New hybrid circuit breaker/current limiter with serial and parallel commutation assistance

This paper presents a new hybrid circuit breaker topology based on the use of serial and parallel semiconductors that allows to increase the supply voltage and default current with no arc, and to benefit from a current limitation function. A concrete marine application, with 6.6 kV AC breakers, have been studied and simulated for the DGA (French defence procurement agency). The whole constraints have been shared between the different components in order to optimise the system. This new circuit breaker shows interesting performances and new functionalities that should be able to give additional margins on network components design.