ANSI Standard Duty Figure-4A shows a simple system with one remote.

This method, however, does not

generator and a utility tie. For a fault at the always provide the most accurate reflection
Calculations: Part 4 generator bus, the generator will contribute of generator current in the system. In fact,
as a “Local” source. The utility source will this model demonstrates a discontinuity
Calculating Medium and High always be considered as “Remote”. The between “Local” and “Remote” when the
NACD Ratio will be 31.378/42.768 = 0.734. external reactance of the system is 1.5 per-
Voltage Short Circuit Currents unit of the generator's subtransient reactance
GEN-1
UTIL-2 (X”g). Reference (X”g +1.5 X”g = 2.5
In the previous two issues, we have dis- X”g).

11.156
cussed how the ANSI Standards are applied

31.378
to determine the appropriate interrupting From a system standpoint, in-plant genera-

68
duty (1-4 cycle) symmetrical currents as well

.7
42
BUS-1
tion provides some components of both
as asymmetrical multipliers for an NACD “Local” and “Remote” current to each fault.
ratio of 0.0 (Local) or 1.0 (Remote) at the

0.268
This can best be modeled by interpolation
fault point. One point I did not make clear CLR-1
based on weighting the importance of
in the previous articles, is that the terms “Local” and “Remote” for all generation.
NACD, "Local", and "Remote" are not used The suggested weighting is based on estimat-
in ANSI C37.010. They are defined in [1] ing the “Local” portion of an in-plant gener-
and [2] to help in understanding the stan- LOAD
ator contribution for faults not directly on its
dard, as well as, to provide more accurate terminals.
calculations.
L-1
COMP
For the example in Figure-4B, the generator
In this issue, we will discuss how the stan- contributes 3.044 kA to the fault. By
dard is applied to determine high voltage weighting the current to the “Local”
Figure-4A
interrupting currents where the NACD ratio (0.4*I”g) limit, the “Local” portion of the
falls somewhere between 0.0 and 1.0. GEN-1 generator current is 3.044/4.464 = 68.2 per-
UTIL-2
cent, and the remote portion is 31.8 percent.
By definition, an NACD ratio between 0.0 These values give us an NACD ratio of
3.044

and 1.0 implies that both "Remote" and [8.560 + 3.044*0.318] / 11.867 = 0.803.
8.560

"Local" generation exist in the system. The

8
72

"No AC Current Decay" ratio is defined as BUS-1

0.

The following example will show how to

follows: apply the derived information to breaker
11.595

CLR-1 application.
NACD = Remote Source Contributions
Total Contributions
11.595

Given: Based on the system in Figure-4B,

determine the interrupting currents through
The NACD ratio multiplying factors are
67

the reactor load side breaker for a 3 cycle

.8
11

derived from the “Local” (fed predominantly LOAD

“Symmetrical” rated breaker. The fault
from generators through not more than one point X/R is 75.
0.272

transformation) and “Remote” (fed predomi- L-1

nantly from generators through two or more COMP Solution: The current through the breaker is
transformations) curves from ANSI C37.010 11.6 kA symmetrical. From Figure 11, an
for a specific breaker contact-parting time. X/R of 75 and NACD=0.803 gives a multi-
Between these two limiting curves, the inter- Figure-4B plier of 1.27 for a breaker duty current of
polation of any X/R ratio is linear with the 15.12 kA. This duty current includes both ac
NACD ratio. Figure-4B adds more complexity to the prob- and dc components.
lem by faulting on the load side of the sys-
Figure 10 and 11 in Huening's paper[1] show tem reactor. Here, we must determine if the Remember, when a tripping delay in excess
both the “Local” and “Remote” limiting generator contribution is “Local” or of ½ cycle is applied, you may take advan-
curves as well as linear interpolations for “Remote”. In our previous article (Part 3), tage of the system decay in either or both of
various NACD ratios. The NACD of 0.0 we noted that ANSI determined the genera- the DC or AC components. The local curve
and 1.0 curves are the same as the ANSI tor contribution as “Local” if the generator along with the weighting factors automatical-
Standard Figures 8 and 10[2]. The following current If >E/(2.5 X”g). Based on this, the ly does this in EasyPower when generators
example will help demonstrate the applica- generator current of 3.044 kA (Fig-4B) is not are involved.
tion and provide additional clarity to the greater than the 0.4*11.16 = 4.4 kA for a
standard. fault at the generator terminals. Therefore, As we stated in the previous article, the X/R
the generator current can be considered ratio and the NACD ratio play significant
3
roles in determining the actual asymmetrical EasyPower complies with all ANSI and tem, which provide easy computations while
current the breaker will interrupt. NEMA Standards as well as the IEEE yielding conservative results. There are no
Recommended practices. SmartDutyTM pro- exact methods to determine the actual tran-
These calculations emphasize the importance vides “expert” equipment duty calculations, sient response of the system other than mea-
of using software that accurately reflects the eliminating the need for manual verification. surement.
details in the latest ANSI Standard, and
IEEE recommended practices. Don't be In the next issue of this newsletter, we will ~Chet E. Davis~
fooled by rules of thumb, MVA calculations, discuss low voltage short circuit calcula-
or Ohm's law short circuit methods. The tions. 1. “Interpretation of New American National Standards for
Circuit Breaker Applications” IEEE/IAS Vol IGA-5, No-5,
best they can give you is a “ballpark” figure, Sept/Oct 1969, by Walter Huening.
and it may be wrong! Remember, “Local” and Remote” are just
terms used in defining a model of the sys- 2. ANSI/IEEE Standard 141-1986 and later.