The fault analysis of a power system is required in order to provide information for the selection of switch-gear, setting of relays and stability of system operation. A power system is not static but changes during operation (switching on or off of generators and transmission lines) and during planning (addition of generators and transmission lines). Thus fault studies need to be routinely performed by utility engineers.
Faults usually occur in a power system due to either insulation failure, flash over, physical damage or human error. These faults, may either be three phase in nature involving all three phases in a symmetrical manner, or may be asymmetrical where usually only one or two phases may be involved. Faults may also be caused by either short-circuits to earth or between live conductors, or may be caused by broken conductors in one or more phases. Sometimes simultaneous faults may occur involving both short-circuit and broken conductor faults (also known as open-circuit faults).
Balanced three phase faults may be analyzed using an equivalent single phase circuit. With asymmetrical three phase faults, the use of symmetrical components help to reduce the complexity of the calculations as transmission lines and components are by and large symmetrical, although the fault may be asymmetrical.
Fault analysis is usually carried out in per-unit quantities (similar to percentage quantities) as they give solutions which are somewhat consistent over different voltage and power ratings, and operate on values of the order of unity.
Faults usually occur in a power system due to either insulation failure, flash over, physical damage or human error. These faults, may either be three phase in nature involving all three phases in a symmetrical manner, or may be asymmetrical where usually only one or two phases may be involved. Faults may also be caused by either short-circuits to earth or between live conductors, or may be caused by broken conductors in one or more phases. Sometimes simultaneous faults may occur involving both short-circuit and broken conductor faults (also known as open-circuit faults).
Balanced three phase faults may be analyzed using an equivalent single phase circuit. With asymmetrical three phase faults, the use of symmetrical components help to reduce the complexity of the calculations as transmission lines and components are by and large symmetrical, although the fault may be asymmetrical.
Fault analysis is usually carried out in per-unit quantities (similar to percentage quantities) as they give solutions which are somewhat consistent over different voltage and power ratings, and operate on values of the order of unity.
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