Computational tool to derive short-circuit network equivalents

A computational tool to aid in network reduction for short-circuit analysis is presented. The tool calculates an equivalent network and plots the transient current profile of the network in a timely and user friendly manner. The tool is able to calculate an equivalent network with a transformer and the user can easily convert between SI units and per unit quantities. The equivalent network parameters and plots are displayed in Microsoft Excel with many functions developed using Visual Basic programming language. The results produced were verified by conducting case studies in PSS®E and PSCAD®. The tool reduces the network to a simple equivalent circuit containing a series combination of a resistor and an inductor. The tool can be used to estimate the impact of increasing the resistance and/or the inductance when analyzing complex devices such as fault current limiters.