,28% 25,40 25,50 0,39%
the time, until reaching steady state (SS). 6° 33,10 33,10 0,00% 24,00 24,10 0,42%
SS 25,20 24,00 4,76% 18,40 18,00 2,17%

Table VII presents the dynamic capacity of the circuit

breakers and current transformers (CT), and the breaking
capacity of circuit breakers for the substations studied in this
work. These devices are installed in the SE SLE and are
subjected to high short circuit currents. The values of short
circuit currents obtained from the simulations show that the
dynamic capacity of the switch disconnectors and current
transformers can be exceeded.
Also, it is possible to verify that for phase-to-ground faults
and with a 60 ms opening time of the 23 kV circuit breaker,
the circuit breaker needs to interrupt fault currents above its
Fig 7: Fault current response.
interruption capacity, which can cause damage to its contacts
or put its physical integrity at risk.
Fig 8 presents the phase A current response during a phase-
ground fault with no resistance applied at the 23 kV bus of TABLE VII
substation São Leopoldo. DYNAMIC AND INTERRUPTION CAPACITY.

Dynamic capacity of the substation São Leopoldo

Rated Dynamic Breaking

Equipament Voltage Current Capacity
(kV) (kA) (kA)
Circuit breaker 138 100 40
Circuit breaker 23 63 35
Switch disconnectors 138 80 ***
Switch disconnectors 23 20 ***
Current transformers 138 40 ***
Fig 8: Fault current response. Current transformers 23 31 ***

Table VI presents a comparison between the values of fault B. Substation Sapucaia do Sul – A.F X/R (47)
currents derived from the asymmetry factor shown in Fig 5, Tables VIII and IX present the simulation results for the
the steady state current value extracted from ASPEN substation Sapucaia do Sul, where it can be seen that the
OneLiner software, and the fault current values obtained dynamic capacity of the swith disconnectors can be exceeded
through simulations using ATPDraw. From Table VI it is for phase-to-ground faults.
possible to verify that the absolute error varies between 0%
and 4.76% for simulations of three-phase faults and phase-
ground, when comparing the results. Considering the
magnitude of fault currents, it is considered that this error is
 6

TABLE VIII case the circuit breaker needs to interrupt a higher fault
FAULT CURRENTS FOR THE SPC SUBSTATION.
current. It was also noted that some circuit breakers can be
Fault currents simulated and calculated to bus of 23 kV of the submitted to fault situations when it is needed to interrupt
substation Sapucaia do Sul fault currents above their rated capacity of interruption.
Solid phase-ground Solid three-phase This situation may occur when there is the maximum
short-circuit (kA) - Absolut short-circuit (kA) - Absolut asymmetry at the time of the fault;
Cycle X/R 47 e error X/R 39 e error • in relation to the dynamic capacity of the equipments, it
(%) (%) was noted that some can have its capacity exceeded. These
Simulated Calculated Simulated Calculated
equipments may be submitted to electromechanical efforts
1° 24,40 23,70 2,87% 19,80 19,80 0,00%
beyond its capacity, causing a reduction of its useful life,
2° 22,50 22,30 0,89% 18,20 18,40 1,10%
or even not supporting such an effort. As quoted in this
3° 21,00 21,00 0,00% 16,90 17,00 0,59%
paper, the X/R ratio of the system has increased over time,
4° 19,80 20,00 1,01% 15,80 16,10 1,90%
making it important to monitor the capacity of the
5° 18,70 19,00 1,60% 14,90 15,30 2,68% equipment already installed and the future equipments.
6° 17,80 18,00 1,12% 14,10 14,40 2,13% This paper presented curves for different asymmetry factors
SS 12,90 12,30 4,65% 10,10 10,30 1,98% and also for different cycles after the fault, validated through
simulations in ATPDraw. The curves can be used in studies
TABLE IX that do not require more complex simulations.
DYNAMIC AND INTERRUPTION CAPACITY.
This work presents an analysis of the behavior of short-
Dynamic capacity of the substation Sapucaia do circuit currents during the transient period, where the
Sul asymmetry can significantly influence the magnitude of the
current. The study shows the importance of evaluating the
Rated Dynamic Breaking short-circuit asymmetrical currents during the project and
Equipament Voltage Current Capacity sizing the equipments, which should support the efforts caused
(kV) (kA) (kA) by these currents, or still the evaluation of existing equipment
Circuit breaker 138 81 45 when there is an expansion of the system that can raise the
Circuit breaker 23 63 35 short-circuit power.
Switch disconnectors 138 80 ***
V. REFERENCES
Switch disconnectors 23 20 ***
1. KAGAN, N., OLIVEIRA, C, C, B., ROBBA, E, E. Introduction to
Current transformers 138 40 *** Electric Power Distribution Systems. São Paulo, SP: Edgard Blücher
Current transformers 23 50 *** Ltda, 2005. 328p.
2. CODI. Protection of Distribution Power Systems. 2.vol. Rio de Janeiro,
Through the simulation results for the studied system, it was RJ: Campus/Eletrobrás, 1982. 232p.
3. ZANETTA JR., L, C. Electromagnetic Transients in Power Systems.
possible to verify that some equipments can be submitted to São Paulo, SP: Edusp, 2003. 711p.
short-circuit currents above its dynamic or interruption 4. SINDER, D. Methods of calculating the transient recovery voltage for
capacity, when considering asymmetric currents evaluated in the analysis of overcoming high voltage circuit breakers. 2007.
Dissertation (Master in Engineering) - Graduate Program in Electrical
the first cycles after fault occurrence with the maximum Engineering, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 2007.
asymmetry. 5. RAMOS, M. J. S. Analysis of Short-circuit Asymmetrical Currents in
Power Distribution Systems. Graduate Program in Electrical
IV. CONCLUSION Engineering, University of Vale of Rio of Sinos, São Leopoldo, 2011.
6. ANDERSON, P, M. Analysis of Faulted Power Systems. Piscataway,
This work presents a study on the behavior of short-circuit NJ: Wiley-IEEE Press, 1973. 534p.
transient in electrical systems, the asymmetric fault currents
and asymmetry factor for different X/R ratios. Simulations
were performed using ATPDraw, applying three-phase and
phase-to-ground faults at different buses of the system studied.
Some conclusions are listed in the following:
• it was observed that even with a X/R lower than 10, the
asymmetry factor for the first cycle is significant, resulting
in a short-circuit asymmetric current above the
symmetrical current magnitude. When the relation X/R is
lower than or equal to 1, the asymmetry factor for the first
cycle is at most 7% greater than the symmetrical current,
and this percentage rapidly increases until a X/R equal to
20;
• increasing the relation X/R, it was verified that the
asymmetrical current remains in the system for a longer
time because the time constant is also increased, and in this