Application of Superconducting Cable Joint for Fault Current Limitation in Urban Distribution Network

To limit the fault grid current in urban distribution network when a three-phase-to-ground fault occurs in the conventional cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) power cable joint (CCJ), this paper presents a novel superconducting fault current limitation (FCL) scheme by using a superconducting cable joint (SCJ). The basic principle, circuit modeling and distribution network integrated with the SCJ are presented in detail. Then intensive study is conducted without and with the proposed novel SCJ scheme. The simulation results obtained show that the harmful large fault grid current can be largely reduced by using the proposed SCJ when a grounded fault occurs in the CCJ. Thus the operating environment of the cable trench can be maintained without causing large area power off.