High performance solid-state switches using series-connected SiC-MOSFETs for high voltage applications

The traditional circuit breaker is not propitious for high voltage applications, due to their terribly loss of magnetism on a large stroke length. In contrast, solid-state switch as a high voltage device not only overcomes this disadvantage, but also is beneficial to realize fast-adjust of electrical control, which is good characteristic for high controllability, lower cost and reliability. In this paper, a high-performance, high-voltage solid-state switch is designed by series connection of SiC-MOSFETs. Furthermore, this paper presents a simple and reliable auxiliary active clamping circuit to guarantee the voltage balancing across the devices, which acts as a feedback on the gate terminal of switches. With this proposed method, it is realized solid-state switches with working voltages of several kilo-volts. Finally, simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the solid-state switches and its application to high voltage system.