Reliable commutation of the current is the prerequisite for the hybrid direct current circuit breaker（DCCB） to interrupt the current successfully. Therefore

the current commutation characteristics in the hybrid DCCB are investigated. The arc voltage of vacuum interrupter（VI） with different contact structures or materials is measured first. According to the measured results

with the current in the range of 0

1

k A

the arc voltage of single VI varies from 16 V to 22 V

and it cannot be enlarged significantly by changing the contact structure or contact material. Therefore

the method to commutate the current by enlarging the arc voltage is not feasible. A current commutation drive circuit（CCDC） is proposed for the first time to commutate the current in hybrid DCCBs. A mathematical model for the CCDC is established

and it has been

verified by related test results. In the end

the equivalent current commutation experiments are carried out. The experimental results show that by using CCDC

the current can be commutated in 200 μs and the validity of the CCDC for current commutation in hybrid DCCBs is verified by the experimental results.