FAULT CURRENT LIMITER: Innovative solutions for electric networks protection using higher temperature superconducting materials

FAULT CURRENT LIMITER: innovative solutions for electric networks protection using higher temperature superconducting materials.

Magnesium diboride wire, optimised for this application by the Columbus division of ASG Superconductors has been incorporated into dry-cooled superconducting magnet assemblies by ASG in Genoa. The magnets have been shown to effectively saturate the cores of a 36kV; 800A FCL and to withstand repeated fault currents without problems, including a fault of 3 seconds duration. The ASG limiter has an “open-core” architecture and magnesium diboride wire has been used for the solenoids (magnets) which provide the saturating flux. The operating principle is identical to that of the closed core arrangement. Any failure of the magnet cooling system or the magnet dc power supply results in the FCL shifting to a high-impedance state, so this approach is inherently fail-safe. The required performance of the FCL was achieved.

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