Harmonic analysis of fault current limiters

Abstract

With increasing population and power consumption, new power generation units should connect to the network, that they'll lead to increase level of network short circuit. Considering the increasing level of short circuit, new circuit breakers should be replaced by higher capacity. But this solution imposes exorbitant costs to the power system operator and practically it is not economical. Another way to deal with increasing level of network short circuit is limiting the fault current. Fault Current Limiter (FCL) is a very effective option for solving this problem, but before installing it in the power system its harmonic effects should be investigated and if necessary, the solutions to reduce harmonic should be studied. This paper studies the harmonic effects of a new generation of solid-state fault current limiters that can also interrupt the fault current. Then the proposed structure is being compared in terms of harmonic effects with the Superconducting Fault Current Limiter structure (SFCL). It is shown based on IEEE519 standard, that Fault Current Limiting and Interrupting Device (FCLID) structure has less harmonic effects than SFCL structure and doesn't require filtering.