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An improved fault current limiter for hybrid DC circuit breakers in large-scale MMC-HVDC systems

Authors

  • Rashid Hussain Chandio

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan
    Author

  • Madad Ali Shah

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan
    Author

  • Abdul Aziz Memon

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan
    Author

  • Faheem Akhter Chachar

    Control & Protection Department, Siemens Energy, Manchester, United Kingdom
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.0275

Keywords:

Modular multilevel-converter, HVDC system protection, hybrid DC circuit breakers, fault current limiting circuits

Abstract

Designing multi-terminal HVDC systems presents significant challenges, particularly in control, modeling, and protection. One of the most critical concerns is the protection of these systems from DC short circuits. DC circuit breakers (DCCBs) have traditionally been a key solution for handling fault conditions. However, as these systems scale up to meet increasing power demands, the associated cost and technical complexity of deploying DCCBs across large-scale systems make them less practical and economically viable. This has driven the exploration of alternative or supplementary strategies to address short circuits more cost-effectively.  In this regard, fault current limiter (FCL) circuits combined with DC breakers have been proposed to reduce their demands. This paper presents an improved non-superconducting FCL circuit paired with a hybrid DC circuit breaker to enhance system performance. The proposed topology integrates power electronic (PE) bidirectional switches, current-limiting inductors, and a discharging resistor. Simulations have been conducted using PSCAD/EMTDC software. An equivalent circuit model based on the Zhoushan HVDC project is used for simulation analysis to study behavior under the influence of this breaker. In contrast to current approaches that utilize continuous current-limiting components, the proposed topology minimizes power loss during normal operation. The simulation results show robust current-limiting performance, quicker fault isolation, and reduced energy absorption by the breaker. With the proposed circuit, the fault clearing time is improved by 23%, and energy absorption performance is enhanced by 98%. Compared to the existing topology in the literature the proposed design demonstrates superior current limiting performance. The proposed FCL reduces the fault current to 2 kA whereas the literature reported topology limits it to 2.5 kA.  Further, it achieves significantly lower energy absorption, measured at 0.12 MJ compared to 0.4 MJ in the literature. A comparative analysis with the existing methods from the literature demonstrates that the proposed FCL offers superior current-limiting capabilities, faster fault response, and lower power losses.

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Author Biographies

  • Madad Ali Shah, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan

    Professor 

    Electrical Engineering Department, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, Pakistan

    Vice chancellor:  Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad

     

  • Abdul Aziz Memon, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sindh, 65200, Pakistan

    Associate Professor

    Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan

  • Faheem Akhter Chachar, Control & Protection Department, Siemens Energy, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Control & Protection Department, Siemens Energy, Manchester, United Kingdom

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Published

2025-07-01

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 3 (2025): July Issue

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology

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How to Cite

An improved fault current limiter for hybrid DC circuit breakers in large-scale MMC-HVDC systems. (2025). Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 44(3), 106-119. https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.0275

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