COST EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR THE STUDY OF THE SHORT-CIRCUIT BEHAVIOUR OF AN ELECTRICAL RESISTOR

Abstract

Electrical resistors for power lines are used worldwide as Neutral Earthing Resistors for short-circuit current reduction in power grids, and also as Filtering Resistors in combination with capacitors and inductances. The manufacturers of such resistors must certificate that they withstand the mechanical and thermal stresses imposed by the external loads, in accordance with IEC 62001 standard. Although this certification can be achieved by means of testing the resistor under working conditions, this process is both expensive and time-consuming. In this paper it is proposed a methodology for simulating the thermal and mechanical behavior of an electrical resistor, based on Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis. The methodology has been applied for the analysis of a filtering resistor for the Ethiopia-Kenia Power Systems Interconnection. Keywords: Earthing and Filtering Resistor, Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis, IEC 62001 short-circuit behavior.