Basic Concepts in the Design of Electric Fig. 3.

If no decrement had been as-

sumed, the peaks would have been higher
and recurrent as shown dotted in Fig. 3.
Bus ror Short-Circuit Conditions The wave would have been wholly on one
side of the axis and tangent to it.
A Reference Solution
A. C. BATES
MEMBER AIEE In order to have a familiar and widely
used treatment of the problem as a
comparison reference, a digression will be
THE ADEQUACY of the mechanical ysis, and hence must be deferred until at made here to describe that treatment
structure of an electric bus to with- least some acceptably approximate anal- which, as a matter of convenience in the
stand short-circuit forces has been an ysis has been made. remainder of the paper, will be referred
engineerng consideration for many years. It is necessary drastically to limit the to as the conventional method.
The basic problem is dynamic in character subject matter in order to permit a grasp In the conventional method the con-
but, in general, has not been analyzed as of the elementary aspects of the problem. sideration of electrical decrement is
such. The usual solution has been based For this purpose, a single-phase circuit dispensed with by taking it as zero.
on a simplified method which, in most employing parallel conductors on rigid The current and force oscillograms are of
cases, has yielded a structure which was supports has been chosen. the recurrent high peak type as pointed
over strong. However, in recent years, out in the discussion of Figs. 2 and 3.
the rising load and short-circuit currents The Circuit, Current, and Force This high peak value of instantaneous
imposed on electric power systems have force is selected, and its effect on the struc-
created an interest in finding a method An ideal single-phase circuit is shown ture is evaluated by means of the ordinary
which will be in closer agreement with in Fig. 1. The R and X are the total formulas of strength of materials. The
physical fact and will thereby permit resistance and reactance involved in the significance of this statement is that the
economies by using a lighter structure, or current flow, and E is an ideal voltage load is considered as statically applied,
by imposing greater load on an existing source having no impedance. It is or that the structure possesses elasticity
structure. assumed that the switch is closed at the but no mass.
Recent field tests conducted by elec- time necessary to produce the greatest
trical utility companies have confirmed initial offset of the current wave. With i Simplification of Mechanical System
the conservative nature of the simplified representing the instantaneous value of
method of calculation for the usual current, and I,,, the peak value of sym- Returning to the previous discussion,
arrangements found in practice. The metrical or steady-state current, the off- Fig. 3 represents a force of appreciable
data obtained from these tests have been set wave may be expressed as complexity which is to be applied to a
useful in the empirical design of generally uniform conductor possessing distributed
i mass and distributed elasticity. Even
similar structures. This paper provides -=c -0wt X -coswt (1)
a rational analysis of the basic problem of I,p though rigid supports are assumed, a
the mechanical behavior of bus conduc- An oscillogram of the current wave would precise solution istoo involved for an'initial
tors subjected to short-circuit currents. appear as shown by the full line in Fig. 2. attempt to grasp the elementary aspects
This analysis shows that under certain If a limiting case of no decrement (R/X= of the problem. Therefore, an approxi-
conditions of electrical damping and 0) had been considered, the current wave mation is needed which will reduce the
mechanical natural frequency, the duty instead of being as shown by the full line complexity to something easily handled,
imposed upon bus conductors resulting in Fig. 2 would have been wholly on one even though reality is knowingly sacri-
from short-circuit currents may be as side of the zero line and tangent to it. fied in some measure. The electrical
little as 25% of the values calculated by The peaks of this wave, which have bee engineer "lumps" his circuit constants to
the conventional method. shown dotted in Fig. 2, would have been gain simplicity, and the mechanical en-
of the same magnitude and would have gineer "concentrates" masses and elastic-
Limitation of Treatment continued indefinitely. This case of ities. The same will be done here.
course is academic, since it is a limit which The conductor of Fig. 4(A) is intended
There are many questions which might never exists. to have distributed mass and elasticity.
be asked about the design of a new bus Since force per unit length of conductor Fig. 4(B) the conductor is considered
structure for an intended service, or the is proportional to current squared, the elastic but massless, and a selected por-
analysis of the adequacy of an old one for following expression is obtained from tion of the actual mass of the conductor
a new service condition. The answers to equation 1: has been concentrated in the middle of the
such questions must result from an anal- span. The amount of the concentrated
R
I.
p=P(e-I -cos Wa mass is that which will make the natural
t _

Paper 57-717, recommended by the AIRE Sub-

stations Committee and approved by the AIEE
Technical Operations Department for presentation
at the AIEE Summer General Meeting, Montreal,
Que., Canada, Jnne 24-28, 1957. Manuscript
submitted October 25, 1956; made available for
printing July 9, 1957.
A. C. BATBS 1i with the R & IE Equipment Divi-
sion, I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Greensburg,
Pa.
The author acknowledges the interest and help of
William Deans In the preparation of this paper.
frequency of the structure shown in
=P1/2+c e -2e X X Fig. 4(B) the same as that of the original
conductor shown in Fig. 4(A) when the
coscu,t+1/2cos2Wd (2) conductor vibrates in the simple form of a
where single loop. There is no need to know
cosP a 1/2+1/2 cos 24t
-
just how much mass to concentrate. All
that is necessary is to believe that there is
If one could contrive to make an oscillo- an amount of mass which will make the
gram of the force, it would appear as in frequencies the same.

APRIL 195A Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions 2s

 R X
Fig. 1. Th. basic circuit
Without any additional error or ap-
proximation, the conductor of Fig. 4(B)
can be schematically represented as
shown in Fig. 5. The dynamic response
of the system of Fig. 5 to forces which
are simple functions of time is treated in
many undergraduate engineerimg text-
books. These books are good educational
preparation but do not supply the solu-
tion here desired. In general, in the case
under consideration, the driving force is
different and the transient nature of the
problem is emphasized, because only the
maximum stress, deflection, or support
loading is of major interest.
Solution Preliminaries
Although it is conceivable that a direct
step-by-step process might be used to ob-
tain a defection solution corresponding to
the force curve of Fig. 3, it is certainly
easier and more clearly understandable to
resolve the curve of Fig. 3 into the com-
ponent parts shown in equation 2. These
components are shown graphically in Fig.
6. The constant is curve 0. The ex-
ponential is curve 1. Particularly note
that due to the operation of squaring the
current to obtain force, the exponential in
the force expression decays twice as
rapidly as in the expression for current.
To emphasize further, note that in the
conventional method, the assumption of
zero electrical decrement leads to zero
decrement in the exponential force term,
and hence this term reduces to an addi-
tional constant having a value of unity.
Curve 2 shows the power-frequency force
term, and note that it decays at the same
_Ll i I IA:l{
Fig. 2. Curent oscillogram, d-c component shown as a dashed line.
Shown for R/X-0.1, or power factor approximately 10%. Peaks
For R/X -0 are shown dotted
30 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions
rate as the d-c component of the current
wave of Fig. 2. If zero electrical decre-
ment had been assumed, this force wave
would have been ever present at the full
initial amplitude as indicated by the
dotted peaks of Fig. 6. Curve 3 repre-
sents a double-frequency force term of
constant amplitude. Note that, after
the damped terms have diminished to un-
importance, the continuously present re-
mainder is 1/2+1/2 cos 2wt, which has a
peak value of 1 but an average or static
value of only 1/2. The electrical damp-
ing is responsible for the transition in
character of the force wave of Fig. 3.
The approach to reduced steady-state
conditions should be evident.
One further mental preparation may be
necessary before presenting the solution
for the case at hand. Consider the bus
to be part of a resistive d-c circuit. The
current would rise from an assumed
negligible load value to short-circuit
value in zero time and then remain con-
stant. The force would do likewise.
The response of the bus bars would be an
outward movement and an oscillation
about a new position. The system of
Fig. 5 would show the same type of re-
sponse. The application of a stepped
force to a spring without mass would pro-
duce a stepped graph of displacement and
without oscillation. But the presence of
the mass makes the system capable of
oscillation, and an oscilatory system can-
not be disturbed without producing os-
cillation in some degree. If instead of
applying the force suddenly, it had been
applied as a force which increases to a
final value and then remaims constant,
the amount of oscillation would become
less for lower rates of build-up of force.
Time must be considered relative to the
natural period of free vibration of the
system. The oscillation serves the pur-
pose of combining with the response asso-
ciated with the force so as to permit the
system to have the desired conditions of
0tm
Fig. 3. Force oscillogram for R/X 0.1. Trends of mjor and minor
paks toward a sady-state condition are shown by dashed lines.
Peks for R/X=0 are shown dotted
starting from zero displacement with zero
velocity.
Now returning to the earlier discussion,
the system of Fig. 5 is to be subjected to
the component forces which appear in
equation 2 and which have been discussed.
The solution may be expected to contain
terms which are quite similar to the force
terms, and a free vibration term which
will permit the proper starting conditions
of zero displacement and velocity. For
convenience, the solution will be said to
consist of forced vibration terms and a free
vibration term. It may be expected that
all magnitudes will be functions of the
relation of the constants of the system
and the driving forces, with an important
item being the ratio of the frequency of
the driving force to the mhanical natural
frequency of the system. Furthermore,
because of the alterating character of
two of the driving force terms, phase
angles may be expected to enter the
solution.
The solution will be quite similar to
common cases treated in mechanical
vibration, but different because of the
electrical decrement assumed to be
present in the electrical circuit. Because
of the similarity and because of certain
benefits, the solution will be presented in
similar form.
The Solution
Using the system of Fig. 5 to repre-
sent the single-phase bus on rigid supports,
the solution for the deflection is
44Y ~1/+ 2!,ws
X~~ 2
Xizi
Bird
1/2 -X
yst c-
cos (tXS)+Cs2Z (2 -h)-
Cc P cos (3-wt-.) (3)
=constant+exponential term-power-
frequency term +double-frequency
term -free vibration term
I I ~~~~~~~~~~~~
APR 1958
 v paper considers only detailed numerical
(Ci W values for p >2.0, but the curves areshown
fm (A)
(B)
Fig. 4. The conductor and its elementary
equivalent
A-Conductor possessing distributed mass
and elasticity
B-Elementary equivalent
Conductor considered elastic but massless
and a fraction of the mass placed at mid-span
In order to gain an appreciation of
the characteristics of the various terms in
this equation, it is necessary to make some
numerical calculations and plot some
curves. As a particular example, the
electric circuit R/X was chosen as 0.1,
which corresponds to a circuit power fac-
tor of approximately 10%, and an
amount of mechanical damping, repre-
sented by r, was taken as 0.05 times the
value of critical damping (critical damping
is explained in the appendix). The values
are thought to be in the range of the
more usual applications. For these
chosen values, curves are presented, in
Figs. 7 and 8, for the various coefficients
and phase angles as functions of the ratio
of the frequency of the principal driving
force, here the electric power frequency, to
the natural frequency of the mechanical
structure. It might have been preferable
to use the reciprocal of this frequency
ratio as abscissa since the driving force
has a fixed frequency, and attention is
Fig. 5. Schematic representation of Fig. 4(B)
F= force
y=deflection
M= mass
K=spring constant
R'=damping coefficient. Used to simulate
the energy loss which always occurs in a
vibrational structure
directed to structures of different fre-
quencies. However, if one will think in
terms of period instead of frequency, then
the structure natural period increases
toward the right. Irrespective of the
mental viewpoint, an infinitely stiff struc-
ture is at the left of the plots and move-
.ment to the right corresponds to more
flexible structures.
The various coefficients of the solu-
tion as functions of the frequency ratio, p,
will now be discussed. The forced vibra-
tion coefficient due to the constant force
is a constant having a value of 1/2, and
is not shown in Fig. 7. The exponential
coefficient starts at 1.0, and after an
almost imperceptible rise it drops to
lower values for more flexible structures,
as shown by curve l/Z1, Fig. 7. (This
in Fig. 7 from p = 0. The curves in this
lower range are necessary to full under-
standing and would be required if a more
precise analysis were made.) The power-
frequency coefficient increases in magni-
tude as the structure goes from an
infinitely stiff structure to one that would
be in resonance at the power frequency,
and then drops as the structure is made
still more flexible; see curve 2/Z2 of Fig.
7 for magnitude and X2 of Fig. 8 for the
phase of the term relative to the force.
This phase curve does not follow the usual
curve of elementary mechanical vibration
theory because of the inclusion of resist-
ance in the electric circuit. The double-
frequency coefficient is smaller than the
power-frequency coefficient, and it comes
into resonance when the structure is re-
duced in flexibility only enough to cause
its natural frequency to be the same as
double the power frequency. The curve
shape is very nearly the same as the
previous curve, as shown by curve 1/(2Z3)
of Fig. 7. The phase corresponds to the
usual mechanical vibration phase curve
and is shown as X3 in Fig. 8. The magni-
tude of the necessary free vibration co-
efficient is shown by curve C, Fig. 7.
The phase of this term is shown as o in
Fig. 8.
Investigation in an Application Range
These curves provide the raw material
for proceeding with the study of a struc-
ture of any frequency one may wish to
consider, but because of the many cases

II7. I
Curve 0-Constant term

_.
Curve 2-Power-frequency term

Curve 1-Exponential term

Fig. 6. Component parts of the force shown in Fig. 3. These are the
terms of equation 2 with P omitted. All full lines correspond to R/X
=0.1. Dotted peaks associated with curve 3 are for R/X=0 Curve 3-Double-frequency term

APRIL 1958 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions 31


F:L0
-J
LLK
U
I -
Z. 1.0 Ix2.0 GON
0
0.5 LO0 .5 2.0 2.5
Fig. 7. Coefficients of equation 3, calculated
fow R/X=0.1, r=0.05. The constant 1/2 is
not shown
p-ratio of power frequency to mechanical
natural frequency=ratio of natural period to
power period
Curves for other low values of R/X and r are
similar in character
where the bus structure has a low natural
frequency or a high period, further nu-
merical consideration here has been on the
right-hand portion of Figs. 7 and 8, be-
yond the frequency ratio of 2. For 60-
cycle electric systems, busses have been
considered which have natural frequencies
from a high of 30 cycles down to a low of
2 cycles per second.
For a specific case, the terms of the
solution may be picked from curves and a
vector diagram drawn, with the under-
standing that the result shall be obtained
by projection of the vector sum on the
vertical axis. A constant is a fixed
vertical vector. The exponential is a
vector which shrinks in magnitude but
remains vertical. The power-frequency
vector rotates at power frequency and also
shrinks. The double-frequency vector
rotates at double frequency but does not
shrink. The free vibration vector shrinks
and rotates corresponding to the constants
of the mechanical system. For the cases
here considered, the rotation of the free
vibration vector is relatively slow com-
pared to the power-frequency vector.
Fig. 9 shows a vector diagram at the
time, t= 0. If by command the vectors
could start rotating and shrinking, all one
would have to do would be to sit by and
observe the maximum. Because of the
relative size and phase of the free vibra-
tion term, the maximum will occur when
that vector makes about a half turn.
This is important because the more time
it takes for the free vibration vector to
approach the vertical position, the greater
has been the shrinkage that has taken
place in the exponential and power-
frequency terms. Fig. 10 corresponds to
Fig. 9 when time has progressed so that
maximum conditions are obtained. The
free vibration vector always shrinks by
32 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions
about the same percentage because it
always makes about a half turn in order
to create the first and largest maximum.
Increase or decrease in mechanical damp-
ing increases or decreases the shrinkage of
this vector. For a given structure, the
ratio of the maximum here obtained to
the maximum that would have been ob-
tained from the conventional method is a
convenient way to express the result.
This form of expression permits compari-
sion to a method that is familiar and
simple.
Results
The particular choice of R/X=O.l and
r=0.05 has been sufficient to permit a
general discussion of the characteristics
of the terms given in equation 3, and the
manner in which a vector diagram yields
a maximum value. However, when
comparing the results of the analysis
given in this paper with the results ob-
tained by the conventional method, it is
desirable to include results for additional
choices of RIX and r. Having the max-
ima for a few combinations of system
constants and a few frequencies will per-
mit curves to be drawn which show the
effect of the various constants on the
response of the simplified system used
here as a beginning approximation of the
bus. Such curves are shown in Fig. 11.
Note the use of a logarithmic abscissa
scale for this figure.
With reference to Fig. 11, the conven-
tional method corresponds to a straight
horizontal line because the result is
independent of the natural frequency of
the structure. No forces due to mass
were considered and the solution may be
designated as static with R/X=0. In-
troduce consideration of mass but retain
zero electrical decrement and zero me-
chanical damping, and the upper curve is
Fig. 8. Phase angles of the periodic terms
of equation 3
X2-=phase angle of the power-frequency term
X3=phase angle of the double-frequency term
a=phase angle of the free vibration term
Curves correspond to R/X=0.1, r=0.05.
Curves for other low values of R/X and r are
similar in character
POWER
FREQUENCY-@
FREE
VIBRATION
EXPONENTIAL-.
CON STANT --a
_ _ _ 5
Fig. 9. Vector diagram of the terms of
equation 3, For wt=O
Drawn to scale for
p=3
R/X = 0.1
r = 0.05
Double-frequency vector occurring between
the power-frequency and free vibration
vectors is too small to show noticeably
obtained. The result is a little higher
than conventional on the left for the
stiffest structure considered, and flattens
out to a limit toward the right. The limit
exists because certain terms neither decay
nor change with the natural frequency of
the structure.
For the next curve, zero electrical decre-
ment is retained but considerable mechan-
ical damping is introduced. The main
effect is to permit the free vibration term
to decrease with time, and the curve is
lower and sweeps downward toward a
limit. Since neither the introduction of
the consideration of the dynamic forces
nor the introduction of mechanical damp-
ing has indicated reduction in duty to the
extent that some persons hope or believe
possible, another combination of constants
is used for the next curve. A reversion is
made to zero mechanical damping and a
reasonable electrical decrement is intro-
duced. Now the exponential and power-
frequency vectors are permitted to shrink
while the free vibration vector is rotating
into position for the maximum. Also,
the exponential term is responsive to
frequency and the curve sweeps low
toward the right. Finally, with the
APRIL 1958
 TION
POWER
FREQUENCY
EXPONEN1TIAL
EP N
CONST 'ANT
Fig. 10. The vectors of Fig. 9 at a later time
when the first and major maximu m occurs.
Power-frequency vector has ma4
ionavect
11/4 revolutions while the free vibrat vector
has made about 0.4 revoluti.ion
Numerical data are the same as given for Fig. 9
addition of considerable mechanic
ing a moderately lower curve is (obainedaP
Because of the results obtaine( herifnr
structures having a ratio, p, ec4ual to 2
or larger, one might conclude that the
conventional method always g thatshfe
results. This is distinctly not so As the
structure is made stiffer, causing Ato fall
pto falof
below 2, a region of unsafe appli cation
the conventional method is enter( d, and it
is not until a very low value of P is
reached (see Fig. 7) that the con'
method would again give accep tablerei
sults. Fortunately this unsaf
does not seem to correspond to s tructures
as usually built.
Discussion of Results
This analysis is elementary aind some-
what oversimplified, but it does indicate
that on new designs, savings may be
made on conductor material, and on
existing designs, the short-circu .it capac-
ity may be markedly raised, if atad only if
the natural frequency is suita bly low.
The savings are permitted by:
1. Low natural frequency whic:h causes
the vibrational terms to be low.
2. Electrical damping which ceauses the
exponential to be affected by natural
APRIL l1958 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions
frequency and causes the decay of both the
exponential term and the power frequency
term.
3. The combination of item I with item 2
so that enough time is available to allow
the decaying terms to be reduced markedly.
The two principal factors which deter-
mine the ratio of the conductor deflection
to the deflection calculated by the con-
ventional method are the mechanical
natural frequency and the R/X of the
electric circuit. Since the mechanical
natural frequency, in effect, determines
how many electrical cycles of current have
passed before a maximum defection is
reached, it is indeed unclear how any
method of averaging of peaks on a current
oscillogram can be successful if it ignores
consideration of the natural frequency of
the structure, and if the resultant cal-
culated force is used as a statically applied
load.
Limitations
Why is the analysis given here not suit-
able for direct, unmodified application to
bus design and analysis? The answer is
that the distributed mass and elasticity
of the conductor make the problem more
complicated. Several modes of vibra-
tion are possible. The conductor can
vibrate in a simple shape with one loop.
This is called the first mode and has the
lowest natural frequency. It was for this
mode of motion that Fig. 5 was drawn.
However, there are higher modes possible
with a number of loops coresponding to
the number of the mode. For a bar with
symmetrical conditions about its mid-
point, only the odd modes 1, 3, 5, etc.,
are admissible. Modes are not har-
monics. The frequencies are not in the
ratio 1, 3, 5, etc. When the first mode
has a low natural frequency relative to the
power frequency, one of the higher modes
might be in resonance with either the
power-frequency force component or the
double-frequency force component. For-
tunately, there are many factors which aid
in holding down the influence of these
resonant conditions on the maxima with
which bus design is concerned. It is
anticipated that an analysis which in-
cludes consideration of the higher modes
might moderately raise the curves given
here and give them a somewhat scalloped
appearance due to the effects of resonance
in the higher modes.
Further Work
Once the basic elements of the sub-
ject as set forth here have been assim-
ilated, consideration can be given to some
I
z
0
o
-J
LLI
tL
:D
-J
wLI
10.
0.8
0o4 S~
2 3
NATURAL FREQ IN CPS
FOR ELECTRICAL FREQ OF GO CPS
~~~~~TTI.R/X0,= 0
0.8304 <\20)c0*
0\ 1
-s
'1
4
o 6x/=o, r 0
6
=
R/=-_r=.
10
p
20
=
30 40 50
Fig. 11. Comparison of results in the range
corresponding to high-voltage bus conductors,
with the conventional method used as
reference. The pronounced effects of me-
chanical natural frequency and electrical
decrement, R/X, are evident. The eNect of
mechanical damping is secondary.
of the remaining questions. Further
development of the subject would start
with one of the three following items and
certainly would eventually include all of
them:
1. Consideration of a conductor with
distributed mass alnd elasticity.
2. Consideration of a conductor on re-
silient supports which also possess mass.
3. Consideration of 3-phase conditions.
Although further work should be done,
it is possible now to choose a "factor of
remaining ignorance" and proceed to
"package" the results in a form that re-
quires only little knowledge to use. A
set of curves for amperes, conductor
spans, and conductor sizes would seem
appropriate.
Conclusions
This paper has been a sincere effort to
promote the basic understanding of the
problem by many of those persons who
are concerned with the design or perform-
ance of electric bus under short-circuit
conditions.
The mathematical analysis of the
mechanical behavior of bus conductors
subjected to short-circuit currents shows
that under certain conditions of electrical
damping and mechanical natural fre-
quency the duty imposed on the conduc-
tors may be as little as 25% of that cal-
culated by conventional methods. It is
hoped that the possibilities of economy,
in which many people believe and which
have been substantiated here, will lead to
the development of a more rational basis
for this important consideration in en-
gineering.
33
 Appendix
Nomenclature
A = a constant, real or complex, to be
evaluated
a= magnitude of the real part of m
B = a constant, real or complex, to be
evaluated. Subscripts show associa-
tion with m values
b=magnitude of the imaginary part of m
C=a positive magnitude of the free vibra-
tion of the mechanical system
E=peak value of the sinusoidal voltage
F=the electromagnetically developed force
to be applied to the system of Fig. 5
f =the electric power frequency
fo = frequency of free vibration of the system
of Fig. 5, without damping
Isp =the magnitude of the symmetrical
peak, or peak steady-state short-
circuit current
i = instantaneous value of short-circuit
current
j= V-1 or a 90-degree operator
K = spring constant, or force unit deflection
L = inductance
M=equivalent mass of the bus conductor,
or the mass shown in Fig. 5
m =a complex number. Subscripts denote
particular m's
mn=conjugate of m. Subscripts as in m
n=a constant to be evaluated
P =proportionality constant for force. For
parallel bus bars at spacings great in
comparison with the major cross-
sectional dimension of E bar, P may
be given a value of 5.4 X 10-7/s for
a single-phase or a d-c circuit.
This value of P used as a multiplier
of the instantaneous current squared
will give pounds of force per foot
of conductor
R =electrical resistance
R'=mechanical damping. Force per unit
velocity
r=ratio of mechanical damping considered
to critical damping for the system
of Fig. 5
s=bus-bar spacing in inches
t =time
th =time associated with maximum instan-
taneous current
X =L=inductive reactance
y =deflection of spring or mass in system of
Fig. 5
Yst=the maximum deflection of the system
of Fig. 5 obtained by the static
application of the maximum force
considering no electrical decrement.
This is the deflection value obtained
by the conventional method
Z =impedance in an electrical equation
= magnitude of a complex number Z/X
when appearing in a mechanical
system equation. Subscripts asso-
ciate Z's and m's
= real component of the m associated
with free vibration of the mechanical
system
= imaginary component of the m associated
with free vibration of the mechanical
system
a = r/2-so = deviation from a 90-degree
relationship between steady-state
current and voltage
X =the angle of the complex number Z/X
or Zeid. Subscripts to associate A,
Z, and m
34 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions
Fig. 12. Vector
diagram permitting
the simplification of
wt# /X
equation 8
R
p =f/fo or rolr, relative frequency or period
a=phase angle of free vibration
r = 1/f=period of electric power
ro = 1/fo = period of undamped free vibration
of system of Fig. 5
(=phase angle, the angle of lag of current
behind voltage
V=a phase angle introduced in the voltage
expression to facilitate investigation
of the current resulting from differ-
ent times of switch closure
X = 2wrf =angular velocity of electric power,
current, or voltage
wo = 27rfo = angular velocity of undamped
free vibration of the mechanical
system
UNITS
In general it is not necessary to specify
a system of units since answers are given
in relative form. However practical volts,
amperes, and ohms are intended for elec-
trical quantities and pounds force, inches,
and seconds are intended for the other
quantities.
Electrical
In order to permit the closing of the
switch in Fig. 1 at any point in the voltage
wave a phase angle, V,6 is incorporated in
the expression for the voltage. ,6 is to be
assigned any desired value, or is to be
determined for a desired condition. The
differential equation for the circuit of Fig. 1
may then be written in the form:
L di +Ri = E sin (cot+ V) (4)
dt
From either the physical knowledge of
the problem including the fact that there
usually is a d-c transient, or a knowledge
of the mathematics of the equation, it is
reasonable to assume a trial solution in the
form:
i=Ae-nwZ1+B sin (cot++- p) (5)
This Iwill be the correct solution if values
of A, B, and n may be determined such
that the left member of equation 4 reduces
to the right member and the desired condi-
tion of zero current at zero time exists.
By substitution of equation 5 into
equation 4 and by requiring the current
to be zero at zero time, values of A, B,
and n may be obtained. The substitution
of these values in equation 5 gives the
solution. With the notation Isp for the
peak symmetrical or steady-state current,
the solution may be written in the following
form:
sin
i =Is j si(wt+f
(6)
where
x
tan -o=- (7)
R 1/2 cos 2wt
Fig. 12 may aid in obtaining equations 6
and 7.
Suppose that for a given circuit (R and
X fixed) several values of V/ were chosen
and enough values of i were calculated to
determine the current at the major peak
for each choice of V,. Then by plotting
these peak values versus V,, the value of
VI for the highest obtainable peak could be
fouild. For the value of V, desired, the
plot would have a horizontal tangent, or
di/dV,=O. The same result may be ob-
tained mathematically. The current will
have a peak value at some time t1 when the
brace in equation 6 is a maximum and
therefore has a zero derivative with respect
to cot. Likewise the peak current will
have its maximum value for some value of
,6 such that the derivative with respect to
Vb is zero. Evaluating these two derivatives
and equating each to zero gives two equa-
tions which permit the evaluation of VI
for the highest obtainable peak current.
The result is
d=0
and
i=Ispisin(wt-p)+e X sin so (8)
Hence for the highest obtainable peak, the
switch should be closed at a voltage zero.
An alternative form of equation 8 may
be obtained by considering that for the
case of most frequent interest vp will be
near 90 degrees or ir/2, hence in equation 8
substituting
w = 2r/2 -8 (9)
gives the alternative form:
i=Isp e x cos a-cos (ct+)4 (10)
Equation 10 is for , t = 0. However a
slightly simpler expression will result if
V/ is taken as -a instead of zero. This
value of V and the value of (p from equation
9 may be substituted in equation 6 to
obtain:
-R
-=e X -coscot (1)
Isp
This simpler expression has the highest
value of d-c component, so may be said
to have the maximum initial offset. For
circuits of 10% power factor and less the
major peak will be within less thanl 0.25%
of the greatest obtainable major peak.
For these reasons equation 1 was chosen
as the basis of the initial work given in
this paper.
\With the complete analysis given in this
paper, it would be just a matter of labor to
convert to equation 10 as a base. However,
there is no a priori proof that equation 10
would yield worst conditions. The peak
bus deflection is not simultaneous with the
peak force.
Mechanical
The force arising from the electric current
is given in the body of the paper as:
F=P 1/2+e x _2e X cos wt+
(2)
APRIL 1958
 From a free body diagram, drawn for
the convention adopted for positive dis-
placement and positive force as shown in
Fig. 5, the following differential equation
is easily obtained:
M-2Y+R'dY
dt' di +Ky =
In order to have a complete solution both Table 1. Values of m, Z, and B
these equations must be satisfied. An-
other way of saying the same thiiig is that
functions must be found such that when Term Designation
No. m of Z/? B
substituted in the left member of equation
16 terms will be obtained corresponding to
(11) the terms of the right member, and that
zero is a term of the right member even
O. ..O+jO

R
zo/Xo=
........

-
1.0.
~K 2
XI
Suppose momentarily that F is taken as though it is not explicitly written. 1.-2 +jO ...... Z./x1=Zi/0.. - xK
The conventional approach to the solu- X- K Zi
zero instead of being given by equation 2.
Then equation 11 is changed to: tion of these differential equations involves
considerable algebra and the attendant
2..... -'
x . P-2]
KZ
possibilities of error. An easier method is 3. O+j2.0 .
....... . .K I

MdY+R
dt2 dy+Ky_o
dt
(12) to assume a relatively general trial solution, 2Zj
and assign particular values to the constants 4 ~~~~Z4/X4=0.[... -C]
This is the equation of the mechanical involved so that particular terms of the - ~K

system free of any driving force, and is
one of the equations examined in ele-
mentary vibration theory. Usually the
mass is considered displaced from its
position of rest and released at time,
1-0. The return to zero displacement for
different amounts of damping is investi-
gated. When R'=O the system is oscilla-
tory and the following relation exists:
K fore assume a trial solution which is the
_
M (2irfo)"
When R'00 the return of the mass from a
displaced position will be oscillatory if
R'/2M<wo, and aperiodic if R'/2M>wo.
If R' increases from a small value to a
value where R'/2M=-o. the oscillatory
character becomes more damped and the
frequency becomes lower until it reaches
zero and the oscillations vanish. This
amount of damping which corresponds to
the boundary between oscillatory and
aperiodic behavior is called critical damp-
ing. When damping is expressed as a
fraction of critical damping the inference
to the system behavior is immediate.
Damping may be expressed in this way by
r, where
/R'
\w
When r = 1.0 critical damping exists and the
system is in the condition where a slight
change in damping causes the behavior
to become either oscillatory or aperiodic.
Relations 13 and 14 will be useful in
rewriting equation 11 for the purpose of
simplifying and clarifying the ensuing
solution. It will be convenient to use
wt instead of I as the independent variable,
therefore observe that
d d
dt d(wt) (15)
The introduction of pEEw/c,,o and the use
of relations 13, 14, 15, and equation 2
permit equation 11 to be rewritten in the
fonn:
d(cot)2 d( wt)
me
1/2+e2 xw
2eX " cos WI+1/2 cos 2wtj
For zero driving force, equation 16 reduces
to
Pd(S) p d(-t) +Y=O
solution may be obtained. If it is re-
membered that a cosine function is expres-
sible in terms of exponentials with imaginary
exponents, then the right members of
equations 16 and 17 suggest a trial solution
of an exponential function with a complex
exponent and possibly a complex coefficient.
However, the appearance of the cosine
suggests that the conjugate of such a trial
solution would also be necessary. There-
( 13) sum of two terms involving conjugate
complex coefficients and conjugate complex
exponents. With m =-a+jb and m =
-a -jb, such a trial solution may be
written in the following forms:
y= 1/2[BI-Xemwt + B/ +Xeic ,]
= Be -a t cos (bwt X) (18)
where B is a real constant and X is to be
determined later.
Momentarily investigate the term
B/-Nemwt. Substitution in the left mem-
ber of equations 16 or 17 reduces that
member to
B/-XernwL(pnm2+2rpm+1) (19)
(14) With m a complex number the paren-
thesis in expression 19 will be complex and
will be designated:
p2m2+2rpm+1 Z/X (20)
It is intended that the value of X obtained
from expression 20 be the value of X to
use with B thus making X determinate in
equation 18. The merit of this will appear
later. Using the notation of expression 20
to rewrite expression 19, gives the following
forms:
BZemw =BZe-awtXe+Ii't
=BZe-at[cos bw+j sin bwt] (21)
Now look at the second term of equation
18. The use of the conjugate of m in the
expression 20 will give Z/-X. Therefore
the result for the second term of equation
18 which corresponds equation 21 for the
first term is
BZemw I -BZe Xe i@t
= BZe 't[cos bot-j sin boit]
(22)
(16) Hence by taking one half the sum of
expressions 21 and 22 the reduced form
of the left members of equations 16 or 17
corresponding to the trial solution, equation
18, is obtained, and it is
(17) BZe ca cos but (23)
By appropriate choice of a and b, this
expression can be reduced to the form of
any of the terms of the right member of
equation 16. By requiring Z to be zero
equation 17 is satisfied. This requirement
gives
p'm'+2rpm+1 =0 (24)
or
m=- j-V/1-r'=-xa
p
jo (25)
p
By referring to Table I for the appro-
priate values of m and information on Z
and A, the form of the complete solution
may be written as follows by referring to
equation 18:
y=Bo+BIe X +B2e' cos (wt-X2)+
B3 cos (2wt- X)+Bcje X
cos (,wt-X4) (26)
Since each of these terms is a special case
of the trial solution, equation 18, each term
when substituted in the left member of
equation 16 or 17 will result in a special
form of expression 23 with the exponential
and cosine in agreement with a correspond-
ing term of the right member of equation
16, it follows that all that remains is to
require the BZ coefficients of the reduced
left member to be equal to the coefficients
of the corresponding right member. These
equalities are
BoZo =Bo =P/K+1/2
BIZ1 =P/K
B2,2 = P/K( -2)
BsZ,= P/K(1/2)
B4Z4=0 (27)
From these equations the B's have the
values shown in Table I except for B4
which has yet to be determined since Z4
is zero. A change in notation has been
made for B4 and X4 in Table I.
The general solution of equation 16 is
obtained by using the B values of Table I
to rewrite equation 26. The result is the
following
Y= {1/2 1 e t-z e X
cos (cat- X) +2 cos (2Ot -X3)-
2Z3
Ce t cos (,Owt-a) (28)
In order to satisfy the condition that the
mass be initially at rest, it is necessary that
the following obtain:

APREL 1958 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions 35


dy fwhen wt=0 (29)
d(-0) J C Cos( -) =1+- 2
This requires that the first derivative of
equation 28 be obtained. The result is
K dy R 1 -s
-X
P d(wt)
=-2-X-x Zee2X'w -
2 -'J?AI R
2-eXc -_ cos(cs - )2
sin (cot-X2)}-1>- sin (24-X3)-
CC -a@gF-a COS (wc- a)-
PsinG(#,t-oa)} (30)
For wt - 0, equations 28 and 30 reduce to
p
y -0=1/2+ ZI --Z2 cos (-X2)+
2Zsj cos(-X,)-Ccos(-au) (31)
- from expression 20. Refer to equation 28
K dy R 1 2 coefficients and phase angles. Use these
P d(S)) Zx z
X 2
{X COS ( -X2) +Sin (-2) >
-sin (-Xa)+C{a Cos ( Cr)+
Zs
1 sin(r-a,)i (32)
Equations 31 and 32 may be rewritten and
Discussion
0. R. Schurig (Union College, Schenectady,
N. Y.): Mr. Bates has made an able
analysis of the deflection of long, straight
bus bars on rigid supports under the action
of the electromagnetic force due to an a-c
short-circuit current. His results are in
good agreement with those of earlier re-
searches in this field. As an introduction
to the paper, and as a justification of the
need for his analysis, he calls attention to
a simplified calculating procedure' by which
the maximum load or stress at a bus
support is assumed to be equal to the force
produced by the maximum peak current,
neglecting the current decrement rate.
However, he does not mention the findings
of earlier researches2'' on the subject
except that one of the references's is listed
in his bibliography. The earlier researches
not only covered the subject of the present
paper, but even dealt with the problem
far more broadly in five important respects
as follow:
1. By taking into account the two basic
natural frequencies of bus structures,
instead of only one.
2. By giving practical procedures for
calculating maximum support stresses for
36 Bates-Design of Electric Bus for Short-Circuit Conditions
used to compute C and o in any given
numerical case.
2 Z1 Z2
( -X2)+
1 cos(-Xs) (31A)
C{acos(-r)+,Bsin(-a)) =+
R 1 2(1?
2 -X- -1 -cos (-X2)+
x Z1 Z2 X
sin ( -X2)}+ sin (-X3) (32A)
Now a method of calculating results will
be indicated. Start by selecting the value
of RIX for the electnrc circuit of interest,
and also choose an appropriate fraction of
critical damping of the mechanical struc-
ture. Except for m4, the m values all be-
come definite numerical values, and all
items of interest become functions of p
and wt. Successive choices of p will permit
curves to be drawn for the coefficients and
phase angles. Start by evaluating Z/X
to see how to employ these values for
values to calculate C and r from equations
31(A) and 32(A). Equation 20 may now
be written with numerical values except
for y, P/K, and cot. A few trial values of
ci will permit a maximum value for K/P Xy
to be obtained. Inspection of the whole
calculations process shows that for the
conventional method, where RIX and p
are both taken as zero, the maximum value
of K/PXy becomes 4. Hence using the
notation of Y,g for the y corresponding to
both d-c and a-c short circuits including
curves for the full range of natural fre-
quencies occurring in bus structures.
3. By establishing a procedure for the
calculation of the longitudinal stresses
which are not considered in his paper, al-
though they often are comparable in
magnitude to the lateral stresses, and may
even exceed them.
4. By conducting tests and presenting
the test results which substantiated the
calculated results for various types of
structures.
5. By analyzing the forces on conductors
with bends, short lengths, tap connections,
and crossovers.4
Although all of these five items are basic
in the analysis of the behavior of bus
structures during short circuits, Mr. Bates
has not dealt with one of them or even called
attention to the results of the earlier studies
dealing with these items.
It is proposed to discuss these five points
briefly in relation to Mr. Bates' paper.
1. The analysis in his paper assumes
rigid supports, although the earlier re-
searches,258 as well as more recent tests,5"
showed substantial support deflections for
various kinds of bus supports. One type
of construction for which the support de-
flection and the support natural frequency
the conventional method, K/PX Yt, 4.
Any requirement of a knowledge of the
value of K/P can be dispensed with by
taking the ratio of the y of equation 28
to Yst of the conventional method. A
convenient expression of this ratio is
/+1 eX --te
y- Y /2+ 2 -21wt _JI X
(Wct-2s)+ (s -s)-
cos cos
Cec-at
COw S wt - ) (3)
cos
The familiar routine of the conventional
method may be used for calculation, and
if the ratio of (y.,)/VY,t is used as an
additional factor, the result wil be that
indicated by the approximate theory
given in this paper.
For some choices of constants and values
of p, some of the terms involved in equation
3 may be dropped and others approximated
and still the result may be of sufficient
accuracy.
ReFerences
1. POWER SWITCmNo EQUIPMENT. National
Electrical Manufacturers Association, New York,
N. Y., Oct. 1954, pt. 2, p. 3, SG6-2.04.
2. BtEHAVIOR OF HIGH-VOLTAGE BUsEs AND
INSULATORs DuINxG SHORT CRCUITS, R. M.
Milton, Fred Chambers. AIEE Transactions,
vol. 74, pt. III, Aug. 1955, pp. 742-49.
3. SHORT-CIRCUIT TESTS ON 138-KV BussaCs,
D. W. Taylor, C. M. Stuehler. Ibid., vol. 75, pt.
II, Aug. 1956, pp. 739-47.
4. M1ECHANICAL STRESSES IN BUS3AR SUPPORTS
DURING SHMORT CIRCUITS, 0. R. Schurig, M. F.
Sayre. Ibid., vol. 44, 1925, pp. 217-37.
are particularly important is that in which
flat bars are mounted edge-to-edge. In
this case, the support natural frequency
is likely to be lower than that of the bars.
A calculation based on rigid supports would
give erroneous results. The importance
of considering two basic natural frequencies
is further indicated in Fig. 13 (Fig. 1 of
reference 3) which was prepared in the
course of the earlier researches, where a
stress factor p 2.67 corresponds to the
force exerted by the maximum asym-
metrical peak current. Representative
values of current decrement factors and
motional resistance (mechanical damping)
quoted in reference 3 were chosen for the
curves of Fig. 13. In this figure, the lower
natural frequency fi is shown along the
horizontal axis. Separate curves are shown
for various values of the higher natural
frequency ranging from 12-240 cps (cycles
per second). Obviously, it would be far
from correct to select one of the curves to
be used for all values of the higher natural
frequency. (Note that the curve for rigid
supports would lie slightly below the
lowest curve shown in Fig. 13.) Conse-
quently, a practical procedure for stress
calculations needs to take into account
the two basic natural frequencies, and not
only the one frequency considered in the
Bates paper. To illustrate this point,
values of the two natural frequencies for
APRIL 1958