| Abstract |
DC circuit breakers play a major role in developing and expanding electric power system networks by protecting the network elements from short circuits and overloads. This paper proposes a modified bidirectional z-source dc circuit breaker (MBZSDCCB) by retaining features such as common ground between source and load side terminals, low pass filtering, minimised reflected fault current, and incorporates the features of reduced starting current, elimination of negative current flow during starting and reclosing, and bidirectional power flow capability. The sizing of the components used in the proposed dc circuit breaker is analysed in detail. The MBZSDCCB operation during a short circuit, and commissioning/reclosing instances is demonstrated in SPICE simulation. The issues with the existing z-source circuit breaker are identified by an experimental prototype with a system rating of 120V/3.5A. The performance testing of the proposed MBZSDCCB is validated using simulations in spice and alsoby developing an experimental prototype of a system rating 400V/10A. |
