CHAPTER 1

Power System Representation and Per-unit System

What is power system?

An electric power system is a network of

electrical components deployed to supply,
transfer, and use electric power. An example of
an electric power system is the grid that provides
power to an extended area. An electrical grid
power system can be broadly divided into
the generators that supply the power,
the transmission system that carries the power
from the generating centres to the load centres,
and the distribution system that feeds the power
to nearby homes and industries. Smaller power
systems are also found in industry, hospitals,
commercial buildings and homes. The majority
of these systems rely upon three-phase AC
power—the standard for large-scale power
transmission and distribution across the modern
world. Specialised power systems that do not
always rely upon three-phase AC power are
SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM
found in aircraft, electric rail systems, ocean
liners and automobiles. (source: Wikipedia) A single line diagram is diagrammatic
representation of power system in which the
The evaluation of power system is called power
components are represented by their symbols
system analysis.
and the interconnections between them are
A. Functions of Power Systems Analysis shown by a straight line even if the system is
 To monitor the voltage at various three phase system. The ratings and the
buses, real and reactive power flow impedances of the components are also marked
between buses (Load flow Analysis). on the single line diagram. A single-line diagram
 To design the circuit breakers (also known as one-line diagram) shows the
(Protection). number of components and its location in the
 To plan future expansion of the system.
existing system (Forecasting).
 To analyze the system under
different fault conditions (Fault
Analysis)
 To study the ability of the system
for small and large disturbances
(Stability studies)
NAMEPLATE DATA
B. Components of a Power System
 Alternator
 Power transformer
 Transmission lines
 Substation transformer
 Distribution transformer
 Loads

Prepared by: Engr. Eleazer C. Nabong, [Link], MSc

THE IMPEDANCE DIAGRAM referred to the primary or the secondary
side. This is a great advantage since the
different voltage levels disappear and
the entire system reduces to a system of
simple impedance.
5. The p.u. systems are ideal for the
computerized analysis and simulation of
complex power system problems.
6. The circuit laws are valid in p.u. systems,
and the power and voltage equations
are simplified since the factors three (3)
and square root of three (3) are
eliminated. This way, there is less chance
of confusing line and phase voltages as
well as between single- and three-phase
power systems.
PER-UNIT SYSTEM Steps in Determining Per Unit Impedance
For the analysis of electrical machines or Diagram
electrical power system, different values are 1. Obtain the one-line diagram based on the
required, thus, per unit system provides the given data
value for voltage, current, power, impendence 2. Choose a common base MVA for the
and admittance. The Per Unit System also makes system
the calculation easier as all the values are taken 3. Choose a base KV in any one section
in the same unit. The per-unit system is mainly (Sections formed by transformers)
used in the circuit where variation in voltage 4. Find the base KV of all the sections
occurs. present
5. Find pu values of all the parameters: R,X,
The per-unit value of any quantity is defined as Z, E, etc.
the ratio of actual value in any unit and the base 6. Draw the pu impedance/ reactance
or reference value in the same unit. Any diagram.
quantity is converted into per unit quantity by
dividing the numeral value by the chosen base
The following points should be kept in mind:
value of the same dimension. The per unit value
are dimensionless. 1. A base kV and base kVA is selected in one
part of the system. The base values for a
three-phase system are understood to
Advantages of Per-unit system be line-to-line kV and 3-phase kVA.
2. For other parts of the system, that is, on
1. Manufacturers usually provide other sides of transformers, the base kV
equipment data with nameplate rating for each part is determined according to
as a base. the line-to-line voltage ratios of the
2. The p.u. system gives us a clear idea of transformers. The base kVA will be the
relative magnitudes of various quantities same in all parts of the system. It will be
such as voltage, current, power and helpful to mark the base kV of each part
impedance. of the system on the one-line diagram.
3. The p.u. impedance of equipment of the 3. Impedance information available for 3-
same general type based on their own phase transformers will usually be in per
ratings fall in a narrow range regardless unit or per cent on the base determined
of the rating of the equipment. Whereas by the ratings.
their impedance in ohms vary greatly 4. For three single-phase transformers
with the rating. connected as a three-phase unit, the 3-
4. The p.u. values of impedance, voltage phase ratings are determined from the
and current of a transformer are the single-phase rating of each individual
same regardless of whether they are transformer. Impedance in per cent for

Prepared by: Engr. Eleazer C. Nabong, [Link], MSc

 the 3-phase unit is the same as that for 2. Determine the equivalent impedance
each individual transformer. diagram of the given power system below.
5. Per-unit impedance given on a base Use generator rating as base.
other than that determined for the part
of the system in which the element is
located must be changed to the proper
base using the “change of base” formula.

Problem-Solving:

1. The single-line diagram of a three-phase Component S3 VLL Xpu

system is shown in Fig. below. Using the (MVA) (kV)
common base Sb = 50 MVA, draw the Gen. 90 22 18%
impedance diagram in per unit including the Motor 66.5 10.45 16.5%
load impedance. The manufacturer’s nominal T1 50 22/220 8%
ratings are given as follows: T2 40 220/11 6%
T3 40 22/110 6.4%
T4 40 110/11 8%
Load 57 10.45 0.6 pf

3. Show all impedances in per-unit on a 100

MVA, 15 kV base in the circuit shown below.

S3 VLL
Component Xpu
(MVA) (kV)
G1 48 20 20%
G2 25 13.8 15%
T1 50 20/110 8% Component S3 VLL Xpu
T2 30 13.8/110 6% (MVA) (kV)
T3 50 11/110 10% G1 50 20 10%
G2 100 15 15%
T1 150 22/220 8%
The three-phase load at bus 4 absorbs 60 MVA at T2 200 220/20 6%
0.75 power factor (lagging), and line 1, 2, and 3 L1 20+j80
have the reactance of 40 Ω, 32 Ω, and 30 Ω, L2 10+j40
respectively. L3 10+j40

Prepared by: Engr. Eleazer C. Nabong, [Link], MSc

Solution of Problem #1
The system of Fig. below can be subdivided into different sections with different voltage levels determined
by the transformer turns ratios. A common power base of Sb = 50 MVA is chosen for the system, but the
voltage bases are selected separately for each voltage level:

Voltage base for buses 1, 2, and 3: Vb(1) = Vb(2) = Vb(3) = 110 kV

Voltage base for bus 4: Vb(4) = 11 kV

Per-unit reactances of the generators and transformers are:

The impedance bases for lines 1, 2, and 3 are:

The per-unit reactance of lines 1, 2, and 3 are:

The power factor of the load is cos ∅ = 0.75 𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔; thus, complex power of the load is 𝑆𝐿 =
60⌊41.41° 𝑀𝑉𝐴. Hence, the load impedance in  is:

Prepared by: Engr. Eleazer C. Nabong, [Link], MSc

The base impedance for the load is:

The per-unit load impedance is:

The impedance diagram of the system with all reactance in PU is:

Prepared by: Engr. Eleazer C. Nabong, [Link], MSc