A Modular Bi-Directional Hybrid Circuit Breaker for Medium and High

Voltage DC Networks

Jaganath Krishnan†, Henry Gueldner†, Karsten Handt‡ and Sebastian Nielebock‡

†TU Dresden and ‡Siemens AG
† Power Electronics Group, Helmholtzstrasse 9, 01069 Dresden, Germany
‡ Guenther-Scharowsky-Strasse 1, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
Email: Krishnan.Jaganath@tu-dresden.de
URL: http://www.tu-dresden.de

Keywords
DC Transmission, DC Grid, Renewable Energy, Smart Grid, HVDC Breaker

Abstract
The development of dc transmission and distribution technologies are gaining traction. With renewable
energy being fed to the grid constantly increasing, there is growing interest in development of dc grids.
A major hindrance for their development is attributed to the lack of protection during short-circuit fault.
Hybrid circuit breakers, a combination of mechanical and semi-conductor devices are understood to be
the most effective method to protect dc grids against such faults. Several of such hybrid breakers are
published and patented but still a practical high voltage dc breaker has not been developed. In this paper
a novel modular hybrid circuit breaker is presented. This paper tries to address limitations present in
existing breakers and a scalable model which can be used for both medium and high voltage dc networks
is proposed.

Introduction
DC transmission and distribution system has significant advantages over ac transmission systems. Con-
nection of asynchronous grid, long distance water crossings, ease of control, no reactive and harmonic
related issues are some of the major advantages of dc transmission systems. Today, dc systems are ex-
tensively used for point-to point transmission over long distances [1, 2, 3, 4]. Nowadays, the share of
energy from renewable sources to the grid are constantly increasing. Hence, there is a lot of interest in
medium voltage and high voltage dc grids [5, 6, 7, 8]. Medium voltage typically falls between 1kV to
35kV and acts as a bridge between low voltage and high voltage dc network. This platform helps in
compromising cost and efficiency of the overall system. Voltage levels above 35kV are classified as high
voltage networks [9]. There has been several proposals on development of dc grids as an alternative to
ac grids because of their aforementioned advantages. But even today dc grids are not a reality.
DC networks pose certain problems. The relative low impedance in medium and high voltage networks
makes it more vulnerable to short-circuit faults [10, 11, 12]. Fault currents can typically go from 10
to 150kA within 5ms. This results in severe thermal and mechanical stresses leading to deformation of
transformers and bus bars [13]. Hence, a faulty line has to be disconnected from the dc grid immediately
once fault is detected. As opposed to ac current, dc current does not have a natural current zero leading
to arc formation. This makes ac circuit breakers unsuitable for dc grids. There are also several other
protection systems for dc networks [14, 15, 16, 17, 18]. But due to their dis-advantages or high cost, they
are not universally accepted. A new dc breaker is required to isolate dc faults. A typical multi-terminal
dc network is shown in Fig. 1.
An ideal circuit breaker should have the following features:
 Fig. 1: Typical multi-terminal dc network

• Fast breaking action

• Minimal arcing after contact separation
• Minimal conduction losses
• Reliable protection against all types of faults
• Prevention of repetitive switching operation
• Prevention of excessive transient recovery voltage.

Hybrid Circuit Breaker

Since the development of power semiconductors (power diode, thyristor, GTO-thyristor, power transis-
tor, IGBT, power MOSFET, and IGCT) [19],[20], there has been improved interest in dc circuit break-
ers. Power semiconductor switches provide a fast acting arc-less mechanism for isolating fault currents.
Their major disadvantages are sensitivity towards transient over-voltage and de-saturation caused by
over-current, thereby leading to break down of devices. Also such power semi-conductor devices have
relatively high conduction losses which will limit their current ratings and reduce overall efficiency of
the system. Because of such limitations, a new class of dc breakers known as hybrid circuit breakers
are widely discussed. Hybrid breakers are a combination of mechanical and semi-conductor devices
thereby complimenting their respective advantages and disadvantages [21, 22, 23, 24]. Most commonly
discussed hybrid circuit breakers are shown in Fig. 2. A brief explanation of the breakers and their
limitations are described in following sub-sections.
Traditional DC Breaker
In this type of breaker, the commutation process is achieved by additional circuits connected in parallel
across the main breaker. In such circuits a capacitor stores certain amount of energy and by discharging
this energy, a controlled counter-current injection can be achieved. This counter-current injection op-
poses the main current in the breaker in order to produce a forced current-zero. Current zero can only be
produced if the counter-current injected is greater than the instantaneous fault current [13, 25]. The basic
DC commutation system is shown in Fig. 2(a).
Their main disadvantages are:
• The need of a continuous external voltage for charging the capacitor CPG
• High over voltages across the breaker during current interruption across arrestor, MOV
• Bi-directional operation is limited.
DC Breaker from [26]
This dc breaker follows a similar technique of commutation as with the traditional breaker, also enabling
bi-directional operation. During normal operation, the current flows through the mechanical breakers
Bin and Bout . In this process, the capacitor (CPG ) gets charged through diode and resistor eliminating
Fig. 2: Hybrid circuit breakers: (a) Traditional circuit breaker; (b) Breaker concept from [26]; (c) Hybrid
HVDC Breaker - ABB

the need for an external charging circuit. When there is a fault, the thyristor is turned on. Thyristor
automatically turns off when all charges are transferred to the bottom plate of CPG . Once thyristor turns
off, capacitor current flows through the diodes in a direction opposing the fault current, thereby opening
the mechanical breaker [26]. The basic DC commutation system is shown in Fig. 2(b).
Some of main disadvantages in this method include:
• Once thyristor is turned on, the dc breaker is non interruptible. Hence, sufficient precaution has to
be taken before firing on the thyristor
• Only half of the stored capacitor energy is used to quench the fault. At any direction, the pulse
current aides the fault current in one breaker and opposes the fault current in the other mechanical
breaker. Hence a larger capacitance is required to generate commutation current
• With larger capacitance, more time is required for the charges to change polarity in the capacitor.
Hence, the interruption is not instantaneous.
Hybrid HVDC Breaker - ABB
In this circuit breaker, a series low voltage switch is used to transfer the fault current from the main
breaker to arrestor or MOV where the current is extinguished. Initially the load current flows through
the ultra-fast disconnector (UFD) and a load commutation switch (LCS). When there is a fault, LCS is
turned off. Since it is a power electronic switch it turns of instantaneously and arc-less. Then the fault
current flows through the series connected switches called main breaker. When all the fault current has
transited to the main breaker, UFD is turned off at zero current. After opening disconnector, main breaker
is turned off such that the fault current is quenched by the arrestor. The major advantage in this method
is, LCS uses a low voltage semiconductor switch thereby, reducing the on-state conduction losses [27].
The basic DC commutation system is shown in Fig. 2(c).
Some disadvantages in this method are discussed below:
• Load current flows through a low voltage semiconductor switch. This generates losses and reduces
the overall efficiency of the system
• For bi-directional operation two low voltage switches are connected in series increasing conduction
losses
• Fault current can cause de-saturation of IGBTs in main breaker leading to voltage build-up between
the collector and emitter when the device is fully on
• The ageing of arrestor has to be considered. The lifetime of the arrestor is limited by the fault
current flowing through them.

Proposed Hybrid Circuit Breaker

From the previous section it is shown that there are several techniques and methods employed for short-
circuit protection in dc networks. But there are several problems and constraints in all discussed breakers.
In this section, a new dc breaker is proposed. The proposed breaker helps to solve some of problems
mentioned above. The major conceived advantage is high level of modularity achieved in this topology
such that it can be used for medium and high voltage dc networks.
Medium Voltage Network
The topology of a single module dc breaker in monopole configuration is shown in Fig.3. SW 1 to SW 4
are the four IGBT semi-conductor switches connected in H-Bridge fashion. There is a capacitor (CPG )
and a resistor (RPG ) as part of the breaker. The mechanical breaker consists of fast acting vacuum tubes,
thereby ensuring minimal conduction losses. The diodes DLe f t and DRight helps in absorbing the energies
of LLe f t and LRight , the inherent line inductances present in the system. The diodes also limit negative
over voltages and absorb the excessive energy in the line after a faulty branch has been disconnected.
The four IGBT switches are used to generate a pulsed counter-injection current against the fault current.
The dc breaker breaker can be easily extended to bipolar grids. The Pulse Generation is achieved by
turning on respective IGBTs SW 1 to SW 4. Corresponding pair of switches (SW 1&SW 2 or SW 3&SW 4)
are turned on depending on the direction of the fault current. The capacitor CPG is permanently charged
to the highest possible line voltage by turning on Thyristor T 1. MOV based arrestors can also be added
in the circuit to absorb additional fault energies. The thyristor T 1 also helps in generating a unipolar
pulse current. All parts are scalable by series connection enhancing safety and reliability.
The proposed topology has the following advantages over other methods:
• It does not have a semi-conductor device in the series path. Hence there are no conduction losses
• Bi-directional operation is possible with minimum devices
• Extremely modular design. Several H-brides can be connected in series or parallel to accommodate
higher dc bus voltages or higher load currents
• By turning on T1 during normal operation, the breaker capacitor is charged to highest line voltage.
Hence, an external charging circuit is not required
• The size of breaker capacitor is considerably reduced compared to existing dc breakers
• Requirement of arrestors are eliminated for quenching fault current. Arrestors are subjecting to
ageing very frequently and has to be replaced periodically
• Immediate and fast action on the fault current is possible.
A detailed operation of the breaker operation is shown in Fig. 4. For simplicity of understanding arrestors
are not included. During normal operation, the load current flows through the mechanical breaker Bin
as seen in Fig.4(a) from left to right. There are no semi-conductor switches in the series path, hence
no conduction losses. A major challenge during fault, is to direct the fault current though an alternate
pre-determined path such that the overall system is protected. Once a fault is detected, the breaker Bin is
turned off and switches SW 1 and SW 2 are turned on. Once Bin is opened, arc will be generated thereby
 Fig. 3: Proposed hybrid circuit breaker

feeding energy into the fault. At the same time a counter-injection current is generated by the dc breaker.
The resulting breaker current is shown in Fig.4(b).
Once, the respective switches are turned on, a negative current flows from the pre-charged capacitor
negating the fault current. The capacitor CPG and resistor RPG are designed such that, a commutating
current is flown for at least 2ms through the mechanical breaker. This ensures, all the charges across
Bin are completely de-ionized. After Bin is opened, the fault current flows through the diodes in the
switches SW 3 and SW 4. By this, the complete opening of Bin is ensured. After opening of Bin is ensured,
an alternate path for the fault has to be established. In order to achieve this, thyristor T 1 is turned on.
Once T 1 is on, the anode of diode in SW 3 becomes grounded and it is stops conducting. All the fault
currents rushes to the neutral of the system through the thyristor T 1. This is shown in Fig.4(c). By doing
this, the fault current charges the breaker capacitor CPG . After the breaker capacitor has absorbed all
the energy stored in LLe f t , the diode in SW 1 becomes reverse biased and it turns off. Current flowing
through thyristor T 1 also falls to zero, thereby commutating T 1 naturally. The energy stored in LRight is
freewheeled through the diode DRight . For bi-directional operation, SW 3 and SW 4 are turned on.
High Voltage Network
In the previous section, a single H-bridge module of the proposed hybrid breaker is discussed. Several of
such H-bridge modules can be added in series or parallel to accommodate higher bus voltages and higher
fault currents. A basic structure of several H-bridge modules connected in series is shown in Fig. 5.
Corresponding switches SW 1 and SW 4, SW 6 and SW 7, etc. in each module is turned on simultaneously
such that a counter-injection current is generated against the fault current. The maximum voltage stress
across semi-conductor devices in each module is factored from the dc bus voltage by total number of
H-bridge modules. Hence, currently available semi-conductor devices can be used in the proposed dc
breaker. Also, being modular gives the flexibility to change dc breaker characteristics with change in dc
grid requirements and account for redundancy in case of failure in dc breaker.
Calculation of Breaker Parameters
At time t1 a short-circuit current i1 is established. The current starts to increase exponentially only limited
by the dc line resistance RLine . The equation of the fault current is given by:

di1 di1
Vdc = LLe f t +Varc + LRight + RLine i1 (t)
dt dt
 Fig. 4: Proposed hybrid circuit breaker operation

The transient equation of fault current is given by:

i1 (t) = (I f − Ii )(1 − e−t/τ ) + Ii (1)

where, Ii , I f and τ are the initial current, final current and time constant of the system.
When a short-circuit fault is detected, the mechanical breaker is turned on. Generally, it takes about 2ms
to turn off breaker completely. Hence, SW 1 and SW 2 are turned on for 2ms. The breaker capacitance CPG
is pre-charged to highest possible line voltage. This generates a counter injection current idcb opposing
fault current. The counter injection current, limited by RPG is given by:

(Vc −Varc ) −t/RC

idcb (t) = e (2)
RPG

The arc voltage Varc is relatively small when compared to line voltage and hence, for all practical purposes
it can be neglected. Subtracting (1) from (2) has to be zero or negative at t = 2ms.
 Fig. 5: Modular hybrid circuit breaker

idcb (t) − i1 (t) = 0|t = 2ms (3)

Solving the above equation gives the required value of dc breaker resistance and capacitance.

Simulation Results
A single H-bridge module of proposed hybrid circuit breaker as discussed in previous section is simu-
lated. The dc bus voltage of 5000V is feeding a load of 500A. At t = 0.5s a fault is initiated. This causes
the current to increase exponentially. The fault current is limited to 2000A by the dc line resistance. A
line inductance of 100mH is present between dc bus and fault. Once, fault is detected switches SW 1 and
SW 2 are turned on. A counter-injection current with a peak value of 3kA is generated by the dc breaker.
This current opposes the fault current thereby extinguishing the arc. The respective switches are turned
on for 2ms to ensure complete removal of plasma formed across the mechanical breaker. The simulation
results are shown in Fig. 6.
In 6(a), once a fault is initiated, in 250μs the switches SW 1 and SW 2 are turned on. The counter-injection
current makes the overall mechanical breaker current negative. The resultant fall in CPG voltage for 2ms
is shown in Fig. 6(b). After the switches are turned off, thyristor T 1 is turned on. This provides an
alternate path for fault current. During this process, CPG voltage is charged back to line voltage. The
respective fault and input currents are shown in 6(c),(d).

Conclusion
In this paper, the significance and importance of dc transmission is understood. It is also understood that,
there are great opportunities and advantages for medium voltage dc networks like cost, efficiency, etc.
Hence, dc networks will be an inseparable part of tomorrow’s power system. With their advantages, there
are also significant problems which persists today restricting its role in expansion, such as development
of medium and high voltage meshed network. One such problem and its solution is focused in this paper.
A new dc breaker, which overcomes many drawbacks in existing breakers is elaborated. The circuit
operation and its advantages are explained and simulated. There are also considerable improvements in
 Fig. 6: Simulation Results

mechanical breaker design. Such advances allow mechanical breaker to open faster than 2ms, enabling
proposed dc breaker to clear fault network much faster. Simulation results are presented to enhance
further understanding of the considered modular hybrid circuit breaker. With this, it is understood that a
dc breaker is very critical to the dc network and it is sure to form an integral part of future power systems.

References
[1] Greenwood, A and Kanngiessner, K and Lesclae, V and Margaard, T and Schultz, W: Circuit breakers for
meshed multiterminal HVDC systems Part I: Introduction DC side substation switching under normal and
fault conditions, Electra Vol 163, pp. 98-122
[2] Greenwood, A and Kanngiessner, K and Lesclae, V and Margaard, T and Schultz, W: Circuit breakers for
meshed multiterminal HVDC systems part II: switching of transmission lines in meshed MTDC systems,
Electra Vol 164, pp. 62-82
[3] Flourentzou, N., Agelidis, V. G. & Demetriades, G. D.: VSC-based HVDC power transmission systems: An
overview, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Vol 24, pp. 592-602
[4] Bahrman, Michael and Johnson, Brian: The ABCs of HVDC transmission technologies, IEEE power and
energy magazine Vol 2 no. 5, pp. 32-44
[5] Meyer, Christoph and Höing, Markus and Peterson, Anders and De Doncker, Rik W: Control and design of
DC grids for offshore wind farms, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications Vol 43 no. 6, pp. 1475-1482
[6] Kirby, NM and Luckett, MJ and Xu, L and Siepmann, Werner: HVDC transmission for large offshore
windfarms, Seventh International Conference on AC-DC Power Transmission, pp. 162-168
[7] Yang, X and Bai, G and Schmidhalter, R: hore to ship converter system for energy saving and emission
reduction, IEEE 8th International Conference on Power Electronics and ECCE Asia, pp. 2081-2086
[8] DLR: Trans-mediterranean interconnection for concentrating solar power
[9] IEEE Standard: IEEE Recommended Practice for 1 kV to 35 kV Medium-Voltage DC Power Systems on
Ships, IEEE Std 1709-2010
[10] Tang, Lianxiang and Ooi, Boon-Teck: Locating and isolating DC faults in multi-terminal DC systems, IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery Vol 22, pp. 1877-1884
[11] Pucher, W: Fundamentals of HVDC interruption, ELECTRA-CIGRE no. 5, pp. 24-38
[12] Gibo, N and Takenaka, K and Verma, Suresh Chand and Sugimoto, Shigeyuki and Ogawa, Shigeaki: Protec-
tion scheme of voltage sourced converters based HVDC system under DC fault, Transmission and Distribu-
tion Conference and Exhibition 2002: Asia Pacific. IEEE/PES Vol 2, pp. 1320-1325
[13] Atmadji, Ali Mahfudz Surya: Direct current hybrid breakers: A design and its realization, Technische Uni-
versiteit Eindhoven
[14] Wright, Arthur and Newbery, P Gordon: Electric fuses, IET Vol 49, pp. 719-724
[15] Benouar, M: Pyrotechnique circuit interrupter for the protection of electrical systems, IEEE Transactions on
Power Apparatus and Systems no. 8, pp. 2006-2010
[16] Skindhøj, Jørgen and Glatz-Reichenbach, Joachim and Strümpler, Ralf: Repetitive current limiter based on
polymer PTC resistor, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery Vol 13 no. 2, pp. 489-494
[17] Gray, KE and Fowler, DE: A superconducting fault-current limiter, Journal of Applied Physics Vol 49 no. 4,
pp. 2546–2550
[18] Smith, RK and Slade, PG and Sarkozi, M and Stacey, EJ and Bonk, JJ and Mehta, H and WALLING, RA:
Solid state distribution current limiter and circuit breaker: application requirements and control strategies,
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery Vol 8 no. 3, pp. 1155-1164
[19] Mohan, Ned and Undeland, Tore M: Power electronics: converters, applications, and design, John Wiley &
Sons
[20] Sheng, Kuang and Williams, Barry W and Finney, Stephen J: A review of IGBT models, IEEE Transactions
on Power Electronics Vol 15 no. 6, pp. 1250-1266
[21] Franck, Christian M: HVDC circuit breakers: A review identifying future research needs, IEEE Transactions
on Power Delivery Vol 26 no. 2, pp. 998-1007
[22] Pauli, B and Mauthe, G and Ruoss, E and Ecklin, G and Porter, J and Vithayathil, J: Development of a high
current HVDC circuit breaker with fast fault clearing capability, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery Vol
3 no. 4, pp. 2072-2080
[23] Senda, T and Tamagawa, T and Higuchi, K and Horiuchi, T and Yanabu, Satoru: Development of HVDC
circuit breaker based on hybrid interruption scheme, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems
no. 3, pp. 545-552
[24] McEwan, Peter M and Tennakoon, Sarath B: A two-stage DC thyristor circuit breaker, A two-stage DC
thyristor circuit breaker Vol 12 no. 4, pp. 597-607
[25] Zyborski, J.; Czucha, J. & Sajnacki, M.: Thyristor circuit breaker for overcurrent protection of industrial dc
power installations, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Vol 24, pp. 685-688
[26] Marquardt, Rainer: Modular multilevel converter topologies with DC-short circuit current limitation, IEEE
8th International Conference on Power Electronics and ECCE Asia, pp. 1425-1431
[27] Callavik, M and Blomberg, A and Hafner, J and Jacobson, B: The hybrid HVDC Breaker: An innovation
breakthrough enabling reliable HVDC grid, ABB Grid Systems 2012