A novel design of energy absorption branch for HVDC circuit breakers

Abstract Metal oxide varistors (MOV) used for energy absorption branch in DC circuit breakers are complex enough to meet the requirements for small volume, light weight, and reliability in future high-voltage direct current (HVDC) grids. Therefore, a new energy absorption branch circuit that combines MOV and a liquid metal alloy energy absorber (LMEA) is proposed. Based on the constructed equivalent mathematical model of LMEA, the working principle and energy absorption process of MOV and LMEA in DC breaking process are analysed in PSCAD/EMTDC simulation software. Results demonstrate that LMEA, in contrast to MOV alone, absorbs 2.12 MJ of energy, constituting 35.6% of the total energy. Moreover, LMEA enhances energy dissipation density while reducing volume. Experimental analysis reveals MOV’s energy absorption mechanism via achieving residual voltage with ZnO varistor’s non-linear properties, swiftly transitioning from high to low resistance states to absorb energy. Conversely, LMEA relies on pulse current amplitude to initiate internal arcing, sharply increasing internal resistance for effective energy absorption. Experimental findings validate LMEA’s contribution of one-third of total energy absorption when pulse current amplitude reaches critical arcing threshold, consistent with simulation results. The results provide theoretical support for the engineering application of the new liquid metal alloy energy absorption in DC circuit breakers.