Abstract
The rate of rise of the fault current in DC grids is very high compared to AC grids because of the low line impedance of DC lines. In AC grids the arc of the circuit breaker under current interruption is extinguished by the zero current crossing which is provided naturally by the system. In DC grids the zero current crossing must be provided by the circuit breaker itself. Unlike AC girds, the magnetic energy of DC grids is stored in the system inductance. The DC circuit breaker must dissipate the stored energy. In addition the DC breaker must withstand the residual overvoltage after the current interruption. The main contents of this paper are to ${\cdot}$ Explain the theoretical background for the design of DC circuit breaker. ${\cdot}$ Develop the simulation model in PSIM of the real scaled DC circuit breaker for 1,800V DC railway. ${\cdot}$ Suggest design guidelines for the DC circuit breaker based on the experimental work, simulations and design process.
