Application of a resistive mutual-inductance fault current limiter in VSC-based HVDC system

Abstract

The high DC fault current is a major challenge in voltage source converter (VSC)-based high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. Direct-current circuit breakers (DCCBs) are used in these systems to protect the transmission lines against the DC fault current. However, they require large capacity and fast breaking speed to handle the DC fault current in VSC-based HVDC systems. Fault current limiters (FCLs) can be provide a reliable option to alleviate these issues. In this paper, a resistive mutual-inductance fault current limiter (RMFCL) is proposed to restrict the DC fault current in HVDC systems. It is based on the conventional mutual-inductance FCL that its power circuit is modified to reduce the DCCB requirements. The power circuit, principle operating and parameter design of the proposed RMFCL are presented. Then, the effectiveness of the proposed RMFCL is validated in a 3-terminal HVDC system in PSCAD/EMTDC system. Finally, its performance is compared with the parallel-resistor FCL (PRFCL), series-resistor FCL (SRFCL) and mutual-inductance FCL (MFCL). Comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed RMFCL has superior performance in task of fault current amplitude, isolation time and energy absorption by the metal-oxide arrester (MOA) used in DCCB.