Voltage clamping circuit for solid state circuit breakers

A power semiconductor circuit, comprising:

• a power semiconductor switch;
• a clamping branch coupled in parallel with the power semiconductor switch comprising:
• a first capacitor;
• and
• a surge arrester coupled in parallel with a first resistor, wherein the first capacitor is coupled in series with the surge arrester and the first resistor;
• a snubber branch coupled in parallel with the power semiconductor switch, and the clamping branch, the snubber branch comprising:
• a first snubber and a second snubber coupled in parallel with one another, the first snubber and the second snubber each comprising:
• a second capacitor;
• a resistor;
• and
• a diode.

A power semiconductor circuit, comprising:

• a power semiconductor switch;
• a clamping branch coupled in parallel with the power semiconductor switch comprising:
• a first capacitor;
• and
• a surge arrester coupled in parallel with a first resistor, wherein the first capacitor is coupled in series with the surge arrester and the first resistor;
• a snubber branch coupled in parallel with the power semiconductor switch and the clamping branch, the snubber branch comprising:
• a second capacitor;
• and
• a plurality of resistors coupled in parallel with one another,
• wherein the second capacitor is coupled in series to a first resistor of the plurality of resistors and is coupled in parallel with a second resistor of the plurality of resistors;
• and
• an isolation switch coupled in series with the power semiconductor switch.