Investigation on the Commercialization Issues of Resistive Type Superconducting Fault Current Limiters for Electric Networks

Among the various types of fault current limiters, superconducting fault current limiters could be the most preferable choice for high voltage electric power systems owing to the remarkable current limiting characteristics of superconductors. But, there have been no commercial superconducting fault current limiters which were installed into actual electric power systems until these days due to some remained technical and economical problems. Thus, in order to promote the development and application of the superconducting fault current limiters into real field, it is essential to understand the power utilities' requirements for their networks and also suitable test method and some specifications should be prepared. This paper focuses on the matters of test requirements and standardization issues that should be prepared for commercialization of superconducting fault current limiters. The unique current limiting characteristics of superconducting fault current limiters were investigated and related other standards including circuit breakers, transformers, reactors, power fuse, and fused circuit breakers were compared to setup the basis of novel specification of superconducting fault current limiters. Furthermore, required essential test procedures for superconducting fault current limiters were suggested.