Advances in Computer Science Research, volume 65

3rd International Conference on Communications, Information Management and Network Security (CIMNS 2018)

Modeling and Simulation of High Voltage Circuit

Breaker Based on PSCAD
Tie Chen1,2 and Haoyun Ke1,2
College of Electrical Engineering and New Energy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
1
2
Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Operation and Control of Cascaded Hydropower Station, China Three Gorges University,
Yichang 443002, China

Abstract—The black box model can describe the process caused by arcing, thus avoiding the complicated description
with only a few related parameters and avoid the complicated like the physical mathematical model.
description like the physical mathematical model. Based on these
advantages, a black box model of circuit breaker based on arc In this paper the black box model of circuit breaker is
was established. Firstly, the two typical arc black box models studied. Based on t he typical black box model, the current
were analyzed and compared, and the intelligent recognition scene can be recognized intelligently and automatically as a
scene of the detection module was established. The parameter dynamic resistor with different arc parameters, and then the
identification of the least squares model was used to select the model can be matched automatically according to the scene. In
intelligent arc model. The black box model and simulation circuit the PSCAD/EMTDC power system transient simulation
of the circuit breaker were built in the PSCAD simulation software, the arc parameters are identified. The arc black box
software, and the model was programmed by calling the model is established and interacted with MATLAB. Finally,
MATLAB program through its special interface. Based on the the intelligent simplified model which can reflect the
established circuit breaker model, the voltage and current when characteristics of external circuit and express the internal
the circuit breaker cuts different faults in different scenes are characteristics of circuit breaker is completed.
basically consistent with the theoretical analysis through
simulation research and comparison. The correctness and II. ANALYSIS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CIRCUIT BREAKER
versatility of the model are verified, which indicates that the SIMULATION MODEL
design model has certain reference.
A. Model Structure of Circuit Breaker
Keywords—circuit breaker; arc; pscad; matlab; black box mode Figure 1 is the model state diagram. When the system is
I. INTRODUCTION running normally, the circuit breaker only has a contact
resistance R0 (1 ohm). After the failure occurs, the black box
Circuit breaker is the most important control and protection arc model needed for the intelligent selection of the model is
equipment in power system[1], and its breaking process has presented as an arc resistance Rarc externally. After the failure
always been one of the key points of circuit breaker modeling. is successfully cut off, it will eventually be regarded as
During the interruption process, the interaction between the arc resistance Roff.
and the circuit will lead to a s eries of effects, such as the
increase of the system voltage, the breaking ability of the Close state: R(t)=1μΩ
circuit breaker, etc[2,3]. The Arcing characteristics of the arc
involve the physical process and coupling calculation of
electromagnetic field, air flow field and temperature field, and circuit Rm(large current)
the process is extremely complex[4]. The study of arc model Arcing stage: R(t) Rc(low current)
breaker
can be divided into two categories: one is based on f luid
dynamics, thermodynamics and Maxwell equations, which
focuses on describing the physical shape of arc by complex Arc extinguishing stage: R(t)=Roff
mathematical methods [5,6]; the other is a black box m odel
which focuses on de scribing arc behavior and studying the FIGURE I. MODEL STATE DIAGRAM
relationship between arc conductance and other variables in the
circuit[7,8]. B. Arc Model Selection Criteria
Although the physical model reveals the arcing process and (1)Mayr arc model
extinguishing process of the arc deeply, and tries to describe a The Mayr model is derived from three basic theories:
dynamic physical process by a subtle mathematical method. Its thermal inertia, heat balance and thermal ionization. The
related conditions become very complicated and difficult to formula is as follows:
solve because it describes various physical processes very hard.
The black box model simplifies the arcing process and
1 dg m 1 ei (1)
quenching process greatly, and only focuses on t he external = ( − 1)
characteristics of the circuit. The process is equivalent to the g m dt τ m N0
dynamic resistance to study the phenomenon of over-voltage

Copyright © 2018, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). 155
 Advances in Computer Science Research, volume 65

In the form: g m —electric arc conductance; dg m g m ei (3)

Fm
= = ( − 1)
e— arc potential gradient; dt τ m N0
i— arc current;
dg c g c uarc 2 (4)
N 0 — the power of arc cooling; Fc
= = ( − 1)
dt τ c uc 2
τ m — arc time constant.
In order to get τm, N0, τc and UC, we will rewrite (3), (4)
In China, most of 3~66kV distribution network are low
as follows:
current systems because of the consideration of system
reliability, operation economy and power supply quality. Under
steady arc condition, dg m / dt = 0 . It can be obtained, ei = N 0 . Fm ap (t ) − bq (t )
= (5)
The arc voltage gradient is proportional to the square root of
the arc resistance, which corresponds to the volt-ampere In the form: a = 1 , 1 ,
b= p (t )= g m ⋅ e ⋅ i , q (t ) = g m .
characteristics of the arc in the case of low current. Therefore, τ m N0 τm
the model is suitable for the modeling of low current arcing.
(2)Cassie arc model Fc ap (t ) − bq (t )
= (6)
Cassie arc model assumes that the gas passage shape of the
arc is constant, and the energy dissipation is caused by the In the form: a = 1 , b = 1 , p(t ) =g c ⋅ uarc ⋅ uarc , q(t ) = g c
change of gas flow or arc column related to gas flow. The τ c uc 2 τc .
velocity of energy dissipation is related to the change of arc
column cross-sectional area [9]. The Cassie arc model is as Then by using the least square method in MATLAB, the
follows: required values of each arc model are obtained before the
simulation calculation, as shown in the following forms:
1 dg c 1 uarc 2 (2)
= ( − 1)
τ , N 0 ) min ∑ [ap(tk ) − bq(tk ) − F (tk )]
2
g c dt τ c uc 2 min J (= (7)
k

In the form: g c — electric arc conductance;

(τ , uc ) min ∑ [ap (tk ) − bq (tk ) − F (tk )]
2
min J= (8)
τ c — arc time constant; k
U arc — arc voltage;
1
U C — arc static voltage. τ m= τ=
c
(9)
b
The main characteristic of switching application in large
current system is that its rated current value is large. Its b
application should include generator outlet protection, impulse N=
0 u=
c
(10)
current switching and other large current application fields a
besides short circuit fault of protection system. Compared with
the small current power switch, its breaking current value is The matching process of the arc model is shown in Figure 2:
larger, and its influence on thermal effect, force effect, start
magnetic effect and electrochemical effect is more severe, even
can determine whether the circuit breaker can control and
protect the system normally. Under steady arc condition, small current
dg c / dt = 0 . It can be obtained, uarc = uc . It corresponds to the system
No
volt-ampere characteristics of the arc in the case of large
Yes
current. Therefore, the model is suitable for the modeling of
large current arcing. choose to use Choose to
the Mayr arc use the
C. Parameter Identificatin of Arc Model model Cassie arc model
Because the arc extinguishing process in the chamber of the
circuit breaker is a co mplex physical change, the parameters selection of selection of
are not constant in practice. It is particularly important to parameters parameters
determine the parameters before simulation. The key problem τm and N0 τc and UC
of Mayr arc model simulation is to determine the time constant FIGURE II. ARC MODEL MATCHING PROCESS
and arc cooling power, while the key problem of Cassie arc
model is to determine the time constant and static voltage value
[11]. Rewrite (1), (2) as follows:

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III. ESTABLISHMENT OF CIRCUIT BREAKER SIMULATION the required arc model has been
selected, and the parameters have
MODEL been set successfully

A. Circuit Breaker Modeling

external fault
(1)Detection section signal input

The model intelligently identifies the state of the scene and

Circuit breaker
detects whether it is a l arge current system or a s mall current action
system or whether there is a fault. After the breaker is switched
on, the zero-point detection module is used to detect whether
the current is zero-crossing and zero-crossing position. And
then the current is zero, check whether the resistance is up to Whether the current
crosses zero
No

the set value and determine whether the fault can be

successfully cut off.
Yes
(2)Control section The calculation module
starts to calculate the
It will intelligently match arc model after scene detection. If dynamic resistance value
in MATLAB
the circuit breaker is in a closed state, the control of its non-
action is equivalent to the ordinary conductor. If a fault occurs,
the time-controlled switch logic module is used to control the
breaker contact separation. When the resistance reaches the set Rarc>Roff
No

value, the circuit breaker is controlled to maintain the state of

tripping, and the fault is successfully cut off. Yes

(3)Calculation section Arc extinguishing

After the arc model matching, based on formula (7) and (8)
FIGURE IV. THE FLOW CHART OF CIRCUIT BREAKER
the least squares method is used to get the parameters and set CALCULATION
up the model. After switching on, the real-time dynamic
resistance value is obtained by the calculation module, and the B. Introduction to Simulation Software
value is transferred to the variable resistance element.
PSCAD / EMTDC power system electromagnetic transient
simulation software has the advantages of accurate model and
high quality simulation, while MATLAB has superior data
calculation and processing capabilities. Combining the
advantages of the two software together can get more accurate
simulation results, and can achieve complementary advantages
of the two software [12,13].
In PSCAD, Fortran subroutine is called by DSDYN. This
Fortran subroutine is used to start MATLAB program and run
M file, so as to realize the data connection between PSCAD
and MATLAB. Users can write the required program according
to the simulation needs [14]. Circuit breaker simulation model
data transmission is shown in Figure 5.
FIGURE III. PARTIAL EQUIVALENT MODEL OF CIRCUIT BREAKER PSCAD/EMTDC MATLAB
MATLAB
Input in PSCAD
program engine
I,E, I,E,R I,E, I,E,R
Trip Trip Trip Trip

Fortran subroutine Call M file

(DSDYN)

FIGURE V. DATA TRANSMISSION DIAGRAM OF CIRCUIT BREAKER

SIMULATION MODEL.

IV. ESTABLISHMENT OF SIMULATION SYSTEM

A. Simulation Circuit
The simulation circuit is shown in Figure 6. The simulation
step size is 50 μs, the rated resistance is 1μΩ when the circuit
breaker is on. Through the MATLAB, τ c is 257.3μs and U C is

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165.8kV in Cassie arc model; τ m is 79μs and N0 is 24787W in

Mayr arc model.
The fault points are the breaker outlet and transformer
outlet(both are three-phase symmetrical short-circuit faults).

Timed
Logic
Fault
Ia

Ib

FAULTS
Ord
Ic

C ABC
T rip Order

B
A Ia A1 A2

R=0 0.4e-3 4e-7[H] F1 8e-3 8e-6 [H]

B Ib B1 breaker B2
0.4e-3 4e-7[H] 8e-3 8e-6 [H]

FIGURE IX. THE THREE-PHASE CURRENT OF FAULT AT THE

C Ic C1 C2
0.4e-3 4e-7[H] 8e-3 8e-6 [H]

OUTLET OF THE TRANSFORMER

Timed
Logic
Fault
T imed A
Ord Breaker
Logic
Closed@t 0 B

FAULTS C
C ABC P+jQ
14041 [MW ] /ph
10531[MVAR] /ph
A

A A A W
80000 [MVA] 0.961
F2 IM
B B B S
#1 #2 T IME

C 220 C C TL
1.0
220
N
1.0e6

FIGURE VI. THREE PHASE SIMULATION CIRCUIT

B. Analysis of Simulation Results

In the large current system, when the breaker outlet fault
occurs, the breaker starts to operate after 10.5ms of fault and
current completely cut off 8ms later. The three-phase voltages FIGURE X. THE THREE-PHASE VOLTAGE OF FAULT AT THE
on the circuit breaker have transient impulse voltages of OUTLET OF THE TRANSFORMER
0.25ms, 0.27ms and 5ms respectively, and there is no reburning
phenomenon. As shown in Figure 7 a nd Figure 8. When the Under the condition of small current system, when the
fault occurs at the outlet of the transformer, the circuit breaker breaker outlet fault occurs, the breaker starts to operate after
starts to operate after 11.25ms of fault, and the current is 13.75ms, and the current is completely cut off after 5ms. The
completely cut off after 5.25ms. The three-phase voltages on three-phase voltages on the circuit breaker have transient
the circuit breaker have transient impulse voltages of 0.25ms, impulse voltages of 0.25ms, 0.25ms and 5.25ms respectively,
0.25ms and 0.25ms respectively, and there is no r eburning and there is no reburning phenomenon. As shown in Figures 11
phenomenon. As shown in Figures 9 and 10. and 12. When the fault occurs at the outlet of the transformer,
the circuit breaker starts to operate after 11ms of the fault, and
the current is completely cut off after 4.75ms. The three-phase
voltages on the circuit breaker have transient impulse voltages
of 4ms, 0.25ms and 0.25ms respectively, and no reburning
occurs. As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14.

FIGURE VII. THE THREE-PHASE CURRENT OF FAULT AT THE

OUTLET OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER

FIGURE XI. THE THREE-PHASE CURRENT OF FAULT AT THE

OUTLET OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER

FIGURE VIII. THE THREE-PHASE VOLTAGE OF FAULT AT THE

OUTLET OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER

FIGURE XII. THE THREE-PHASE VOLTAGE OF FAULT AT THE

OUTLET OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER

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[7] He Yang, Yingsan Geng, Zhiyuan Liu, Yingyao Zhang, Jianhua Wang.
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FIGURE XIV. THE THREE-PHASE VOLTAGE OF FAULT AT THE

OUTLET OF THE TRANSFORMER

V. CONCLUSION
The arc based black box model of circuit breaker is
established, and two typical arc models are analyzed. The
required model parameters are obtained by using the least
square method, and the intelligent arc model is selected by
taking the large and small current system as the boundary. The
simulation results show that the circuit breaker model based on
the advantages of PSCAD and MATLAB can identify the
system state automatically and correctly, and the voltage and
current when different faults are cut off are basically consistent
with the theoretical analysis. The correctness of the model is
verified, which indicates that the design model has certain
reference and versatility.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Authors would like to acknowledge Technology Innovation
Major Project in Hubei Province (2017AAA132) for financial
support.
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