Shipboard Solid-State Protection: Overview and Applications

This article presents an overview of the present art of low-voltage (LV) dc power distribution system protection using solid-state protective devices (SSPDs). It describes how IGBTand IGCT-based SSPDs are constructed and how the important feature of galvanic isolation can be included in them. The article outlines the advantages of SSPDs, which include reduced fault-current level, greatly reduced current interruption time, limitation of arc-flash energy, improved acoustic performance, and reduced maintenance. It also demonstrates protective coordination using three of these solid-state circuit breakers and discusses new paradigms to consider. Test results are presented validating the use of restraint signals to aid in proper protective coordination in a generic three-level power distribution system. The article also shows test results for two paralleled SSPD building blocks used to make higher-current-rated solid-state circuit breakers, showing very good dynamic current sharing.