Abstract
The development of high-performance DC circuit breakers (DCCBs) and rapid fault detection schemes is a crucial and challenging part of advancing Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) HVDC grids. This paper introduces a new current-limiting DCCB that uses the differential discharge times of shunt capacitors to generate artificial current zero-crossings, thus facilitating arc quenching. This mechanism significantly reduces the effect of fault currents on the MMC. The shunt capacitors and arresters in the proposed breaker also offer voltage support during faults, effectively stopping transient traveling waves from spreading to nearby non-fault lines. This feature creates an effective line protection boundary in multi-terminal HVDC systems. Additionally, a fast fault detection scheme with primary and backup protection is proposed. A four-terminal MMC-HVDC (±500 kV) simulation model is built in PSCAD/EMTDC to validate the scheme. The results demonstrate the excellent fault detection performance of the proposed method. The voltage and current behavior during the interruption process of the new DCCB is also analyzed and compared with that of a hybrid DCCB.
| Original language | English |
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| Journal | Energies |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Jan 2026 |
Data Availability Statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China for their support.Funding
This research was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China (52377104) and Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China (22KJA470006).