Power system device and method for actively interrupting fault current before reaching peak magnitude
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United States of America Patent
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Dec 29, 1998
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
May 23, 1997
filing date -
May 23, 1997
priority date (Note) -
Expired
status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
A device/method for actively interrupting fault current in an ac or dc power system before the fault current is capable of growing to peak magnitude or steady state condition, respectively, is presented. In an ac implementation, a commutating capacitance of desired polarity from one of two commutating circuits is coupled across a circuit interrupter comprising a pair of separable contacts. The circuit interrupter operates to open circuit the power system upon reaching zero current therethrough. The commutating capacitance of appropriate polarity actively drives the fault current to zero before the fault current reach peak magnitude, thereby allowing the circuit interrupter to open circuit the power system before the fault current's natural current zero. In dc implementation, the commutating capacitance is connected to dissipate a fault current while the system is in transient state, thereby protecting the power system from full steady state fault current condition. In both ac and dc implementations, the circuit interrupter is resettable upon clearing of a fault condition. The circuit interrupter can comprise a vacuum interrupter, a silicon-controlled rectifier or a thyristor. The approach is applicable to single phase or three-phase power systems.
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