Comparative analysis of expulsion and current-limiting fuse operation in distribution systems for improved power quality and protection

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the effects of expulsion and current-limiting fuse (CLF) operations in distribution systems on power quality and power system protection. This analysis included field tests of both types of fuses on a distribution system in Florida, USA. To further analyze fuse effects on the voltage dip duration and spread of the overvoltages created during the fuse operations throughout the power system, computer simulations were also performed. Unique digital fuse models were developed for use with the EMTP/ATP program. This paper shows that CLFs improve power quality by supporting power system voltage during faults, reducing the voltage dip duration, and do not affect load operation. Additionally, CLFs reduce the fault let-through I2t