VOLTAGE DIP CALCULATIONS USING SPREADSHEETS

V. MIJATOVIC, R. COULTER*, A. ZAYEGH, A. KALAM

School of Communications and Informatics
Victoria University
PO Box 14428 MC, Melbourne, 8001

*Manager Technology Development, POWERCOR, Australia

Abstract

The analysis of voltage dips is an important technique in the determination of power quality. This
paper deals with the use of spreadsheets to calculate voltage dips in a distribution network. It is shown
that the graphs generated are essential tools in helping to understand the characteristics of voltage dips.

1. INTRODUCTION

Voltage dips are short-duration rms voltage caused by

faults in the electricity supply system and the starting of
large loads [1]. The interest in voltage dips is mainly
due to the problems they cause on many types of
equipment.

Characteristics typically analyzed when discussing

voltage dips are its magnitude and duration. However,
during voltage dips, there is a phase shift associated with
the drop in voltage, which is not included in the normal
characteristics. This characteristic is based on a balanced
voltage dip, whereas most voltage dips are a result of
unbalanced faults occurring on the system. Both these Figure 1 Base model of a distribution network.
factors play an important role in the disturbance of
equipment operation [4].
2. UNBALANCED FAULT
One of the most powerful tools for dealing with classical CHARACTERISTIC
unbalanced systems is the theory of symmetrical
components. This theory allows us to analyze the system For simplified symmetrical component analysis it is
response when dealing with both symmetrical and assumed that the positive and negative sequence
unsymmetrical faults. In this paper, the theory of networks have the same impedance (Z1 =Z2 ) [2].
symmetrical components will be applied to voltage dips However for the purpose of determining phase voltages
due to single line to ground fault (SLGF) and line to line we shall initially label both the positive and negative
fault (LLF). impedances separately.

Using a simple radial high voltage distribution network The analytical equations for the three phase voltages are
at no load as the base model (Figure 1), phase voltage derived via the voltage matrix.
characteristics are derived for both faults. Using data
provided with the base model and alternating the
transformer from delta-delta () to star-delta (Y), the
V R 1 1 1 V R 0
phase voltage characteristics are then determined in V = 1 2 V R1
terms of magnitude and angle. Co mparing the phase Y (1)

voltage to the pre-fault phase voltages will give the V B 1 2 V R 2

voltage dip in terms of magnitude and phase change.
where = 1120 and 2 = 1240
Therefore Subtracting the fault voltage from its relevant pre-fault
voltage determines the voltage dip magnitude and angle.
VR = VR0 + VR1 + VR2 To calculate the voltage dip at various fault points
VY = VR0 + 2 VR1 + VR2 (2) requires changing the line impedance, due to the fact
VB = VR0 + VR1 + 2 VR2 that as the line length increases so does the line
impedance.
From the SLGF sequence network it can determined that
The advantage of using spreadsheets is that the data can
VR0 = -IFZ0 be graphed in order to show the behaviour of the voltage
VR1 = ER1 - Z1 IF (3) dip. In the next section plots are generated which show
VR2 = -IFZ2 the trend in voltage magnitude vs. phase change, change
in voltage magnitude vs. distance and phase change vs.
where IF = ER1 / (Z1 + Z2 + Z0 + 3Z F ) distance. The line voltages at particular fault points are
displayed as sinewave graphs so that comparison
For the LLF the sequence network is between pre-fault, fault and post-fault conditions can
physically be seen. The advantage of this is that it is
VR0 = 0 possible to see voltage dip effects.
VR1 = IF (Z2 + ZF ) (4)
VR2 = IFZ2 Using MATLAB tool Excel Link, the data in Excel can
be used to represent, in MATLAB, the three pre-fault
where IF = ER1 / (Z1 + Z2 + ZF) and fault voltages as vector diagrams for the fault points.

Thus the sequence voltages at the fault point F and bus
R, for given networks, can be determined using the
above equations (2)(3) and (4). To determine the voltage
at bus LD the transformer connections are taken into
account.
If the transformer is Y connected there is a phase shift
of +30 in the positive sequence and a shift of 30 in
the negative sequence [3]. There is no phase shift for the
connected transformer. Also taken into account is
the change in the zero sequence network due to
transformer connections.
3. EXCEL SPREADSHEET FOR VOLTAGE DIP
CALCULATIONS
Using the relevant equations obtained from the previous
section it is possible to calculate the voltage dip
expected at varying fault points (0 20km) at bus LD
for both SLGF and LLF using either transformer.
4. RESULTS
The following graphs are for both SLGF and LLF using
either transformer, however due to these graphs being
only examples we have only used the three line-ground
voltages (VRN , VBN ,VYN ) as data. Please note that VRN is
represented by a grey line, VBN by a light grey line and
VYN by a black line.
4.1 Magnitude change vs. phase change
Figures 2 to 5 are useful in determining the phase
change experienced in the line when the fault voltage
increases or decreases, and vice versa. It is also possible
to see the difference that the transformer connections
will make on the voltage dip.
4.1.1 SLGF

Firstly it is known that pre-fault values of the phase

voltages are equivalent to

VRN = 1 30
VYN = 1270
VBN = 1150

VRY = 160
VYB = 1 -60 Figure 2 Magnitude change vs. phase change for
VBR = 1180 connection
 4.2 Magnitude vs. distance

The graphs shown in this section help determine the

voltage dip magnitude at certain distances. Thus, given
the distance, it is possible to estimate what the voltage
dip magnitude will be.

4.2.1 SLGF

Figure 3 Magnitude change vs. phase change for Y

connection. Note: VYN located origin.

4.1.2 LLF

Figure 6 Magnitude vs. distance for connection.

Figure 4 Magnitude change vs. phase change for

connection. Note: VRN located at 0-30

Figure 7 Magnitude vs. distance for Y connection.

Figure 5 Magnitude change vs. phase change for Y

connection.
4.2.2 LLF

Figure 8 Magnitude vs. distance for connection. Figure 11 Phase vs. distance for Y connection.

4.3.2 LLF

Figure 9 Magnitude vs. distance for Y connection.

4.3 Phase vs. distance

Figure 12 Phase vs. distance for connection.
Figure 10 - 13 show what phase change the system will
experience over a certain distance

4.3.1 SLGF

Figure 13 Phase vs. distance for Y connection.

Figure 10 Phase vs. distance for connection.

4.4 Sinewave graphs

The data used for the following graphs are taken at a

fault distance of 0km. These graphs give a better
understanding of the line voltage values at pre-fault,
fault and post-fault conditions. Please note that transient
effects are not taken into account.

4.4.1 SLGF

Figure 17 Y connection, at observation point

4.5 Vector diagrams

The vector diagrams visually clarify the change in

magnitude and phase in comparison to its initial value.
Please Note that the data used is once again for a fault
distance of 0km.
Figure 14 connection, at observation point.
4.5.1 SLGF

Figure 15 Y connection, at observation point

4.4.2 LLF

Figure 18 connection, at observation point

Figure 16 connection, at observation point

 5. CONCLUSION

As can be seen, by using a simple radial high voltage

distribution network at no load as the base model, the
phase voltage characteristics where derived for both
faults using spreadsheets. Using the voltage dip data
obtained from the spreadsheets it was graphically
represented in order to give us a better understanding of
its characteristics, especially noting its behaviour when
the transformer connection was changed from to Y.

The advantage of using spreadsheets is that the graphs

generated help us to physically see the comparison
between pre-fault and fault conditions as well as the
difference between fault location points. Thus it helps us
Figure 19 Y connection, at observation point
in determining the effects of voltage dips on the system.
Another advantage of using spreadsheets, especially for
4.5.2 DLGF
students, is its ease of use and it is also relatively
affordable and obtainable compared to other simulation
packages.

6. REFERENCES

[1] L. Zhang, and M.H.J. Bollen, Characteristic in

Voltage Dips (sags) in Power Systems, IEEE
Trans. on Power Delivery, vol.2, pp 827-832, April
2000.

[2] H. Saadat,1999, Power System Analysis,

WCB/McGraw-Hill.

[3] J.J. Grainger, W.D. Stevenson, 1994, Power System

Analysis, McGraw-Hill.

Figure 20 connection, at observation point [4] M.H.J. Bollen, P. Wang, and N. Jenkins, Analysis
and consequences of the phase angle associated
with a voltage sag, IEEE Trans. on Power Systems
Computation Conf., Dresden, Germany, Aug 1996.

Figure 21 Y connection, at observation point