Fault Current Bypass-Based DC SSCB Using TIM-Pack Switch

Abstract

This letter proposes a new bypass-based solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) using thyristor-IGBT-MOV (TIM)-Pack switch for DC applications. The presented SSCB features three key advantages. First, the stored inductive energy of dc systems is prevented to flow through faulty sections, and the response speed is within microseconds, which enhances safety. Second, MOVs are disconnected from the power line during OFF-state, which improves reliability. Third, the proposed topology takes full use of the benefits of high-power rating thyristors in a TIM-Pack. To validate the proposed SSCB, experiments of a 600 V/145 A scale-down prototype are conducted. Results show that the fault current reduces to zero in 6 s; peak voltage on the main and auxiliary thyristors reaches 826 V and 600 V, respectively; while, overshoot voltage on the main and auxiliary IGBTs reaches 185 V and 245 V, respectively.