Apparatus and method for switching a direct current

US10243357B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Hans-Guenter Eckel · Rostock, DE
• Dominik Ergin · Baiersdorf, DE
• Herbert Gambach · Uttenreuth, DE
• Hans-Joachim Knaak · Erlangen, DE
• Andreas Philipp · Winkelhaid, DE
• Hubert Schierling · Erlangen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2013
• Grant date: Mar 26, 2019
• Expiry date: Aug 18, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H9/42
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus switches a direct current in a high-voltage line. The apparatus contains a multiplicity of switching units, which are arranged so as to form a series circuit in the high-voltage line. Each switching unit in this case contains a switching element and a surge arrester arranged in a parallel circuit with the switching element, the threshold voltage of the surge arrester being higher than a rated voltage of the switching element. A sum of the rated voltages of the switching elements corresponds at least to an operating voltage of the high-voltage line. The switching elements are mechanical switches, and each mechanical switch contains a contact arrangement having two disconnectable contact pieces and is configured to build up an arcing voltage on disconnection of the contact pieces with a magnitude which is higher than the rated voltage of the mechanical switch.