Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

DOI

10.3390/electronics10020183

Publication Title

Electronics

Volume

10

Issue

2

Pages

13 pp.

Abstract

This paper introduces groundbreaking research on how to assess the Cable Length Limit (CLL) to ensure effective protection by Z-source Circuit Breakers (ZCBs) in DC power networks. It has been revealed that the line parameters of power cables have a significant impact on the cutoff performance of ZCBs. The question of assessing the CLL has been raised as an unsolved problem. In this paper, a method of CLL assessment is proposed based on physical models and simulation tests. To verify the proposed method, two studies were performed to assess the Cable Length Limits depending on fault levels and power delivery levels, respectively. The ZCB parameters were specified for a simulation testing system for a 5 MW distribution line feeder. The effectiveness of ZCB protection was tested in groups of simulation tests with various impacting quantities, i.e., cable lengths, fault current levels, and power delivery levels. The effective cable lengths for the ZCB to detect and successfully interrupt a faulty branch in the DC network were assessed and analyzed. The testing results prove that the CLL decreases along with a decreasing fault current level, as well as an increasing power delivery level. Based on data analysis, an equation was derived to calculate the effective length of the ZCB for DC lines, and the equation can be used to generate new CLL curves for various load-power requirements. This study could increase the reliability of a ZCB’s response to a fault in DC transmission and distribution lines. It could also help power system designers/operators to maintain reliable protection with ZCBs in DC power system networks.

Comments

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Original Publication Citation

Fu, R., Bhatta, S., Keller, J. M., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Assessment of cable length limit for effective protection by z-source circuit breakers in DC power networks. Electronics, 10(2), 13 pp., Article 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10020183

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