High-Voltage Switch Zero-Phase Waiting Arc Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage and high-current switches face challenges with arcing and arc reignition during contact disconnection, and existing solutions like SF6 gas are costly and environmentally harmful, while traditional mechanical switches struggle with high surge currents and voltage pulses, leading to reduced service life and grid pollution.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage and high-current switch with zero-phase waiting, comprising multiple switch unit modules with a main switch circuit, auxiliary switch circuit, voltage-equalizing power supply, and communication circuit, where contacts are operated instantaneously at the AC zero point, eliminating inrush current and overvoltage, and using air contact instead of vacuum or SF6 gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical contact switches are used for high-voltage switching, then switching function is achieved, but arcing and arc reignition occur during contact disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a pre-charging circuit that charges capacitors before the main switching operation. This pre-charging process creates a voltage condition that prevents arcing during the actual switching by ensuring the contacts operate at or near zero voltage difference, thereby eliminating the harmful arcing effect while maintaining reliable switching function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses capacitors as intermediary elements between the power source and the switch contacts. These capacitors store energy and maintain voltage levels that prevent direct arcing between contacts during switching operations, serving as a mediator that protects the mechanical contacts from harmful electrical discharge
2Reliability
If SF6 gas is used for arc extinguishing, then arc extinguishing performance is improved, but cost and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for SF6 gas by using a different technical approach - pre-charging circuits with capacitors that prevent arcing before it occurs. This removes the harmful substance (SF6) from the system entirely while maintaining arc extinguishing capability through voltage control rather than gas-based suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and environmentally harmful SF6 gas with simple, inexpensive capacitor components that can be easily replaced if needed. The capacitors are low-cost electronic components that achieve the same protective function without the environmental burden of SF6 gas
3Device complexity
If single contact switch is used, then structure is simple, but current sharing problem occurs in high-current applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single contact switch into multiple parallel switch contacts, each with its own pre-charging circuit and capacitor. This segmentation allows current to be distributed across multiple paths, solving the current sharing problem while maintaining operational simplicity through identical modular units that can be easily managed and replaced
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution prevents arcing and extends switch contact life, allows for reliable high-voltage and high-current switching without external gas or vacuum, and enables efficient current sharing among branches, reducing wear and increasing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage-equalizing power supply circuit unit, configured to equalize voltage distribution across the series-connected switch units
Implementation Method 2
a current transformer, configured to convert high current to proportional low voltage signal
Implementation Method 3
The auxiliary switch circuit is a circuit including a diode and a relay contact connected in series
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a high voltage and high current switch with zero-phase waiting and a control method. The switch includes two or more switching units connected in series, each of the switch unit modules includes a main switch circuit, an auxiliary switch circuit, a voltage-equalizing power supply circuit unit, a switch control and communication circuit unit, and a current transformer; and the auxiliary switch circuit and the voltage-equalizing power supply circuit unit are connected in parallel between two ends of the main switch circuit, and the current transformer is connected to the main switch circuit; an output of the current transformer is connected to the voltage-equalizing power supply circuit unit which supplies power to the switch control and communication circuit unit, and the switch control and communication circuit unit is configured to control the closing and opening of a main relay and an auxiliary relay.