Electrical faults on medium voltage electric power distribution systems can damage transformers. This fact motivated an R&D project in Brazil to study Fault Current Limiters for a utility. In this context, innovative design with a bifilar winding was developed for the present work, aiming to reduce self-inductance and to improve cooling rate. Long length second-generation superconducting tapes were used to build the prototype, which was constructed on a fiber-glass base. The prototype module has been tested at low voltage levels. The nominal operation, fault current limitation and recovery time have been examined for prospective currents of 2700 A and reduction of about 90 % in the current level. Due to fast recovery time and good heat exchange, the proposed topology has potential to be applied in a full-scale prototype.
Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL) modules with distinct arrangements have been investigated, seeking design and performance enhancements. In this context, this work aims to propose a design for resistive SFCL (R-SFCL) modules, using RE-Ba-Cu-O high-temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) wound on an alternative support material. An R-SFCL bench prototype was designed for 400 A and 500 V. Two pieces of 2G tapes, arranged in a bifilar antiparallel configuration were wound on Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) tubes, which were made by means of a 3D printer. During the experiments, the SFCL was immersed in an open bath cryostat with liquid nitrogen and several measurements were carried out. The average limited current is about three times lower than the prospective one. To test the SFCL recovery time, the following procedure was adopted: The fault is induced during three cycles, and after, the current is reduced to zero. The SFCL is reconnected after some time considering that the fault was extinct, and the voltage level returned to normal operation. The results showed promising levels of limitation and recovery time for further developments.
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