DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14483/23448393.22514Published:
2026-05-19Issue:
Vol. 31 No. 1 (2026): January-AprilSection:
Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications EngineeringComparative Analysis of the Standards ANSI/IEEE C.37 and 141 and IEC 60909 for Short-Circuit Calculation in Industrial Systems
Análisis comparativo de las normas ANSI/IEEE C.37 y 141 e IEC 60909 para el cálculo de cortocircuitos en sistemas industriales
Keywords:
electrical system modeling, electrical transient analyzer program , load flows, protection coordination (en).Keywords:
modelado de sistemas eléctricos, programa de analizador de transitorios eléctricos , flujos de carga, coordinación de protecciones (es).Downloads
Abstract (en)
Context: Calculating short-circuit currents is key to equipment sizing and protection coordination in electrical power systems. However, methodological differences between ANSI/IEEE C.37 and 141 and IEC 60909 create uncertainty when selecting the most appropriate approach. This study addresses this problem through a comparative analysis based on computer simulations that evaluate both methodologies under equivalent conditions.
Method: An industrial system with 44 busbars is modeled in ETAP (version 20.0), considering grid connection, local generation, and rotating loads. Short-circuit currents are calculated while following the procedures of both standards, and five representative fault points are analyzed. The evaluation includes six parameters: symmetrical inrush current, half-cycle closing current, peak fault current, interrupting current, asymmetrical breaking current, and steady-state current.
Results: The IEC method yields values between 5 and 10% higher than those obtained with ANSI/IEEE in most cases. The greatest differences are observed at busbars near generators and higher-power rotating machines, reaching up to 9.34% in the inrush current. These variations are mainly associated with the treatment of the X/R ratio and the voltage factor c applied in IEC.
Conclusions: The IEC 60909 standard offers more conservative estimates for demanding designs, while ANSI/IEEE is useful in preliminary analyses, providing practical criteria for selecting the standard based on system criticality.
Abstract (es)
Contexto: El cálculo de corrientes de cortocircuito es clave para el dimensionamiento de equipos y la coordinación de protecciones en sistemas eléctricos de potencia. Sin embargo, las diferencias metodológicas entre las normas ANSI/IEEE C.37 y 141 e IEC 60909 generan incertidumbre al seleccionar el enfoque más adecuado. Este estudio aborda esta problemática mediante un análisis comparativo basado en simulaciones computacionales que evalúan ambas metodologías bajo condiciones equivalentes.
Método: Se modela un sistema industrial de 44 barras en ETAP (versión 20.0), considerando conexión a la red eléctrica, generación local y cargas rotativas. Las corrientes de cortocircuito se calculan siguiendo los procedimientos de ambas normas y se analizan cinco puntos de falla representativos. La evaluación incluye seis parámetros: corriente inicial simétrica, corriente de cierre de medio ciclo, corriente pico de falla, corriente de interrupción, corriente de ruptura asimétrica y corriente en estado estable.
Resultados: El método IEC presenta valores entre un 5 y un 10% superiores a los obtenidos con ANSI/IEEE en la mayoría de los casos. Las mayores diferencias se observan en barras cercanas a generadores y máquinas rotativas de mayor potencia, alcanzando hasta un 9.34 % en la corriente de cierre. Estas variaciones se asocian principalmente con el tratamiento de la relación X/R y el factor de voltaje c aplicado en IEC.
Conclusiones: La norma IEC 60909 ofrece estimaciones más conservadoras para diseños exigentes, mientras que ANSI/IEEE resulta útil en análisis preliminares, proporcionando criterios prácticos para seleccionar la norma según la criticidad del sistema.
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Copyright (c) 2026 John Muñoz Goez, Joseph Camilo Sosapanta Salas, Jhon Noguera-Jiménez
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