Hybrid DC circuit breaker based on oscillation circuit

Abstract

With the rapid development of DC transmission technology, DC circuit breakers, the key equipment for DC fault handling, have become a research hotspot of scholars. This paper proposes a novel hybrid DC circuit breaker topology to improve the shortcomings of traditional hybrid DC circuit breakers. Traditional hybrid DC circuit breakers use too many IGBTs, which results in a large volume and a high cost. The main innovation of this topology is the use of a mechanical switch in series in a solid-state branch, which withstands most of the voltage. An oscillating circuit is in parallel on the mechanical switch, which can generate reverse current to reduce the current flowing through the mechanical switch to zero, to achieve arc free breaking. The feasibility of the proposed topology is verified based on a PSCAD simulation platform. It should serve as a valuable reference for the design of DC distribution systems and DC breakers.