Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor

This paper introduces an innovative non-destructive device designed to detect and limit short-circuit currents in LVDC grids. The proposed solution utilizes a transformer fully saturated by a permanent magnet during normal operation. When a short-circuit condition occurs, the transformer desaturates...

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Main Authors: Johannes Gehring, Raffael Schwanninger, Alexander Nowak, Bernd Wunder, Vincent Lorentz, Martin Marz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10945435/
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author Johannes Gehring
Raffael Schwanninger
Alexander Nowak
Bernd Wunder
Vincent Lorentz
Martin Marz
author_facet Johannes Gehring
Raffael Schwanninger
Alexander Nowak
Bernd Wunder
Vincent Lorentz
Martin Marz
author_sort Johannes Gehring
collection DOAJ
description This paper introduces an innovative non-destructive device designed to detect and limit short-circuit currents in LVDC grids. The proposed solution utilizes a transformer fully saturated by a permanent magnet during normal operation. When a short-circuit condition occurs, the transformer desaturates, reducing the rise in current and triggering the detection and protection mechanism. The structure and functionality of the device, along with the design criteria, are discussed. Additionally, optimization measures are presented, examined, and validated. Experimental results from the advanced device prototype demonstrate its effectiveness in detecting and limiting overcurrents. The device features a stable tripping threshold and can safely and reliably interrupt even low time constant capacitive short-circuits. This hardware-based detection solution is ideally suited for installation in a semiconductor circuit breaker.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2644-1314
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
spelling doaj-art-18373c558c4b43c480eba2b19e32a3312025-08-20T02:03:15ZengIEEEIEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics2644-13142025-01-01652453610.1109/OJPEL.2025.355579710945435Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated InductorJohannes Gehring0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2816-5910Raffael Schwanninger1https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5010-1406Alexander Nowak2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7329-5768Bernd Wunder3https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3543-4158Vincent Lorentz4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2391-4406Martin Marz5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2444-0484Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB, Erlangen, GermanyInstitute of Power Electronics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, GermanyInstitute of Power Electronics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, GermanyFraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB, Erlangen, GermanyElectronics for Electrical Energy Storage at the University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, GermanyInstitute of Power Electronics at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, GermanyThis paper introduces an innovative non-destructive device designed to detect and limit short-circuit currents in LVDC grids. The proposed solution utilizes a transformer fully saturated by a permanent magnet during normal operation. When a short-circuit condition occurs, the transformer desaturates, reducing the rise in current and triggering the detection and protection mechanism. The structure and functionality of the device, along with the design criteria, are discussed. Additionally, optimization measures are presented, examined, and validated. Experimental results from the advanced device prototype demonstrate its effectiveness in detecting and limiting overcurrents. The device features a stable tripping threshold and can safely and reliably interrupt even low time constant capacitive short-circuits. This hardware-based detection solution is ideally suited for installation in a semiconductor circuit breaker.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10945435/Current measurementDC circuit breakersDC power systemsfault current limitersovercurrent protectionprotection
spellingShingle Johannes Gehring
Raffael Schwanninger
Alexander Nowak
Bernd Wunder
Vincent Lorentz
Martin Marz
Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor
IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
Current measurement
DC circuit breakers
DC power systems
fault current limiters
overcurrent protection
protection
title Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor
title_full Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor
title_fullStr Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor
title_full_unstemmed Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor
title_short Method for Detection and Limitation of Short-Circuit Currents for Semiconductor Circuit Breakers in LVDC Grids Using a Pre-Saturated Inductor
title_sort method for detection and limitation of short circuit currents for semiconductor circuit breakers in lvdc grids using a pre saturated inductor
topic Current measurement
DC circuit breakers
DC power systems
fault current limiters
overcurrent protection
protection
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10945435/
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