Research on the Arc Characteristics of a New Self-Driving Fault Current Limiter

Fault current limiters (FCLs) can effectively limit the excessive short-circuit current. The arc is one of the energy transferring and dissipating forms in the current limiting process, which is helpful to limit the fault current. However, the severe arc will reduce the life of the equipment and affect other indicators. In this article, the working principle of the self-driving FCL (SD-FCL) has been theoretically analyzed. Then, this article analyzes the arc behavior of the SD-FCL during the process of self-driving and current limiting based on the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model. The arc distribution characteristics of the typical moments are obtained by multiphysics field simulations. Finally, a short-circuit current experiment platform is built to test the arc electrical characteristics and the current limiting result. The SD-FCL limits the peak short-circuit current from 15.6 to 14.51 kA in 4.3 ms. It is found that the arc starting moment is at about 4.4 ms, and the peak arc voltage is about 308 V. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the magnetic flux density is large at the edge of the slider bottom surface. The flow field distribution is like a saddle shape with two maximum points at the edge of the slider and the launching track B. The temperature is higher near the bottom surface and 2 mm from the launching tracks. Remarkably, using high-temperature resistant materials and optimizing the structure may control and reduce the arcing phenomenon.