Hybrid arcless low-voltage AC/DC current limiting interrupting device

The paper gives an extended summary of results on research and development of the hybrid current limiting and interrupting device (H-CLID) suitable for DC and AC applications, recently carried out in the Technical University of Gdansk. Research included mathematical simulations, physical models, design, and laboratory verification on a low voltage short-circuit test station. The paper briefly covers present state of the art and explains the principle of H-CLID operation and control. Simulations carried out during the research. Description of the H-CLID for 400 A rated current is given. Two physical models were developed: one for 400 A and the second one for 2000 A rated current; the first one is described in more detail. The short-circuit interrupting tests of the 400 A model in the range 2.5–75 kA(RMS) and 230 V show good agreement with the results of simulation for which T-CAD and P-SPICE packages were used. Finally some possible applications of H-CLID are indicated.