Enhancing power quality on distribution systems with Fault-Current Limiters

High levels of power quality are required in electric power systems to ensure safe and continuous operation for most loads. Voltage sags, one of the most critical power quality problems that utilities and customers alike may face, are short voltage-reduction events representing probably one of the main causes of costly shutdowns in companies. Solid-State Fault Current Limiters (SSFCLs) have been proposed to reduce high short-circuit current levels as well as to minimize distributed generation contribution during faults. The focus of this paper is to quantify the power quality improvement in a distribution substation by placing strategically SSFCLs that not only act as protective devices reducing fault current magnitudes but also improve power quality on adjacent feeders by reducing voltage sag effects.