Design and Verification Test of a Flux-Coupling-Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

Abstract

Superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) are considered as one of the most promising technologies to limit fault current levels, as they can suppress fault currents without adding impedance to the circuit during normal operation. In this paper, a flux-coupling-type SFCL (FC-SFCL) based on disconnecting coupling windings for current reduction is considered as a potential scheme to limit fault currents due to its low steady impedance before a fault and higher current-limiting impedance after a fault. Three types of winding methods of the FC-SFCL are introduced and the main parameters are discussed, along with the voltage distribution of the coils. Based on these, the optimal winding structure is determined, a small-scale test prototype is designed and fabricated, and a series of experimental tests is conducted. From the demonstrated experimental results, the FC-SFCL prototype is able to effectively suppress the fault current’s steady value to a lower level, and it has good performance in terms of current reduction.