Permanent magnet fault current limiter for the power grid

Abstract

With several significant advantages such as compactness, reliability, zero reset time, safe operation and fail safe, the permanent magnet fault current limiter (PMFCL) is a preferable solution to mitigate the fault current in power grids these years. In this paper, the substation voltage level PMFCL device, aims to extend the capacity of the power grid, is presented. The dry type PMFCL that does not require DC excitation coils is designed and simulated by 3D FEM. The 3D FEM magneto static solver has been used as time saving approach to predict the device fault current limitation in case of a fault. The peak transient currents simulation results were in agreement with the RMS values obtained using the magneto static inductance-current profile. The effect of the PMFCL on the fault current mitigation has been compared with an air-cored of similar specifications and a useful reduction in the fault current has been achieved. .