An Overview and Minimum Fault Ramp Rate Analysis of Impedance Based Circuit Breaker Topologies

In the advent of recent developments in a higher efficiency Direct Current (DC) system, the DC microgrid proves to be a permissible future to match the load demand with distributed power generation. The distribution of the DC power system benefits more than the Alternate Current (AC) power system, and due to recent developments, many researchers focus on DC microgrid. DC microgrid system has the advantage of direct interfacing with Renewable energy sources (RES) and energy storage systems (ESS), making the system highly efficient and distinct. Since the protective devices used in AC power systems do not support DC applications, there are challenges in designing and implementing a proper protection device for DC microgrid, which includes the breaking of fault current and the rapid response in handling fault current, capability to overcome the fault and cost of implementing. Unlike traditional circuit breakers that work with a fixed voltage source, Z-Source Breakers are capable of interrupting current in systems with variable voltage sources, making it appropriate for applications involving renewable energy sources, microgrids and energy storage systems. These breakers use a unique Z-Source network to provide enhanced flexibility and reliability in managing electrical faults in modern power grids. This study intends to analyses the recent growth in the impedance-based DC circuit breaker and DC microgrid’s fault characteristics.