Superconducting fault-current limiters could transform the architecture and operation of electrical power networks. The authors outline the design principles and performance of a prototype device developed under the UK's LINK programme. The programme was organised in two stages, with stage one represented by a 400 V, 180 A 'bench top' demonstrator and stage two a 'full scale' prototype capable of operating at 11 kV carrying 400 A normal current and, most importantly of limiting a prospective 13.1 kA (250 MVA) fault to around 4.5 kA. Stage one was completed and tested successfully in August 1998, and stage two subjected to short-circuit tests in November 1999. Development work is now underway at the Reyrolle site of VA TECH T&D, with the object of delivering a full-scale three-phase high-temperature superconducting FCL for field trials in partnership with a major UK utility.
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Malkin et al. (2001) studied this question.