
The per-unit system is a mathematical approach used in power engineering to simplify electrical calculations by expressing quantities as a proportion of chosen base values. It is particularly useful for analyzing and comparing electrical systems, equipment, and components. The per-unit system was originally developed to simplify manual analysis of power systems, and while computers have diminished the need for this system to some extent, it still offers advantages over standard SI values. The per-unit system provides units for power, voltage, current, impedance, and admittance, and it is especially valuable in transformer analysis, impedance diagram construction, and short-circuit current calculations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Simplify conversion between different transformers |
| Main Idea | Absorb large differences in absolute values into base relationships |
| Base Values | Power and voltage |
| Base Power | Rating of a single piece of apparatus such as a motor or generator |
| Base Voltage | Nominal rated voltage of the system |
| Other Base Quantities | Derived from base power and base voltage |
| Per-Unit Impedance | Represents impedance relative to a chosen base value |
| Per-Unit Voltage | Represents voltage relative to a chosen base value |
| Per-Unit Calculation | The ratio of actual value in any unit to the base or reference value in the same unit |
| Per-Unit Value | Dimensionless |
| Applications | Power engineering, three-phase electrical power, transformer analysis, impedance diagram construction, short circuit current calculations |
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What You'll Learn

Per-unit system definition
The per-unit system is a mathematical approach used in power engineering to simplify electrical calculations. It achieves this simplification by expressing quantities relative to a chosen base value. This normalisation allows for easy comparisons of quantities such as current, voltage, and impedance across different components or systems.
The per-unit system was developed to simplify manual analysis of power systems. It is particularly useful when dealing with large numbers of transformers, as calculations are simplified because quantities expressed as per-unit do not change when referred from one side of a transformer to the other.
The per-unit system provides units for power, voltage, current, impedance, and admittance. Typically, power and voltage are chosen as the base values, but any two units can be selected as long as they are independent of each other. All quantities are then specified as multiples of the selected base values.
The per-unit value of any quantity is defined as the ratio of the actual value in any unit to the base or reference value in the same unit. The base values are predetermined reference values that represent the normal operating conditions of a power system. By using these base values, engineers can perform calculations and comparisons more efficiently and accurately, regardless of the actual magnitudes and units of the quantities involved.
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Benefits of per-unit systems
The per-unit system is a mathematical approach used in power engineering to simplify electrical calculations. It provides several benefits for analyzing and comparing electrical systems, equipment, and components.
One key advantage of the per-unit system is its ability to normalize and simplify calculations by expressing quantities relative to chosen base values. This normalization process standardizes electrical quantities such as voltage, current, impedance, and power, making it easier to analyze power system components, assess fault conditions, and optimize equipment ratings. By removing the need to consider the actual magnitudes of these quantities, engineers can perform calculations and comparisons more efficiently and accurately.
The per-unit system is particularly useful in circuits with voltage variations and networks containing transformers. By choosing suitable base values, such as base power and base voltage, the per-unit system allows for direct comparisons of quantities across different components or systems. This simplifies the analysis of electrical circuits and eliminates the need to refer circuit quantities to specific sides of the transformer, making calculations more straightforward.
Additionally, the per-unit system provides a standardized framework for power engineers to work with. It helps in understanding how certain types of systems behave by representing elements with more uniform per-unit values. The use of base values ensures that calculations are consistent and unambiguous, making it easier to assess and optimize power systems.
Overall, the benefits of the per-unit system include simplified and standardized calculations, direct comparisons, improved analysis of electrical systems, and a comprehensive framework for power engineering applications.
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Calculating per-unit values
The per-unit system is a mathematical approach used in power engineering to simplify electrical calculations by expressing quantities relative to chosen base values. The base values are predetermined reference values that represent the normal operating conditions of a power system.
To calculate per-unit values, the first step is to determine the base power (Sbase) and base voltage (Vbase). The base power may be the rating of a single piece of apparatus, such as a motor or generator, or an arbitrarily selected power that makes power quantities in the system more convenient. The base voltage is typically chosen as the nominal rated voltage of the system.
Once the base power and base voltage are established, the base current and base impedance are determined by the natural laws of electrical circuits. For a three-phase electrical power system, the three-phase apparent power base (Sb(3Φ)) is used as the power base, and the line-to-line base voltage (Vb(L-L)) is used as the voltage base.
After determining the base values, the per-unit values can be calculated using the following formulas:
- The per-unit impedance (Zpu) is calculated as the ratio of the base voltage to the base current: Zpu = Vbase / Ibase.
- The per-unit voltage (Vpu) is calculated using the formula: Vpu = Vbase / Vbase.
- The per-unit current (Ipu) is calculated as the ratio of the base current to the base voltage: Ipu = Ibase / Vbase.
- The per-unit power (Ppu) is calculated using the formula: Ppu = Pbase / Pbase.
By using these formulas, any quantity can be converted into a per-unit quantity by dividing the actual value by the chosen base value of the same dimension. The per-unit value is dimensionless and simplifies comparisons across different components or systems.
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Per-unit systems in power engineering
Per-unit systems are a mathematical approach used in power engineering to simplify electrical calculations. They express quantities relative to a chosen base value, making it easier to analyse and compare electrical systems, equipment and components. This is especially useful when working with techniques that have different voltage levels or units of measurement.
The per-unit system was initially developed to simplify manual analysis of power systems. While power-system analysis is now largely computerised, results are often still expressed as per-unit values. The system is particularly useful for normalising and simplifying calculations involving transformers. By setting the base power (Sbase) of each end of a transformer to be the same, the base voltage and impedance for each transformer can be easily obtained.
The per-unit system provides units for power, voltage, current, impedance, and admittance. Typically, power and voltage are chosen as the base values, though any two units can be selected as long as they are independent of impedance and admittance. All other base quantities are derived from these two base quantities. Once the base power and voltage are chosen, the base current and impedance are determined by the natural laws of electrical circuits. Base power may be the rating of a single piece of apparatus, such as a motor or generator, or an arbitrarily selected power that makes power quantities in the system more convenient.
The per-unit value of any quantity is defined as the ratio of the actual value in any unit to the base or reference value in the same unit. Per-unit systems enable scalability, as the same base values can be used to analyse power systems of different scales. They also offer flexibility in choosing base values, allowing engineers to select values that best represent the normal operating conditions of the system.
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Per-unit impedance
The per-unit system simplifies electrical calculations by expressing quantities relative to chosen base values. This normalization process allows for direct comparisons of quantities such as current, voltage, and impedance across different components or systems. It also enhances scalability, as the same base values can be applied to power systems of varying scales.
In the context of per-unit impedance, it represents impedance (both resistance and reactance) relative to a chosen base value. This base impedance is determined by the natural laws of electrical circuits once the base power and base voltage are selected. Per-unit impedance is calculated using a specific formula, and it simplifies the analysis of electrical circuits by eliminating the need to consider the absolute magnitude of the impedance.
The per-unit system is particularly useful in power system analysis and design, as it allows engineers to work more efficiently. It is also beneficial for comparing electrical systems, equipment, and components. By normalizing quantities to a common base, the per-unit system improves the numerical stability of automatic calculation methods and simplifies manual calculations.
Additionally, the per-unit system aids in eliminating the need for an ideal transformer in a transformer model. This is achieved because the per-unit impedance remains consistent when referred to from either side of a transformer, as long as the voltage bases on both sides are selected in the ratio of transformation.
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Frequently asked questions
A per-unit system is a method of expressing quantities in an electrical system as a proportion of predefined base quantities.
A per-unit system simplifies the conversion between different transformers. It also makes calculations easier as all the values are taken in the same unit.
The base values in a per-unit system are typically power and voltage. The base power may be the rating of a single piece of apparatus, such as a motor or generator. The base voltage is chosen as the nominal rated voltage of the system.
The per-unit value of any quantity is defined as the ratio of the actual value in any unit to the base or reference value in the same unit. For example, if the base value of current is 100A, then a current of 50A has a per-unit value of 0.5 pu.
The per-unit system simplifies calculations and comparisons by expressing quantities relative to chosen base values. It also eliminates the need for unit conversions and provides a clear representation of magnitudes.









































