Calculation of Maximum Short Circuit Electromagnetic Forces in the IPB Using Time Stepping Finite Element Method

Calculation of maximum short circuit electromagnetic forces is one of the most important factors in the mechanical design and optimization of isolated phase buses which is required by the manufacturing companies. In this paper, these forces as well as associated eddy currents and magnetic fields are calculated using finite element method. A software program is developed to find the worst conditions at which a maximum short circuit electromagnetic force occurs. It is shown that the maximum force strongly depends on the initial phase current angle at the instance the short circuit occurs. Two common enclosure material i.e. aluminum and steel are also compared regarding short circuit forces.