New technological trends in high-voltage power circuit breakers

This article introduces a comprehensive survey on new trends in high-voltage (HV) power circuit breakers (CBs) technology. Applying the new puffer and the self-blast technologies, the ratings of SF
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CBs have reached upto 1,100 kV, 80 kA, and 50 GVA, which is the world's largest gas insulated switchgear (GIS), with independent pole operation and utilizing the advantages of external composite insulators. Several new vacuum arc control technologies are discussed. New generations of controlled intelligent switching devices that implement new power electronic actuating devices are introduced. Finally, superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) are introduced. SFCLs have two main properties: current limitation capability and ultra high-speed operation. SFCLS could be a key technology for future power systems engineering