Short-Circuit making of medium voltage load break switches using a grid Connected test circuit

Abstract

The load break switch is an important component in the distribution grid. Besides its capability to break load currents reliably, it has to be able to make short-circuit currents according to the IEC 62271 standard. In this paper, the process of making a short-circuit current and the used test methods are described. A synthetic test circuit using semiconductors instead of a triggered spark gap is proposed and described thoroughly. The basic working principle has been validated with simulations in Simulink.