USA, Massachusetts, Bedford: Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) has introduced a hybrid MVDC circuit breaker designed for medium-voltage DC systems in applications such as ships and data centres.
The new breaker is rated for 5 kV to 20 kV and combines mechanical contacts with solid-state switches. According to the company, this approach allows the breaker to open under full voltage and current, without relying on a current zero crossing.
The design is intended to combine the low steady-state losses of mechanical contacts with the arc-less switching characteristics of semiconductor devices. By avoiding the hazardous arc flashes associated with conventional separating-contact mechanical breakers, the system can help reduce fault currents, mechanical stress and contact wear.
DTI said the breaker operates in a three-step process. First, continuous high current flows through low-loss metal-to-metal conduction. The current is then briefly transferred to semiconductor switches while the contacts separate. Finally, the switch interrupts the current and transfers energy to dissipative devices.
Because the solid-state breaker conducts only during fault conditions, the design is intended to support rapid fault isolation and system recovery while limiting continuous losses during normal operation.
The company said the breaker is calculated to last for more than one million cycles. Pricing starts at $10,000, depending on voltage and current ratings.
Source: Yahoo Finance
