Design of Solid-State Circuit Breaker-Based Protection for DC Shipboard Power Systems

Abstract

Fast increasing dc fault currents in dc shipboard distribution systems require fast dc protective devices and protection methods. Solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) inherently have fast protection speed and thus are proper for dc shipboard distribution protection. Based on the analysis of the fault current features in dc shipboard distribution systems, the design of the system protection employing SSCBs is discussed from the perspectives of SSCB technologies, design requirements, and protection methods. Fast speed, low cost, low loss, and optimized design are major challenges of SSCB-based dc shipboard distribution protection.