Fault Current Limiting Devices

During normal operation a continuous current flows through the reactor.

Fault current limiting devices.

This fault current limiter was installed in uk power network s 33 11 kv substation in newhaven east sussex england in 2013. A fault current limiter fcl also known as fault current controller fcc is a device which limits the prospective fault current when a fault occurs e g. Current limiting reactors are now widely used to control fault currents in both utility and industrial power systems. The growing energy demand and the need for stable power supply are some of the major challenges faced by consumers power producers and network operators.

Use a current limiting overcurrent protective device ahead of the old switchboard. The i s limiter can be used in various applications providing a very high and fast fault current breaking capability at high operating currents. This is another way of saying use a series rated system. Current limiting reactors are connected in series with the power system essentially to damp the short circuit fault current.

Fault current limiting abb s fault current limiters are the efficient solution for short circuit current challenges in newly installed and existing electrical networks. The term includes superconducting solid state and inductive devices. Fault current limiters fcls are special power system devices used to mitigate and lower high short circuit currents to much more manageable levels for existing protection equipment like circuit breakers cbs. This can be determined through testing known as series rating but is not permitted for consideration within ul 508a.

It is unknown how the downstream overcurrent protective device will perform in conditions where the fault current exceeds its interrupting rating even in conditions where a current limiting feeder is applied. The most common applications are the connection of two independent systems bypassing or replacing of a current limiting reactor and connecting additional power sources ie generator or grid connection. The primary advantages of a current limiting reactor are. Do not assume the fault level downstream of current limiting devices is 6ka it isn t.

In a power transmission network without complete disconnection.