Maximum and Minimum fault currents

Apologies for not noticing earlier. This should have been posted in the Wiring and the Regulations forum as it relates directly to BS 7671 and its guidance publications.

I think you have mis-interpreted the phrase "A fault across three phases is considered worst-case" ... this is a three-phase bolted fault across all phases, not a  line-to-line fault.

In a three-phase bolted fault across all phases, where all live conductors are connected together, and the fault current returns via Neutral or PEN. Hence, it is the line-Neutral voltage that is used.

The maximum line-to-line fault current must take into account the impedance of each line and each phase winding, and therefore using the same symbols as present in Section 6.3.2 of the IET Electrical Installation Design Guide, 5th Edition, would be:

I_pf(L-L) = U_OC(L-L)/[2×(Z_x+Z_d)]

As you point out, U_OC(L-L)=√(3)×U_OC, and therefore we get:

I_pf(L-L) = √(3)×U_OC/[2×(Z_x+Z_d)] ≅ √(3)×C_maxU_O/[2×(Z_x+Z_d)]

Hence:

I_pf(L-L) ≅ [√(3)/2]×C_maxU₀/(Z_x+Z_d) = [√(3)/2]×I_pf where I_pf is the bolted fault current across all three phases and neutral or PEN as above.

Quite simply, because [√(3)/2] < 1, mathematically I_pf(L-L) < I_pf. Or in plain English, the line-line prospective fault current is less than the three-phase-to-neutral bolted fault current.

Hopefully, this demonstrates why the maximum prospective fault current occurs not line-to-line, but between all lines and Neutral or PEN, and why U₀ is used rather than U₀×√(3).

Thank you both for the replies. very much appreciate it..

Just to put some numbers in Zx = 0.02 and Zd = 0.15 

Uoc = Open circuit line-to-neutral voltage

I_pf(L-L) = U_OC(L-L)/[2×(Z_x+Z_d)]   

230 ÷ 0.17 x 2 =   230 ÷ 0.34 =676A

I see this as the impedance of the winding plus R1e (External) multiplied by 2 to account for the neutral ?  but the neutral won't have a winding impedance , so I would have thought 2x Zd + Zx.
Im obviously wrong in my thinking , just trying to grasp it...

Ipf = 676A

As you point out, U_OC(L-L)=√(3)×U_OC, and therefore we get:

I_pf(L-L) = √(3)×U_OC/[2×(Z_x+Z_d)] ≅ √(3)×C_maxU_O/[2×(Z_x+Z_d)]

1.73 x 230 ÷ 0.34 = 1171A    ≈  1.73 x1.1 x 230 ÷ 0.34 =  437 ÷ 0.34 = 1287A
Ipf = 1287

Hence:

I_pf(L-L) ≅ [√(3)/2]×C_maxU₀/(Z_x+Z_d) = [√(3)/2]×I_pf where I_pf is the bolted fault current across all three phases and neutral or PEN as above.

0.86 x 1.1 x 230 ÷ 0.17 = 217.58 ÷ 0.17 = 1279A   = 0.86 x 1287 (?) = 1106A`

√3 ÷ 2 x 1.1 =0.95  which is the factor for Cmin ??

Ipf = 1106

ah well the winding impedance is one of the many things that means the resistance of the 2 paths may not be quite divided as I suggested

But this can also be estimated at least if you can read the rating plate - binoculars may help - an upper limit might be 5% volt drop at full load on the winding. (rather less on a modern low loss transformer.)

Unless the TX is in the same building, usually the distribution cable dominates - i.e. after the first few tens of metres.

Mike.

JohnE said:

√3 ÷ 2 x 1.1 =0.95  which is the factor for Cmin ??

In this case, 0.95 from the calculation you provided above is a mere coincidence.

C_min = 0.95 ["for supplies to ESQCR" I believe its how you will find it described in BS 7671 and IET Guidance] simply comes from the fact that in the UK, the public supply voltage variation according to ESQCR is 230 V + 10 % / - 4 % (and 5 % is roughly the same as 4 %). C_min = 0.95 applies to both U and U₀.

"according to ESQCR is 230 V + 10 % / - 4 % (and 5 % is roughly the same as 4 %). C_min = 0.95 applies to both U and U_0"

_{Shouldn't that be 230V + 10% / - 6% ? Thus Cmin should actually be 0.94.}

_{Is 5% nearer 6% than 4%?}

Yes, sorry ... long day yesterday.

gkenyon said:

In a three-phase bolted fault across all phases, where all live conductors are connected together, and the fault current returns via Neutral or PEN. Hence, it is the line-Neutral voltage that is used.

Not sure what you mean Graham, in such a fault one assumes that there will be no current in the neutral. It is irrelevant whether it is present or not, the maximum fault current being Uo*1.1/ Zp. 

very true - you could have a 3 phase supply without neutral and a phase-phase-phase fault would still be the worst case.

Mike

lyledunn said:

Not sure what you mean Graham, in such a fault one assumes that there will be no current in the neutral. It is irrelevant whether it is present or not, the maximum fault current being Uo*1.1/ Zp. 

Yes, exactly that. Bolted fault across all live conductors (three lines plus neutral) in the circuit at a particular point. This is what is shown in EIDG, and the formula matches, except that in EIDG what you have as Zp is split into (Zx+Zd), or Zp=(Zx+Zd).

I agree that it is irrelevant in a fully balanced system whether the neutral is present or not, but having it there and noting the current is zero perhaps provides an explanation that some might find informative.

Although, lyledunn, it did make me stop and think, that the formula Uo*1.1/ Zp only applies when the three-phase supply source has an earthed star point (tehcnically, a "neutral point"). If it's a delta-source, such as a delta-secondary transformer, and therefore corner-earthed, then the line-to-line voltage is equal to the line-to-earth voltage (Uo=U) and the formula would be Uo*1.1*√(3)/(3*Zp)

Although, lyledunn, it did make me stop and think, that the formula Uo*1.1/ Zp only applies when the three-phase supply source has an earthed star point (tehcnically, a "neutral point"). If it's a delta-source, such as a delta-secondary transformer, and therefore corner-earthed, then the line-to-line voltage is equal to the line-to-earth voltage (Uo=U) and the formula would be Uo*1.1*√(3)/(3*Zp)