Review of the research and development for insulation of superconducting fault-current limiters

摘要

Research and development of superconducting fault-current limiters (SCFCL) is ongoing in the world. This paper summarizes the fruits of this work, focusing especially on the electrical insulation. Developments of SCFCLs carried out up to now are briefly described. The essential points to be considered in the design of the electrical insulation of SCFCLs are presented. Definite examples of electrical insulation designs of 63 kV-1.25 kA(rms)-5.3 kA(max) SCFCL by GEC ALSTHOM and 69 kV-2.0 kA(rms)-4.0 kA(max) SCFCL by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) are introduced. A summary of the experimental results for electrical insulation of 6.6 kV/2 kA single phase SCFCL by Toshiba/Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is given. That is, a newly developed high Young's modulus insulating bobbin is clarified as being effective for removing the degradation of the superconducting coil of a SCFCL. investigations of flashover characteristics of ceramic insulators in vacuum at low temperature and the electrical insulation characteristics of the model coil in liquid helium (LHe) and gas mixed liquid helium are described. The experimental results on a 'prospective power transmission model system integrated under superconducting environment', abbreviated to PROMISE by Nagoya University are also briefly presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [References: 22]