MVDC Power System Protection: Verification

Abstract

Project Summary Design innovations have furthered the use of dc power in ship systems; in particular mediumvoltage dc systems. Protection devices for dc systems are limited, since direct current does not produce a natural zero-crossing as is the case with ac systems. Normally, in dc systems the interruption of current produces an arc which is sustained by the system inductance, preventing the system under fault conditions to turn off. Currently most dc systems use solid-state switches along with fault detecting devices to interrupt fault currents. Ac breakers with an enhanced blast mechanism to extinguish the arc are also employed to provide galvanic isolation. The z-source breaker was introduced as a faster and more automatic method to interrupt dc power in response to a large transient current. Variations on the z-source breaker have been developed to allow for a common ground and allow for large transient changes in load without switching off. Simulation studies have demonstrated the use of the z-source breaker in a notional ship power system. The work proposed herein involves constructing a laboratory system. This system will be more extensive than straightforward source-and-load systems that have been used to date. The laboratory system will then be used to verify coordinated control of z-source breakers.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 08, 2016
Source ID
N000141512698

Entities

People

  • Keith Corzine

Organizations

  • Clemson University
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design