Work

Analysis of the Feasibility of Using Hybrid DC Circuit Breakers with Forced Switching for Parallel Connections

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The use of advanced switching technologies, including hybrid and fully semiconductor-based circuit breakers, enables a significant reduction in the prospective short-circuit current. This enhances the level of circuit protection by minimizing thermal and electrodynamic stresses. One of the available solutions is a hybrid DC circuit breaker employing the forced commutation method, in which a counter-current generator is incorporated into the auxiliary branch. Increasing requirements not only for short-circuit protection reliability but also for operational flexibility impose the need to configure DC breakers for parallel operation. This paper presents an analysis of the performance of forced-commutation circuit breakers connected in parallel with another identical device, as well as with a conventional fast magnetic blow-out breaker. To prevent unintended and undesired tripping, the influence of counter-current generator parameters on the overcurrent protection response was investigated. In the analyzed configuration, the applied hybrid DC breaker limits the expected short-circuit current from approximately 45 kA to 5 kA within about 2 ms.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18246620

Authors: Łukasz Nowak, Michał Rodak, Piotr Borkowski

Institution: Lodz University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: HVDC Systems and Fault Protection

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137