An Efficient Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker Based on Current Commutation With Mechanical and Power Electronics

This study proposes an efficient hybrid DC Circuit breaker (DCCB) based on current commutation with mechanical and power electronics (MPE). An efficient MPE DCCB neglects the on-state losses by using a mechanical monostable switch instead of a solid-state switch located in the main current branch. When a short-circuit fault occurs, the mechanical monostable switch commutates the fault current from the main current branch to the commutation branch, which comprises a solid-state switch. Moreover, an efficient MPE DCCB can reduce the number of solid-state switches by dividing the transient interruption voltage (TIV) between a mechanical fast-switch and a solid-state switch. The DC interruption capability of the proposed MPE DCCB was confirmed through a DC interruption test.