DynACuSo: A High Power Dynamic Current Source
High performance power electronic systems serving as high current power supplies are nowadays used in a wide range of application areas: from diagnostics and cancer treatment in the medical world to fundamental research activities in the physics world, and from plasma confinement in fusion energy activities to engineering research activities for the future of HVDC electric grid. These systems are usually designed specifically for the needs of the particular application they are intended to be used for, as they often need to fulfill strict specifications.
In an attempt to meet those requirements, a modular high performance current source, the DynACuSo, has been designed and developed at the Laboratory for High Power Electronics. The source is based on a high power multi-phase buck converter that controls the current, connected in series to a step voltage generator that generates a high bipolar output voltage. The DynACuSo is able to supply up to 1.5kA of current for more than 10ms and up to 1.0kA continuously. Powered by an advanced control system the DynACuSo is able to generate fast current gradients that surpass 10MA/s. At the same time, facilitated by the latest generation SiC semiconductor technology, its interleaved operation with high switching frequencies, and innovations in its output filter design, the source achieves flattop ripples down to the ppm range. Particular interest has been drawn on the application of the DynACuSo for R&D activities in the field of future HVDC circuit breaker technology, as it can potentially open new research pathways for switchgear characterization.