Microcontroller Based Solid State Residual Current Circuit Breaker Using Thyristors for LT Applications

Abstract: Residual current circuit breaker is the necessary element in a wiring system to protect an individual from electrocution and from the risk of electric shock. The speed of operation and reliability is the most important part of circuit breaker design. Limitations of mechanical circuit breakers used in domestic as well as industrial applications led to the development of solid-state circuit breakers. Solid state circuit breakers use solid state devices for switching and isolation. The response of solid-state circuit breaker to a fault is very quick. In the case of an earth fault, the response of circuit breaker to a fault is very important because the fast acting of circuit breaker may save a life from electrocution. In this paper a microcontroller based static residual current circuit breaker using thyristor is proposed which offers protection from earth faults and leakage currents. After a brief introduction and presentation, the design of microcontroller based static residual current circuit breaker is described.

Keywords: Core Balanced Current Transformer; Microcontroller; Solid State Circuit Breakers