Improving the Practicality of Innovative DC Circuit Breakers Using Linear Motors

Abstract

The concept of carbon neutrality has attracted significant attention, leading to a growing demand for circuit breakers that can be installed in DC electric power systems. Our research group has proposed a safe, rapid, cost-effective, and compact circuit breaker that combines the high current-limiting performance of fuses with the high-speed interruption function of power semiconductors. The objective of this study is to further develop this device into a system that can be defined as a true “circuit breaker” by introducing a fuse exchanger using a linear motor. The integration of the exchanger within the circuit breaker enables three critical functions: reclosing the current path, interrupting small currents, and preventing fuse explosions. To achieve these functionalities, a feedback switching control method was developed and experimentally verified under high-voltage conditions.