Tutorial #3: Fault Calculation

Question # 1
For the distribution feeder, shown in Fig. Q1, use the per unit method to determine the magnitude of
the fault current (If-3ph) in Amperes for a three phase fault at the feeder end. Use a system MVA
base of 100 MVA and a voltage base of 13.2 kV at the feeder.
115 kV/13.2 kV
40 MVA
XT = 7.5 %

115 kV

MVAsc = 1500 MVA

3-ph
Fault
13.2 kV

5 km line
XL = (0.306+j0.63) /km

If-3ph

Fig. Q1

Solution:
X sc

MVAsc
1
1500
1
, MVAsc pu

15 pu, X sc
0.067 pu,
MVAsc pu
MVAbase
100
15

X sc X scpu X base 13, 2 kV , X base 13.2 kV

2
kVbase
13.2 2

1.742 , X sc 0.067 1.742 0.117

MVAbase
100

MVAbasenew 7.5 100

0.1875 pu , X T X Tnew X base 13.2 kV 0.1875 1.742 0.327

MVAbaseold 100 40
Z L1
1.53 j 3.15
0.306 j 0.63 5 1.53 j 3.15 , Z L1 pu

0.88 j1.81 pu
Z base 13.2 kV
1.742

X Tnew X Told

Z L1

Z L1 0.7064.1 5 3.564.1 X L1 pu 2.0364.1 pu

Z eq1 jX sc1 jX T 1 Z L1 j 0.117 j 0.327 1.53 j 3.15 1.53 j 3.59 3.966.9
Z eq1 pu jX sc1 pu jX T 1 pu Z L1 pu j 0.067 j 0.188 0.88 j1.81 0.88 j 2.07 pu 2.2466.9 pu

13.2 10 3
I f 3 phA

0 V
76210 V
3

1954.1 66.9 A
3.966.9
3.966.9

E
1
Z eq1

I f 3 phpu

E1
Z eq1 pu

I base13.2 kV

1.00 V
0.446 66.9 pu
2.2466.9

MVAbase
3VLL

100 1000
3 13.2

4373.9 A

Xsc =

0.067 pu

XT =

0.1875 pu

ZTL =

0.88 + j 1.81 Pu
0.88 + j 2.07 Pu
2.2466.9 pu

Zeq =

If3ph =

0.446 pu

Ib =

4373.9

If3ph =

1954.1

Question # 2:

For the system shown in Fig. Q2, and starting from the data that are given, calculate the three-phase
and single-line-ground fault in Amperes at the Buses 3, 2, and 1 using:
a. The Ohmic method referring the system to the 115 kV bus.
b. The per-unit method.
Solution:

a. The Ohmic method

950 MVAsc, 115 kV

Z sc

2
VLL2

115

13.92 referred to 115 kV

MVAsc
950

Z transformer Z pu Z base

Y-Y

2
VLL2

115
Z base

529 referred to 115 kV

MVA TX
25
4.8
Z transformer
529 25.39 referred to 115 kV
100

115/13.2 kV
25 MVA
Z% = 4.8
13.2 kV
2

a. Three-Phase Fault
115 10 3
I faultC
3 (13.92 25.39 83.35)
532.6 A referred to 115kV

1.125

Z TL

115
1.125
85.35 referred to 115 kV
13.2

115
532.6

13.2
4640.2 A referred to 13.2kV
I faultB

115 10 3

3 (13.92 25.39)
1689.0 A referred to 115kV
115
1689.0

13.2
14714.8 A referred to 13.2kV

I faultA

115 10 3

3 (13.92)
4769.8 A referred to 115kV

The L-G Fault = 0, because the TX is not grounded

13.2 kV

Fig. Q2

b. The per-unit method

Let MVAbase = 25 MVA
kVbase = 13.2 kV at the primary feeder.
2
V LL2

115
Z base HV

529 referred to 115 kV

MVAbase
25
2
V LL2

13 .2
Z base LV

6 .97 referred to 13 .2 kV
25
MVAbase
4 .8
Z TX pu
0 .048 pu
100
MVA sc
950
MVA sc pu

38 pu
25
MVA base

Z sc pu

1
1

0.0263 pu
MVA sc pu
38

Z Line pu

1 .125
0.1614 pu
6 .97

a. Three-Phase Fault
VC pu

Vc
VC base

I fault C

VC pu

I base 13.2 kV

13.2
1 pu
13.2

VC pu
Z Line Z TX Z sc

MVAbase
3 kVBase

25 1000
3 13.2

1.0
4.24 pu
0.1614 0.0263 0.048

1093.47 A

I fault C ( A) I fault C I base 13.2 kV 4.24 pu 1093.47 A 4638.6 A

V B pu

VB
VB base

I fault B

VB pu

I base 13.2 kV

13.2
1 pu
13.2

VB pu
Z TX Z sc

MVAbase
3 kVBase

1.0
13.46 pu
0.0263 0.048

25 1000
3 13.2

1093.47 A

I fault B ( A) I fault B I base 13.2 kV 13.46 pu 1093.47 A 14713.8 A

V A pu

VA
V Abase

I fault A

V A pu

I base 115 kV

115
1 pu
115

V A pu
Z sc

MVAbase
3 kVBase

1.0
38 pu
0.02638
25 1000
3 115

125.5 A

I fault A( A) I fault C I base 13.2 kV 38 pu 125.5 A 4769.4 A

3

Question # 3

A portion of an 11 kV radial system is shown in Fig.Q3. The system may be operated with one
rather than two source transformers under certain operating conditions. Assume high voltage bus of
transformer is an infinite bus. Protection system for three-phase and line-to-line faults has to be
designed. Transformer and Transmission line reactances in ohms are referred to the 11 kV side as
shown in the Fig. Q3. Calculate the maximum fault currents (Ifmaxi) and minimum fault currents
(Ifmini) at bus 1-5.

Fig. Q3
Solution Hints:

1. Maximum fault current will occur for a three-phase with both transformers in service.
2. Minimum fault in this case is assumed for a line-to-line fault. A line-to-line fault produces a
fault current equal to 3 2 times the three-phase fault. Also the minimum fault current happens
for line-to-line faults with one transformer in service.

The maximum and minimum fault currents are given below for faults at bus 1-5
Fault
Level
Max Fault Current (A)
Min Fault Current (A)

1
2540
1100

Max Fault Current (A)

2
525
377

Fault at Bus
3
343
262

4
240
190

5
162
132

Min Fault Current (A)

I f 3 ph1

11 10 3
V

Z eq1
2.5

2540 A

I fLL1 0.866

1110 3
V
0.866
Z eq1
5

I f 3 ph 2

11 10 3 3
V

525 A
Z eq 2
(2.5 9.6)

I fLL 2 0.866

11 10 3 3
V
0.866
377 A
Z eq 2
(5 9.6)

I f 3 ph3

11 10 3 3
V

343 A
Z eq3
(2.5 9.6 6.4)

I fLL 3 0.866

11 10 3 3
V
0.866
262 A
Z eq3
(5 9.6 6.4)

I f 3 ph 4

11 10 3 3
V

240 A
Z eq 4
(2.5 9.6 6.4 8)

I fLL 4 0.866

11 10 3 3
V
0.866
190 A
Z eq 4
(5 9.6 6.4 8)

I f 3 ph5

11 10 3 3
11 10 3 3
V
V

162 A I fLL 5 0.866

0.866
132 A
Z eq5
(2.5 9.6 6.4 8 12.8)
Z eq5
(5 9.6 6.4 8 12.8)

1100 A