A Modified Bridge Switch-Type Flux-Coupling Nonsuperconducting Fault Current Limiter for Suppression of Fault Transients

Abstract

This paper proposes a modified bridge switch-type flux-coupling nonsuperconducting fault current limiter (BSFC-NSFCL) for suppressing the fault current and voltage sag. A flux-coupling reactor and a bidirectional bridge switch are combined to perform the functions of steady-state line current sharing and fault current suppression. The modified BSFC-NSFCL mainly utilizes the magnetic flux cancellation effect to make the limiter behave as a short circuit on the circuit during normal operation. Hence, there is almost no impact on the power system when the limiter is used. When a fault event occurs, the bridge switch turns off immediately, and then, the magnetic flux cancellation effect disappears. Thus, the impedance of primary coil inserts into the circuit to restrict the fault current and voltage sag phenomena. Once the fault is removed, the bridge switch turns on again, and the BSFC-NSFCL recovers to the normal operation. The modified NSFCL is more cost-effective and easy to be implemented than the flux-coupling superconducting fault current limiter. Theoretical analysis for the BSFC-NSFCL has been fully developed and proven by MATLAB software. Finally, the analytical, simulated, and experimental results have been carried out to verify the feasibility and performance of the proposed BSFC-NSFCL.