Calculate three-phase short-circuit current (Iₖ₃F) for electrical engineers per IEC 60909 at MV line, transformer, and LV line ends using grid MVA, uₖ%, and cable data. How It Works: Multi-Point Fault Analysis The tool computes short-circuit current using the IEC 60909 method: I k3F = (c × U 2n) / (√3 × Z TK) Z TK = √(R TK 2 + X TK 2) R TK = R knet + R CableMV + R Tr + R CableLV X TK = X knet + X CableMV + X Tr + X CableLV Note: c = 1.1(voltage factor per IEC 60909). Transformer impedance is derived solely from Voltage fault (%uk). Input Parameter Definitions Parameter Description Typical Regional Values Power net fault Grid short-circuit capacity in MVA — defines upstream source strength Europe: 500 – 5,000 MVA North America: 1,000 – 3,000 MVA Oceania: 800 – 4,000 MVA Industrial sites: Often <500 MVA Primary voltage Transformer primary voltage in kV (e.g., 20 kV) Europe: 10 kV, 20 kV, 30 kV North America: 12.47 kV, 13.2 kV, 24.9 kV, 34.5 kV Oceania: 11 kV, 22 kV Standardized per national grid codes Secondary voltage Transformer secondary rated voltage in V (e.g., 220 V, 400 V) Europe / Oceania: 230/400 V (±10%) North America: 120/208 V, 277/480 V, 347/600 V Industrial LV: Often 400 V or 480 V globally Transformer power Rated apparent power in kVA Commercial buildings: 100 – 1,000 kVA Industrial plants: 500 – 5,000 kVA Common standard sizes: 100, 160, 250, 400, 630, 1000 kVA Voltage fault (%uk) Transformer short-circuit impedance percentage — critical for accuracy Dry-type (≤1 MVA): 4% – 6% Oil-immersed (≥1 MVA): 5% – 8% High-impedance units: Up to 10% Region-independent (depends on design) Joule effect losses Transformer copper losses as % of rated power (typically 1%–2%). Used only for internal verification, not in fault calculation. Dry-type: ~1.0% – 1.8% Oil-immersed: ~0.8% – 1.5% Efficiency class (e.g., IE3) affects value Not used in IEC 60909 fault calc Medium voltage line length Length of MV cable or overhead line in meters Urban substations: 100 – 1,000 m Rural feeders: 1,000 – 10,000 m Industrial plants: Often <500 m Line type Overhead or underground — affects unit reactance Europe: Predominantly underground in cities North America: Overhead common in suburbs/rural Oceania: Mix; underground in new developments Medium voltage wire size Conductor gauge in AWG Note: AWG mainly used in North America Europe/Oceania: mm² (e.g., 95 mm² ≈ 3/0 AWG) Typical MV: 1/0 AWG to 500 kcmil (50–250 mm²) Medium voltage conductors in parallel Number of parallel runs (reduces total impedance) Usually 1 (single run) High-current feeds: 2–4 parallel cables Rarely >4 due to current imbalance Conductor Material (Copper/Aluminum) — impacts resistivity Copper: Common in Europe, industrial apps Aluminum: Widely used in North America (cost) Resistivity ratio: Al ≈ 1.6× Cu Low voltage line length Length of LV cable in meters Building distribution: 10 – 100 m Feeder to motor: Often <50 m Long runs (>100 m) require voltage drop check Low voltage wire size AWG size of LV conductors North America: #12 AWG (20 A), #10 AWG (30 A), #2 AWG (100 A) Europe/Oceania: 2.5 mm², 6 mm², 16 mm², etc. Small sizes increase LV fault impedance significantly Low voltage conductors in parallel Number of parallel LV conductors Typically 1 Large feeders (>200 A): May use 2 in parallel Requires proper derating and balancing Quick Input Rules (The “3-Source Rule”) Grid parameters (from utility company): → Use the values provided by the power supplier. Do not estimate or modify. Transformer parameters (from nameplate or datasheet): → Select a transformer rating with margin for future load. → Enter exact %uk (voltage fault) and copper losses from the nameplate. Cable parameters (from procurement specification or bill of materials): → Length: from single-line diagram or layout drawing → Type / Material / Wire size: as specified in your cable purchase list → Parallel conductors: default to 1 unless explicitly designed otherwise Typical Output Interpretation Example result for a 400 kVA transformer with 4% uk, 100 m MV/LV lines (1 AWG Cu): Fault at MV line end: ~17.8 kA → Verify upstream switchgear withstand Fault at transformer secondary: ~28.4 kA → Select main circuit breaker (e.g., 35 kA rating) Fault at LV line end: ~811 A → Ensure downstream protective devices can clear fault (magnetic trip threshold typically < 500 A) L-PE fault: ~1.09 kA → Check grounding continuity; low value may indicate high earth-loop impedance Key Insight: Short-circuit current decreases significantly along the distribution path due to cable impedance — especially critical in LV circuits with small conductor sizes. Frequently Asked Questions Q:What is substation short-circuit current? A substation short-circuit current refers to the maximum prospective fault current that can flow through a substation under short circuit conditions. It is crucial for determining the ratings of switchgear, cables, and other electrical equipment. Q:How do you calculate short-circuit current at a substation? The calculation involves determining the total impedance from the power source to the point of fault, including contributions from the grid, transformers, and cables. The formula used is Ik3F = (c × U2n) / (√3 × ZTK), where c is the voltage factor, U2n is the nominal secondary voltage, and ZTK is the total impedance. Q:Why is it important to know the short-circuit current at substations? Knowing the short-circuit current helps in selecting appropriate protective devices and ensuring that the installed equipment can withstand potential fault currents without damage. This ensures safety and reliability of the power system. Q:Is Joule effect losses considered in short-circuit current calculations? No, Joule effect losses are not used in short-circuit current calculations. These losses represent energy dissipation due to resistance and are more relevant to efficiency studies rather than fault analysis. Q:Can this tool be used for both MV and LV systems? Yes, this tool supports calculations for both medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) systems. It allows users to analyze faults at different points in the distribution network, including the end of MV lines, transformer secondaries, and LV line ends. Who Should Use This Tool? Electrical engineers designing industrial/commercial power systems Protection engineers performing coordination studies Facility managers verifying switchgear and cable ratings Inspectors assessing compliance with IEC 60364 and local codes