A Comprehensive Review of Fault‐Current Limiter Technologies for Smart and Resilient Power Systems

ABSTRACT The transition toward inverter‐dominated, renewable‐rich power systems has significantly increased short‐circuit levels, often exceeding the interrupting capability of conventional protection. Fault‐current limiters (FCLs) have emerged as important technologies for mitigating these currents and supporting grid reliability. This article provides a comprehensive, system‐oriented review that bridges device‐level FCL characteristics with grid‐level requirements across alternating current, direct current (DC), and hybrid networks. It systematically categorizes and evaluates superconducting FCL, solid‐state FCL, and hybrid FCL technologies, detailing their operating principles, dynamic fault responses, and control strategies. A structured comparison framework is established to assess the trade‐offs among current‐limiting capability, response speed, steady‐state losses, cost, and technical maturity. In addition to device‐level classification, the review examines fault‐current behavior in modern grids by considering inverter‐limited fault currents (inverter‐based resource saturation), DC offset decay dynamics, and asymmetrical fault conditions using symmetrical components. The review also examines the coordination of FCLs with adaptive protection schemes and considers optimization approaches for FCL placement and sizing in converter‐dominated networks. The findings indicate that no single FCL technology is universally superior; optimal selection depends on specific operating constraints, fault characteristics, and voltage levels. Finally, the review highlights several areas that warrant further investigation, including standardized benchmarking, long‐term field validation, and improved integration with modern control architectures.