Interrupting Characteristics of Paralleled SF 6 Circuit Breakers With a Highly Coupled Split Reactor

Paralleled high-voltage SF 6 circuit breakers with a highly coupled split reactor (HCSR) could realize the function of automatic current-sharing and current-limiting. Aiming at investigating the arc characteristics of paralleled SF 6 circuit breakers with an HCSR, the single-phase tests for the paralleled high-voltage SF 6 circuit breakers with an HCSR were carried out, including the opening and closing–opening operations. The influence of the capacitor paralleled to one of the breaks was studied. A mathematical model was developed for the paralleled high-voltage SF 6 circuit breakers with an HCSR by coupling the equivalent circuit equations into the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) arc model through the embedded codes, laying the foundation for the further research. The variation of the short-circuit currents in the branches during the breaking process was analyzed in detail. The current-sharing and current-limiting effects are quite satisfying. The temperature distribution of both arc chambers was presented. The calculated results were in agreement with the experimental results to some extent.