High voltage direct current circuit protection system and method

A high voltage, direct current circuit protection system comprising:

• a number n of active circuit protection devices connected in series, each active circuit protection device comprising:
• a weakened circuit conductor;
• a cutting element operable to sever the weakened circuit conductor;
• an energy storage element acting upon the cutting element;
• and
• an arc chamber arranged proximate to the weakened circuit conductor;
• and
• a control element configured to cause a release of stored energy in the energy storage elements and displacement of the cutting elements to sever the respective weakened circuit conductors, wherein the control element is a single control element configured to control operations of all of the number n of active circuit protection devices responsive to an overcurrent condition detected by a current sensor, and wherein a control signal from the control element is configured to be successively passed through each of the number n of active circuit protection devices;
• wherein n is an integer greater than 1, and wherein a voltage potential capacity of the system is configurable by increasing the number n of active circuit protection devices.