Short Circuit Calculations for Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

All electrical installations must be protected 

against short circuits every time there is an electrical connection, which is generally when there is a change in conductor cross-sectional area. The short-circuit current value must be calculated at every stage of installation for different possible network configurations. This is done to determine the characteristics of the equipment that must withstand or switch the fault current. 

The calculation of ac short-circuit currents, essential to the selection of adequately rated protective devices and equipment in industrial and commercial power systems, is becoming increasingly important to the system designer. Today, power systems carry larger blocks of power, are more important to the operation of the plant and building, and have greater safety and reliability requirements. Meeting these requirements necessitates the fulfillment of certain criteria, including the use of adequately rated equipment.

Although short-circuits are less and less likely to occur in modern, well-designed, well-operated installations, the serious consequences they can cause are an incentive to implement all possible means to swiftly detect and eliminate them.

The short-circuit current at different points in the power system must be calculated to design the cables, busbars and all switching and protection devices and determine their settings.

 This guide outlines state of-the-art industrial power system engineering practices which should be especially valuable to industrial plant engineers and electricians, industrial power application engineers and others who are involved with the planning of electrical facilities for industrial plants or commercial buildings.

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