Simulation of Power Electronics Based High-Speed Switching Module for DC Traction Applications

Abstract

For the near-distance railway applications, DC feeding is suitable whose demand is on the rise. In DC traction power supply systems, the overhead lines or the third rails are energized from rectifier stations at certain intervals. The breaking of DC current results in a powerful arc since there is no zero crossing in this case. It makes the task of DC supply more challenging and use of power electronic components feasible [1]. To extinguish the generated arc, rectifier stations are equipped with DC circuit breakers. In mechanical DC circuit breakers, the arc burning between the contacts moves into the arc quenching chamber due to its own thermal action. This process takes time while the fault currents continue to increase. Eventually, there is high wear and tear with a great deal of maintenance work. To get rid of these problems, a hybrid DC circuit breaker, otherwise known as the high-speed switching module (SSM), based on principle of power electronics, is used. This paper deals with the simulation of power circuit of SSM using ANSYS Twin Builder.