Design of Dual-wire Bidirectional Blocking Solid-state Circuit Breaker for Deep-sea Medium Voltage DC/DC Converter Based on SiC JFET

Abstract

Solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) are characterized by their capacity to rapidly cut off faulty currents. In the context of deep-sea medium voltage DC/DC converter applications—an environment that necessitates the black start of DC/DC and the integration with the leakage detection functionality of the underwater cables—this paper proposes a design approach for a dual-wire bidirectional blocking SSCB (DWBB SSCB). This design exclusively employs a series SiC JFET as the main switch and, through current detection for short-circuit fault, a swift fault elimination can be achieved. The paper explores the parameter design methodology for the series voltage equalization circuit and assesses it through a built prototype experimental platform. Experimental outcomes demonstrate that this DC SSCB offers dual-wire bidirectional blocking capabilities with a shutdown time of 4.5 μs proving to be an efficient static and dynamic voltage equilibrator for the main switch device, thereby presenting a pragmatic application.

Keywords

• solid-state circuit breaker
• super cascode
• series voltage equalization
• sic jfet
• double-wire bidirectional blocking
• deep-sea medium voltage dc/dc converter