Controllable resistive type fault current limiter (CR-FCL) with frequency and pulse duty-cycle

Abstract

In this paper a controllable resistive type fault current limiter (CR-FCL) is introduced. The CR-FCL inserts a pre-specified value of resistance based on a pre-defined function, by using a simple switching method, in series with the fault current path. When a fault occurs, a self turn off switch starts switching with a pre-specified frequency and duty cycle. By this switching pattern, the controlled value of resistance enters to the fault current path. So, the CR-FCL limits the fault current to the desired values. In addition, from transient stability point of view, by inserting the optimal resistance value, the CR-FCL is capable to enhance power system transient stability in a good manner. In fact, generation of the controllable resistance that depends on the duty cycle of the self turn off switch is the main idea of the CR-FCL. The variable duty cycle results the variable resistance and the fixed duty cycle results the fixed resistance. Analytical analyses of the proposed FCL are presented in details. Simulation results by power system computer-aided design/electromagnetic transients, including dc (PSCAD/EMTDC) software and corresponding experimental results are studied to validate the effectiveness of the CR-FCL. Considering error analyses, there is the good agreement between the simulation results and the experimental results.