Although conventional electromechanical circuit breakers have a proven record as effective and reliable devices for circuit protection, emerging power distribution technologies and architectures, such as dc microgrids, require improved interruption performance characteristics (eg, faster switching speed) The need for faster switching operation, in combination with the latest developments of advanced power semiconductor technologies, has spurred an increase in the research and development in the area of solid-state circuit breakers This article provides a comprehensive review of various solid-state circuit breaker technologies that have been reported in the literature during recent years First, we categorize solid-state circuit breakers based on key features and subsystems, including power semiconductor devices, main circuit topologies, voltage clamping methods, gate drivers, fault detection methods, and commutation methods for power semiconductor devices Second, we discuss the various challenges associated with the design of solid-state circuit breakers from the perspective of generic applications and provide a comparison of several solid-state breaker technologies based on key metrics Finally, we provide a useful framework and point of reference for future development of solid-state circuit breakers for many emerging power distribution applications

A Review of Solid-State Circuit Breakers

Expansion of high-voltage dc (HVdc) systems to multi-terminal HVdc (MT-HVdc) systems/grids considerably increases the short-circuit levels. In order to protect the emerging MT-HVdc systems/grids against fault currents, proper dc fault current limiters (FCLs) must be developed. This paper proposes an innovative high inductance solid-state dc-reactor-based FCL (HISS-DCRFCL) to be used in HVdc applications. In fact, during the HISS-DCRFCL normal operation, its inductance value is extremely low, and its value becomes considerably high during the fault period, which decreases the fault current amplitude. The proposed HISS-DCRFCL performance is analyzed by MATLAB/Simulink and the simulation results are verified and confirmed by laboratory experimental results using a scaled-down laboratory prototype setup.

A DC-Reactor-Based Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for HVdc Applications

Ease of integration of the variable speed diesel generators resulting in substantial reduction of the fuel consumption is the key motivation for the development of the dc shipboard power system (SPS). One of the impediments to the widespread adoption of the dc SPS, however, has been the lack of comprehensive fault management strategies during the short-circuit faults. Such strategies comprise of fault detection, fault isolation, and reconfiguration of dc SPS. In the existing literature, all these aspects of fault management are dealt independently and mostly assuming ideal conditions. All the strategies are of utmost importance and it is needed to study them under a common framework which is the aim of this paper. This paper starts with a brief discussion on the characteristics of dc SPS along with recent modeling techniques. Subsequently, this paper describes the short-circuit fault studies, fault characteristics, and protection requirements. Finally, this paper outlines the working principle, advantages, and limitations of the fault detection, isolation, and reconfiguration strategies developed for the dc power system and analyzes their suitability to the dc SPS. This paper is concluded by identifying the future research trends needed for the development of the short-circuit fault management strategies of dc SPS for critical marine missions.

Short-Circuit Fault Management in DC Electric Ship Propulsion System: Protection Requirements, Review of Existing Technologies and Future Research Trends

This paper proposes a novel bridge-type solid-state fault current limiter (BSSFCL) based on one series reactor which operates in ac and dc modes. The proposed BSSFCL includes a rectifier bridge with a reactor. This reactor is used as a dc reactor in normal operation mode and as an ac reactor in fault conditions. The advantages of the proposed BSSFCL over the existing dc reactor-type FCLs are its negligible impedance in normal operation mode and its high impedance during a fault interval using simple and novel switching. In other words, during the normal operation mode, the proposed BSSFCL operates in dc mode and in the fault interval, its topology is changed to the ac mode. This switching decreases the switching transient recovery voltage and introduces considerable impedance during the fault period. MATLAB/Simulink software is used for simulations and a prototype is designed and tested for results verification, and to show the performance of the proposed BSSFCL.

Bridge-Type Solid-State Fault Current Limiter Based on AC/DC Reactor

High voltage direct current (HVDC) systems are now well integrated into AC systems in many jurisdictions. The integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) is a major focus and the role of HVDC systems is expanding. However, the protection of HVDC systems against DC faults is a challenging issue that can have negative impacts on the reliable and safe operation of power systems. Practical solutions to protect HVDC grids against DC faults without a widespread power outage include: 1) using DC circuit breakers (CBs) to isolate the faulty DC-link, 2) using a proper converter topology to interrupt the DC fault current, and/or 3) using high-power DC transformers and DC hubs at strategic points within DC grids. The application of HVDC CBs is identified as the best approach that satisfies both DC grids and connected AC grids’ requirements. This article reports a comprehensive review of HVDC CBs technologies, including recent significant attempts in the development of modern HVDC CBs. The functional analysis of each technology is presented. Additionally, different technologies based on information obtained from literature are compared. Finally, recommendations for the improvement of CBs are presented.

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HVDC Circuit Breakers: A Comprehensive Review

In this paper, a novel solid-state fault current-limiting circuit breaker (SSFCLCB) based on a series resonance LC tank is proposed. Since the series configuration of the resonance structure (a capacitor and a reactor) of the SSFCLCB is invisible during normal operation mode, it shows negligible impedance in the line. In fault conditions, the SSFCLCB topology changes to a rectifier bridge and feeds the resonance structure with rectified ac voltage. With the rectified voltage, the series capacitor is charged and, as a result, the faulty line is opened and the fault current is seized. Hence, the suggested SSFCLCB cannot only limit the fault current but can also open the faulty line and acts as a circuit breaker. For confirmation of these aspects, simulations are performed using MATLAB software. Also, a prototype structure is designed and built for results confirmation. This experimental setup is established to prove that SSFCLCB has excellent performance in its startup, normal operation, and current-limiting/breaking conditions. The results show that the SSFCLCB has the ability to improve distribution network reliability and it can decrease the network fault current level successfully.

A Novel Solid-State Fault Current-Limiting Circuit Breaker for Medium-Voltage Network Applications

This article presents a novel high-temperature superconductive (HTS) power flow controller and current limiter (PFCCL), which limits fault currents and manages power flow in the intended transmission line. The proposed device includes series HTS reactors, HTS controlling dc coil, recovery resistive coil, and power electronic switches, which protects the microgrid from the upstream ac grid, short-circuit faults, and it controls the power flow between a microgrid and the upstream grid. Performance of the proposed PFCCL is mathematically analyzed, utilizing MATLAB and Maxwell software, and then validated by laboratory scaled-down experimental setup. It is shown that the simulation results are in fair agreement with the developed experimental laboratory setup results.

Amir Heidary

Papers

A DC-Reactor-Based Solid-State Fault Current Limiter for HVdc Applications

Bridge-Type Solid-State Fault Current Limiter Based on AC/DC Reactor

A Novel Solid-State Fault Current-Limiting Circuit Breaker for Medium-Voltage Network Applications

A Multifunction High-Temperature Superconductive Power Flow Controller and Fault Current Limiter

Inductive fault current limiters: A review