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The series‐type direct current (DC) hybrid circuit breaker (S‐HCB) concept was previously reported to offer better performance than solid‐state circuit breakers (SSCB) and hybrid circuit breakers (HCB). S‐HCB offers low conduction power loss like an HCB and μs$\umu \text{s}$‐scale interruption time, which is even faster than an SSCB. It uses a pulse transformer to isolate the lower‐voltage high‐inductance power electronic circuit from the high‐voltage, low‐inductance main power loop. This paper provides analysis of the impact of the S‐HCB circuit components on the overall system performance and a scalable S‐HCB design guide for different DC system voltage and current ratings. In addition, system energy flow analysis is performed in the time domain to provide an understanding of how energy is delivered, dissipated, and released throughout the entire fault interruption process. The S‐HCB prototype was experimentally tested at 3 kV/30 A and 6 kV/150A with the results showing the interruption of the low fault current of 30 A and the high fault current of 150 A within 8 μs$\umu \text{s}$ and maintaining the fault current at a near zero value for 300μs$\nobreakspace \umu \text{s}$ to enable an arcless opening of a series mechanical switch. The key design challenges of S‐HCB at high voltage and high current ratings were discussed and possible solutions to mitigate those challenges were introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a ± 535 kV hybrid high voltage direct current (HVDC) circuit breaker. In this paper, the interruption processes of the main branch, transferring branch, and MOV (metal oxide varistors) branch are studied by PSCAD/EMTDC computer simulation. Simulation results indicate that an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) in the main branch will withstand the highest electrical stress (3305 V/2200 A) and the IGBT in the transferring branch will withstand the highest voltage stress (3327 V). Finally, the ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker prototype is manufactured; the test is carried out. Test results suggest that the ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker prototype developed for the Zhangbei four‐terminal voltage source converter (VSC)‐HVDC project can interrupt a ± 25 kA (high current) within 2.84 ms. The simulation results agreed very well with the actual test results of our novel ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker. The novel ± 535 kV hybrid HVDC circuit breaker functioned exceptionally well in achieving fast short‐circuit current isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series multi‐break mechanical switch is one of the critical components of high‐voltage hybrid DC circuit breakers. However, due to the existence of distributed capacitance, the voltage distribution between the breaks is not balanced. This paper proposed a voltage sharing configuration method of the mechanical switch of hybrid DC circuit breaker, and carried out the static DC voltage and the transient voltage distribution characteristics tests to verify its effectiveness. Considering the influence of whole structure of the circuit breaker, this paper established the electrostatic field model and circuit simulation model of a typical ±535‐kV hybrid DC circuit breaker. And it analyzed the influence of single break's opening fault, breaking open distance, and the shielding fitting on the voltage distribution characteristics of series six break mechanical switch. According to the simulation results based on the Zhangbei voltage source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current project type test parameters, the parameters design of the voltage sharing components of the mechanical switch are obtained, which can meet the voltage sharing coefficient requirement of 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]