Method of impedances
This method summates the positive-sequence impedances of each item (cable, PE conductor, transformer, etc.) included in the earth-fault loop circuit from which the short-circuit earth-fault current is calculated, using the formula:
where
(ΣR) 2 = (the sum of all resistances in the loop)2 at the design stage of a project.
(ΣX) 2 = (the sum of all inductive reactances in the loop) 2
and U = nominal system phase-to-neutral voltage.
The application of the method is not always easy, because it supposes a knowledge of all parameter values and characteristics of the elements in the loop. In many cases, a national guide can supply typical values for estimation purposes.
Method of composition
This method permits the determination of the short-circuit current at the end of a loop from the known value of short-circuit at the sending end, by means of the
approximate formula:
where
Isc = upstream short-circuit current
I = end-of-loop short-circuit current
U = nominal system phase voltage
Zs = impedance of loop
Note: in this method the individual impedances are added arithmetically as opposed to the previous “method of impedances” procedure.
Conventional method
This method is generally considered to be sufficiently accurate to fix the upper limit of cable lengths.
Principle
The principle bases the short-circuit current calculation on the assumption that the voltage at the origin of the circuit concerned (i.e. at the point at which the circuit protective device is located) remains at 80% or more of the nominal phase to neutral voltage. The 80% value is used, together with the circuit loop impedance, to compute the short-circuit current. This coefficient takes account of all voltage drops upstream of the point considered. In LV cables, when all conductors of a 3-phase 4-wire circuit are in close proximity (which is the normal case), the inductive reactance internal to and between conductors is negligibly small compared to the cable resistance. This approximation is considered to be valid for cable sizes up to 120 mm2. Above that size, the resistance value R is increased as follows:
Core size (mm2) Value of resistance
S = 150 mm2 R+15%
S = 185 mm2 R+20%
S = 240 mm2 R+25%
The maximum length of a circuit in a TN-earthed installation is given by the formula:
where:
Lmax = maximum length in metres
Uo = phase volts = 230 V for a 230/400 V system
ρ = resistivity at normal working temperature in ohm-mm2/metre
(= 22.5 10-3 for copper; = 36 10-3 for aluminium)
Ia = trip current setting for the instantaneous operation of a circuit-breaker, or
Ia = the current which assures operation of the protective fuse concerned, in the
specified time.
Sph = cross-sectional area of the phase conductors of the circuit concerned in mm2
SPE = cross-sectional area of the protective conductor concerned in mm2.