Integration of fault current limiters on power systems for voltage quality improvement

Abstract

Voltage sags and the associated phase angle jumps are resulting in numerous production outages due to the tripping of adjustable speed drives and sensitive process controls. In order to eliminate the enormous economic losses associated with these outages, utilities are actively looking for possible sag mitigation solutions. This paper focuses on the proper selection and design of suitable solid-state Fault Current Limiter configurations for application on the power systems to mitigate voltage sags in term of voltage magnitudes and phase angle jumps. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine the effects of varying FCL parameters on its performance in term of voltage supporting capability, phase angle jump reduction and fault current reduction. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.