FEM Based Air-Core Reactor Modelling for Series Inductor of SPRFCL

Abstract

The increment of fault currents is a serious problem for power systems. Fault current limiters (FCL) are proposed as a solution to alleviate the effects of high fault currents to system components. Solid-state fault current limiters (SSFCL) are effective to limit fault currents as a controlled and fast-response devices. Topological approaches are generally made for SSFCLs, however, there are not enough studies on design and performance analysis of equipment for high voltage applications. In this study, the physical design of an air-core reactor that will be an inductor of series-parallel resonance-type fault current limiter (SPRFCL) is handled for a test system of 20 kV. The air-core reactor model is constituted via COMSOL Multiphysics which involves an electrical circuit coupled with a Finite Element Method (FEM) based design. After expected inductance value of reactor achieved, the electrical simulations are made. The results of fault current and magnetic flux density values of air-core reactor are obtained from COMSOL Multiphysics. In order to validate the operation of the air-core reactor, the same power system was modeled in PSCAD and the results were found to be compatible for the same fault scenarios.