A Self-Activated Fault Current Limiter for Distribution Network Protection

Journal article (2022)

Authors

Amir Heidary Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch
Kumars Rouzbehi University of Seville
Ali Mehrizi-Sani Virginia Tech
Vijay K. Sood University of Ontario Institute of Technology
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Published Date

2022

Language

English

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Abstract

Rapid protection of modern electric networks using fault current limiters (FCLs) is often delayed and limited by the inherent controller, sensor, and power electronic unit delays. This article proposes a novel self-activated FCL (SAFCL), comprising a dc saturation winding, series ac limiter windings, and ac parallel reactor, which limits the fault current in less than 0.4 ms. Furthermore, the advantage of this SAFCL, when compared to a traditional saturated core FCL (SCFCL), is that it does not rely on any external controller, sensor, controllable solid-state switch, and battery. In the normal state, the SAFCL behaves like a saturated reactor with a very low impedance and in the fault state, cores are entered to the unsaturation region without relying on an external controller which imposes a high impedance to limit the fault, rapidly. The performance of the SAFCL is evaluated through off-line MATLAB and Maxwell ANSYS FEM simulations, and is also validated by experimental studies conducted on a scaled-down prototype.