1. The benefits of current limiting on power networks

A handling error, a part falling onto bare busbars, a storm causing power lines to touch each other, lightning striking a pylon: these are just a few examples of events that can lead to a short-circuit-type fault in an electrical network. This can result in very high currents, up to 20 to 30 times the rated current, the maximum steady-state value. The electrodynamic forces, proportional to the square of the current, become extremely high and can damage or even destroy the equipment (figure 1 ), even though it is theoretically designed to withstand such extreme forces (400 to 900 times higher than in normal operation). Joule losses are also considerable, and can lead to dangerous temperature rises if the fault persists.