• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 2022

Magnetic arc extinguishing technology is effective as an extinguishing device for low-voltage direct current (DC) circuit breakers with a resistive load of ≤4 kW. The separation distance between the magnet and the electrical contact must be shortened to increase the magnetic arc extinguishing force. However, if the magnet is installed too close to the electrical contact points, the magnet is exposed to high temperatures due to the arc current generated when the load current is cut off and the magnetism is lost. To solve this problem, the effective magnetic flux density at the electrical contact can be maintained high by placing the arc extinguishing magnet in a tandem structure with the electrical contact point between them, and the proper separation distance between the contact points and the magnet can be maintained. In addition, an electric arc extinguishing technology that emits arc energy using a series circuit of diode and resistor is used to suppress the continuous arc voltage generated by the inductive load. For the proposed circuit breaker, the breaking characteristics are analyzed through the breaking test for the DC load of the 760 V level, the load power of 4 kW, and the time constant of 5 ms, and an appropriate arc extinguishing design guideline is proposed.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.495-499
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• 2012

Recently, DC distribution systems become hot issues since DC type loads increase rapidly according to the expansion of IT equipment such as computers, servers, and digital devices; DC type loads will cover 50% for all electricity loads in 2020 which was mere 10% in 2000. DC distribution systems are also accelerated by the expansion of renewable power systems since they are easy to be interfaced with DC grids rather than AC grids. However, removing the fault current in DC grids is comparably difficult since the current in DC grids has non zero-crossing point like in AC grids. Thus, developing dedicated DC circuit breakers for DC grids is necessary to get safety for human and electrical facilities. Magnet arc extinguishing method is proper to small size DC circuit breakers. However, simple Magnet arc extinguishing method is not enough to break inductive fault currents. This paper proposed a novel DC circuit breaker against inductive fault current defined by IEEE C37.14-2004 Standard for Low-Voltage DC Power Circuit Breakers Used in Enclosures. The performance of the proposed DC circuit breaker was verified by an experimental circuit breaker test system built in this research.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2012

In recent years, DC distribution systems are becoming hot issue due to the increase in digital loads and DC generation systems according to the expansion of renewable energy technologies. However, removing the fault current in DC grids is comparably difficult since the current in DC grids has no zero-crossing point like in AC grids. Thus, developing dedicated DC circuit breakers for DC grids is necessary to get safety for people and electrical facilities. This paper proposes magnet arc extinguishing method to develop a 300[$V_{DC}$]/10[A] DC circuit breaker. The performance of the proposed DC circuit breaker was verified by an experimental circuit breaker test system built in this research.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2012.07a
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• pp.417-418
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• 2012

최근 들어 디지털 제품의 급증으로 인해 직류를 사용하는 부하가 증가하고, 태양광, 풍력발전 등의 직류를 생산하는 신재생에너지원의 발달로 인하여 부하에 직류를 직접 공급 할 수 있게 되었다. 직류배전은 가전기기 내부의 전력 변환단계를 줄임으로써 교류배전에 비해 에너지 변환 효율을 높일 수 있는 장점이 있다. 하지만 직류는 교류와 다르게 고장 전류의 차단이 어렵다. 본 논문은 유도성 부하에서 효과적인 직류차단을 위한 자기소호회로와 아크전압 억제회로를 제안하고 실험을 통하여 그 효과를 검증하였다.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.263-264
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• 2011

최근 들어 디지털 제품의 급증으로 인해 직류를 사용하는 부하가 증가하고, 직류 배전망에 대한 관심이 높아 지고 있다. 하지만 직류는 교류와 다르게 직류 배전시 부하의 단락 사고가 발생하면 지속적으로 아크전압이 발생하는 문제가 있기 때문에 차단이 어렵다. 인체의 안전과 전력설비 및 기기의 안전성을 확보하기 위해서는 고장전류로부터 계통을 보호하기 위한 차단기술이 필요하다. 본 논문에서는 효과 적인 직류 차단에 대하여 실험적으로 연구하였다.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1999.11d
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• pp.900-902
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• 1999

This paper deals with the interrupting characteristics of fuses element in different media of arc extinguisher. Aluminum hydro-oxide, boron nitride, silica and there size have been investigated here for their prospects as filling media in heavy current, high breaking capacity fuses. The result of these study are compared with those on silica sand at high current. This study demonstrates that silica sand is far superior filler in fuses for heavy current interrupting then the compound tested.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.69-73
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• 2013

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the carbonization pattern and operation characteristics of an MCCB. The MCCB is consisted of the actuator lever, actuator mechanism, bimetallic strip, contacts, up and down operator, arc divider or extinguisher, metal operation pin, terminal part, etc. When the actuator lever of the MCCB is at the top or the internal metal operation pin is in contact with the front part, the MCCB is turned on or off. It means trip state if the actuator lever or the internal metal operation pin moves to back side. In the UL 94 vertical combustion test, white smoke occurred from the MCCB when an average of 17~24 seconds elapsed after the MCCB was ignited and black smoke occurred when an average of 45~50 seconds elapsed. It took 5~6 minutes for the MCCB surface to be half burnt and took an average of 8~9 minutes for the MCCB surface to be entirely burnt. In the UL 94 test, the MCCB trip device operated when an average 7~8 minutes elapsed. If the MCCB trip has occurred, it may have been caused by an electrical problem such as a short-circuit, overcurrent, etc., as well as fire heat. From the entire part combustion test according to KS C 3004, it was found that the metal operation pin could be moved to the MCCB trip position without any electrical problems.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.8-13
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to analyze the damage pattern when overcurrent is applied to a thermal magnetic type molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) using a Primary Current Injection Test System (PCITS). When an overcurrent of 150 A was applied to the PCITS for 5 seconds with the trip bar of an MCCB being damaged, it was found that the surface of the temperature control device (bimetallic strip) positioned at the right was significantly carbonized. When an overcurrent of 300 A was applied to the PCITS for 5 s under the same conditions, the entire temperature control device was deteriorated, becoming flattened and in close contact with the MCCB. When an overcurrent of 450 A was applied to the PCITS for 5 s, the coil of the temperature control device was melted and disconnected. In addition, it was observed that the contacts, the enclosure and upper cover were deformed and there was a trace of carbonization on them. When approximately 3 s had elapsed after an overcurrent of 600 A was applied, white smoke occurred inside the MCCB and a flame was radiated out, after which the overcurrent supply stopped with "phutt" (whomp) sound. It was observed that when the same type of MCCB is damaged by a general flame, the surfaces of its handle, terminal, arc divider (extinguisher) and temperature control device were carbonized uniformly. In addition, it was found that the trip bar of the operating mechanism was melted down and the metal operation pin was moved while being tripped.