Design and test of a new kind of coupling mechanical HVDC circuit breaker

In this paper, a new kind of coupling mechanical high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) circuit breaker topology based on pulse transformer is proposed and its working principle is analysed in detail. On the basis of the requirement of 160 kV rated voltage, and 9 kA breaking current, the varying trend and design principle of parameters are given by the theoretical calculation. The prototype design of 160 kV HVDC circuit breaker is completed and type test passes. Results prove that the prototype of 160 kV HVDC circuit breaker has natural bi‐directional breaking capacity. It can interrupt the current below 9 kA and withstand transient interruption voltage 272 kV. The breaking time is <5 ms.