电气工程专业英语chapter 5 The Short-circuit Problem.pdfVIP

CHAPTER 5 THE SHORT-CIRCUIT PROBLEM 5-1 Introduction A short circuit occurs on a power system when one or more energized conductors contact other conductors or ground. In the case of insulation breakdown it may not be necessary for the conductors to be in actual contact. The short circuit can exist by current flowing through an ionized path that may be through air or some other substance that is normally an insulator. On high-voltage systems an arc can be maintained over a considerable distance. Although local conditions affect the result, as a general guide, each 400 V will maintain 1 ft of arc in air. Thus a modern high-voltage transmission line might be expected to maintain an arc at least 1000 ft in length, once the arc is established. Short circuits on power systems are to be expected at reasonable frequency, because it is uneconomical to provide sufficient insulation to insure against them. Generally speaking, the power system and its equipment are designed to stand several times normal voltage. The cost of high-voltage equipment goes up very rapidly as the insulation level is increased. Thus the system must be planned to have an economic balance between the number of short circuits and the cost of the power system. The power system must be designed in such a way that the short-circuited equipment can be de-energized. 5-2 The Causes and Consequences of Short Circuits Insulation failure is, of course, the cause of the short circuit. The initiation of an arc may be caused by foreign objects that contact conductors. Foreign objects may take virtually any form, including airplanes, birds, snakes and other animals. Insulation deterioration can also cause a break down. Lightning frequently causes faults on overhead power systems. On high-voltage systems where economics forces maximum reduction in insulations, arcs