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Section

7
Short-Circuit Calculations

7.1.0 Introduction
7.1.1 Point-to-Point Method, Three-Phase Short-Circuit Calculations, Basic
Calculation Procedure and Formulas
7.1.2 System A and System B Circuit Diagrams for Sample Calculations Using
Point-to-Point Method
7.1.3 Point-to-Point Calculations for System A to Faults X1 and X2
7.1.4 Point-to-Point Calculations for System B to Faults X1 and X2
7.1.5 C Values for Conductors and Busway
7.1.6 Shortcut Method 1: Adding Zs
7.1.7 Average Characteristics of 600-V Conductors (Ohms per 100 ft): Two or
Three Single Conductors
7.1.8 Average Characteristics of 600-V Conductors (Ohms per 100 ft): Three
Conductor Cables (and Interlocked Armored Cable)
7.1.9 LV Busway, R, X, and Z (Ohms per 100 ft)
7.1.10 Shortcut Method 2: Chart Approximate Method
7.1.11 Conductor Conversion (Based on Using Copper Conductor)
7.1.12 Charts 1 through 13 for Calculating Short-Circuit Currents Using Chart
Approximate Method
7.1.13 Assumptions for Motor Contributions to Fault Currents
7.1.14 Secondary Short-Circuit Capacity of Typical Power Transformers

7.1.0 Introduction
Of the four basic methods used to calculate short-circuit currents, the point-to-point
method offers a simple, effective, and quick way to determine available short-circuit
levels in simple to medium-complexity three-phase and single-phase electrical
distribution systems with a reasonable degree of accuracy. This method is best
illustrated by the figures and table that follow. Figure 7.1.1 shows the steps and
equations needed in the point-to-point method. Figure 7.1.2 shows one-line diagrams
of two systems (A and B) to be used as illustrative examples. Figures 7.1.3 and 7.1.4
show the calculations for these two examples. And Table 7.1.5 provides the circuit
constants needed in the equations for the point-to-point method.

The point-to-point method is followed by two shortcut methods for determining

short-circuit currents at ends of conductors, specifically, adding Zs and the chart
approximate method. These two methods make use of simplifications that are rea-
sonable under most circumstances and almost certainly will yield answers that
are on the safe side.

7.1
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7.2 Section Seven

7.1.1 Point-to-Point Method, Three-Phase

Short-Circuit Calculations, Basic Calculation
Procedure and Formulas

7.1.1
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Short-Circuit Calculations 7.3

7.1.2 System A and System B Circuit Diagrams for

Sample Calculations Using Point-to-Point Method

7.1.2
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7.4 Section Seven

7.1.3 Point-to-Point Calculations for

System A to Faults X1 and X2

7.1.3
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Short-Circuit Calculations 7.5

7.1.4 Point-to-Point Calculations for

System B to Faults X1 and X2

7.1.4
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7.6 Section Seven

7.1.5 C Values for Conductors and Busway

TABLE 7.1.5
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Short-Circuit Calculations 7.7

7.1.6 Shortcut Method 1: Adding Zs

This method uses the approximation of adding Zs instead of the accurate method
of Rs and Xs (in complex form).

Example

1. For a 480/277-V system with 30,000 A symmetrical available at the line side of a conductor
run of 100 ft of two 500-kcmil per phase and neutral, the approximate fault current at the
load side end of the conductors can be calculated as follows:
2. 277 V/30,000 A  0.00923  (source impedance).
3. Conductor ohms for 500-kcmil conductor from Table 7.1.7 in magnetic conduit is 0.00546 
per 100 ft. For 100 ft and two conductors per phase, we have
4. 0.00546/2  0.00273  (conductor impedance).
5. Add source and conductor impedance, or 0.00923  0.00273  0.01196  total.
6. Next, 277 V/0.001196   23,160 A rms at load side of conductors.

For impedance values, refer to Tables 7.1.7, 7.1.8, and 7.1.9.

7.1.7 Average Characteristics of 600-V

Conductors (Ohms per 100 ft): Two or
Three Single Conductors

TABLE 7.1.7
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7.8 Section Seven

7.1.8 Average Characteristics of 600-V Conductors

(Ohms per 100 ft): Three Conductor Cables (and
Interlocked Armored Cable)

TABLE 7.1.8

7.1.9 LV Busway, R, X, and Z (Ohms per 100 ft)

TABLE 7.1.9
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Short-Circuit Calculations 7.9

7.1.10 Shortcut Method 2: Chart

Approximate Method
The chart method is based on the following:

Motor Contribution Assumptions

120/208-V systems 50 percent motor load
4 times motor FLA contribution
240/480-V systems 100 percent motor load
4 times motor FLA contribution

Feeder Conductors. The conductor sizes most commonly used for feeders from mold-
ed-case circuit breakers are shown. For conductor sizes not shown, Table 7.1.11 has
been included for conversion to equivalent arrangements. In some cases, it may be
necessary to interpolate for unusual feeder ratings. Table 7.1.11 is based on using cop-
per conductor.

Short-Circuit Current Readout. The readout obtained from the charts is the rms sym-
metrical amperes available at the given distance from the transformer. The circuit
breaker should have an interrupting capacity at least as large as this value.

How to Use the Short-Circuit Charts

Step 1. Obtain the following data:

■ System voltage
■ Transformer kVA rating
■ Transformer impedance
■ Primary source fault energy available in kVA
Step 2. Select the applicable chart from Figure 7.1.12 (Charts 1–13). The charts are grouped by
secondary system voltage, which is listed with each transformer. Within each group, the chart for the
lowest-kVA transformer is shown first, followed in ascending order to the highest-rated transformer.

Step 3. Select the family of curves that is closest to the “available source kVA.” The upper-
value-line family of curves is for a source of 500,000 kVA. The lower-value-line family of curves is
for a source of 50,000 kVA. You may interpolate between curves if necessary, but for values above
100,000 kVA, it is appropriate to use the 500,000-kVA curves.

Step 4. Select the specific curve for the conductor size being used. If your conductor size is some-
thing other than the sizes shown on the chart, refer to the conductor conversion table (Table 7.1.11).

Step 5. Enter the chart along the bottom horizontal scale with the distance (in feet) from the
transformer to the fault point. Draw a vertical line up the chart to the point where it intersects
the selected curve. Then draw a horizontal line to the left from this point to the scale along the
left side of the chart.

Step 6. The value obtained from the left-hand vertical scale is the fault current (in thousands
of amperes) available at the fault point.
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7.10 Section Seven

7.1.11 Conductor Conversion (Based

on Using Copper Conductor)

TABLE 7.1.11

7.1.12 Charts 1 through 13 for Calculating

Short-Circuit Currents Using Chart Approximate
Method

7.1.12

(continued)
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Short-Circuit Calculations 7.11

7.1.12

(continued)
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7.12 Section Seven

7.1.12
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Short-Circuit Calculations 7.13

7.1.13 Assumptions for Motor

Contributions to Fault Currents
To determine the motor contribution to the first half-cycle fault current when the
system motor load is known, the following assumptions generally are made:

Induction motors: Use 4.0 times motor full-load current (impedance value of 25
percent).
Synchronous motors: Use 5.0 times motor full-load current (impedance value
of 20 percent).

When the motor load is not known, the following assumptions generally are made:

208Y/120-V systems
■ Assume 50 percent lighting and 50 percent motor load.
■ Assume motor feedback contribution of 2.0 times full-load current of trans-
former.
240-480-600-V three-phase, three-wire systems
■ Assume 100 percent motor load.
■ Assume motors 25 percent synchronous and 75 percent induction.
■ Assume motor feedback contribution of 4.0 times full-load current of
transformer.
480Y/277-V systems in commercial buildings
■ Assume 50 percent induction motor load.
■ Assume motor feedback contribution of 2.0 times full-load current of
transformer or source.
■ For industrial plants, make same assumptions as for three-phase, three-wire
systems (above).
Medium-voltage motors
■ If known, use actual values. Otherwise, use the values indicated in the
preceding for the same type of motor.

Note on asymmetrical currents. The calculation of asymmetrical currents is a labo-

rious procedure because the degree of asymmetry is not the same on all three phases.
It is common practice to calculate the rms symmetrical fault current, with the
assumption being made that the dc component has decayed to zero, and then apply a
multiplying factor to obtain the first half-cycle rms asymmetrical current, which is
called the momentary current. For medium-voltage systems (defined by the IEEE as
greater than 1000 V up to 69,000 V), the multiplying factor is established by NEMA
and ANSI standards depending on the operating speed of the breaker; for low-voltage
systems, 600 V and below, the multiplying factor is usually 1.17 (based on generally
accepted use of an X/R ratio of 6.6 representing a source short-circuit power factor of
15 percent). These values take into account that medium-voltage breakers are rated
on maximum asymmetry and low-voltage breakers are rated on average asymmetry.
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7.14 Section Seven

7.1.14 Secondary Short-Circuit Capacity

of Typical Power Transformers

TABLE 7.1.14