Adjustable Current Limit Feature with a Self-Sensing and Self-Triggering Monolithically Integrated SiC Circuit Breaker Device

This paper proposes a current limit feature for a multi-functional SiC circuit breaker device with a “dual thyristor” structure. The proposed feature provides the device not only with a fast-response current breaking operation but also with the current limiting function, including supplying a constant current to the load and preventing the detection of inrush currents. The proposed feature is suitable for replacing mechanical circuit breakers in initial charging circuits for the rectifiers and a safety equivalent in case of overcurrent accidents. The proposed method achieves various constant currents by simply varying the gate-drive circuit with adjustable parameters of an additional MOSFET. Experimental results verified that the device with the current limit feature reduces the inrush current to up to 22.6% of capacitive load condition using a 500 VDC circuit system.