Fault Current Limiters

Stand-Alone Fault Current Limiters
As electrical demand increases, more power generation must be added to the grid. Along with this growth in power generation comes increasing fault current levels. These power surges can be caused by equipment failures, severe weather, accidents or even acts of willful destruction. Such faults can damage major, expensive components and, if not cleared quickly, can lead to lengthy and costly outages.

Used in a substation, fault current limiters (FCLs) act as surge protectors for the power grid. These smart grid systems can help protect the grid by reducing the destructive nature of faults, extending the life of existing substation equipment and allowing utilities to defer or eliminate equipment replacements or upgrades.

Fault Current Limiting Cables
Fault current limiting technology can also be embedded within power cable systems. An FCL cable can be used to connect existing substations, enabling power sharing between regions. This is a compelling proposition for utilities in that it ensures system redundancy for critical urban infrastructure, increases system reliability, enables load sharing and mitigates power disruptions caused by environmental or human factors. We have successfully completed qualification tests at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the U.S. for this proprietary technology.

We have collaborated with industry leaders such as Nexans and Siemens to successfully develop and demonstrate FCL technology. Additionally, our Amperium™ superconductor wire can be tailored specifically for fault current limiting applications.

From transmission to distribution, we have the experience and the solutions to help grid operators increase network reliability and security.

Fault Current Limiters: Resilient, Reliable, Secure.