Space-Time Simulation of Fault Current Limiters Involving Cores Exhibiting Hysteresis

Abstract

There is no doubt that power systems are becoming more complex due to the recently introduced sources, monitoring schemes and protection components. Although circuit breakers represent the main protection components, utilization of fault current limiters can enhance the protection level at a reduced cost. Recently, considerable efforts have been directed towards the development of conventional fault current limiters comprised of conventional conducting coils and laminated cores. In this paper, the possibility of using solid core fault current limiters is considered. In such cases, their design methodologies become more complicated since pronounced eddy currents and their effects on the limiters transient current limitation performance would have to be taken into consideration. Complication is further increased when accurate account of the core magnetic hysteresis properties is taken into consideration. The paper presents a space-time finite difference simulation approach for such fault current limiters involving solid conducting cores exhibiting hysteresis. The approach incorporates Preisach model as an accurate tool for taking the core magnetic hysteresis properties into account. Details of the approach and simulation results are given in the paper.