This seminar targets designers responsible for integrating solid-state protection at the circuits and systems levels, and is a comprehensive tutorial that shows, with examples, how fundamental design of a Solid-State Circuit Breakers (SSCB) scales in lower voltage to MV applications. Topics include design of all-solid-state and hybrid breakers, fundamentals of I2t trip curves, use of bidirectional GaN and SiC devices for <1200V applications, and use of high- voltage and supercascode switches for MV (6.5kV to >25kV). Also included are applicable standards, design of sensing and control circuits for ultra-fast response or slow RMS overload response, design of peripherals such as currents sensors, and electrothermal design of high transient energy absorbing components such as high-thermal mass packaged semiconductors and MOVs. The attendee is provided brief tutorials in heat transfer and mechanics to understand what is behind maximum operating limits and reliability drivers, and provided procedures to iterate an electrical-physical design. Actual SSCB design demonstrations are given that incorporate back-to-back GaN 450V/25A, SiC monolithic BiDFET (Bi-Directional FET)1200V/25A, and 6.5kV/100A supercascode devices. The 6.5kV application is compared to an off-the-shelf mechanical breaker.
.jpeg.jpg "Douglas C. Hopkins, PhD photo")