International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 14, Number 2, 2019 (Special Issue)
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
Superconducting Fault Current Limiter-A Review
Shilpi Yadav1, Kamlesh Bharati2, Vijay Tewari3
Rajkiya Engineering College Kannauj UP India
Abstract
The electricity demand is increasing at a very high
rate. Introduction of Distributed Energy Sources
(DES) is the highest change happening to the
distribution network. This paper describes different
types of current limiting methods which reduce the
magnitude of the fault current. The interconnected
distributed energy sources to the conventional grid
improves the power generation capacity of the power
system but also increases the magnitude of fault
current which cannot tolerate by the short-circuit
ratings of the circuit breaker, relays, isolator etc.
Many conventional methods for the protection
against excessive fault current installed in power
systems, mainly at the power stations are the
sequential circuit breaker tripping, current limiting
reactor, high impedance transformer and bus
splitting. The problem with these methods are overall
time increase for fault clearance, unwanted power
loss, expensive. This paper reviews on the innovative
electric equipment i.e. Superconducting Fault Current
Limiter (SFCL), which reduces fault current
magnitude in first cycle of fault current.
Keyword: Distributed Energy Sources, Fault
current, Superconducting Fault Current Limiter
(SFCL), Protection Equipment.
Introduction
The requirement of the electricity in the world is
increasing at a high rate including India and demand
of power is greater than the supply of power due to
bigger houses, population growth, air conditioners,
bigger TVs and more computers. Up to now, many
techniques such as, higher impedance transformer,
split bus bars and fuses have been used in many
industries to suppress magnitude of the fault currents.
However these devices can degrade the reliability of
the power system and increases power loss. SFCL is
one of the most emerging solutions to resolve the
problem of increasing fault current[1],[2]. By the
different routes from generating plant to the
conventional grid, DC and AC microgrid, the excess
fault current in one microgrid could produce adverse
effect in the neighboring Microgrid and due to the
domino effect it leads to a blackout in the whole
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system. Thus to suppress the fault current magnitude
in smart grid having DC and AC microgrid, SFCL
could be utilize which has not only a faster response
time to reduce the magnitude of fault current by its
quenching properties of a superconductor compared
to conventional protection techniques but also
increases the transient stability of power systems [3].
In resistive type SFCL, no adverse effects when the
grid will working normally, but in the case of fault,
the alteration from the state of superconducting into
normal conducting state provide optimal resistance to
power networks immediate, which reduces the
current more effective and fast [4], [5]. Research and
development of SFCL are being conduct by several
electrical manufacturers, and utility for electric
transmission lines. Future installing of SFCL in the
transmission network will require the evaluation of
their impact on the coordination between generator
capability curves and generator distance phase
backup protection [6].
Conventional Techniques for Protection Against
Fault Current
Increase in distributed power generation sources
causes rise in degree of fault current. This raised in
fault current has untimely effect on equipment of
power system. Therefore it is essential to minimize
this increased fault current. Power system manager
can use different methods to provide protection
against increased fault current[7]. Table 1 list out
some of these techniques and their advantages and
disadvantages. From the Table 1given below it is
concluded that conventional fault current limiter
methods are not technical and economically efficient.
Table 1 Technique to Limit Fault Current[8-10]
S. Techniques Advantages and
No Disadvantage
Air-cooled transformers or
reactors with large
reactance can be utilized to
raise impedance.
Increase System Disadvantages:
1. Impedance undesirable power loss,
extra capital outlay and
power quality problems.
International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 14, Number 2, 2019 (Special Issue)
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

It requires first opening of

the upstream circuit breaker
and after that downstream.
Sequential Circuit Circuit breaker will be
2. Breaker tripping open. Disadvantages: This
method increases final time
required for fault removal.

High magnitude of voltage

applied to the system to
reduce current level.
Increase system Disadvantages: not
3. Voltage feasible method because
high voltage equipment
devices has higher cost.

When a fault occurs,

normally more than one
Upgrade Multiple
breaker will be contrived.
Circuit Breaker Thus Upgradation
4. breakers are required.
Disadvantage: Expensive
method and also not
feasible
Superconducting Fault Current Limiter
The SFCL is a device which has the potential to limit
fault current magnitude within the first cycle of fault
current whereas circuit breaker requires two to three
cycles of fault current. The application of SFCL in
the power system would not only reduce the stress on
the system devices, but also improves the security
and reliability of the power system[11]. There are
different types of SFCL, which are of different design
and of different superconducting material. Fig.1
shows the current with and without SFCL in different
operating conditions[12].
The SFCL first made in 1983, employing low
temperature material. The material was NbTi having
eminent current carrying capacity but Low
Temperature Superconductor (LTS) has one
drawback cooling cost were very high. To overcome
this drawback High Temperature Superconductors
(HTS) are developed. HTS fault current limiter is
more satisfactory than LTS fault current limiter
because,
(i) More effective thermal stability
(ii) Less Refrigeration cost
(iii) High ordinary specific resistance
Fig.1 Current during Normal and Faulty
Condition with and without SFCL
of
To improve the capacity of current HTS have been
developed to meet the requirements of power system.
Superconductor in parallel with substrate used to
limits the resistance of SFCL in normal state.
Therefore SFCL are fabricating using Bi-2223, Bi-
2212 film, YBCO, Zr02(Y), SrTi03 and MgO are
normally used substrate materials. There specific
resistance is approximately 100times more than the
normal superconducting material. Fig.2 shows the
SFCL with impedance ZSH in parallel to reduce the
problem of hot spot during transition from
superconducting state to normal state[13].
Fig.2 SFCL with Cooling System
SFCL Applications in Power System
In a power system an SFCL can be placed at different
location such as:
(i) Feeder Point
(ii) Bus-Tie Location
(iii) Busbar Coupling
(i). SFCL at feeder point
The Resistive type SFCL can be either used in
the outgoing feeders or incoming feeders as
transformer feeder, rely on the safety task as
shown in Fig.3. This application provides
protection for all components downstream at the
point of installation. The device rating changes
according to the chosen location [14].

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International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 14, Number 2, 2019 (Special Issue)
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

(iii) Hybrid Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

(i). Resistive Superconducting Fault Current
Fig.3 SFCL in feeder point
(ii). SFCL in Bus-Tie Location
Locating SFCL in a bus-tie location provide
significant advantages in shunting bus sections
by considering loss of one or more transformers
in the substation this is shown in Fig.4. It also
provides paralleling of bus sections in formerly
split substations, more flexible arrangements,
allowing interconnectivity and improved power
quality. Depending on the fault reduction
required and bus-bar topology one or more
SFCLs can be installed with minimum changes
to existing protective devices[15].
(HSFCL)
Limiter (RSFCL)
The simplest type of SFCL is the RSFCL as
shown in Fig.6 in which cryogenic shield is used
for cooling purpose. It is simple because the
superconductors are series connected with the
phase conductors electrically. Resistive SFCL
works on the concept that a current is passing in
the conductor, when this passing current is more
than the rated critical current, IC of
superconductor, quenching initiates and this
results in a switching to a resistive state. In
normal condition no electrical losses due to SFCL
because it offers negligible zero resistance [17-
19].

Fig. 4 SFCL in Bus-Tie Location Fig.6 RSFCL Circuit Diagram

(iii). Bus bar Coupling

(ii). Inductive Superconducting Fault Current
The Resistive type SFCL is mainly preferable for
busbar coupling this is shown in Fig.5. In fault
condition, this limiter secures that the short-
circuit offering from the non faulty bus is
highly reduced. The non faulted side can
support almost stable operation and voltage[16].
Limiter (ISFCL)
An inductive saturated iron-core SFCL is shown
in Fig.7, It comprise of two iron cores, which are
operated by a DC bias supply. Two iron cores are
used that can limit the fault current in both
directions. The inductive type SFCL has some
unique merits like, large design flexibility because
of the turn ratio, insulation between a power
transmission line, current-limiting devices and
low heat losses[20].

Fig. 5 SFCL in Busbar coupling

Types of SFCL

The SFCL is innovative electric equipment used to

reduce the magnitude of fault current within the first
half cycle of the fault Current. Depending on the
Application the SFCL are classified as:-

(i) Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

(RSFCL)
(ii) Inductive Superconducting Fault Current Limiter
(ISFCL)

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International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 14, Number 2, 2019 (Special Issue)
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

Companies Type Country/ Phase Rating

Year

Siemens Resistive Germany 3-ph 4.2kV,

/2000 100A

Alcatel Resistive France 1-ph 100V,

Fig.7 Inductive SFCL Circuit Diagram
/2001 1.4kA

Nexans Resistive Germany 3-ph 6.9kV,

(iii). Hybrid Superconducting Fault Current SC /2004 600A
Limiter (HSFCL)

Siemens Power Germany 3-ph 6.9kV,

Electroni /2004 25MVA
cs

Ω Innopower DC China 3-ph 20kV,

biased /2007 1.6kA
iron core
1-
Nexans Resistive Germany ph 63.5kV,
/2008 1.8kA

Zenergy Saturable USA 3-ph 15kV,

-core /2009 1.2kA
SFCL
3-
ECCO- SFCl Italy ph 24kV,
FLOW with HTS /2010 1kA

CPRI, India 3-ph 11kV,

Crompton Resistive /2015 1250A
Greaves
Limited
Fig.8 Hybrid SFCL Circuit Diagram

Recent Research & Development in the Field of
SFCL
Now a day’s power generation demand is
increasing this turn in an increase in the fault current
magnitude that beyond the circuit breakers rated
capacity. This results in various projects in the
development SFCL as shown in Table II.
TABLE II Distinct SFCL developing Projects in
the World [26-30].
Conclusion
SFCL provide the scope to increase transmission and
distribution equipment utilization and reduce the
requirements of reinforcement. In current years, FCL
technology which depends on superconductivity has
engaged greater attention. This is because the
development of High Temperature Superconductor
(HTS) wires, this reduced the cooling costs
significantly.

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International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 14, Number 2, 2019 (Special Issue)
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
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