What is BS EN 60909-0 ‒ Calculation of short-circuit currents about ?
BS EN 60909-0 is an international standard that focuses on short-circuit currents in three-phase AC systems.
BS EN 60909-0 specifies terms, symbols, subscripts, superscripts, characteristics of short-circuit currents, discusses calculating methods such as short-circuit impedances of electrical equipment, calculation of initial short-circuit current, calculation of peak short-circuit current, calculation of symmetrical breaking current, DC component of the short-circuit current, calculation of steady-state short-circuit current, etc.
BS EN 60909-0 is applicable to the calculation of short-circuit currents in low-voltage three-phase AC systems, and in high-voltage three-phase AC systems, operating at a nominal frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
BS EN 60909-0 deals with the calculation of short-circuit currents in the case of balanced or unbalanced short circuits.
Note 1: BS EN 60909-0 does not cover short-circuit currents deliberately created under controlled conditions (short-circuit testing stations).
Note 2: BS EN 60909-0 does not deal with the calculation of short-circuit currents in installations onboard ships and aeroplanes.
Note 3: A single line-to-earth fault is beyond the scope of BS EN 60909-0.
Who is BS EN 60909-0 ‒ Calculation of short-circuit currents for ?
BS EN 60909-0 on the calculation of short-circuit currents is useful for:
- Electrical power system engineers
- Designers of electrical power system
- Test/ service providers for electrical power system
Why should you use BS EN 60909-0 ‒ Calculation of short-circuit currents ?
The calculation of the short-circuit impedance is in general based on the rated data of the electrical equipment and the topological arrangement of the system and has the advantage of being possible both for existing systems and for systems at the planning stage.
BS EN 60909-0 discusses various methodologies for the calculation of short-circuit currents in the case of balanced or unbalanced short circuits, for the protection of a three-phase system. It considers two types of short-circuit currents, that differ in their magnitude.
The methodologies given in BS EN 60909-0, can guide you in calculating the maximum short-circuit current, which helps you determine the capacity or rating of electrical equipment. It also gives procedures to calculate the minimum short-circuit current which can be a basis for the selection of fuses, for the setting of protective devices, and for checking the run-up of motors.
What’s changed since the last update ?
BS EN 60909-0:2016 supersedes BS EN 60909-0:2001, which is withdrawn. BS EN 60909-0:2016 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- Contribution of wind-power station units to the short-circuit current
- Contribution of power station units with full-size converters to the short-circuit current
- New document structure

