Diversified Technologies’ new 12 kV solid state circuit breakers, with rated current from 750 to 4000 A, are described as drop-in replacements for mechanical circuit breakers.

BEDFORD, Mass.—Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) recently introduced a new family of 12 kV solid state circuit breakers that have rated current from 750 to 4000 A and are described by DTI as “drop-in replacements for mechanical circuit breakers.”

According to a release from DTI, the solid state circuit breakers provide microsecond speed switching, which the company said is thousands of times faster than mechanical types. They have no moving parts, no arcs, and they have low acoustic and magnetic signatures. Fully electronic, they can be programmed to open instantaneously at arbitrary currents, reset after a fault, and can be networked for coordinated switchgear operation, the company said

A DTI Solid State Circuit Breaker is said to be unlike systems with mechanical switches in that  when it experiences a fault, minimal impact on the load occurs because it is not exposed to high currents, high forces, and damaging energy levels. The DTI Solid State Circuit Breakers permit more efficient power systems by eliminating design for over-load penalties, and are well-suited  for shipboard DC circuit breaker applications, the company said.