Development of Saturated Iron Core HTS Fault Current Limiters

We have been carrying out a saturable iron core reactive type superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) development program since 2002. The major two disadvantages that people used to be foretold for a saturable iron core reactive type SFCL are the massive use of iron (resulting in large size, heavy weight, and high cost) and the high induced voltage hazard to the dc superconducting coil (this may damage the current supply of the dc bias) as a fault takes place. We have found the ways to deal with these two problems, making such kind of equipment reliable and cost effective. In this paper, we will report the technical data and testing results of a 3 phase lab testing model. Some key design parameters of the 35 kV/100 MVA prototype will also be presented.