13/03/2013 Per Unit System - An Introduction | Power Systems Engineering

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Per Unit System – An VI A EMAI L

Introduction
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Fundamental to any power system analysis is the to this blog and
know-how of per unit systems. This metric is widely receive notifications
used to describe voltages, currents, and impedances of new posts by
in a power system. This article, supplemented by an email.
example, will explain step by step how to calculate
these parameters for any component anywhere in the Join 134 other

power system. Let’s begin with the purpose. subscribers

Purpose Email Address

1. Transformers and per unit systems

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The reason the per unit system is employed is because

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it simplifies calculation of currents. Imagine a 3-
phase system with a generator, a transformer, a T- Recent Posts Tags

line, another transformer, and a load. Every time you Choosing

cross the transformers, the currents and voltages Between
change. The impedance of the transformer referred Resistor

to the primary side is different from the impedance of and Reactor for

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13/03/2013 Per Unit System - An Introduction | Power Systems Engineering

the same transformer referred to the secondary side. Neutral Ground

It is imperitive to use the appropriate impedance Impedance

based on which side of the transformer you are

Power
on, which if not accounted for, introduces serious
Cable
calculation errors. Neutral

and System
Using actual values are fine if not for the
Grounding
transformers. They complicate matters. Generators
Substation
and motors, like transformers, have different
SCADA
impedance when referred to either stator or rotor
System -
winding.
Design Guide

Deriving a per unit impedance values for these Cable and Conduit
components enables easy calculation. This is because Installation in
the per unit value remains the same whether you are Substations - Best
on the primary side or the secondary side of the Practices

equipment.
Substation

Sub-
2. The factor
Surface

Engineering: An
The second factor in choosing per unit systems is the
Overview of What a
avoidance of factor in the calculations. If you have
Geotech Survey
ever tried calculating either the sending end voltage
Reveals
or the receiving end voltage in a system, you would

know how important it is to factor in the

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multiplier. This is because the voltages are always
Per Unit
specified in phase to phase (L-L) values while the
System -
voltage drop across the impedances are calculated on
Practice
per phase (L-N) basis. You will have to use factor Problem

peguru.com/2011/03/per-unit-system-an-introduction/ 2/7
13/03/2013 Per Unit System - An Introduction | Power Systems Engineering

extensively to switch between L-L and L-N values. Solved For

Easy

When using the per unit system, a 3-phase balanced Understanding

network is reduced to a 1-phase equivalent where the

What Do
isn’t even in the picture. So have fun calculating
Symmetrical,
stuff.
Asymmetrical,

Momentary,
3. Intuition enabler
Interrupting,

Close & Latch

The third factor is the meaning expressed by the per
Ratings Mean?
unit values. Look at the figure below.
Direct Transfer

Trip Scheme

Power Circuit

Breaker -

Operation and
Control

Scheme

Per Unit

System - An
Figure 1: Voltage Per Unit
Introduction

What does it tell about the system voltage profile?

The generator is generating 5% above rated voltage.
The load at bus C has no drop in voltage (1 pu) while
the load at bus B sees 5% drop in voltage. Essentially,
the voltage drops as you move away from the
generator and closer to the load. It is easier to
visualize this using per units than using actual values

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13/03/2013 Per Unit System - An Introduction | Power Systems Engineering

since the per unit values are normalized.

Also, someone with experience knows what the per

unit values, especially impedance, of certain
transformers or other devices in the system could be.

It is easier for him or her to analyze the system by

making reasonable assumptions.

Other factors for employing per unit system include

enables the use of symmetrical components.

widely used by manufacturers to specify their
equipment – making it easy for direct analysis.

At this point it is suffice to say the per unit system

is indispensable in analyzing the power system.

What is a per unit value?

The per unit of any quantity, be it voltage, current, or

impedance is given by the following equation:

Pretty straight forward equation. You have your

actual value that you are trying to convert and a base
value that is calculated from the given quantities like
apparant power (S) and system voltage (V).

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13/03/2013 Per Unit System - An Introduction | Power Systems Engineering

Sample per unit problem

solved: http://peguru.com/2011/06/per-unit-system-
practice-problem-solved-for-easy-understanding/

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