US3558977A - Hybrid circuit breaker having means for detecting the leading edge of the arc voltage at the contacts thereof - Google Patents

Hybrid circuit breaker having means for detecting the leading edge of the arc voltage at the contacts thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3558977A
US3558977A US750867A US3558977DA US3558977A US 3558977 A US3558977 A US 3558977A US 750867 A US750867 A US 750867A US 3558977D A US3558977D A US 3558977DA US 3558977 A US3558977 A US 3558977A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
contacts
thyristor
condenser
opening
control electrode
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US750867A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Remy A Beaudoin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Telemecanique SA
Original Assignee
La Telemecanique Electrique SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by La Telemecanique Electrique SA filed Critical La Telemecanique Electrique SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3558977A publication Critical patent/US3558977A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/54—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere
    • H01H9/541—Contacts shunted by semiconductor devices
    • H01H9/542—Contacts shunted by static switch means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/51—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used
    • H03K17/56—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices
    • H03K17/72—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices having more than two PN junctions; having more than three electrodes; having more than one electrode connected to the same conductivity region
    • H03K17/73—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the components used by the use, as active elements, of semiconductor devices having more than two PN junctions; having more than three electrodes; having more than one electrode connected to the same conductivity region for DC voltages or currents
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/54—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere
    • H01H9/541—Contacts shunted by semiconductor devices
    • H01H9/542—Contacts shunted by static switch means
    • H01H2009/546—Contacts shunted by static switch means the static switching means being triggered by the voltage over the mechanical switch contacts

Definitions

  • HYBRID CIRCUIT BREAKER HAVING MEANS ABSTRACT A hybrid circuit breaker comprising a pair of contacts actuated by an electromagnet, a thyristor for shunt- US. Cl 317/ l 1, ing the contacts, an extinction condenser for the shunt 307/ l 36, 317/33, 3 l 7/3l thyristor, an extinction thyristor adapted to control the Int.
  • the monitoring device whose supply is provided by the source of the excitation current of the electromagnet which operates the contacts, is an electronic circuit comprising a network for differentiating the leading edge of the are voltage established at the contacts at the opening thereof, and means responsive to the pulse resulting from such differentiation for controlling the conduction of the shunt thyristor during a period of time which is short and well defines defined.
  • the shunt thyristor is subjected, at the opening of the contacts. only to an overload of very short duration and properly controlled, so that a thyristor having a relatively small power rating may be used and that consequently an important saving may be effected.
  • the monitoring circuit is arranged so that the shunt thyristor is fired at each rebound of the/contacts for a period of time corresponding to that of the rebound-This permits to completely eliminate the risk of damaging the contacts.
  • the circuit comprises a thyristor TH, connected in parallel with contacts P operated. by an'electromagnet B. This combination controls the flow through aload L of a-current fed by a source of DC voltage connected between terminals V,, and ground.
  • Electromagnet B is excitedby a control current which may be fed orinterrupted by knownmeans illustrated in the drawing by means of an interrupter I,
  • Thezcircuit illustrated in the drawing is particularly adapted.to ⁇ the case where the control current is a'fullyrectified single phase current,.but the invention is not limited to this case.
  • the invention is not limited to the case where the source of voltage), is a DC source.
  • the problem of extinguishing the are which is initiatedat the opening of the contacts is more difficult to solve and, that,consequently, the interest of the invention is the largest.
  • the circuit further comprises a thyristor TH,, aresistor R,, a thyristor Th and a condenser'Q-connected as indicated in denser C, and'a resistor R and a circuitt'or selecting positive impulses comprisinga diode D,, resistors 27 and 28 and a Zener diode D2,.
  • Block A is a monostable multivibrator comprising two transistors T, and T resistors R, to R,,, and a condenser C BlockA, is a current amplifier comprising a transistor T,
  • Blocks A, to A comprise a control chain for thyristor Th and for a thyristor Th
  • the latter together with resistors R and R forms a block A, whose function will be explained later
  • a I Block A includes a differcntiator circuit consisting of a condenser C connected to a junction point between resistors R9 and R of block A,,, of a resistor R,, and of a circuit for selecting negative impulses, comprising a diode D and a resistor R,,.
  • Block A is an inverter circuit comprising a transistor T,, a condenser'C, and resistor R and R,,.
  • Block A is a gate comprising diodes D and D, and a resistor R,,,.
  • Block A is a ctlrrent'amplifier consisting of a transistor T and resistors R to R,,,.
  • Block'A wh ose function will be explained later, comprise s I a diode D, and a resistor R, connected in series to the excitation terminal of electromagnet B, and a condenser C, in parallel.
  • Blocks A,,, to A, constitutes a control chain for thyristor Th Block A,
  • Th Block A is an'inverter circuit comprising a transistor T,,, diode D and resistors R, to R Block A, includes a differentiator circuit consisting of a condenser C of a resistor R and of a circuit for selecting positive'impulses, comprising a diode D and a resistor R Block A, is an amplifier comprising a transistor T,, which block A, comprises an impulse transformer T, and a resistor 24.
  • the secondary winding of transfonner T is connected, on the one hand to control electrode G and on the other hand to point M which'is common to resistor R, and thyristor Th
  • the operation of the illustrated embodiment is as follows:
  • the differentiator circuit including condenser C, and resistor R is subjected to a sudden variation of voltage, because the voltage across the contacts P drops'from +V,, to 0 volt.
  • the invention is mainly concerned with the design of this electronic circuit.
  • Athyristor to shunt the contacts P (such a s TH,),-of a thyristor (such as TH,,) to control the the extinction of the shunt thyristor,.and of a condenser-(such as C) whose discharge causes the above extinction is well known in the technique of hybrid circuit breakers.
  • thyristor Th only performs, as it will be seen later, an auxiliary function.
  • transistor T Before the formation of this negative impulse, transistor T whose base is connected by means of resistor R, to the positive supply voltage of the electronic circuit (this supply voltage is provided by condenser C charged through resistor R, by the excitation current of electromagnet B at the closure of interrupter l), was conductive and condenser C was charged.
  • the negative impulse causes the discharge of C through resistor R During the discharge of condenser C whose discharge time may be varied through adjustment of resistor R,,, transistor T is blocked. The result is that during this well defined period of discharge, there appears on the collector of transistor T a positive rectangular impulse.
  • the impulseamplified by transistor T provides. through resistor R,, the current required for the firing of thyristor Th,. The latter further has at its terminal the beginning of the development of the arc voltage and so becomes conductive during the whole period of the rebound.
  • the electronic circuit When a signal for opening the contacts is provided, the electronic circuit continues to be fed by a positive voltage during a time sufficiently long to permit its operation, through condenser C, whose discharge time constant through the circuit is chosen at a value sufficiently long to this effect.
  • the result is that thyristor Th, is fired under the control of the chain A,, A A
  • This chain works in the same way that when the contacts were open under the action of rebound, and so prevents the development of an are at the terminals of the contacts. lt will be seen later how thyristor Th, is extinguished at the end of a predetermined period.
  • the firing impulse of thyristor Th is moreover applied to block A,,' and differentiated by circuit C,, and R,, which generates a positive impulse corresponding to the leading edge of the firing and a negative impulse corresponding to the trailing edgethereof.
  • the negative only flows through diode D and is applied, by means of condenser C,, to the base of transistor T During the whole time a contact-closing signal is provided, that is, until the end of the rebounds, condenser C, has acquired and maintained a charge sufficient to feed the control electronic circuit. This renders transistor T conductive, its base being connected to one terminal of condenser C, through resistor R 13, and condenser C, is charged.
  • the negative impulse flowing through diode D causes the discharge of condenser C, and so blocks transistor T during a predetermined interval depending on the values of condenser C,, and resistor R,,.
  • the result is the appearance during such period, of a positive impulse, which is applied through resistor R, to gate A,,.
  • transistor T is conductive and its collector electrode is subjected to a small voltage. Indeed, condenser C, is rapidly charged through resistor R,, as soon as interrupter l is closed. The base current of transistor T is then established before the appearance of the voltage at the terminals of capacitor C,, consequently before the collector voltage of transistor T exceeds the saturation value, namely 0.5 volt for example. This voltage of 0.5 volt is maintained as long as capacitor C,, stays charged, that is as long as the contacts of the circuit breaker are not opened. The positive impulse applied to resistor R,, in case of rebound is then grounded through diode D and transistor T,,.
  • Thyristor Th The firing of thyristor Th so initiated causes, in a known manner, the discharge of the extinction condenser C and the appearance of an inverse voltage at the terminals of thyristor Th, which causes its extinction. Thyristor Th is extinguished as soon as the inverse discharge current of condenser C reaches the value of the sustaining current through thyristor Th which is produced for example in less that 500 microseconds.
  • lt is important to note that when the contacts open, thyristor Th, remains conductive for a period of time which is rigorously determined by the duration of the impulses generated by monostable multivibrator A for example for l to 3 milliseconds depending on what is required to prevent the are, as a function of the speed of contact opening and of the value of the operating voltage. As a matter of fact, it is only at the end of these impulses that the firing impulse is initiated. The duration of the firing impulse which is determined by A is established at a value such as to cause the firing of the thyristor.
  • thyristor Th caused by the positive impulse applied through resistor R, and resistor R, has the effect of discharging condenser C, through resistor R
  • the electronic circuit ceases to be energized and the sequence of operation of the circuit breaker is terminated. Because of thyristor Th,,
  • the electronic circuit When a contact-opening signal is applied, the electronic circuit, operated by the leading edge of the voltage across the contacts (and not by the arc voltage) and by the breaking of the circuit of the electromagnet, causes successively the firing of the shunt thyristor and, at the end of a time interval determined by a monostable multivibrator, the extinction of the thyristor Th, by the firing of extinction thyristor Th and, at the same time, the firing of thyristor Th which cancels the supply of the electronic circuit (by discharging condenser C and finally the firing of thyristor Th which controls the charge of extinction condenser C.
  • a hybrid circuit breaker comprising: one pair of contacts; an electromagnet having an excitation coil serially connected with said contacts and an armature adapted for actuating said contacts; a controlled rectifier connected to across said contacts and having a control electrode; differentiator circuit means connected across said contacts and responsive to the leading edge of the voltage appearing across said contacts upon opening of said contacts; a monostable multivibrator connecting the said differentiator circuit means to the said control electrode, whereby the said controlled rectifier is fired upon each opening of said contacts; and further circuit means, connected across the said controlled rectifier for extinguishing the said controlled rectifier.
  • a hybrid circuit breaker comprising: one pair of contacts;
  • an electromagnet having an excitation coil serially connected with said contacts and an armature adapted for actuating said contacts; excitation means for applying contact-opening signals and contact-closing signals to said coil; a first thyristor connected across said contacts and having a control electrode; first differentiator circuit means connected across said contacts and responsive to the leading edge of the voltage appearing across said contacts upon opening of said contacts; a monostable multivibrator connecting the first differentiator circuit means to the control electrode of the first thyristor, said monostable multivibrator generating a pulse of predetermined amplitude and duration upon each opening of the said contacts whereby the said thyristor is fired upon each opening of said contacts; a first condenser and a second thyristor serially connected across the first thyristor, said second thyristor having a control electrode; supply means, connected to the first condenser for charging the said condenser; second differentiator circuit means; means connecting the second differentiator circuit means to
  • a hybrid circuit breaker as claimed in claim 4 further comprising third differentiator circuit means connected across the said emitter and collector; a fourth thyristor connecting the said supply means to the first condenser, said fourth thyristor having a control electrode; and further gating means connecting the last-mentioned control electrode to the third differentiator circuit.

Landscapes

  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
  • Relay Circuits (AREA)
  • Generation Of Surge Voltage And Current (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)
US750867A 1967-08-16 1968-08-07 Hybrid circuit breaker having means for detecting the leading edge of the arc voltage at the contacts thereof Expired - Lifetime US3558977A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR117857A FR1540464A (fr) 1967-08-16 1967-08-16 Contacteur hybride comportant la détection des fronts d'établissement de la tension aux bornes du pôle mécanique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3558977A true US3558977A (en) 1971-01-26

Family

ID=8636869

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US750867A Expired - Lifetime US3558977A (en) 1967-08-16 1968-08-07 Hybrid circuit breaker having means for detecting the leading edge of the arc voltage at the contacts thereof

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3558977A (en:Method)
BE (1) BE718135A (en:Method)
DE (1) DE1763817A1 (en:Method)
ES (1) ES357295A1 (en:Method)
FR (1) FR1540464A (en:Method)
GB (1) GB1206696A (en:Method)
SE (1) SE340307B (en:Method)
SU (1) SU575050A3 (en:Method)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943419A (en) * 1973-10-05 1976-03-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Protective device for at least one thyristor
US4176388A (en) * 1978-03-30 1979-11-27 Towmotor Corporation Control circuit for a contactor
US4420784A (en) * 1981-12-04 1983-12-13 Eaton Corporation Hybrid D.C. power controller
US5629824A (en) * 1993-07-27 1997-05-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Hall-effect arc protector
US20110222191A1 (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-15 Reinhold Henke Two Terminal Arc Suppressor
US9054530B2 (en) 2013-04-25 2015-06-09 General Atomics Pulsed interrupter and method of operation
US20160351042A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-12-01 Korea Institute Of Energy Research Arc detection apparatus, arc detecting method, and power system

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2218701B1 (en:Method) * 1973-02-21 1976-05-14 Accumulateurs Fixes
US4389691A (en) * 1979-06-18 1983-06-21 Power Management Corporation Solid state arc suppression device
AT374618B (de) * 1981-11-03 1984-05-10 Naimer H L Schalteinrichtung
EP0800702B1 (de) * 1994-12-28 1998-11-18 Elpro BahnstromAnlagen GmbH Verfahren und schaltungsanordnung für eine kommutierungs- und löscheinrichtung eines schnellunterbrechers
EP1366502B1 (de) * 2001-03-01 2006-10-11 Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH Elektrische schaltung zur vermeidung eines lichtbogens über einem elektrischen kontakt

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3309570A (en) * 1966-05-16 1967-03-14 Gen Electric Arcless interrupter
US3408538A (en) * 1963-10-23 1968-10-29 Sevcon Eng Ltd Control means for electrical apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3408538A (en) * 1963-10-23 1968-10-29 Sevcon Eng Ltd Control means for electrical apparatus
US3309570A (en) * 1966-05-16 1967-03-14 Gen Electric Arcless interrupter

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943419A (en) * 1973-10-05 1976-03-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Protective device for at least one thyristor
US4176388A (en) * 1978-03-30 1979-11-27 Towmotor Corporation Control circuit for a contactor
US4420784A (en) * 1981-12-04 1983-12-13 Eaton Corporation Hybrid D.C. power controller
US5629824A (en) * 1993-07-27 1997-05-13 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Hall-effect arc protector
US10748719B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2020-08-18 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US20110222191A1 (en) * 2010-03-12 2011-09-15 Reinhold Henke Two Terminal Arc Suppressor
US8619395B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2013-12-31 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US9087653B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2015-07-21 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US9508501B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2016-11-29 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US11676777B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2023-06-13 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US11295906B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2022-04-05 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US10134536B2 (en) 2010-03-12 2018-11-20 Arc Suppression Technologies, Llc Two terminal arc suppressor
US9054530B2 (en) 2013-04-25 2015-06-09 General Atomics Pulsed interrupter and method of operation
US9837809B2 (en) * 2015-05-27 2017-12-05 Korea Institute Of Energy Research Arc detection apparatus, arc detecting method, and power system
US20160351042A1 (en) * 2015-05-27 2016-12-01 Korea Institute Of Energy Research Arc detection apparatus, arc detecting method, and power system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE718135A (en:Method) 1968-12-31
DE1763817A1 (de) 1971-12-16
SU575050A3 (ru) 1977-09-30
GB1206696A (en) 1970-09-30
FR1540464A (fr) 1968-09-27
SE340307B (en:Method) 1971-11-15
ES357295A1 (es) 1970-03-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3558977A (en) Hybrid circuit breaker having means for detecting the leading edge of the arc voltage at the contacts thereof
US3558910A (en) Relay circuits employing a triac to prevent arcing
US3132287A (en) High frequency circuit breaker utilizing silicon controlled rectifiers
EP3116008B1 (en) Current-feedback electronic arc-extinguishing apparatus
US3919993A (en) Internal combustion engine coordinated dual action inductive discharge spark ignition system
JPS5939846B2 (ja) 電気的接触器
US3309570A (en) Arcless interrupter
US2509005A (en) Flashtube triggering circuits
US3739192A (en) Non oscillating arcless switching or inductive d.c. loads
US4118749A (en) Field overvoltage protecting apparatus for synchronous machine
GB1264375A (en:Method)
CA1096029A (en) Control circuit for temporarily and permanently energizing the contacts of a d.c. contactor
US3912941A (en) Isolation circuit for arc reduction in a dc circuit
US4888661A (en) Circuit and apparatus for the protected supply of a load by means of static and electromechanical switches
KR20240033002A (ko) 펄스-테스트 능력을 갖춘 직렬 z-소스 회로 차단기
US3122659A (en) Switching device for disconnection of a load from a direct-current supply
US3633069A (en) Alternating current circuit-interrupting system comprising a rectifier shunt path
US4000445A (en) Trip circuit for an electric circuit breaker
US3644790A (en) Static antipump circuit breaker closing system
US2548818A (en) Thermionic overvoltage protection circuit
US2440108A (en) Overcurrent protective system for a direct-current load circuit
US4225895A (en) Device for closing or interrupting an electric alternating current arising on a line
US3069548A (en) Protective circuits for electron tubes
US2836787A (en) Condenser discharge welding system
WO2020259424A1 (zh) 灭弧功率器件驱动装置