Short circuit process of superconducting fault current limiter （SFCL） in a power distribution system is simulated by using EMTP. The mathematical model of SFCL and its impedance characteristics are given. The limiting resistance in SFCL and the fault detection time impact on peak value of fault current

line voltage of feeders without fault and voltage across SFCL are analysed. The simulating results show that increasing resistance can drastically limit the peak value of fault current

and can maintain the line voltage of feeders without fault. On the other hand

increasing resistance will increase the voltage across the SFCL. The fault detection time is a key parameter of influencing the SFCL performance. Fast fault detection is very beneficial to improve the performance of SFCL and to decrease the recovering voltage across SFCL.