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HIGH VOLTAGE DC CIRCUIT BREAKER APPARATUS

  • US 20150116881A1
  • Filed: 03/01/2012
  • Published: 04/30/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2012
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A circuit breaker apparatus for use in high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission, the circuit breaker apparatus comprising one module or a plurality of series-connected modules, the or each module including first, second, third and fourth conduction paths;

  • and first and second terminals for connection to an electrical network, each conduction path extending between the first and second terminals, the first conduction path including a mechanical switching element to selectively allow current to flow between the first and second terminals through the first conduction path in a first mode of operation or commutate current from the first conduction path to the second conduction path in a second mode of operation, the second conduction path including at least one semiconductor switching element to selectively allow current to flow between the first and second terminals through the second conduction path or commutate current from the second conduction path to the third conduction path in the second mode of operation, wherein an arc voltage of the mechanical switching element exceeds an on-state voltage across the semiconductor switching element or the plurality of semiconductor switching elements, the third conduction path including a snubber circuit having an energy storage device to control a rate of change of voltage across the mechanical switching element and oppose current flowing between the first and second terminals in the second mode of operation, the fourth conduction path including a resistive element to absorb and dissipate energy in the second mode of operation and divert charging current from the first and second terminals away from the energy storage device to limit a maximum voltage across the first and second terminals, the circuit breaker apparatus including further a plurality of series-connected modules, wherein, in use, the or each semiconductor switching element of one or more modules switches to commutate current from the second conduction path to the third conduction path in the second mode of operation whilst the or each semiconductor switching element of the or each other module switches to allow current to flow between the first and second terminals through the second conduction path.

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