RectiIer Fault ectiZer au t

C. C. HERSKIND
FELLOW AIEE

Currents-Il urrents~
NONMEMBER AIEE

A. SCHMIDT, JR.
MEMBER AIEE

C. E. RETTIG

current alternately so that the fault currents in the a-c winding are the same as

connected to the d-c windings of one phase of the rectifier transformer conduct
in a 3-phase short circuit. Under sustamed
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
conditions each tube conducts

current for 180 degrees.

A NUMBER of modes of circuit action J may be obtained during faults on power rectifiers because of the variety of fault conditions and circuit parameters. Analyses of some of these have been treated in a previous paper.' This paper presents a further extension of this work with analyses of a number of idealized cases. An analysis is presented for the transient tranien fault falt current urrnt duing d-c sort short urig dc circuit and a procedure is outlined for analyzing the fault currents during arcback with both a-c and d-c feed. The objective of these studies is the development of a comprehensive procedure for the analysis of the circuit action and the determination of fault currents in rectifier circuits during d-c short circuits and arc-back. A complete treatment of the fault currents obtained in the widely used 6-phase double-Y circuit is particularly desired. The results of fault current calculations and tests on a 200-kw 300-volt scaled ignitron rectifier equipment are compared. The wave forms and magnitudes of the fault currents obtained under various test conditions are shown by oscillographic records. Data are presented showing the nature of the rectifier arc-drop at fault current levels. Some of the factors which influence the arc-drop are discussed. Methods for representing the effect of arc-drop in fault current calculations are proposed.
Types of Faults

Rectifier faults are of two general types, namely, d-c short circuit and arcback. Three idealized cases may be defined for each tvpe as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2:

und esuaineconditin the and c each anode carries a half cycle of current whose crest value is
= V2 E,/Z
(1)
The d-c short-circuit current is equal to

D-C Short Circuit

Case 3-both primary and secondary impedancesavrcealei

Arc-Back Case 1-a-c feed only Case 2-d-c feed only Case 3-both a-c and d-c feed

Case 1-primary impedance only Case 2-secondary impedance only

the sum of the anode currents, and its

average valueis

=3X-XiA 7

(2)

impedances in the rectifier unit and the short-circuit path. Three idealized cases are obtained with equivalent circuits and wave forms as shown in Figure 1. These three cases do not cover all the possible conditions which may be obtained as additional cases may be defined for d-c short circuits with impedance in the fault path and for other rectifier circuits.

During d-c short circuit, the circuit action is determnined by the relative magnitude and location of the various

D-C Short Circuit

2V/2 VA Ids -. XEZ

The sustained d-c short circuit current may also be expressed n therform

(3)

the a-c windings and supply line as shown in Figure 1. The tw-o tubes which are Rectifier faults may be classified on the sicigage$=0 h wthn

CASE 1-D-C SHORT CIRCUIT WITH PRIMARY IMPEDANCE ONLY In this case, it is assumed that the rectifier transformer d-c windings are perfectly interwound so that all the reactance may be considered to be located in

A graphic analysis of the current on d-c short circuit for a 6-phase double-Y rectifier is shown in Figure 3. In this analysis, the current in each pair of anodes is determined as for a single-phase
circuit. The short circuit is assumed to occur at the beginning of the positive voltage wave on phase R,, that is, at

TRANSIENT CONDITIONS Under transient conditions, immediately following the start of the short circuit, the fault-current waves in the transformer windings are displaced, and the current in the short circuit exceeds its sustained value. If it is assumed that the anodes are free to conduct at all times and that the fault is a bolted short circuit, the fault currents may be readily determined graphically by a procedure based on a single-phase analysis.

basis of the nature of the fault, the circuit

treatment which applies. In order to permit mathematical analysis, certain

pattern and action, and the analytical ,. .

commidttee and apoed byE thetoi AIBE technical program committee for presentaat the winter general meeting, New ~~~~~~tion AIEE
power converter

simplifying assumptions are necessary. These result in a number of idealized cases.

c. c. HERSKIND, A. SCHMIDT, JR. and C. E. RETTIG are all with the power electronics division of the General Electric Cumpany, Schenectady, N. Y.''

York, N. Y., January 31-February 4, 1949. Manuscript submitted November 17, 1948; made avail-

this value by their phase displacements of 60 and 120 degrees.

The short-circuit current is obtained

angles on the other two phases differ from

by adding the anode current waves which are indicated by the shaded areas. The osrcinsoni o ermn cosrcinsonifoadeem t

1949, VOLUME 68

Herskind, Schmidt, Rettig Rectifier Fault Currents-II

243

of impedance on the primary side of the transfonner permits a determination of the fault current on the basis of six singleEQUIVALENT

CIRCUIT

r4~-I a r X

,
$

Lik kjttX 1 I

II pIIII I

phase circuits where the applied voltages have the phase relations determined by the transforner connection. In this case each tube acts independently; and under sustained conditions, the tube conduction period increases toward a value of 360 as the circuit resistance is reduced degrees
to zero.

DIRECT CURRENT

STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
FORMS

A . /Ii WAVE l
ANODE N

0I2 O -3CYCLES
O

0)

2 3 -360'-i Igoe+ I6
BOTH PRIMARY AND

PRIMARY IMPEDANCE ONLY

CASE

SECONDARY IMPEDANCE
ONLY

CASE 2

CASE 3

SECONDARY IMPEDANCE

Figure 1. D-c short circuit-idealized conditions

factor R/X = 0.3. The maximum value of the fully displaced current wave, which would be attained with zero resistance, is also shown. Its value is twice the crest value of the sustained fault current. The crest value of the instantaneous current depends upon the switching angle and the circuit reactance as expressed by the R/X ratio. Analyses show that the effect of switching angle is small and may be disregarded as it usually causes less than 5 per cent variation in crest current. However, the transient component due to reactance may cause the maximum instantaneous current to range in value from 1 to 2 times the sustained crest current. The maximum short circuit current may be expressed by the relation 7d (4) 3 The value of the transient factor K, for various R/X ratios- is given in Figure 5.

F\ ment . / in . Case 2 causes the currents through the impedances to be discontinuous so that the transient is repeated each cycle. Therefore, the crest value of sustained anode current is the same as the maximum instantaneous value for Case 1 as given by -Es i

steady-state currents, the circuit arrange-

In contrast to Case 1, with its sinusoidal

das=Kp z(5)

The crest value of the short-circuit current is larger than the maximum obtained in the transient state in Case 1 because of the longer conducting interval. The crest short circuit current is given by
i d,=K8X2

(6)
m

CASE 2-D-C SHORT CIRCUIT WITH

J
4.

SECONDARY IMPEDANCE ONLY The 6-phase star circuit shown in Figure 1 represents an idealized case having inductance and resistance that may be lumped in the anode leads. The absence

The average value of the short-circuit current may be determined for an idealized case with no resistance by the equation
Ids

=2V\2-

VA

(7)

i 4 $ g

$+

It should be noted that this value is ir times the value obtained for Case 1 as given by equation 3. When resistance is present the sustained short circuit current will have a lower value. This is shown in Figure 5.

TRANSIENT CONDITIONS
DC FEED BACK CURRENT
CURRENT IN

DC FEED BACK CURRENT

!1 /1I
t//R \;/ /\ 0V \i 2 CYCLES
8 \-/ ,

Ashort
ANODES

!,I

NORMAL ANODES
URRENT IN NORMAL

/1

2.

CU1/ LV /r\ dA \2 / A \!1 O\

Conduction During First Cycle. If the circuit occurs at the instant the voltage on phase is going through zero, conduction takes place initially in phases 5,6, /and 1. Sixty degrees later phase 2 starts conducting, and the remaining phases enter in sequence.

CURRENT IN FAULTY ANOD)E

CASE A4C FEED ONLY

resistance the currents in \ CUR?ENT IN FAULTY ANODE \i/ j.. phase 1 and all succeeding phases are fully .. displaced. However, the shortcurrent does not reach its maxiCASE 2 CASE 3 . mum . value until phase 6starts conducting DC FEED ONLY BNOTH AC a DC FEED . a .second time and steady-state conditions. Figure 2. Arc-back-idealized conditions are reached. ....

~~~~~~Neglecting

~~~~circuit

244

Herskiznd, Schmidt, Rettig- Rectifier Fault Currents-II

AJEE TRANSACTIONS

Figure 1 shows a sketch of the shortcircuit current and the current in phase 1 that would exist in this case with a small R/X ratio. Effect of Interphzase Transformer. Neglecting the interphase transformer and treating the 6-phase star circuit yields results which apply with sufficient accuracy to the 6-phase double-Y circuit. Introducing the interphase transformer causes no change in the short-circuit current. Some redistribution of current among the anodes is caused, but the maximum change is less than 2.0 per cent of the crest value of anode current.

ratios Rp/RS, Xp/XS and the total resist- nal paper,' this case was referred to as ance to total reactance ratio R/X. The arc-back in a wye and sustained values of trend may be expressed as follows: For a current were given. Further studies indigiven XpIXS ratio, the value falls upon the cate that the first cycle values are generupper curve when the R/X ratio is equal ally more important than sustained values to zero, but approaches rapidly the lower in system studies.5 curve as the R/X ratio increases. The first cycle crest values of the reThe ratios Xp/XS and RS/Rp determine verse current in the faulty anode and the the rapidity with which the value ap- forward current in the normal anodes may proaches the lower curve. The larger be determined by equations 8 and 9. these ratios, the more rapidly the value Crest reverse current in faulty anode is approaches the lower curve. For practical ratios of these quantities itar = K V/2Es (8) where no reactance is intentionally added Ze in the anode leads, the lower curve apCrest forward current in normal anodes plies for usual R/X ratios. is

CASE 3-D-C SHORT CIRCUIT WITH

BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY IMPEDANCE

Arc-Back During arc-back, the circuit action is determined primarily by the sources of voltage producing the fault current. Three idealized cases may be defined with equivalent circuits and wave forms as
shown in Figure 2.

i'

Kf \2Es
ZC

(9)

This is the general case which is usually encountered in practice. Its circuit action combines the effects obtained in the first two cases. With reactance and resistance in both primary and secondary windings of the rectifier transformer, the crest value of the anode current is still represented by the displacement factor Kp. X and R in this case are the sum of the components in the primarv and secondary windings. The short-circuit current has a peak value which falls between the two extremes represented by Kp and K, in Figure 4. The exact value has not been determined, but it is dependent upon the
4
MAXIMUM VALUE

normal anodes. k / R/X'O 0In the treatment presented in the origiSUSTAINED VALUE ]

CASE 1-ARC-BACK WITH A-C FEED ONLY In this case, the current flow in the f anode S establshed b faulty and it is assumed that there is no ply other source of voltage. The equivalent circuit is shown in Figure 2. A 3-phase rectifier is assumed as it represents one commutating group of the rectifier. During arc-back, a reverse current flows in the faulty anode which is equal to the sum of the forward currents in the two

Values of the reverse current and forward current factors as a function of the R/X ratio are given in Figure 6. These factors give the crest value of current obtained during the first cycle when arcback occurs at the end of conduction. It is assumed that the arc-drop is represented as an equivalent resistance in determining the R/X ratio.
2-RC-BACK WITH D C FEED CASE ,

ONLY

This is an idealized case where all the current in the faulty anode flows in the d-c system. The equivalent circuit is a single loop containing an alternating and
a direct voltage in series. The current consists of an alternating component of constant magnitude and a direct compo-

nent which increases exponentially with

TRANSNT VALUE
2k f
I

Figure 3 (left). Graphic analysis of transient current on d-c short circuit with primary impedance only

\
270

iDIRECT
360
V

oCURRENT l 7 \I

Figure 4 (below). Transient factors for determining

anode current and d-c short-circuit current

crest

values of

ot,

I 0

90

180

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3.02

0.5

I0-

R4X RATI

1949, VOLUME 68

HIerskind, Schmidt, Rettig-RecttfiZer Fault Currents-Il

245

time until it is limited by resistance. Such a condition may be realized in practice if all the normal anodes of the rectifier are prevented from firing at the time of fault or may be approximated if a number of rectifiers are paralleled on the same d-c bus. The reverse current in the faulty anode is given by the equation _, Rd /E -(-ti)I Ed' eLd 1 x =t EL

Rd -1d ) sin (o -Oi)j (10) [sin (cat - 03)-eE

s

R3

Z3

sults of adequate accuracy may be obtamed by an approximate expression based on the following assumptions: First, it is assumed that the arc-back occurs at the zero point of the a-c voltage wave when hi =0O. This is justified on the basis that the majorty of arc-backs occur at the end of conduction which is usually within a few degrees of the zero point of the voltage wave. Second, it is assumed that the resistance of the fault path is low in comparison with the inductance so that 0= 90. The approximate value of the reverse current is given by the simplified equation
idr =LR3

approximated in practice and useful

The idealized conditions are not closely

re-

24 C basis of a single wye. During arc-back, 2l2 the current in the faulty anode is a combination of a-c feed from the two normal a0_ anodes of the wye and d-c feed from a 8 single d-c source representing all other 6 - - .. anodes and parallel sources. Currents feeding into an arc-back from 14 - K a counter electromotive force load and from the normal anodes in a faulted wye , 12 - - - are additive components of the current in i.the faulted phase. Each of these compo, 08.06 nents is smaller than the value obtained in Rd l either Case 1 or Case 2, but their sum ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~00.6 04 yields an arc-back current larger than 02 either component considered separately. 0 A method is described in the following 0 analysisforobtainingtheexacttheoretical 0.2 08I Q4 0.6 L RATIO R/X values of currents in the faulty anode, the Figure 6. Factors for determining reverse and normal anodes, and the d-c feed. . . . . . forward current during arc-back with a-c feed

-e\[Ed' VE1[s +L
Z3

3t-t
(11)

for this case is shown in Figure 2. Paralleled converting equipment, counter electromotive force load, and the normal wye of the 6-phase double-Y rectifier are reduced to an equivalent voltage source Ed', resistance Rd, and inductance Ld. The action of individual phases is considered only in the faulted wye. The phases in this wye are designated in their normal conducting sequence. R1 is the faulty phase and R2 and R3 are the normal phases in the faulted wye. L, and R, are the commutating inductance and resist-

Corcuit Analysis.

The

equivalent circuit

only

ance per phase. Arc-drop is treated as an equivalent resistance whose value is included in R,. Circuit action during the first cycle following a commutation arc-back is shown in Figure 7. For purposes of defining circuit action, the cycle of operation is divided into four intervals. The divisions correspond to the instants at which a phase either starts or stops conducting. The current in phase 1 and the feed-back

V12Es [I Z3

cos t]

CASE 3-ARC-BACK WITH BOTH A-C AND

sustained d-c shortcircuit current with

Figure 5 (below). Average value of

R2
PHASE

R3

R,

D-C FEED This is the case usually encountered in practice and combines the action of the first two cases. In order to simplify the analysis, the action is considered on the
IC.-

secondary impedance only Figure 7 (right). CircuitIaction during arcback with a-c and d-c feed

VOLTAGES

INTERVALS

I1

1
y

I 2
3

2 -j)

31

0.8~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a.

22
L___\_I

CUR-ENT

ANODE
-

0mv

RX AI
PER UNIT 8ASE.a/2E

0AC RTFIERD
CURN 0

246

Herskind, Schmidt, Rettig-Rectifier Fault Currents-IIl.

AIEE TRANSACTIONS

/0

l ( |n AC SUPPLY
SUPPLY

CIRCUIT

CONSTANTS

0~~
40

- o

-0$-------

LINE

.0250

3C
ARC- DROP (AVG VOLTS)

ARC-DROP 0
O
a0

-%

o,/ O Q

/
__

~ ~V
AC BREAKER

It460V
~
)

_
'H

-i
0

/'

H1
283V
R R2

J/R RECT TRANSF. / >-AC WINDING

X
2 0

DC

AT 45-C RISE - 460/283 V L TO N. -IMPED. Z 5.97% AT 480/283 V AND 75 C - COMM. REACT. Xc r .060 OHMS L TO N. -LOAD LOSSES: P, g 3707 WATTS AT RATED WINDING H s / . CURRENT Idn a 667 AMPS
-

BUS.4 '
BUS
RS

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~RECTIFIER TRANSfORMER -60 CYCLE -230 KVA CONT.

UNIT VALUES ON 230 KVA lPER R .0031

BASE)

iR /.0015

'TRANSF.
R4

ITASE

RESISTANCE AC WIND. Rp .0241 OHMS PER COIL DC WIND. OHMS PER

R5'.00632

COIL

,__o_L_._I I_ I_I_____

R8 /R8 1

INTERPHASE TRANSFORMER IISO/-180 CYCLES -78 .KVA

AT 45- C RISE-

/4-Rz0025Ll
0

236-I18

OUTPUT VOLTS

RECTIFIER
0

-LOAD LOSSES'346 WATTS AT RATED CURRENT -RESISTANCE .00316 OHMS ACROSS FULL COIL ANODE CABLES

10
-

15

20 DC BREAKER

CURRENT

(AVG. KILOAMPERES)
(

O FORWARa CURRENT -PULSE TESTS ON SINGLE TUBE * REVERSE CURRENT- PULSE TESTS ON SINGLE TUBE FORWARD CURRENT AT NORMAL LOADS 1Q20

(I

RECTIFIER
-EQUIV.

-RESISTANCEr .003 OHMS PER PHASE TUBES (ARC DROP)

RESISTANCE

.0015 OHMS PER TUBE

loo
so

/ /-

.Le 4R-.004

R.40t 0D0

\-

TOR
A

LOAD CIRCUIT CABLE LEADS - RESISTANCE a .0034 OHMS 4 - INDUCTANCE 79.5 X 10-6 HENRYS ODC MOTOR (EQUIVALENT MACHINE) -RESISTANCE OF ARMATURE CIRCUIT8.0170 INDUCTANCE OF ARMATURE CIRCUIT' 46 X 10 HENRYS

\<

OHMS

-VOLTAGE

Ed'

'280

VOLTS OPEN CIRCUIT

ARC-DROP AVG VOLTS)

40

/ /*X :C -/ors

Figure 8 (left, above). Arcdrop of sealed ignitron under fault current conditions
Figur
drop
u

and 2 and decay with the exponential

Interval 2 ends when the current in phase 2 reaches zero. Calculation of the
at this time

(R/L,:)t.

211-110
/

PO

,I

20

30

40

!
I

fault current conditions ~~~~~~~~~~~~under

c

of

9 (left, below) Arcpumped gnitron

codtin fo. nevl3 for interval ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~conditions 3. The action in interval

CURRENT PER TUBE (AVG KILOAMPERESI O FORWARD CURRENT -FAULT TESTS ON RECTIFIER UNIT * REVERSE CURRENT-FAULT TESTS ON RECTIFIER UNIT FORWARO CURRENT-PULSE TESTS SN SINGLE TUBE * REVERSE CURRENT- PULSE TESTS ON SINGLE TUBE

O
I

FORWARD CURRENT AT NORMAL LOADS

Figure 10 (right). Power circuit during fault tests on 6anode 200-KW 300-volt rectifier

current are continuous, and the intervals are determined by conduction in the two normal phases as follows:
Interval l-conduction in phase 2. Interval 2-conduction in both phases 2 and 3. Interval Interval 3-conduction In phase 3. Intervl4-coductin nither Interval 4-onduction in neither normal phase.

at the terminals of the rectifier as given by

did, ed = d-Adldr-d dt
ed

determines the initial 3 is similar to that in interval I in that there are two conducting anodes. The average voltage of anodes 1 and 3 during this interval is opposed to the voltage of the d-c source and usually reverses the rate of rise of cathode current.
source

currents in anodes 1 and 3 and in the d-c

DR

-d

12

~ 3-odcin*npae3

whose value is determined from equation 1. The a-c voltage which applies in this equation is the average voltage of phases 1 and 2. The culrrent from the d-c source divides equally between phases 1 and 2, one-half its numerical value being added to the current in phase 1 and subtracted from the current in phase 2. The end of interval 1 is reached when the voltage of phase 3 equals the voltage

During interval 1, the circuit action proceeds as follows: A current will start flowing from anode 2 to anode 1 with values as determined in Case 1. Upon this current will be superimposed a current from the d-c source,

phase control iS used. During interval 2 alla-c threevoles anodes apare andethelne cDucting, conducting, and the net a-c voltage appearing in the d-c circuit is zero. The current from the d-c source divides equally between anodes 1, 2, and 3, onethird of its numerical value adding to the current in anode 1 and subtracting from the currents in anodes 2 and 3. The value of the d-c current is determined for the series circuit including Ed', Ld, Rd, and one-third of Lc and R, with the initial value as determined at the end of interval The a-c components of current in the three transformer phases follow the values resulting from a complete 3-phase short circuit. The transient components maintain continuity between intervals 1

where dr IS the feed-back current during interval 1. A later later time time may interval may apply if if 1. A

val 4 is determined when the current in phase 3 goes to zero. The same current is then carried by the faulty anode and the

The transition from interval 3 to inter-

d- srce during interval Because the a-c on phase opposed to the voltage I is 4. d-c voltage during most of this interval, the fault current is decreased. Interval 4ed hntevlaeo hs xed 2exceeds 4endswhenthe voltage ofrphase the voltage at the rectifier terminals, at which time intervals 1 to 4 will be repeated with new initial conditions. Appendix II gives the equations which
intervals. sustained fault current may be determined by carrying out the circuit analysis for a sufficient number of cycles. It may also be found by trial, assuming values of id and t at the start of interval 1 and determining the resulting currents throughout the sequence. At cot= 360 degrees the current should have the vaLlue assumed at

.S'mstained Fault Current. The value of

1.

1949, VOLUME 68

Herskind, Schmidt, Rettig- Rectifier Fault Currents-II

247

>

J
E

/Athe

fF\ / L
7480A

A more precise approximation results by assuming that on the average two anodes are conducting throughout the cycle and that the resulting impedance to d-c feed includes one-half the transformer impedance. A further assumption is that net a-c voltage in the d-c feed circuit is one-half of Es. This permits calculation of the d-c feed as described in Case 2. Since two anodes are assumed to be conducting, half this value is added to the current in the faulty anode resulting from arc-back in a wye and is subtracted from the current in the normal anodes.

6370A m

_ c

4920A
A \I

EA
G

74

*5 -

Arc-Drop

Figure 11. (Test 5) Fault current during d-c short circuit (inductance in the short), 6-anode 200-kw 300-volt rectifier "A' to "F" inclusive-anode currents current G -cathode -cdthode current

There may be considerable variation in the arc-drop voltage across a rectifier on successive trials at the same fault current
value.

Figure 13. (Test 29) Fault current during arcback with a-c feed only, 6-anode 200-kw 300-volt rectifier operating with only three tubes (one wye)

*29

Tests 30 and 31

the start of interval 1, and anode 2 should be ready to start conducting.

factors

Modifying Circuist Acton. The

the arc-drop voltage in a pumped ignitron at pulse currents of approximately 25,000 amperes crest. In test 30, the arc-drop voltage wave has a rounded crest at 87 volts. Test 31 shows a sudden rise in

(Figure

16)

show

"A"-anode I current '-anodle number ~~~~~~~~~~~~~"B' (faulty anode) number 2 3 current 'C"-anode
number

"D--anode-to-cathode voltage in faulty tube

voltage from 70 to 152 volts near the crest

the arc-drop voltage does not have
ticular

high arc-drop voltages of short duration.

Arc-drop measurements on a sealed

a

c utah foregoing ane-balysisafree descrfibes t three tion arc-back in a free rectifier with

of the wave approximately doubling value. In many value its of cases, the crest
parsignificance
insofar
as

ignitron are shown byduring test 23 pulse-current This test (Figure 15). tests
shows
form

alenoes Ahe nircumbactiof fartictarsly

initial action. Phase of Arc-Back-While arc-back commonly occurs at the end of commutation, it may occur at a later time during interval

triangular arc-drop voltage wave

from
a

its influence

starting

high

value at the

on

1 or during intervals 2 or 3. The initial peak of reverse current is re.duced in such cases. (Compare tests 43 and 45, Fignres 17 and 18.) Interphase Transformer-The interphase transformer acts as a large inductance to reverse current from the d-c load until saturation occurs. At the time of a commutation arc-back, the interphase transformer flux may have reached 0.1 to 0.5 times its saturation value, depending upon the design of the interphase transformer and the amount of phase control used. Phase Control-Phase control may delay the entry of a normal anode and thereby reduice its contribution to the arc-back.

voltage wave does not occur until the fault current has reached its crest value.
Average values of the arc-drop voltage would appear to be more representative of the effect of arc-drop as they are a measure of both the volt-seconds appearing across the tube and the energy dissipated in the arc during the fault. Average values do not give undue weighting to
495A

the magnitude of fault current is concerned, since the break in the arc-drop

beginning of the conduction period and dropping regularly to approximately zero

at its end. Again in this case the initial value of the arc-drop would not appear to
be as significant as its average value in determining the current obtained during faults. The nature of the arc phenomena at fault current levels is not accurately known. In the case of the pumped ignitron, the sharp rise in voltage would ap-

4000A

3720A /
OA

with a-c and d-c feed constitutes an exact method of procedure, its use is likely to prove cumbersome and approximations of reasonable accuracy are well worth conThe simplest approximation consists of determining upper limits for fault current values. Thus the current in the normal anodes cannot exceed the value for arcback in a wye and the current in the d-c source generally cannot exceed the value for d-c feed only. The current in the faulty anode cannot exceed the sum of these values.

Approximate Solution. While the foregoing analysis for the case of arc-back

> _

D E F

5430A

7
7700A

J,,,OA
| i

sideraticon.

G|

Figure 12. (Test 9) Fault current during d-c short circuit (bolted short), 6-anode 200-kw 300-volt rectifier "A ' to "F" inclusive-anode currents "G' -cdthode current

pear to be the result of arc starvation. Observations show that this voltage occurs at a quite definite current level. WNbhen fault currents in excess of this critical value flow through the tube, the rise in voltage occurs before the current crest, . . a c the a considerable increase in the ~~causing value of for averaged arc-drop voltage a small increase in fault current. In the case of the sealed ignitron, observations show that when the tube is passing currents of fault magnitude, a considerable part of the cathode current is collected on the walls of the tube. The shorter arcpath which results may account for the reduction in arc-drop in the latter part of the conducting period. Average arc-drop values for a sealed ignitron rectifier tube of the type used in units ranging in size from 200 to 500 kw for 250- and 600-volt applications are shown in Figure 8. Typical arc-drops for a pumped ignitron of the. type used in
p

248

Herskind, Schmidt, Rettig-Rectifier

Fazult Currents-Il

AJEE TRANSACTIONS

units ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,500 kw for 250- and 600-volt applications are shown in Figure 9. Two dashed lines representing equivalent resistance are shown in each figure. The lower value of resistance in each figure would be applicable to an equivalent circuit containing a battery and
resistance.

20

A
8

Z\A

Using the R/X ratio determined for d-c short circuit

r

= .7 57 Kf=1.35, (Figure 5) I=13,(iue5

ze

_Go
D

K7 54i7=
/\

z
I

Crest Reverse Current \2E -2X283 = 1.57X

for the total arc-drop. This approximation simplifies analytical treatment and is of commensurate accuracy with the determination of other circuit parameters.

resistance. The higher value of equivalent resistance is an approximation accounting

~~0.0895

I
E

osOOA

Crs F r r iaf / Kf E =6,040 amperes

Crest Forward Current

amperes (8) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7,020

Calculated and Test Results

Extensive fault-current tests were made on a 6-phase 200-kw 300-volt sealed ignitron rectifier. The complete circuit of the rectifier unit and the associated a-c supply and d-c load systems during these tests, together with the circuit constants, are shown in Figure 10. Oscillographic records of fault currents are shown by six tests included in the illustrations. The fault current calculations are as follows:

#23 Figure 1 5. (Test 23) Arc-drop on sealed ignitron during current pulse

ARC-BACK WITH D-C FEED ONLY

In calculating the fault current in this case, case, the th total ohmic resistance of the d-c

Zc

(9)

"B"-circuit-breaker voltage

"A '-60-cycle timing wdve

'C' -anode-to-cdthode voltdge (drc-drop) D'-anode current E' -ignitor-to-cathode voltdge

.. > Normal ohms

fault path is determined

Supply line 0.0031X1.042=

resistances of the various elements.

the totalterminedebysadding by adding the

Ohms

on

_
X

3X2832 = 1.042 230X 1,000

3E2 r . . d-c winding = s~___ VA

Rectifier transformer
D-c motor=

0.00324

(3,707/230 X 1,000) 1.042= Interphase = Anode cabletransformer =

I)-c cable=
Total

0.003 0.0034 0.0170

0.0168 0.0016

X/1042-0060/1042 00575

RD=

0.0450

The tube arc-drop is not included as the

D-C SHORT CIRCUIT The total impedance of the circuit is determined as follows:

Anode Cables R -0.003/1.042=0.00288

B

Z,=0.0597 (on 230-kva base)

3,707+346 R 2P VA230 X 1,000 X= VZ\2 R2 =0.0570 ==Xp+/2Xs
6430 A

Rectifier Transformer

Rectifier Tubes
R = 0.0015/1.042 = 0.00144
I

1.20

Using other values as given in Figure

Total

Total Xc= 0.0250+0.0575=0.0825 Total R =0 0031 +0.0176+0.00288+ 0.00144 = 0.0250

Zc = 0.0860

2400!A
2

C
D

'Vb

VN

4970 A

070A,

747O.,8026OA||\|

A / k<'C

IXi

Ratio R/X=0.0250/0.0825=0.304 Kp =1. 41 (Figure 4)

Sustained Direct Current ~~~ 230,000 ~~~~~VA Ids=0.9XE=.9X 283X0. 0860 =48,500 ampere (average value) (3)

Transient Direct Current

7r l idSl-4lX-XIdS=12,500 amperes

25,OA
(4)
F

value) ~~~~~~~~~~~~(crest

* 32 -

R-Bc WITHACFEDOL ARC-BACK A-C FEED ONLY

Figure 14. (Test 32) Fault current during arc back in double-)' circuit with no external d-ed -nd 0-w30vl etfe

"4A", "B'", "D', "E", and "F' 'currents in

"C"-current in Faulty dnode 'G'"-anode-to-cathode voltage in faulty tube
1949, VOLUME 68

normal anodes

The ohmic value of commutating impedance is calculated from the total per unit value as determined for the case of d-c short circuit.

Figure

"B"-gsrid-to-cathode voltage
current "E"-anode "F"-ignitor-to-cathode

16. (Tests 30 and 31) Arc-drop on pumped ignitron during current pulse 'A'"-6-cycle timing wave

Z,c= z_-1 042X0.0860=0.0895 ohm

VA -

"C"-grid current "D' '-node-to-cathode voltage (arc-drop)

voltage
249

Herskind, Schmidt, Rettig-Rectifier Fault Currents-Il

car-back was simulated by a switch. The total inductance in the fault path is determined from the reactances of the various elements.

4620A

5 __ 5
Fo

4100A
Henrys

Supply line 0.025 X 1.042/377=

Rectifier transformer
D-c motor= Total

69 1 X 10-6

D-c cables=

Interphase transformer=

0.0575X 1.042/377=
Li=

159.0
46.0

79.5

8 15.8
__

62?OA

IOOOA

/ 2 vz
t_~~~G

Test 32 (Figure 14) shows the fault current during arc-back in a double wye circuit with no external d-c load. This record shows the effect of the current contribution of the anodes of the normal wye. Test 45 (Figure 18) shows the fault current during arc-back with both a-c and d-c feed w t a feed when the arc-back occurs at the end of conduction. Calculated and test values are as follows:
Calculated,
Test,

369.4 X 10-6

G *43---.

Go

_t

-3

The total reactance and impedance are X3= wL3= 377 X 369.4 X 10-6=0.139 ohm
=XV2+R32=0.146 ohm

back with both a-c and d-c feed (arc-back approximately 120 degrees after end oF conduction) 6-anode 200-kw 300-volt rectifier

Figure 1 7. (Test 43) Fault current during arccycle....

Amperes Amperes
Reverse current in faulty anode, At end of lst half cycle ..... 10,660.... At end of 3rd half 12,000
....
....

B -a-c circuit breaker volts pole number 2 Thaprxmt The approximate value of thcurnt n ""aoe nubr2current anoe number 2 current (alty equation C-anode (faulty anode) the faulty anode is given by the equation l."dcici.,ekrot volts thefaultyanodeisgi eD-d-c circuit breaker -Rs Wt 3 current anode number 'Et' Ed' V \/2Es [Ed' E dr= l+ -1 X3 d-anodenumber3r idr "G"-cathode current R3 Z3 __

The ratio R3/X3=0.324.

"A"-anodenumber1

vau.ftecreti

,1--anou

ae number

end of 5th half cycle.... 12,200 12,900 currentAt Maximum d-c feed back.... 6,230 .... current
2

12,300

8,680

____________________

7,030

The effect of the time taken for saturaconsidered in the calculation. This results in too high a calculated value for the

tion of the interphase transformer was not

V/2E,

Substitut*ng
Ed' 280 R3 0.045
6

Z3

_-Cos _t] (II)

_

first half cycle.

Summary

V2E,
Za
a

N_2 X 283
0.146
0

=2,740 amperes
0

The approximate current in the faulty anode is obtained by adding half these values to the value derived from Case 1. This results in an ultimate peak value of 7,020+ 10,380/2 = 12,210 amperes. COMPARISON OF TEST AND CALCULATED

A comprehensive procedure for the

Co ut) =2 cos = cot 3r, 1 _ e =34c = 0.950, and (1- 0.995 and (1coS )-= 2
5w, = c,,t =2 1ot) =52~~ Cos wt)

cor, 1

Test 9 (Figure 12) shows the fault currents during d-c short circuit with a bolted short. Calculated and test values are as
follows:

further analyses are still required to cover all the conditions which may he encountered in practice and provide a ready
means

analysis of fault currents in power rectifiers has been developed and some of the more usual cases have been analyzed for the 6-phase double-Y circuit. However,

for

determining fault currents.

I.

The approximate currents in the faulty anode at the end of the first, third, and fifth half cycles are 7,680, 8,790, and 8,960 amperes, respectively.

Average sustained current. 8,500.

Calculated,

Test,
000 io 7,700

Crest transient current ........12,500....

Appendix

Symbols

ARC-BACK FEED

WITH

BOTH

A-C AND

D-C

If we assume that on the average, two phases are conducting and that the average a-c voltage in the circuit is one-half E., then Total Li =255.4 X 10- I henries Xi=1wL = 0.096 ohm
Z =0.101 ohm

RI/X, = 0.348 ohm

From equation 11
Ed 280 R1-- 0.0335 -=8,400 amperes

R= 0.0335 ohm

* The approximate currents in the d-c is,tid n soure a theendof tefrst hir an fifth half cycles are respectively 7,280, 9,960, and 10,340 amperes.

\/E8 VWX283 - 2X010 =o 1,980 amperes

source~~ atteedo'h ~

i =instantaneous current, also crest value of sinusoidal component of current i' =crest value of instantaneous current including transient component value of current ~~~~~~~~~~~~I=avrerage crrn First subscript: a-anode (phase) culrrent (Figure 12). d-d-c bus current Test 29 (Figure 13) shows the fault cur1, 2, 3-phase 1, 2, 3 rent during arc-back with a-c feed only Second subscript: with the rectifier operating on only three s-d-c short circuit tubes. Calculated and test values are as f-forward (normal) direction of flow r-reverse direction of flow follows: 1, 2, and so forth-start of intervals 1 and 2 e =instantaneous voltage Calculated, Test, Es= open-circuit, secondary voltage of Amperes rectifier transformer in rms crest reverse current . Amperes ......7,020 ..7,440 ..Ed' =counter electromotive-force volts compoC:rest forward current . 040.6,370 .....6, neat of d-c load voltage ...... Asicwauedtshrtefuly L, Rc, Zc= VC 2 ~line-to-neutral commutating inductance, resistance A switch was used to short the faulty tube in making the arc-back test. Norand impedance of rectifier Ld, Rd= inductance and resistance of d-c alacdo a sue nmkn h malarcdropwasassued n maingthe circuit elements external to rectifier calculations, giving a calculated value Lp, Rp= inductance and resistance on priwhich is too low. mary side of rectifier

Test 5 (Figure 11) shows the fault current during d-c short circuit with inductance in the short. The average sustained ' current is 7,480 amperes and is only slightly below that obtained on test 9

=arag vaueor

250

Herskindl, Schmidlt, Rettig-Rectizfier Fault Currents-II

AIEE TRANSACTIONS

RsLs,

secondary side of rectifier transformer

= inductance

and resistance on

4430A
B

Figure 18. (Test 45) Fault current during arc-

back with both a-c and d-c feed (arc-back at

Note

_A
Y
8680A

Li, R,, ZiLl=Ld+/2Lc, RI=Rd+'/2Rc,

C L2, R2L2=Ld+-5/3Lc, R2=Rd+/3Rr L3, R3, Z3L3aLd+Lc, R3=Rd+Rc,

J
2

end of conduction) 6-anode 200-kw 300-volt

"A"-anode number 1 current B" -a-c circuit breaker voltage pole number
703 A

rectifer

Z1 =R

2L

Z3 = V\R32+ ,,2L32 tl, t2, and so forth=time at beginning of intervals 1 and 2 Phase 2 voltage zero is the time reference for defining circuit action during arc-back with a-c and d-c feed. f3=switching angle (angle after voltage zero at which fault occurs).
9 = tani- IR

1230C

41290A

2 ' C -anode number 2 current (faulty anode) "D"'-d-c circuit breaker volts "E"-anode number 3 current

Go

/G'-cathode current

"F-d-c voltage

' f

i2 I[sin(,wt -o) -,Le L

Re

2 sin
-t2)

(tI-0 )j-

V2E,
Zc

id+(X22+-id2)E L(t

Appendix 11. Currents during Arc-back with A-C and D-C Feed
Interval I1- tl to t2 Interval 1 - t1 to t2
-v/3
sin

t2) Ea' 1-E- f-2(tL2 'Id

R2

+id

R--(t-t2)11

R(17)

Rc Ll=Ld+-Lc RL,Rd+2 ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~2

Z= R12+w2L12
dl

'Interval 3- t3 to t4
~-\/
LC
Cos

CotX

[cos(t-O)-e =-21-I3
RI(t L
l

____i V3 e ( Lc

(1-tI)

t8

=tan-'1L

in(ctl

)X TO)]i+(i li-)

cos(t3-O) ]+dd+(ilI-

idId3)e

Re

R2=RER L2=Ld-L 3
~~~3

C
(18)

Rr(1- 1) (13) ELe

id -. '[

RI(t-tl e-E--(tj i+

1-d= R

Eii

2Z\ L2E

X/2E1[Si~~ (wt~-

dls Ll1
L1(t4) (14)

-Rl,RI,2Z [sin (wt-Odl)-e 1( X

r
[

-\1Esx 2Zd
RI

V2ES

R3=Rd+RC L3+Ld=LC R32+W2L32 0d3=tan Z3+

13

R3

References
(19) H. L. Kellogg. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (AIEE TRANSACTIONS), volume 64, April 1945, pages

1. RECTIFIER FAULT CURRENTS, C. C. Herskind,

145-50.
PRINCIPLES
OF

/iflK 7r---O"1l-l-*E sinlwtl0drdd + ld

Interval*2-t2 to t3
Lsn il=I[sinI,=ct_okogt3-trJ

RIi)sin (wt3

sin

1rd Od3) +]dI6l

t3)

Interval 4 t4 to tl

Prince, F. B. Vodges. THEIR CIRCUITS (book), D. C. ARC-RECTIFIERS

2.
MERCURY
AND

Eid'g[l-e DJ( 4)]+ i2E5

McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, N. Y., 1927.

_7r .

Re-(t e
c

t2)

1-c3

3. MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER (book), Othmar K.

Z3

X xR

sin cot+
(15)

27r
3

\s((tt-)t4) Od3
R3

Company, New York, N. Y., 1930.

Marti, Harold Winograd.

McGraw-Hill Book

sin

c(t2-'-O)

11-tdl JE Le 3 J

sn3d3I+I4EL35. Wt4+3-Od3lE+id4C 3 --c(1-12) Rsin

I 1

+ id+

AND PER4. }eFORMANCE CRITERIA, E. W. Boehne, W. A. Atwood. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (AIEE TRANSACTIONS), volume 64, June 1945, pages 337-45.
5.
RECTIFIERS,

ANODE-CIRCUIT-BREAKER DESIGN

/1

(20)

ments of ASEA 1946, pages 58-64.

CALCULATION oF THE BACKFIRING PEENOMENON H. Forssell. Technical AchieveResearch, Vasteras (Sweden),

Discussion
A. J. Maslin: (Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Sharon, Pa.): The treatment of short circuits and arc-backs presented in

treatment of

the paper by Herskind, Schmidt, and Rettig is an interesting addition to the published information on these subjects. In particular, the approximate solution for arcback with a-c and d-c feed is most welcome, for it permits an estimate of the fault currents for this most important case, without laborious point-by-point computation of the current values in individual branches of the circuit. Everyone concerned with the design, application, or use of rectifier equipment will wholeheartedly endorse the authors' statement: "A complete

the fault currents obtained in the widely used 6-phase double-Y circuit is particularly desired." Generally, short circuits are relatively rare in comparison with arc-backs, and result in lower maximum fault currents in individual rectifying devices and transformer windings. As explained in the paper, all actual installation will have the a-c circuit impedance divided between th.e a-c winding and the d-c winding circuits. Because of the characteristics of rectifier transformers, the ratio Xp/XS will usually be of the order of ten or more, hence the assumption that all impedance is located in the a-c winding circuit is usually completely justified. Short-circuit currents determined on this basis will be in error by being slightly too small.

Other factors, mentioned but briefly in the paper, are the inductance and resistance which are always present in the d-c circuit. Both of these operate to reduce the shortcircuit current, usually to an extent more than sufficient to offset the error introduced by assuming all a-c circuit impedance located on the a-c winding side of the transformer. In the extreme case where the d-c circuit inductance is sufficient to completely smooth the direct current, the anode currents, instead of being sinusoidal with a

crest value given by equation 1 of the paper, are approximately trapezoidal with a crest value only 87 per cent as great. For most double-way circuits the location of the a-c circuit impedance is of no consequence. The short-circuit current is the same whether the impedance is a}l on the

1949, VOLUME 68

Ilerskind, Schmidt, Rettig-Rectifier Fault Currents-II

251

J i5 T2---s

The arc-back is initiated at the inhave the same potential in Figure 1 of this discussion) afid (c,wt=0 to1\s the third anode begins to carry current at the instant its potential becomes positive (wt =90 degrees in Figure 1 of this discus_ 30 i _ sion). The data cited are for the assumption that the arc is equivalent to a resistance in Forssell's Figure 2). An explanat \(ac=0 tion of the basis of the values in Figure 6 of 2.0 _. ./ .the paper would be appreciated. A L > W use of a direct voltage in series with The 1.5 - 4 s/ inductance and resistance to simulate the \ / X \ actin oftheload he wyeof of the load, and. of of the.second wye of e _ t _ L-S I.o action is a very useful the 6-phase double-Y circuit,
stant two anodes

3 3

ITY3.0

cate that the first crest of arc-back current is about 90 per cent of that calculated on the basis of both a-c and d-c feed; while the second and subsequent crests are about 15 per cent greater than calculated on the

basis of

a-c feed only, this increase being due to the contribution of the other wye.

./

2/0

RECTIFIER York, CIRCUIT, A. J. Maslin. Electronics (New N. .), volume 9, December 1936, page 28. Y
1. THE THREE-PHASE FULL WAVE

REFERENCES

2. CALCULATION
page 58.

an

scon

Achievements
145-50.

ENON IN

OF THE BACKFIRING PHENOMRECTIFIERS, Harry Forssell. Technical of ASEA Research, March 1946,

-g
1.0
-

-i
\
-

I I

, X
I!

- )\
-

X ,r / )

I
t

It was suggested but not developed in 0lT a previous paper.3 A discussion,4 howo ever, presented a detailed comparison of ixc - XrEs test values of arc-back current in a double-Y circuit with calculated values for a single \ _ with both a-c and d-c t feed. The equattt twye
720

artifiCe.

H. L. Kellogg. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (AIEE TRANSACTIONS), volume 64, April 1945, pages 4. Discussion, R. D. Evans, A. J. Maslin, Loc. Cit., pages 441-42.
5.

3.

RECTIFIER FAULT CURRENTS, C. C.

Herskind,

IS 8O

360

- -

540

Figure 1. Arc-back, a-c feed only

a-c winding side, all on the d-c winding side, or divided between them.' In spite of the great progress made in reducing the frequency of occurrence of arcbacks, they remain the most common rectifier fault. They are also the most severe, and are best isolated by high-speed anode-

circuit switchgear. Because of this, experimental and analytical determinations of arc-back currents continue to receive a great deal of attention. One of the simpler analytical treatments covers arc-back in a wye with a-c feed only, as presented in the paper. The values of paper, K, and Kf given in Figure 6 of the . ,r1 1. however, appear to be rather high.r Figure
of of this discussion was wa calculated fro thi dicsso caclae from equations which assume the arc to be equivalent to a resistance, and permit consideration of time of occurrence of the fault and amount of phase control. It applies to an arc-back occurring at no load, at the time wt=0, for a controlled rectifier operating

they yield highly satisfactory results, are very laborious to make. The approximate solution demonstrated in the paper is therefore most welcome. Whenever arc-back currents are calculated by these methods, the influence of switchgear must be given careful consideration. With high-speed switchgear, either cathode or anode, the crest calculated current will not be realized because the opening switch will intioduce an important voltage drop into the d-c feed circuit, or the anode circuit itself, early enough to effect some degree of current limitation. A number of arc-back tests5 on 600-volt 6-phase double-Y rectifiers, feeding regenerative loads through high-speed cathode circuit breakers, indi'

account of the load being carried, the time of occurrence of arc-back, and the amount of phase control. These calculations, while

tions used in this comparison permit taking tions-used-inJthis permit

FICIAL

volume 64, June 1945, pages 303-11.

ARC-BACK TESTS, R. D. Evans, A. J. Maslin. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (AIEE TRANSACTIONS),

ARC-BACKS

IN

RECTIFIER

CIRCUITS-ARTI-

C. C. Herskind, A. Schmidt, Jr., and C. C. Rettig In his discussion, Maslin has compared values of Kr and KM in Figure 6 of values paper the calculated by paper wilth values calclae by himself and also by Forssell in another paper. The differences noted by Maslin may be explained as follows:

himself

Table I
Kr Figure Figure Kf
Figure
Figure 1 of

rectifier.

with zero retard. The values of K, and Kf from Figure 6 of the paper and Figure 1 of this discussion, as well as values of K, taken from Figure 2 of a paper by H. Forssell,2 are compared in Table I. It should be noted that Forssell's Figure 2 applies to arc-back in a wye with a-c feed only, at no load, and for an uncontrolled

2 of Figure 1 of 6 of Dis- ForsR/X Paper cussion sell

6 of DisPaper cussion

0.1

...2.40.. .2.30 ... 2.35 ... 1.98 .... 1.86

0.333 .152
0.6

0.4 0.5

...

.2.00. 2.00... 1.70

43

3. Forssell uses a base of N12E,/X in stead of V2Es/Z. When this change in base is made, Forssell's curve agrees closely with ours. There is a slight difference at R/X =0, in the plotted curves. The calculated value of K,at this pointis 2.366. 23 is by o The treatment of fault currents means complete. Among the cases that merit consideration are:
1. Contribution of normal wye in arc back of double-Yrectifier.

1. We have assumed a free rectifier, with conduction beginning as soon as the anode becomes positive. The per unit base for Kr and Kfis \/2Es/Z. 2. 2.cMashin has assumed phase control which prevents conduction from starting for 30 degrees after the anode becomes positive to the with respect transformer neutral. such phase control does not affect R~~~~~~~~~~~hile normal operation of the rectifier, it does serve to reduce the a-c feed are-back.

during

1.45.1.36... 1.25 ... 1.35 .1.23. 1.16

.1.30 ... 1.07
.

.7... 1. 148

18

1.12 ... 1..

2. Effect of impedance in d-c fault.

3.

Circuits other than double-Y.

252

H-erskind, Schmidt, Rettig-Rectifier Fault Currents-II

AIFE TRANSACTIONS