Hybrid phase-controlled circuit breaker with switch system used in the railway auto-passing neutral section with an electric load

Abstract

Constrained by the characteristics of neutral sections (NS) and traditional vacuum circuit breakers, previous phase-controlled strategies have a long power supply dead time, it is difficult to realize a continuous power supply to the auxiliary power system. The dead time can be reduced by using the ground automatic convert method, hybrid phase-controlled technologies can in theory completely eliminate inrush currents. In this paper, a new system based on hybrid phase-controlled switches is described and termed ground-switching passing neutral section system (GPNSS). The principle for restraining inrush currents is analyzed and strategies are carried out with the dead time limited to 5 ms. The characteristics of the vacuum circuit breaker are illustrated and the closing time window of the transformer is quantified. Through the use of mechanical switches and power electronics, the auxiliary power system may be continuously powered. The prototype system is implemented and experimentally tested in the laboratory.

Keywords

• automatic system
• hybrid circuit breaker
• inrush current
• neutral section
• phase-controlled technology