Optimization and Control of a Z-Source, Ultrafast Mechanically Switched, High-Efficiency DC Circuit Breaker

A novel design of the Z-source circuit breaker topology is presented to minimize on-state losses of the protection device. An ultrafast mechanical switch is proposed to commutate the fault current and improve the controllability of the circuit breaker. Replacing the power thyristor in the Z-source circuit breaker and integrating an advanced control scheme reduces energy losses with a low-resistanc...