Review on HVDC circuit-breaker tests

Research and development of HVDC circuit-breakers (CBs) is a spotlight as the existing and planning VSC-HVDC projects are in increasing need of HVDC CBs. However, at moment there are no universal standards can be referred to for designing, testing and operating an HVDC CB. This review outlines the fault current interruption process of HVDC CB regardless of the internal current commutation principle. Requirements of testing current and voltage stresses from the system side are specified including two key performance indicators, which are energy dissipation capability and the duration of transient interruption voltage (TIV). The suggested test items are listed with reference to testing experience of different HVDC CBs for HVDC projects. Discussions on the test duties are also analyzed from different perspectives. Two potential test methods proved by experiments are presented. The latest progress on standards for HVDC CB is introduced.