Multi-Domain-Simulation-Based Development of Novel Actuators for Future Circuit Breakers

Considering the increasing demand of controlled, synchronized and monitored switching of future power grids, electromagnetic actuation of circuit breakers is a viable alternative to the mechanical drives widely used today. The development of electromagnetic drives for next-generation circuit breakers requires not only a deep understanding of mechanical, electrical and magnetic phenomena but also their interaction. Therefore, this work focusses on the multi-domain-simulation-based development of electromagnetic actuators. A detailed description is given on how commercially available software packages dealing with the modeling of multi-body dynamics, electromagnetics and electronics are utilized and coupled together. Finally, the simulation results are validated by comparing them to measurements taken on a hardware demonstrator.