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With rapid development of high voltage direct current (HVDC) grids, hybrid circuit breakers (HCBs) have gained more attentions, due to their great ability for fault current interruption in HVDC grids. This paper proposes a novel low-cost HCB based on the coupled inductor, to be utilized in HVDC applications. To realize high current breaking capability with low cost, a coupled inductor in combination with the bridge-type circuit is utilized in the breaker branch. The bridge-type circuit is constructed by the series connection of a not pre-charged capacitor, thyristor, and diodes to provide bidirectional breaking ability. After an interruption, the capacitor in the breaker branch can be discharged quickly to guarantee that the proposed HCB is available for the next interruption. Detailed analysis and design equations are also provided to describe the operation of proposed HCB. The proposed HCB is simulated in Matlab/Simulink and simulations are used to analyze the performance of the HCB under the different conditions. Moreover, the proposed DCCB topology is validated using prototype experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a novel high-temperature superconductive (HTS) power flow controller and current limiter (PFCCL), which limits fault currents and manages power flow in the intended transmission line. The proposed device includes series HTS reactors, HTS controlling dc coil, recovery resistive coil, and power electronic switches, which protects the microgrid from the upstream ac grid, short-circuit faults, and it controls the power flow between a microgrid and the upstream grid. Performance of the proposed PFCCL is mathematically analyzed, utilizing MATLAB and Maxwell software, and then validated by laboratory scaled-down experimental setup. It is shown that the simulation results are in fair agreement with the developed experimental laboratory setup results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansion of high-voltage dc (HVdc) systems to multi-terminal HVdc (MT-HVdc) systems/grids considerably increases the short-circuit levels. In order to protect the emerging MT-HVdc systems/grids against fault currents, proper dc fault current limiters (FCLs) must be developed. This paper proposes an innovative high inductance solid-state dc-reactor-based FCL (HISS-DCRFCL) to be used in HVdc applications. In fact, during the HISS-DCRFCL normal operation, its inductance value is extremely low, and its value becomes considerably high during the fault period, which decreases the fault current amplitude. The proposed HISS-DCRFCL performance is analyzed by MATLAB/Simulink and the simulation results are verified and confirmed by laboratory experimental results using a scaled-down laboratory prototype setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a smart dual function series resonance ferroresonance overvoltage and fault current limiter (SRFFCL) for distribution networks. The studied network has potential transformers (PTs) with a typically low thermal capacity and high accuracy. The PT core losses are assumed to be constant during ferroresonance oscillation. The MATLAB software is used for simulation of the novel SRFFCL in distribution network, to study the PT ferroresonance overvoltage and fault current. Also, experimental results are obtained using a laboratory prototype. Both the simulation and experimental results, which are in good agreement with each other, show that the suggested SRFFCL can not only control the fault current but also adequately decrease the ferroresonance oscillation of the PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some aircraft with traditional distribution electrical systems, the sources, distribution, and electrical loads are fully coupled. The control surfaces in traditional aircraft are based on cables and hydraulic actuators. Furthermore, the system stability mainly related to the hydraulic system and a small portion of it is related to the electrical system reliability. However, for aircraft like A380 and B787, the flight system is based on fly by wire (FBW) technology and more electric aircraft (MEA) have drawn the attention of aircraft designers. In addition, more hydraulic actuators change to the electrical actuator, which leads to more electrical generation usage. The availability of electrical energy to the loads is only ensured through overdesign, system reconfiguration, and protection. Power electronic converters are starting to be used to fully decouple the dynamics between sources, distribution systems, and loads. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, a novel solid-state fault current-limiting circuit breaker (SSFCLCB) based on a series resonance LC tank is proposed. Since the series configuration of the resonance structure (a capacitor and a reactor) of the SSFCLCB is invisible during normal operation mode, it shows negligible impedance in the line. In fault conditions, the SSFCLCB topology changes to a rectifier bridge and feeds the resonance structure with rectified ac voltage. With the rectified voltage, the series capacitor is charged and, as a result, the faulty line is opened and the fault current is seized. Hence, the suggested SSFCLCB cannot only limit the fault current but can also open the faulty line and acts as a circuit breaker. For confirmation of these aspects, simulations are performed using MATLAB software. Also, a prototype structure is designed and built for results confirmation. This experimental setup is established to prove that SSFCLCB has excellent performance in its startup, normal operation, and current-limiting/breaking conditions. The results show that the SSFCLCB has the ability to improve distribution network reliability and it can decrease the network fault current level successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a novel bridge-type solid-state fault current limiter (BSSFCL) based on one series reactor which operates in ac and dc modes. The proposed BSSFCL includes a rectifier bridge with a reactor. This reactor is used as a dc reactor in normal operation mode and as an ac reactor in fault conditions. The advantages of the proposed BSSFCL over the existing dc reactor-type FCLs are its negligible impedance in normal operation mode and its high impedance during a fault interval using simple and novel switching. In other words, during the normal operation mode, the proposed BSSFCL operates in dc mode and in the fault interval, its topology is changed to the ac mode. This switching decreases the switching transient recovery voltage and introduces considerable impedance during the fault period. MATLAB/Simulink software is used for simulations and a prototype is designed and tested for results verification, and to show the performance of the proposed BSSFCL. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper studies a novel transformer-based solid state fault current limiter (TBSSFCL) for radial distribution network applications. The proposed TBSSFCL is capable of controlling the magnitude of fault current. In order to control the fault current, primary winding of an isolating transformer is connected in series with the line and the secondary side is connected to a reactor, paralleled with a bypass switch which is made of anti-parallel insulated gate bipolar transistors. By controlling the magnitude of ac reactor current, the fault current is reduced and voltage of the point of common coupling is kept at an acceptable level. Also, by this TBSSFCL, switching overvoltage is reduced significantly. The proposed TBSSFCL can improve the power quality factors and also, due to its simple structure, the cost is relatively low. Laboratory results are also presented to verify the simulation and theoretical studies. It is shown that this TBSSFCL can limit the fault current with negligible delay, smooth the fault current waveform, and improve the power quality. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Current power systems will suffer from increasing pressure as a result of an upsurge in demand and will experience an ever-growing penetration of distributed power generation, which are factors that will contribute to a higher of incidence fault current levels. Fault current limiters (FCLs) are key power electronic devices. They are able to limit the prospective fault current without completely disconnecting in cases in which a fault occurs, for instance, in a power transmission grid. This paper proposes a new type of FCL capable of fault current limiting in two steps. In this way, the FCLs' power electronic switches experience significantly less stress and their overall performance will significantly increase. The proposed device is essentially a controllable H bridge type fault current limiter (HBFCL) that is comprised of two variable inductances, which operate to reduce current of main switch in the first stage of current limiting. In the next step, the main switch can limit the fault current while it becomes open. Simulation studies are carried out using MATLAB and its prototype setup is built and tested. The comparison of experimental and simulation results indicates that the proposed HBFCL is a promising solution to address protection issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]