Abstract
The direct current circuit breakers are considered a promising option to protect the transmission line against commonly appearing line-to-ground fault. However, the challenges of losses in the nonoperational stage, escalation of response against fault current, and large fault current handling capability remain the debatable issues for direct current circuit breakers. This paper introduces a novel topology of the hybrid circuit breaker with fault-current-limiting characteristics, which contains three branches: the main branch, fault-current-limiting branch, and energy absorption branch. The main branch includes a mechanical switch, breaker impedance, and bidirectional power electronics switches. In the fault-current-limiting branch, a fault-current-limiting circuit is introduced which contains n numbers of bidirectional switches and current-limiting inductors, which are connected in series to make the design modular in nature. During the normal working stage, the current flows through the main branch of the breaker. Once a fault in the system is confirmed, the fault current is transferred to the fault-current-limiting branch. At this stage, the intensity of the fault current is reduced significantly using the fault-current-limiting circuit, and finally, the residual current is shifted to the energy absorption branch. The working principle, design considerations, and parametric analysis concerning the design of hybrid circuit breakers are incorporated in this paper. The performance of the proposed breaker is evaluated using a three-terminal voltage-source converter-based high-voltage direct current transmission network; for this purpose, a PSCAD/EMTDC simulation tool is used. The performance of the proposed breaker is also compared with other topologies. The comparative analysis shows that the proposed breaker is a good alternative considering high fault current interruption requirements, response time against fault current, and power losses.
Highlights
Due to increased penetration of renewable energy into power grids, the VSC-HVDC transmission projects have gained attention globally because the VSC-HVDC systems allow the independent control of active and reactive power [1,2,3,4,5]
DCCBs are divided into three major types: mechanical active and passive resonance circuit breakers, solid-state circuit breakers (SSCB), and hybrid circuit breakers (HCBs) [16]
In Reference [22], a compound current limiter and circuit breaker is introduced; likewise in Reference [23], the new topology for HCBs is explained in detail
Summary
Due to increased penetration of renewable energy into power grids, the VSC-HVDC transmission projects have gained attention globally because the VSC-HVDC systems allow the independent control of active and reactive power [1,2,3,4,5]. The [19] highlights the comparative analysis of two important HCBs. HCBs possess good features in terms of response time [17,18,19], they have limitations in handling large fault currents with increased voltage ratings. In Reference [22], a compound current limiter and circuit breaker is introduced; likewise in Reference [23], the new topology for HCBs is explained in detail. In case of the fault, the CLIs were used in series and had included heavy impedance during the fault current limitation stage. In Reference [21], a hybrid current-limiting circuit breaker for DC line was proposed which had two major components: energy-dissipating circuit and isolation mechanism.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
