Expansion Into Rail Transport And Solar Power Station Applications Broadens The Scope Of Vacuum Circuit Breaker Applications - News

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Expand into emerging scenarios

With their strong arc-quenching capabilities, low maintenance requirements and absence of gas leakage risks, vacuum circuit-breakers are rapidly expanding from traditional distribution networks into emerging applications such as rail transport and photovoltaic power stations.

In the rail transport sector

In the rail transport sector, traction power supply systems for underground and light rail networks generally employ a direct current (DC) power supply system, which imposes specific requirements on DC breaking capacity. As DC arcs do not naturally pass through zero, they are far more difficult to extinguish than AC arcs. In recent years, DC vacuum circuit breakers based on the principle of forced commutation have gradually matured; by utilising commutation capacitors in conjunction with vacuum switches to create a current zero-crossing point, they have achieved reliable protection for DC traction power supply systems. By the end of 2024, more than 50 cities in mainland China had launched urban rail transit systems, with a total operational mileage exceeding 12,000 kilometres, leading to sustained growth in market demand for DC vacuum circuit breakers.

In the field of photovoltaic power stations

In the field of photovoltaic power stations, both centralised and distributed projects require a large number of circuit breakers for grid connection and fault isolation. The DC-side voltage in photovoltaic power stations can reach 1,500 V; DC fault arcs are difficult to extinguish naturally and are prone to causing fires. DC vacuum circuit breakers, when combined with rapid detection technology, can effectively interrupt fault currents. At the same time, photovoltaic power stations are often constructed in environments such as the desert regions of the north-west, the tidal flats of the south-east coast, or coal-mining areas, placing high demands on equipment in terms of corrosion resistance, dust protection and wide-temperature adaptability. Domestic manufacturers have optimised their product designs for these scenarios, enhancing environmental resilience.

Expansion of the Application Scope for Vacuum Circuit Breakers

From DC traction to PV grid connection, the scope of application for vacuum circuit-breakers is expanding from AC distribution networks to DC systems, and from conventional environments to harsh conditions. This trend reflects the demand driven by the development of new energy and rail transport infrastructure, whilst also demonstrating the continuous advancement of vacuum circuit-breaker technology.