US DTI Launches Hybrid MVDC Circuit Breaker with Starting Price of $10,000

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) has announced the launch of a new hybrid medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) circuit breaker, rated at 5 to 20 kV, combining mechanical contacts and solid-state switches to ensure safe DC power usage in applications such as ships and data centers.

This hybrid circuit breaker integrates the low steady-state losses of mechanical contacts with the arc-free, low-maintenance characteristics of semiconductor switches, enabling interruption at full voltage and full current without a current zero crossing. The hazardous arc flash phenomenon that occurs when mechanical contacts separate is eliminated, and the hybrid design reduces fault current and its associated destructive mechanical forces while extending contact lifespan.

DTI states that the circuit breaker is expected to withstand over 1 million operating cycles. Its workflow consists of three steps: first, continuously carrying high current through a low-loss metal-to-metal conduction path; then, instantaneously transferring the current to the semiconductor switch and separating the mechanical contacts; and finally, commanding the switch to interrupt and transfer energy to a dissipation device. Since the solid-state switch conducts only under fault conditions, the system enables rapid fault isolation and recovery.

The starting price for this hybrid MVDC circuit breaker is $10,000, depending on voltage and current rating specifications.