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Types: Fault Current Superconducting Devices

A Fault Current Limiter is a device that limits the fault current in a power transmission network when a fault occurs. There are two main types - resistive Fault Current Limiters, where the superconductor heats up and becomes resistive during a fault, and inductive Fault Current Limiters, where the inductance increases during a fault. Fault Current Limiters using superconductors are still under active development worldwide, with applications expected first in medium-voltage distribution systems and electric ships.

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Yellaturi Siva Kishore Reddy
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59 views

Types: Fault Current Superconducting Devices

A Fault Current Limiter is a device that limits the fault current in a power transmission network when a fault occurs. There are two main types - resistive Fault Current Limiters, where the superconductor heats up and becomes resistive during a fault, and inductive Fault Current Limiters, where the inductance increases during a fault. Fault Current Limiters using superconductors are still under active development worldwide, with applications expected first in medium-voltage distribution systems and electric ships.

Uploaded by

Yellaturi Siva Kishore Reddy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Fault Current Limiter (FCL) is a device which limits the prospective fault current when a fault

occurs (e.g. in a power transmission network). The term includes superconducting devices and non-
superconducting devices, however some of the more simple non-superconducting devices (such as
simple inductors or variable resistors) are typically termed
[neutrality is disputed]
Fault Current Controllers
(For example, the ground fault circuit interrupter is commonly used in residential installations).
Contents
[hide]
1 Types
2 Development
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
Types[edit]
Superconducting Fault Current Limiters are described as being in one of two major
categories: resistive or inductive.
In a resistive FCL, the current passes through the superconductor and when a high fault current
begins, the superconductor quenches: it becomes a normal conductor and the resistance rises
sharply and quickly. This extra resistance in the system reduces the fault current from what it would
otherwise be (the prospective fault current). A resistive FCL can be either DC orAC. If it is AC, then
there will be a steady power dissipation from AC losses (superconducting hysteresis losses) which
must be removed by the cryogenic system. An AC FCL is usually made from wire wound non-
inductively; otherwise the inductance of the device would create an extra constant power loss on the
system.
Inductive FCLs come in many designs; the simplest is a transformer with a closed superconducting
ring as the secondary. In un-faulted operation, there is no resistance in the secondary and so the
inductance of the device is low. A fault current quenches the superconductor, the secondary
becomes resistive and the inductance of the whole device rises. The advantage of this design is that
there is no heat ingress through current leads into the superconductor, and so the cryogenic power
load may be lower. However, the large amount of iron required means that inductive FCLs are much
bigger and heavier than resistive FCLs.
The quench process in the superconductor is different in detail between superconductors. Some
superconductors quench directly in response to a high current density. High temperature
superconductors quench in FCLs because a small amount of non-superconducting current heats the
material and raises it above the critical transition temperature.
GridON Ltd has developed the first commercial inductive FCL for distribution & transmission
networks. Using a unique and proprietary concept of magnetic-flux alteration - requiring no
superconducting or cryogenic components - the self-triggered FCL instantaneously increases its
impedance tenfold upon fault condition. It limits the fault current for its entire duration and recovers
to its normal condition immediately thereafter. This inductive FCL is scalable to extra high
voltage ratings.
[1]

Development[edit]

This section reads like a news release, or is otherwise written in an overly
promotional tone. Please help by either rewriting this article from a neutral
point of view or by moving this article to Wikinews. When appropriate, blatant
advertising may be marked for speedy deletion with {{db-spam}}. (March 2013)
FCLs are under active development. In 2007, there were at least six national and international
projects using magnesium diboride wire or YBCO tape, and two using BSCCO-2212 rods. Countries
active in FCL development are Germany, the UK, the USA, Korea and China. In 2007, the US
Department of Energy spent $29m on three FCL development projects.
Low temperature superconductors cannot be used for commercial FCLs as the AC losses at liquid
helium temperatures mean that the cryogenic cooling cost makes the whole device uneconomic.
First applications for FCLs are likely to be used to help control medium-voltage electricity
distribution systems, followed by electric-drive ships: naval vessels, submarines and cruise ships.
Larger FCLs may eventually be deployed in high-voltagetransmission systems.
See also[edit]
Superconductivity
Magnesium diboride
YBCO
References[edit]
1. Jump up^ "First Commercial Fault Current Limiter for Distribution & Transmission Networks".
GridON.com.

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