Industrial Network Example
DIgSILENT PowerFactory ∗
Abstract
This paper describes the modelling of an in-
dustrial network, which is part of the Pow-
erFactory examples. It has different voltage
levels, and supplies AC and DC loads. Typi-
cal calculations for analysing the network are
prepared in the example and described in
the following:
• Load flow calculation
• Short-circuit calculation
• Harmonics calculation
• Motor starting simulation
• Over-current protection
• Arc-flash hazard calculation
1 Description of the Indus-
trial Network Model
The industrial network example contains
two subsystems, each of them is supplied
by an HV/MV transformer. In case of a
transformer outage both systems can be
linked on the MV level. In total the sys-
tems consists of three synchronous motors,
14 medium voltage asynchronous motors,
four DC motors, one generation unit (syn-
chronous generator), one emergency gen-
erator (synchronous generator) and one low
voltage equivalent motor, which represents
10 LV asynchronous motors. Even though
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DIgSILENT PowerFactory, r1205
the equivalent motor represents 10 motors
in total, in the basic grid model a number of
only seven motors in parallel is considered,
since it is unlikely that all ten motors are run-
ning at full power at the same time. The vari-
ation ”Number of parallel motors” contains
the full ten motors, as it is needed for the
short-circuit calculation.
Due to the huge amount of asynchronous
machines the network has a quite low power
factor. Therefore equipment for power fac-
tor correction is used. On Subsystem A a
switchable capacitor bank is used with re-
mote control on ”Terminal HV trf 110/10kV
A”. On Subsystem B an SVC (Static Var
Compensator / System, SVS) is used with
remote control on ”Terminal HV trf 110/10kV
B”.
2 Load Flow
The first study case (”01 - Load Flow”) is pre-
pared to perform load flow calculations. This
enables the user to have an overview of the
resulting voltages as well as the impact of
automatic tap changing of the transformers
and the automatic shunt adjustment to con-
trol the power factor.
3 Harmonics
The rectifiers of the four DC motors are con-
nected via Yy0 and Yd5 transformers to form
two 12-pulse rectifiers. There is another rec-
tifier connected to the busbar of the Priority
Load. The rectifiers are causing harmonic
distortions in the AC grid.
1
Industrial Network Example

In the Study Case ”02 - Harmonics” there
are some predefined harmonic distortion di-
agrams with the allowed limits shown. For
the priority busbar user-defined limits are ap-
plied, which represent some special needs
for harmonic sensitive loads. By calculat-
ing the harmonic load flow, the actual har-
monic distortions can be analysed. Without
further measures these distortions would ex-
ceed the limits. Therefore local filters are
connected to reduce the harmonic voltages
to acceptable levels.
4 Motor Start
the corresponding result boxes. On the pre-
pared Time-Overcurrent diagrams inside the
previously mentioned Study Case the char-
acteristics of relays are visible.
6 DC Short-Circuit
Since PowerFactory Version 15.1 calcula-
tions of short-circuit currents within DC grids
up to 250 V are supported [2]. An appropri-
ate DC short-circuit calculation is prepared
in the Study Case ”05 - DC Short-Circuit”.

Each motor in the networks has a specific

torque characteristic. The motors ”Asm D-1
Sys B”, ”Asm D-2 Sys B”, ”Asm D-3 Sys B”,
”Asm D-4 Sys B” and ”Asm D-5 Sys B” are
modeled with different starting methods. For
analysing the starting of these motors, ei-
ther a simplified static simulation or a precise
dynamic simulation can be used. The re-
sults are reported in the PowerFactory Out-
put Window. In case of dynamic simulations
the results are displayed by means of time-
dependent result curves in diagrams. Ac-
cording result diagrams are adjusted in the
Study Case ”03 - Motor Start”. It is possible
to analyse the start of only a single motor,
or of several motors (a motor group) at the
same time. It is also possible to define start-
ing sequences by adjusting different starting
times for the individual motors in the dynamic
simulation.
5 Protection / AC Short-
7 Arc Flash
The Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis calculation is
meant to determine the arc-flash hazard dis-
tance and the incident energy to which em-
ployees could be exposed during their work
on or near electrical equipment [3]. The re-
sults may be used to categorize the busbars
due to their protection group. It is possible
to create corresponding Arc-Flash Warning
Labels automatically.
References
[1] IEC 60909-0:2001 ”Short-circuit cur-
rents in three-phase a.c. systems - Part
0: Calculation of currents”
[2] IEC 61660-1:1997 ”Short-circuit cur-
rents in d.c. auxiliary installations in
power plants and substations”

Circuit [3] IEEE 1584-2002 ”Guide for Performing

Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations”

The industrial network provides various over-

current relays. Relays of feeders are also
equipped with an interlock. As described in
Section 1 the Study Case ”04 - Protection /
AC Short-Circuit” uses the variation ”Number
of parallel motors” with all ten parallel LV mo-
tors considered. This enables the complete
short-circuit contribution from all machines.

After calculating the short-circuit current on

any busbar of the AC network [1], the tripping
time of the different relays are displayed in

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