Simulation of the transient response of a high-T/sub c/ superconducting current limiter inserted in an electrical distribution system

The ever-increasing demand for electrical power leads to reinforced power systems. Therefore, the overcurrents resulting from contingencies such as short-circuits are increasingly higher. In order to reduce these overcurrents, a protection system composed of a superconducting current limiter and a traditional breaker seems to provide a promising solution for future power system operation. In this context, the authors aim is to analyze the transient response to a fault of a resistive type high-T/sub c/ superconducting fault current limiter inserted in an electrical power system. In order to do this, simulations were carried out with the well-known EMTP software. The fault current limiter was represented using a preliminary tape model that includes the AC losses contribution and is valid for any current wave shape. This tape model was developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, using measurements of the dynamic behavior of Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 tapes.