Solid State Circuit Breakers

[deltawhy]

Hello,
I have been reading many different IEEE articles that have been outlining designs for solid state circuit breakers using newer semiconductor technology (most are since 2008). I know the concept of the solid state circuit breaker has been around for at least 20 years (a Powell Electronics patent was filed in 1991 for it). What I am wondering now, with all the hype on arc flash mitigation and fast clearing time, is if there is a good reason as to why these devices have not been developed and marketed?

As well, can anyone point out some reputable IGBT / IGCT manufacturers?


Thanks

 

[FreddyNurk]

I have no idea just how well they work, if they work at all or have any awareness of their performance, but I've come across this once or twice. I can only assume that they perform reasonably well.

 

[PeterVenkman]

I am in the process of trying to put together an induction furnace with IGBTs and heat is a major issue. Won't there be that same issue with solid state breakers?

 

[deltawhy]

The three issues that may arise are on state losses (heat), transient voltage recovery, and interrupting capacity.
Based on the power losses of the IGCTs I've looked at and for the current levels most likely used, thermal management should not be difficult.
TVR can be solved by a parallel snubber circuit. To absorb the energy in the inductance of the system, a resonant circuit can be employed that will take the diverted current once the gates are commutated. Because the clearing time is so fast, peak currents will never be reached and thus interrupting capacity is irrelevant. These issues seem to be fairly simple to solve.

@ Freddy, thanks for the link to Thycon. I've looked at their products but there does not seem to be much technical information available. Are there any companies that offer these types of products in the USA?


Thanks