Fault Calculations - Introduction 

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Fault calculations are one of the most common types of calculation carried out during the design and analysis of electrical systems.  These calculations involve determining the current flowing through circuit elements during abnormal conditions – short circuits and earth faults.

Types of Fault

Symbol Definition
image14 - voltage factor (IEC 60909)
LV, Isc max = 1.1, Isc min = 0.95
MV, LV, Isc max = 1.1, Isc min = 1
image22 - steady state fault
image07 - initial symmetrical fault current
k or k3 - 3-phase fault
k1 - phase to earth (or phase to neutral) fault
k2 – phase to phase fault
k2E or kE2E – phase to phase to earth fault
image62 - rated current of any motor
image15 - nominal voltage

image18 - nominal line to neutral voltage
image19 - nominal line to line voltage
image23 - system voltage
image21   circuit impedance

A  fault is an abnormal or unintended connection of live elements of  a system to each other or to earth.  The impedance of such connections are often very low, resulting in large currents flowing.  The energy contained in fault currents can quickly heat components, creates excessive forces and can result in devastating explosions of equipment. 

Typically we deal with three types of fault:

  1. Three Phase Faults
  2. Phase to Phase Faults
  3. Earth Faults

Typically highest fault current is given by a three phase fault (although there are exceptions).

 

 

Standards

IEC 60909 'Short Circuit Currents in Three Phase Systems' describes an internationally accepted method for the calculation of fault currents.  IEC  60781 is an adaption of the 60909 standard and applies only to low voltage systems.

SccFarFromGenerator
IEC 60909 Fault Current
In applying these standards, two levels of fault based on voltage factor are typically calculated

  • the maximum current which causes the maximum thermal and electromagnetic effects on equipment (used to determine the equipment rating)
  • the minimum current (which may be used for the the setting of protective devices)

The standards also idealise the fault, enabling each stage to be analysed and understood.  The image (click for a larger version), shows this waveform.

Depending on the position within the cycle at which the fault forms, a dc offset will be present, decaying overtime to zero.  This creates an initial symmetrical short circuit I''k, which will decay over time to the steady state short circuit Ik.

Three Phase Faults

ThreePhaseFault - Copy
Three Phase Fault
In a three phase fault, all three phases (L1, L2 and L3) are shorted together.

To find the fault current at any point in the network, a sum is made of the impedances in the network between the source of supply (including the source impedance) and the point at which the fault is occurs.

To find the fault current Ik, the nominal applied voltage, U0  is divided by the summed impedance Z.

image05

Phase to Phase Faults

PhaseToPhaseFault
Phase to Phase Fault
In a phase to phase fault (L1 to L2 for example), two phases are connected together.

The fault current is again, the nominal applied voltage divided by the summed impedance.

 

Earth Faults

EarthFault
Earth Fault
In an earth fault, one phase is directly connected to earth (L1 to earth for example). 

To find the value of earth fault current at any point in a network, a sum is made of the earth fault impedances in the network between the source of supply (including source impedance) and the return path impedances.

 

 

Use of Tables

Often if it is required to look up a quick ball park figure, it is adequate to use tables. This is particularly the case for low voltage systems. In other cases, actual equipment parameters may not available and it is necessary to resort to typical values. The 'Notes' section of the site contains a selection of tables, which will help in these instances:

Low Voltage Fault Tables

Fault Calculations - Typical Equipment Parameters

Basic Fault Calculations

Fault Type Calculation

3-phase fault

image46

phase-phase fault

image47

phase-earth fault

image48

One of the simplest ways to look at fault calculations is by the application of Ohm’s law.  Knowing the impedance of the fault and the voltage across enables the fault current to be calculated:

 

Per Unit Fault Calculations

In systems with varying voltage level, per unit calculations enable faults levels to be determined by normalising the system to a common base. This method of calculating fault levels is known as the per unit method or per unit system. 

To find out more about this per unit calculations, refer to our note:

Symmetrical Components

For unbalance conditions the calculation of fault currents is more complex.  One method of dealing with this is by the use of symmetrical components.  In symmetrical components, the unbalance system is broken down in to three separate symmetrical systems, each of which are easily solved. 

To find out more about symmetrical components, refer to our note:

IEC 60909 - Short-circuit currents in three-phase a.c. systems

Often when performing short circuit calculations, it is necessary to carry these out against a reference standard.  By using a reference standard, calculations are consistent, can be justified and are provided with an audit trail.

IEC 60909 is the international standard for the calculation of short circuit currents.  The document specifies a standardised method for the development of short circuit calculations, as well as providing guidance on equipment data.

To find out more about how the standard works, refer to our note:

  • Fault Calculation - IEC 60909 - note coming soon

Motor Contributions

During fault conditions motors operate a generators (until the rotation reduces) and will contribution current to the fault. When taking motor contributions into considerations, the IEC 60909 standard gives guidance on how to do this.

To simplify calculations, the contribution of motors to the fault can be disregarded if:

image63

Related Notes



Steven McFadyen's avatar Steven McFadyen

Steven has over twenty five years experience working on some of the largest construction projects. He has a deep technical understanding of electrical engineering and is keen to share this knowledge. About the author

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  1. Notes's avatar Notes says:
    3/27/2013 1:49 PM

    Trackback from Notes

    For unbalance conditions the calculation of fault currents is more complex. One method of dealing with this is symmetrical components. Using symmetrical components, the unbalance system is broken down in to three separate symmetrical systems: ...

  2. ramesh cuppu's avatar ramesh cuppu says:
    6/27/2013 10:43 AM

    Dear sir
    I was doing some IDMT Calculations. On checking my calculations with your tool "IDMT Tripping time".
    I notice some discrepancy with respect IEEE V I Curve. For fault current of 4000 A, and pick up current of 1000 A I get an answer of 1 sec from the tool.
    Where as with actual calculation based on the formula .manual calculated value is 0.256.
    All other calculations are working fine. I face problem only in respect of IEEE V I Curve.
    Please clarify.
    Ramesh

    • Steven's avatar Steven says:
      6/27/2013 11:43 AM

      Thanks Jorge. There was an error in the exponential (α) value. I've correct it now and it's giving the right answer. I had copied the values from my post Electromechanical Relays, in which I had made a typo. Corrected that also.


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