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Solving single line to ground fault using the

MVA method
Although the ARCAD online short circuit calculator doesn't currently calculate unbalanced
faults all in one run, you can still use it to resolve positive, negative and zero sequence SC

MVA required to determine total line-to-ground MVAF and IF at point of fault. All you need is
to develop hierarchical trees representing positive, negative and zero sequence networks of
your power distribution system, program them into the calculator to determine the respective
sequence short circuit MVA at prospective fault points. Short circuit current values for
balanced three phase bolted fault as well as for unbalanced line-to-ground, line-to-phase etc.
faults can be determined by converting the calculated SC MVA values to kA units.
The example below shows the technology behind solving single phase to ground fault using
the MVA method. Figure 1 represent one line (part a) and MVA diagram (part b) of simple
power distribution system.

Figure 1
MVA sequence diagram below shows all components of positive, negative and zero sequence
networks in SC MVA quantities. The connection shown illustrates ground fault at the 12 kV
bus.

As noted, the three phase fault has been solved to be 228 MVA at the 12 kV bus. Since the
positive sequence fault is equal to negative sequence fault, MVAX1 = MVAX2 = 228
The zero sequence fault MVA, however, must be calculated, and its MVA value then is
combined with the positive and negative MVA values.
In our example, during a fault on the 12 kV bus only the transformer and the motor contribute
to zero sequence MVA. The delta primary of the transformer blocks any zero sequence power
flowing from the system and across the transformer. Therefore, Figure 2 shows the zero
sequence power circuit:

Figure 2
MVAX0 T = MVAX1 T = MVAX2 T = 198 as the transformer zero sequence reactance equals its
positive and negative reactance.
MVAX0 M = 15 / 0.1 = 150 MVA, since the zero sequence reactance of the motor is about 1/2
of its positive sequence reactance. The total zero sequence fault power then is equal to the
sum which is:
MVAX0 T + MVAX0 M = 198 + 150 = 348
The line to ground fault power is obtained with the use of Figure 3.

Figure 3
Since, these are three branches in parallel, the simplest approach is to solve MVA value for
one out of the three circuits, and multiply the result by 3. Use formulas (1) or (2) to calculate
total MVA of components with respectively equal or arbitrary X/R ration connected in series
or parallel. Assuming equal X/R ratio:
MVA1, 2 = 228 / 2 = 114
MVA1, 3 = (114 X 348) / (114 + 348) = 86
MVAF = 3 X 86 = 258
IF = 258 X 1000 / (1.73 X 12) = 12400A

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