Solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs) are critical components in the protection of medium-voltage DC distribution networks to facilitate arc-free

fast and reliable isolation of DC faults. However

limited by the capacity of a single semiconductor device

using semiconductor-based SSCBs at high voltage is challenging. This study presents the details of a 1.5 kV

63 A medium-voltage SSCB

composed primarily of a solid-state switch based on three cascaded normally-on silicon carbide (SiC) junction field-effect transistors (JFETs) and a low-cost programmable gate drive circuit. Dynamic and static voltage sharing among the cascaded SiC JFETs of the SSCB during fault isolation is realized using the proposed gate drive circuit. The selection conditions for the key parameters of the SSCB gate driver are also analyzed. Additionally

an improved pulse-width modulation current-limiting protection solution is proposed to identify the permanent overcurrent and transient inrush current associated with capacitive load startup in a DC distribution network. Using the developed SSCB prototype and the fault test system

experimental results are obtained to validate the fault response performance of the SSCB.