Modified Solid-State Fault Current Limiter based on AC/DC Reactor

Abstract

This study presents a modified solid-state fault current limiter (SSFCL) based on AC/DC reactor, which limits both transient and steady-state fault currents under fault condition. It includes two diodes and one Insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switch. The number of semiconductor switches in the proposed AC/DC reactor SSFCL is a quarter and half of the semiconductor switches employed in the fully-controlled and conventional AC/DC reactor BFCL, respectively. It offers lower cost, simple structure and more reliability comparing with the conventional models. Also, the inductance and current rating of AC/DC reactor used in the proposed AC/DC reactor SSFCL is equal to the fully-controlled and conventional AC/DC reactor BFCL. The power circuit and principle operation of the modified AC/DC reactor SSFCL are presented. Then, the analysis of normal and fault operating conditions of the proposed AC/DC reactor SSFCL are provided. Finally, the performance of the proposed AC/DC SSFCL is verified by both PSCAD/EMTDC simulation and experimental results.