CHAPTER 2
The Per-Unit System
Per Unit System
In power systems there are so many different
elements such as Motors, Generators and
Transformers with very different sizes and
nominal values.
To be able to compare the performances of a
big and a small element, per unit system is
used.
Per Unit System
The voltage, current and impedance values are
divided by base values and expressed in per unit or
percentage values.
Actual Value
Per Unit System Value
Base Value
The percent impedance,
Z actual in
Z%
x 100%
Z base in
e.g. in a synchronous generator with 13.8 kV as its
nominal voltage, instead of saying the voltage is
12.42 kV, we say the voltage is 0.9 p.u.
How Are the Base Values
Defined
For an electric element, we
have : Power, Voltage, Current
and Impedance.
Usually, the nominal apparent
power (S) and nominal voltage
(V) are taken as the base
values for power and voltage.
The base values for the current
and impedance can be
calculated.
Sbase , Vbase
I base
Sbase
Vbase
Z base
Vbase V 2 base
I base
S base
Per Unit System
Per Unit values using the base values are:
S pu
S
S base
I pu
I
I base
Vpu
V
Vbase
Z pu
Z
Z base
Conversion from per unit value to ohm & vise
versa
Z pu
Z
Z base
S base
2 Z
Vbase
Z Z base Z pu
2
Vbase
Z pu
S base
Transformers Voltage Base
V2
V b1
Vb 2
V1
Per Unit in 3- Circuits
Simplified:
Concerns about using phase or line voltages
are removed in the per-unit system
Actual values of R, XC and XL for lines, cables,
and other electrical equipment typically phase
values.
It is convenient to work in terms of base VA
(base volt-amperes)
Per Unit System (3 Phase)
Usually, the 3-phase SB or MVAB and line-to-line VB or kVB
are selected
IB and ZB dependent on SB and VB
S B 3VB I B
SB
IB
,
3VB
VB 3 I B Z B
VB / 3 VB
ZB
IB
SB
Change of Base
The impedance of individual generators &
transformer, are generally in terms of
percent/per unit based on their own ratings.
Impedance of transmission line ohmic value
When pieces of equipment with various
different ratings are connected to a system, it
is necessary to convert their impedances to a
per unit value expressed on the same base.
Change of Base
old
Z pu
be the per unit impedance on the power base Sold
B
& voltage base VBold
old
Z pu
Z S Bold
old
Z
2
V old
ZB
B
new
Z pu
be the new per unit impedance on the new power base Snew
B
& new voltage base VBnew
new
Z pu
Z S Bnew
new
Z
2
new
ZB
VB
Change of Base
From (1) and (2), the relationship between the
old and the new per unit value
new
pu
old
pu
new
B
old
B
V
V
old
B
new
B
If the voltage base are the same,
new
pu
new
S
old
B
Z pu old
SB
Example
The one-line diagram of three-phase power
system is shown below. Select a common base
of 100 MVA and 22 kV on the generator side.
Draw an impedance diagram with all impedance
including the load impedance marked in perunit.
Example
65.43
Example
Voltage base for all sections of the network.
SB = 100 MVA, VB = 22 kV on Generator side
65.43
Example
50 MVA, 22/220 kV, 10%
VB1 on the LV of T1 = 22 kV
40 MVA, 22/110 kV, 6.4%
Example
50 MVA, 22/220 kV, 10%
VB2 on the HV of T1 =
VB 2
V2
220
22
VB1
kV 220kV
22
V1
VB3 on the HV of T2 = VB2 = 220 kV
40 MVA, 22 kV, 6.4%
Example
VB5 on the LV of T3 =
VB 5
V2
110
VB1
22
kV 110 kV
22
V1
VB6 on the HV of T4 = VB5 = 110 kV
40 MVA, 22/110 kV, 6.4%
65.43
Example
40 MVA, 220/11kV, 6.0%
VB4 on the LV of T2 =
VB 4
V2
11
VB 3
220
kV 11kV
220
V1
or
VB4 on the LV of T4 =
VB 4
V2
11
110
VB 6
kV 11kV
110
V1
40 MVA, 110/11kV, 8.0%
Generator & Transformer
Since generator & transformer voltage base are the same as their rated
values, their p.u reactance on a 100 MVA
new
Z pu
new
S
old
B
Z pu old
SB
100
X G 0.18
0.2 p.u
90
100
X T 1 0.10
0.2 p.u
50
100
X T 2 0.06
0.15 p.u
40
100
X T 3 0.064
0.16 p.u
40
100
X T 4 0.08
0.2 p.u
40
Motor
old
X pu
18.5% 0.185
100 MVA
VBnew 11kV
old
B
66.5MVA
VBold 10.45kV
new
pu
old S
X pu
S
new
B
new
B
old
B
V
V
old
B
new
B
100 10.45
0.185
66.5 11
0.25 p.u
Line 1 & 2
Line 1
Line 2
VB 220kV
VB 110 kV
S B 100 MVA
S B 100 MVA
Base Impedance, XB
X B l1
VB2 220kV
484
S B 100 MVA
X B l2
VB2 110 kV
121
S B 100 MVA
P.U Impedance, Xpu
X p.u l
X actual 48.4
0.10 p.u
X B l1
484
X p.u l
X actual 65.43
0.54 p.u
X B l2
121
Load
S 57 MVA, V 10.45kV , p. f 0.6 lagging
cos 1 0.6 53.13o
Therefore ,
S L 3 5753.13o MVA
Z L ( actual )
VL L
*
L 3
10.45 2
57 53.13
1.1495 j1.53267
VB2 11kV
1.21
S B 100 MV
2
Z L ( Base )
Z L ( p.u )
Z L ( actual )
Z L ( Base )
1.1495 j1.53267
0.95 j1.2667 p.u
1.21
Per Unit Equivalent Circuit
Advantages
Give a clear idea of relative magnitudes of various
quantities, such as V, I, P & Z.
The per unit values of Z, V & I of transformer are the
same whether they are referred to the primary or
secondary side.
Ideal for the computerized analysis and simulation of
complex power system problems.
The circuit laws are valid in per unit systems, and the
power and voltage equation are simplified since the
factor 3 and 3 are eliminates in the p.u systems.
