Fault Current Limiting and Breaking Characteristics of SFCLB Using Flux Coupling with Tap Changer

Sung-Hun Lim,Jin-O Kim,Youngjin Jeong

doi:10.3390/en13195138

Abstract

In this paper, a superconducting fault current limiting breaker (SFCLB) using flux coupling with a tap changer is suggested and its effective fault current limiting and breaking characteristics due to the winding method using its tap changer are analyzed. The suggested SFCLB using flux coupling, which consists of the SFCLB using flux coupling with a tap changer, mechanical switch and driving coil, can perform the circuit-breaking function without external driving power after the fault current limiting operation. To examine the suggested SFCLB’s operation, the small scale SFCLB using flux coupling was fabricated and alternative current (AC) short-circuit experiments due to the winding method using the tap changer of the SFCLB were executed. From the experimental results, a lower fault current limiting rate and faster breaking time in the case of a SFCLB with a series connection could be obtained compared to one with a parallel connection.

Highlights

In overcoming the technical limitation of previous protective devices, such as the circuit breaker, series reactor and power fuse, superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) have received attention as promising devices [1–4]
A flux-lock type SFCL using a mechanical switch, which utilizes the features of the trigger type and flux-coupling type SFCLs, has been reported upon and its advantageous characteristics described compared to other types of SFCL
An superconducting fault current limiting breaker (SFCLB) using flux coupling, which performs both fault current limiting and breaking operations without an additional driving power source, was suggested and analyzed in its effective operation through short-circuit tests on a small-scale designed SFCLB owing to the winding method using a tap changer

Summary

Introduction

In overcoming the technical limitation of previous protective devices, such as the circuit breaker, series reactor and power fuse, superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) have received attention as promising devices [1–4]. Among the developed SFCLs, the trigger or hybrid type SFCL has been reported to be more effective in highly reducing the volume or amount of the superconducting (HTSC) elements comprising the SFCL, which has given the SFCL a lower cost by using a mechanical switch (MS) [10–17]. A flux-lock type SFCL using a mechanical switch, which utilizes the features of the trigger type and flux-coupling type SFCLs, has been reported upon and its advantageous characteristics described compared to other types of SFCL. The interrupting operation of the SFCL is expected to be more necessary for the reliable operation of the meshed or looped power system with multiple bus lines and the protection of linked power systems from the short circuit [28–30]

Methods

Results

Conclusion