Design of ball gap switch for breaking test circuit of UHV Circuit Breaker Based on ANSOFT Maxwell
Abstract:In this paper combined with Ansoft Maxwell software, a light-triggered ball gap switch is proposed for the test circuit of Ultra High Voltage Circuit Breaker. The technical scheme and principle of the switch are discussed. Meanwhile, several key factors, which have important effect on the characteristics of the ball gap switch, are analyzed. By means of the finite-element method, the electric field across the ball gap of the switch is calculated and estimated, so as to determine in different gap distance the minimum breakdown voltage without triggering, as well as that with triggering. The design criteria from the results, including optimum selection of the gap distance and triggering voltage, are obtained for the switch applying for the different rated voltage. Finally, an actual experimental prototype of the ball gap switch is developed on which the breakdown tests with and without triggering are carried out. The results show the theoretical analysis offered in the paper are accurate to some extent. And the design idea of the ball gap switch is feasible.
Keywords:Ansoft Maxwell;Electric field calculation;UHV circuit breaker; ball gap switch; test