Solid state circuit breakers for DC micrgrids: Current status and future trends

Abstract

Short circuit protection remains one of the major technical barriers in DC microgrids. This paper reviews state of the art of DC solid state circuit breakers (SSCBs). A new concept of a self-powered SSCB using normally-on wideband gap (WBG) semiconductor devices as the main static switch is described in this paper. The new SSCB detects short circuit faults by sensing its terminal voltage rise, and draws power from the fault condition itself to turn and hold off the static switch. The new two-terminal SSCB can be directly placed in a circuit branch without requiring any external power supply or extra wiring. Challenges and future trends in protecting low voltage distribution microgrids against short circuit and other faults are discussed.