A Review of the Applications of Different Types of Fault Current Limiters in Electric Railway Systems

This review paper examines the application of Fault Current Limiters (FCLs) in electric railway systems. Given the growing adoption of advanced power electronics and renewable energy sources within railway networks, high inrush and fault currents pose a significant challenge to system stability and equipment safety. Following an evaluation of resistive, inductive and hybrid temperature-generation high-FCL technologies, superconducting FCLs (SFCLs) based on second most effective solution in terms of response speed, superconducting tapes are identified as the current reduction and rapid recovery. This study focuses on the integration of resistive-fault SFCLs into both DC and AC traction networks and demonstrates their capacity to enhance fault gate thermal and mechanical stress on converters and switchgear, and improve protection, mitigate overall system reliability. Furthermore, recent advances in the coordination of SFCLs with high optimise speed circuit breakers and superconducting cables to limit fault propagation and op protection selectivity are reviewed. A comprehensive analysis of multiple research contributions yields an integrated perspective on current trends, technical challenges and future research infrastructure directions for the deployment of FCLs in electric railway.

کلیدواژه ها:

Superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) ، FCL ، Electric railway