Design and Testing of a Low Voltage Solid-State Circuit Breaker for a DC Distribution System

Tracy, Leslie; Sekhar, Praveen Kumar

doi:10.3390/en13020338

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…To enhance the design of DCCBs, some studies have explored the use of capacitorbased technology for both commutating and surge absorption purposes. This approach involves a bridge-type capacitor-commutation unit that serves to buffer the device voltage and is considered an independent method for improving DCCB design [56,57]. Table 4 provides a concise overview of the recent designs, highlighting their points of comparison.…”

Section: Capacitor-based Dccbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

DC Circuit Breaker Evolution, Design, and Analysis

Moradian,

Lie,

Gunawardane

2023

Energies

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While traditional AC mechanical circuit breakers can protect AC circuits, many other DC power distribution technologies, such as DC microgrids (MGs), yield superior disruption performance, e.g., faster and more reliable switching speeds. However, novel DC circuit breaker (DCCB) designs are challenging due to the need to quickly break high currents within milliseconds, caused by the high fault current rise in DC grids compared to AC grids. In DC grids, the circuit breaker must not provide any current crossing and must absorb surges, since the arc is not naturally extinguished by the system. Additionally, the DC breaker must mitigate the magnetic energy stored in the system inductance and withstand residual overvoltages after current interruption. These challenges require a fundamentally different topology for DCCBs, which are typically made using solid-state semiconductor technology, metal oxide varistors (MOVs), and ultra-fast switches. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the development, design, and performance of DCCBs and an analysis of internal topology, the energy absorption path, and subcircuits in solid-state (SS)-based DCCBs. The research explores various novel designs that introduce different structures for an energy dissipation solution. The classification of these designs is based on the fundamental principles of surge mitigation and a detailed analysis of the techniques employed in DCCBs. In addition, our framework offers an advantageous reference point for the future evolution of SS circuit breakers in numerous developing power delivery systems.

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Section: Capacitor-based Dccbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

DC Circuit Breaker Evolution, Design, and Analysis

Moradian,

Lie,

Gunawardane

2023

Energies

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“…In the Ref. [76], a SSCB based on IGBTs was implemented in a DCMG. The designed SSCB was capable of low-end lighting protection applications and tested at 50 V. A 15 A continuous current rating was obtained, and the minimum response time of the SSCB was nearly 290 times faster than that of conventional AC protection methods.…”

Section: Recent Developments Of Sscbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circuit Breakers in Low- and Medium-Voltage DC Microgrids for Protection against Short-Circuit Electrical Faults: Evolution and Future Challenges

et al. 2021

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This paper deals with circuit breakers (CBs) used in direct current microgrids (DCMGs) for protection against electrical faults, focusing on their evolution and future challenges in low voltage (<1.5 kV) and medium voltage (between 1.5 kV and 20 kV). In recent years, proposals for new circuit-breaker features have grown. Therefore, a review on the evolution of circuit breakers for DCMGs is of utmost importance. In general terms, this paper presents a review concerning the evolution of circuit breakers used in DCMGs, focusing on fuses, mechanical circuit breakers (MCBs), solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs), and hybrid circuit breakers (HCBs). Their evolution is presented highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each device. It was found that although modern circuit breakers have begun to be commercially available, many of them are still under development; consequently, some traditional fuses and MCBs are still common in DCMGs, but under certain restrictions or limitations. Future challenges that would allow a successful and adequate implementation of circuit breakers in DCMGs are also presented.

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