Finite element methode analysis of performance of inductive saturable-core fault current limiter

Due to the increased interconnection of networks and the growth in the use of new power plants, fault current levels in power system continue to rise. One of the viable solutions for handling this issue is the use of fault current limiters (FCL) to reduce the short circuit current. FCLs can be classified in three groups: passive, solid-state and hybrid FCLs. Passive FCLs have merit to inherently react on a fault, requiring no fault detection and triggering circuit. Inductive FCLs based on core saturation belong to this group. In this paper, magnetic flux density distribution in inductive saturable core FCL has been obtained before and after fault using a multiphysics simulation tool (COMSOL) and ψ-I curve has been obtained for steel-1008 core with COMSOL and Matlab. FCL effects on circuit have been analyzed in EMTP and it has been observed that the fault current will decrease significantly.