Distribution board

About: Distribution board is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1792 publications have been published within this topic receiving 13193 citations. The topic is also known as: panelboard.

Solid-state circuit breakers and current limiters for medium-voltage systems having distributed power systems

Abstract: State-of-the-art mechanical circuit breakers in medium-voltage systems allow a safe handling of short-circuits if the short circuit power of the grid is limited. Using delayed turn-off times, the circuit breakers can be coordinated with lower level protection gear. Hence, a high availability of the grid can be guaranteed. However, during a short-circuit a significant voltage sag can be noticed locally in the medium-voltage grid. Sensitive loads such as computers will fail even if the voltage returns within a few seconds. A semiconductor circuit breaker, however, is able to switch fast enough to keep voltage disturbance within acceptable limits. The optimization and selection of power electronic switch topologies is critical. In this paper, different semiconductors are briefly compared considering the requirements of a solid-state switch integrated into a 20-kV medium-voltage grid. Based on these semiconductor characteristics, various switch topologies are developed, which are compared under technical and economical aspects. It is shown that solid-state circuit breakers offer significant advantages when compared to present solutions and can be used in today's medium-voltage power systems.

A DC hybrid circuit breaker with ultra-fast contact opening and integrated gate-commutated thyristors (IGCTs)

Abstract: Air-magnetic circuit breakers are widely used for short-circuit protection in dc electric railways or industrial plants. The well-known drawbacks of these breakers are mainly a slow breaking action, a short lifetime, and high maintenance costs due to the destructive effects of the arc. The use of power semiconductors in a full-static circuit breaker configuration allows the elimination of these disadvantages but is limited by excessive conduction losses. The paper will present the study of a so-called hybrid breaker, drawing its name from the combination of a high-speed mechanical switch and a bi-directional integrated gate-controlled thyristor assembly connected in parallel. The paper also includes experimental results from a prototype real scale.

Circuit breaker concepts for future high-power DC-applications

Abstract: The development of advanced transmission and distribution technologies is steadily gaining interest. Especially the large number of wind farms leads to a demand for new and innovative solutions. Considering the interconnection of offshore wind farms, new technologies must be investigated. One promising solution for an interconnection is a DC distribution system which is also discussed for new (onshore) medium-voltage distribution systems. Beside the advantages of DC distribution (low losses, no reactive power), DC has major disadvantages concerning control and switching actions. Since present circuit breakers are not able to switch large DC currents, new solutions must be found. After a brief introduction of the fundamental principles for switching DC currents, different concepts of DC circuit breakers are presented and compared in this paper. Furthermore, this analysis is accomplished for different voltage levels and all solutions are compared under technical and economical aspects.

System for power sub-metering

Abstract: An electrical sub-metering system for making available information associated with power consumption of at least one circuit of a plurality of circuits is disclosed. The system includes an electrical panel board configured to distribute power to the plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in power connection with a conductor of the at least one circuit, a voltage sensor, a hub to collect the information associated with power consumption from the voltage sensor and the circuit breaker, and a data collector to collect and make available to a user the information associated with power consumption. The circuit breaker includes a current measuring device to measure current through the at least one circuit and is in signal communication with the hub via a single communication interface that has a plurality of communication paths.

Microprocessor-controlled circuit breaker system

Abstract: The invention is a network of microprocessor (TRIP UNIT) operated circuit breakers capable of communications with a central computer (SY/MAX PC SYSTEM) and with digital meters (TRIP INDICATOR UNIT). Each circuit breaker uses a microprocessor to control its operation. The network provides means for control of switching actions of the circuit breakers, and for supplying information concerning each main feeder circuit. This information could be current and voltage in each phase of a multiple phase distribution system, power, vars, phase angle, trip settings of the circuit breaker, etc. Any information which can be sensed through current sensors (MAIN CURRENT TRANSFORMERS) or voltage sensors (PRECISION POTENTIAL TRANSFORMERS) and then calculated from the quantities sensed may be supplied to the central computer.