7th International Conference on Electric Power Equipment– Switching Technology (ICEPE 2024)

233 / 2024-06-05 23:16:54

Identification of Key Mechanism Behind Arc Re-ignition in LC Commutator-Based DC Circuit Breakers

Arc re-ignition, Plasma simulation, DC circuit breakers, LC commutation circuit

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems, crucial

for renewable energy and long-distance transmission, encounter

DC fault management challenges due to absent natural

zero crossings and rapid fault propagation, causing energy

dissipation and re-ignition issues during DC interruption. Prior

research has identified various factors influencing re-ignition,

including current magnitude, zero-crossing slope, and cooling

efficacy. However, experimental variation in these factors often

leads to contradictory outcomes, highlighting a gap in our

understanding of re-ignition phenomena.

This paper examines DC circuit breakers, particularly LC

commutator-based compact breakers, efficient in rapidly commutating

fault currents to a capacitor, reducing contact erosion.

These breakers offer effective DC fault interruption solutions,

but arc re-ignition management is a persistent challenge. The

focus is on identifying critical mechanisms behind arc re-ignition.

Our study presents an integrated model combining arc physics

with LC circuitry to simulate arcing stages in DC interruption.

Investigating three electrode cooling scenarios, we emphasize the

importance of the thin boundary layer to prevent re-ignition.

Two strategies are proposed to improve breaker performance: increasing

sheath voltage via contact material changes or extending

cooling time with a larger capacitor. These approaches highlight

the vital role of boundary layer temperature management in

preventing re-ignition, offering significant insights for advancing

HVDC fault management.