A Novel Structure for Bridge-Type Fault Current Limiter: Capacitor-Based Nonsuperconducting FCL

Abstract

Taking into account extension of power systems, their interconnections, and increment of load demand, power capacity of networks is increased and the impedance of sources is decreased. Such variations in power systems resulted to occurring high ratings of fault currents. Fault current limiter (FCL) can be practically utilized in order to interrupt fault currents to a specified amount without requirement to upgrading protection devices. In this paper, a novel simple structure for nonsuperconducting FCL (NSFCL), which is called capacitor-based FCL (CBFCL), is proposed for limiting the high ratings of fault currents in power networks. The proposed NSFCL circuit is based on transferring electrical energy to a capacitor during fault occurrence, which can be used after fault removal. Simulation of the proposed NSFCL structure is done and the results are provided and analyzed. Additionally, the operation of the circuit is experimentally studied, and the similarity between the simulation results and the experimental results is validated. The provided simulation and experimental results ensure the practicability and possibility of employment of the proposed CBFCL.