Overcurrent Protection in DC Zonal Shipboard Power Systems using Solid State Protection Devices

In this paper, potential solutions to address the protection challenges in DC Shipboard Power Systems (SPSs) have been investigated. Two different options have been considered. The first option involves the use of Solid-State Circuit Breakers (SSCBs) for fault current limiting and interruption. Simulations on a prototype DC SPS have been performed to assess the performance of a SSCB. It is shown that the SSCB can interrupt the fault current very fast, within 20 milliseconds. The second option considered involves the use of Voltage Source Converter (VSC) themselves to act like crowbars. The simulations on the prototype system have been performed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach. It is shown that this is an effective method provided that VSC switches are properly chosen for it.