Short-circuit testing services
Performing AC & DC investigation and type tests
SuperGrid Institute’s short-circuit testing laboratory provides a unique set of capabilities to perform DC and AC tests.
Powered by a 3 000 MVA short-circuit generator, it combines high voltage, high current (up to 80 kA) and adjustable frequency (10Hz-60Hz) to cope with a wide range of investigation and type test programs.
Test platforms are operated by CERDA, accredited according to IEC/ISO 17025 by COFRAC and member of ESEF ASEFA (France) and STL (international).
High-voltage DC tests for RSFCL technology
Using the short circuit test plateform, SuperGrid Institute validated its resistive superconducting fault current limiter (RSFCL) technology combined with a mechanical circuit breaker for high-voltage direct current (DC). 20kV, 30kV, 40kV… crescendo, the voltage was raised to 50 kV DC and with 1.8 MJ injected to test the configuration under the stress of an industrial environment. The RSFCL managed to limit the current to 5.5 kA, while the prospective current was 43 kAp. The DC circuit-breaker then cut off the fault current.
The graph shows the results of the test: in purple, the prospective current, in green, the limited current, in blue the current breaking with the DC circuit reaker, and in orange the voltage upstream of the limiter.
Breaking and making test capabilities
Other tests upon request.
A supercapacitor bank
Our high power source’s excitation system: the supercapacitor bank is used to maintain current stability during high-current short-circuit tests.
Comprised of several hundred grid-tested modules and storing a total of 170MJ of energy, the installation is currently the largest supercapacitor bank in Europe.
