Thesis
Solid-state circuit breakers in DC distribution networks
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
05/2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000004070
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/125042
Abstract
The design and development of two direct current (DC) solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) for use in low voltage DC distribution systems were examined. Both SSCBs utilized the isolated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and were developed for low current applications of under 20 A. The approach was documented to show the advancement of IGBT technology and the fundamental understanding of high-side drive topologies and their applications. A 500 V 20 A SSCB was designed to accommodate specifications provided by Portland Architects and Engineers (PAE). The design featured two optocoupler gate drives to operate four non punch through (NPT) IGBTs in parallel, and a thermal experimentation led to the calculated temperature rise at full load operation to be 9.79 °C above ambient temperature. The SSCB's response to over current events of 120 A and 180 A was simulated to show a maximum voltage of 883 V and 1.21 kV respectively. The second SSCB developed was designed and experimentally tested to operate at 50 V with up to 10 A of continuous current using free air conditions. Experimental response and trip times for pickup (PU), total clearing time (TCT), and switching time (SWT) were found to average 43.74 µs, 47.53 µs, and 3.79 µs respectively. The average response time was found to be roughly 290 times faster than that of a conventional mechanical circuit breakers (MCBs) operation and exemplifies how the SSCB can be used to fill the gaps in conventional alternating current (AC) protection systems. The DC distribution system is capable of extreme faults that could damage sensitive power electronic equipment, and the DC distribution system and the SSCB are a continuing point of research that has the potential to drive the power industry to higher efficiencies and better utilization of clean energy systems.
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Details
- Title
- Solid-state circuit breakers in DC distribution networks
- Creators
- Leslie David Tracy
- Contributors
- Praveen K Sekhar (Advisor) - Washington State University, School of Engineering and Computer Science (VANC)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- School of Engineering and Computer Science (VANC)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900890790601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis