Current Limiter

[CorElec]

Will a current limiter have any effect on the short circuit current of the bus tie line of a power distribution system? Thanks in advance.

 

[ron]

It does not reduce the short circuit current available with regard to determining AIC or withstand ratings of downstream equipment.

 

[CorElec]

Thanks but let me rephrase. Does a current limiter, rated or set at 42kA and installed in a tie line, limit the short circuit duty of either bus (with switchgear rated at 50kA)? Does it really work that way?

 

[Cold Fusion]

I've never seen a generic specification for "current limiter". Do you have nameplate data, model number, data sheet ...?

That would help me understand the device you are using.

cf

 

[charlietuna]

It is my understanding of a current limiter is it's designed to open fast enough to prevent a fault current from exceeding it's rated amperage. So it is measuring current and rate of rise in it's opening setpoint.

 

[ron]

CorElec,
The current let through is related to the amount of fault current that passes through that conductor. It is sort of like a fuse.
You cannot use it to reduce the fault duty of the gear.

 

[Cold Fusion]

I found some stuff on distribution concerning distributed generation. I found some stuff on superconductors.

What voltage levels are you dealing with?

The subject is pretty interesting. I just can't find anything on it.

ron, charliet
do you have some specific piece of equipment in mind?

cf

 

[CorElec]

ABB Is-Limiter

ABB Is-Limiter

Hey guys, thanks for all your replies. Got the data, here's the address:

http://www.abb.com/product/db0003db...3.aspx?productLanguage=us&country=00&tabKey=6

They say it's being widely used in Europe and not much in the States.

 

[charlie]

If you are looking for the conversation about cable limiters, that has been split out into its own thread. :smile:

 

[beanland]

Explosive

Explosive

The ABB device is an explosive interrupter. It uses small explosives to break the electrical connection and clear the fault in sub-cycle times.

I have seen literature on current limiters (like current limiting fuses) that will clear the fault in sub-cycle times. If the bolted fault current is 200kA, a current limiter can limit the let-through current tobelow 100kA by interrupting the waveform in under 1/4 cycle.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

Here is a page on Ferrazshawmut site that has some good info about this topic.