# US 2018/0026435 A1 · Dc breaker > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0026435 A1 - Document ID: US20180026435A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/541,614 - Filed: 2015-12-18 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-05 - Assignees: General Electric Technology GmbH - Applicants: General Electric Technology GmbH - Inventors: Colin Charnock DAVIDSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180026435A1 ## CPC - H02H 3/202: {for DC systems} - H01H 9/548: {Electromechanical and static switch connected in series} - H01H 33/596: {for interrupting DC} - H02H 3/02: Details - H02B 13/02: with metal casing - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H02B: BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER ## Abstract A DC breakers and in particular to DC breaker modules suitable for use in a high voltage DC circuit. The breaker module comprises at least a first breaker circuit (enclosed within a conductive enclosure. The enclosure is configured such that the first breaker circuit can be connected (in an electrical path with a circuit external to the conductive enclosure. The conductive enclosure is further configured to be connected to a node of the electrical path such that, in use, the conductive enclosure is at the same voltage potential as the node of the circuit path. The conductive enclosure may be a standardised size and may, for example, be a standard shipping container. The methods and apparatus of the present application allow a DC breaker to be formed from modules that can be built, tested, transported and installed in a standardised enclosure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A DC breaker module suitable for use in a high voltage DC circuit comprising: at least a first breaker circuit enclosed within a conductive enclosure; the enclosure being configured such that, in use, the first breaker circuit can be connected in an electrical path with a circuit external to the conductive enclosure; and wherein the conductive enclosure is further configured to be connected to a node of the electrical path such that, in use, the conductive enclosure is at the same voltage potential as the node of the circuit path. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 wherein the conductive enclosure is configured to be connected to either an input node of the first breaker circuit or an output node of the first breaker circuit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1, wherein the module is housed in a structure that conforms to the dimensions of an ISO standard shipping container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1, wherein the conductive enclosure is formed within or from a shipping container. ### Claim 5 The DC breaker module of wherein at least one wall of the conductive enclosure forms at least part of a shipping container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 further comprising a second breaker circuit within the conductive enclosure, the first and second breaker circuits being connected in series, the enclosure being configured such that, in use, the second breaker circuit can be connected in said electrical path with the first breaker circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The DC breaker module of claim 6 wherein the conductive enclosure is configured to be connected to a node at a connection point between the first and second breaker circuits. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 wherein the conductive enclosure comprises at least one connection site for connecting electrical bushings to allow an electrical connection between the first breaker circuit in the electrical path with a circuit external to the metallic enclosure through the walls of the metallic enclosure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 wherein the module comprises at least one insulating support member for supporting the breaker circuit within the conductive enclosure in use. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 wherein the breaker circuit and/or conductive enclosure comprises one or more mounting points for mounting at least one removable bracing member for supporting the breaker circuitry when not in use. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 further comprising corona rings fitted to the metallic enclosure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1 wherein the first breaker circuit comprises a hybrid breaker circuit comprising a main path and an auxiliary path wherein the auxiliary path comprises a plurality of semiconductor switches connected in series and the main path comprises one or more semiconductor switches and a mechanical breaker connected in series. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The DC breaker module of claim 12 comprising at least one mounting point on the outside of said conductive enclosure for mounting one or more surge arresters on the outside of the conductive enclosure in parallel with the plurality of semiconductor switches of the auxiliary path. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The DC breaker module of claim 1, wherein the breaker module is contained in a DC circuit breaker suitable for use in a high voltage DC system the system further comprises a plurality of DC breaker modules wherein the plurality of DC breaker modules are connected in series. ### Claim 15 A method of forming a DC breaker comprising: taking a plurality of DC breaker modules wherein each DC breaker module comprises a DC breaker circuit in a conductive enclosure; connecting the DC breaker circuits of said DC breaker modules in series; and connecting each conductive enclosure of a DC breaker module to a node of the respective DC breaker circuit.