Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing optimized electronic components. Particularly, the systems and methods may involve the use of a “three-legged approach” for determining design parameters for electrical components (and/or insulation of the electrical components) such that the electrical component is not subject to partial discharges (PDs) at a maximum operating voltage of the electrical component. The approach may involve extracting maximum bulk (e.g., orthogonal) and surface (e.g., tangential) electrical stress (e.g., electrical field) information at operating temperatures, comparing the values of these electric fields with electric field values that are likely to cause the inception of one or more PDs in the electrical component (which may be determined through modeling), and linking these results with PD measurements (such as the surface partial discharge inception voltage, SPDIV).

Abstract: Within a direct current hybrid circuit breaker (DC HCB), a capacitance is provided in a semiconductor switch path in series with a semiconductor switch and the semiconductor switch is in parallel with a surge arrestor to facilitate opening the DC HCB. The semiconductor switch path is connected in parallel with a mechanical switch path that includes a mechanical switch. The circuit causes the current through the mechanical switch to ramp down while the current through the semiconductor switch ramps up to a supply current. The mechanical switch can open without current and against no recovery voltage.

Abstract: Within a direct current hybrid circuit breaker (DC HCB), a capacitance is provided in a semiconductor switch path in series with a semiconductor switch and the semiconductor switch is in parallel with a surge arrestor to facilitate opening the DC HCB. The semiconductor switch path is connected in parallel with a mechanical switch path that includes a mechanical switch. The circuit causes the current through the mechanical switch to ramp down while the current through the semiconductor switch ramps up to a supply current. The mechanical switch can open without current and against no recovery voltage.