Novel DC Circuit Breaker Using Magnet-Extinguisher and Free-Wheel Diode

• DOI: 10.1007/s42835-018-00015-7
• Publication Date: 2019-02-11T19:39:02Z
• Authors: Yong-Jung Kim; Hyosung Kim
• Keywords: 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 7. Clean energy

Recently DC distribution systems receive high lights according to the expansion of DC power generation and DC loads such as PV generations, EVs, LEDs, Computers, DC homes, etc. DC distribution systems have good perspectives, because DC has various good aspects compared to AC. However, during disconnecting the circuit of DC distribution systems, it is not easy to extinguish the current arc which leads to disastrous fire. Therefore, DC distribution systems need special circuit breaking technology for the safety of human and electric facility. This paper proposes a novel DC circuit breaker that combines magnet arc extinguisher and free-wheel diode branch. Through the performance experiments of breaking current for inductive loads with time constant of 20 ms, the characteristics of the proposed DC circuit breaker shows better performance compared to typical magnet DC circuit breakers and gives good perspectives for higher source voltages between 100 and 400 V.