Short Circuit Analysis
Short circuit calculations is used to define the sizing of the installation (equipment rating), location, sizing and co-
ordination of protection devices. This module performs single-, two- (with and without earth connection) and
three-phase faults on symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical AC and DC networks. Faults on busbars as well as on
lines with user defined fault distance can be computed. NEPLAN provides an option to simulate special faults
such as double earth faults, faults between two voltage levels, conductor opening, etc.
• Arc flash evaluation using short circuit results
• Short circuit equipment rating
• Contribution from Static converter • Relay co-ordination using short circuit results
& adjustable frequency drive
Why Short Circuit Analysis? Benefits of Short Circuit Analysis
• If unusual high currents exceed the capability of • Helps avoid unplanned outages and downtime
an equipment, it can result in a large release of • Critical for avoiding interruptions of essential
energy in the form of heat which could services
eventually lead to explosion • Reduces risk of equipment damage and fires
• Short Circuit calculations are necessary to • Increases safety and protects people from
properly select the type, interrupting rating and injuries
tripping characteristics of protection devices • Determines the level and type of protection
• To determine the currents that flow in a power devices that are needed
system under fault conditions • Reduces the risk a facility could face and helps
• To determine both the switchgear ratings and avoid catastrophic losses
the relay settings • Increases the safety and reliability of the power
• The results of Short Circuit Analysis are used to system and related equipment
selectively co-ordinate protection devices
General Characteristics
• Fault calculation according to the following
standards:
‒ IEC 60909:2016 / VDE 0102:2016
‒ IEC 60909:2001 / VDE 0102:2002
‒ IEC 909:1998 / VDE 0102:1.90
‒ ANSI/IEEE C37.010
‒ ANSI/IEEE C37.013
‒ G74 Engineering Recommendation
‒ IEC 61363-1 for off-shore/ship plants
‒ IEC 61660 for DC networks
• Peterson coil tuning for transformer
• Superposition method with consideration of pre-
fault voltage from load flow
• Accurate model for transformer earthing
connection
• Earthing system for common earthing of any
number of transformers, generators, etc.
• Peterson coil tuning in resonance earthed
networks
• Current limiting due to circuit breaker and MOV
• Transformer phase shift
• Correction factor for transformers in parallel with
different Un/Ur ratio
• IEC + superposition method for calculation of
voltages in order to have right settings of • Simulation of special (user-defined) faults such as:
distance relays ⁻ Double earth fault
⁻ Open conductor fault, etc.
• Consideration of arc impedances
Conductor with
short circuit Mutual Line Coupling
Couplings
• Mutual impedances and capacitances in the
positive and zero sequence systems can be
Parallel Circuits
computed using line coupling element
• Circuit and coupling parameters of the overhead
lines are computed from the conductor
configuration
• Overhead lines with up to six 3-phase systems
and three earth wires can be computed (earthing
of 3-phase systems considered)
• Unrestricted number of overhead lines can be
entered
• Parameters and conductor configuration are
saved in the database
Results
• Key short-circuit results:
‒ Initial symmetrical short-circuit current
Ik” and power Sk”
‒ Peak current ip
‒ Breaking current Ib
‒ R/X ratio
‒ Fault Voltage Ule
• Computation of minimum and maximum
short-circuit current
• Thermal and asymmetrical breaking currents,
plus DC component
• Calculation of relay tripping time for • Fault clearing procedure for tripped relays
overcurrent and distance protection
• Contribution of adjustable frequency drives
ands static converters to short-circuit currents
• Fault flow calculation (currents and voltages in
the whole network) for a single fault location
• Overloaded equipment (current transformer,
voltage transformer, circuit-breaker, etc.) are
highlighted
• Phase values as well as symmetrical
components are available for shot-circuit
currents and impedances
• Short-currents and voltage can be plotted as
vectors on the chart • Phasor representation of the short circuit results
• Fault current direction
• Graphical representation • Short circuit results for faulted node and fault contribution from the rest
of results of the network