Navy propulsion and electrical power systems are evolving as improved technologies pave the way for increased capabilities with medium voltage direct current power distribution systems. These new systems require protective devices to sustain operations onboard ships at sea while providing quick reaction times to remedy inevitable electrical circuit mishaps. This thesis aims to determine what testbed components and parameters support accurate testing of a newly proposed design for a high-density, MW-scale, 2 kV solid-state circuit breaker. Circuit breaker operation, a comparison of the state of the art and a proposed solid-state circuit breaker, and the topology and test plans for the testbed are discussed in detail. A virtual testbed was created and tested through a power electronics simulation platform to determine the feasibility of using a laboratory hardware testbed to test the solid-state circuit breaker. Switching and thermal tests were run to understand the effects on components at different voltages and currents and to determine if the solid-state circuit breaker can provide lasting protection for future technologies. This study shows that the testbed components chosen yielded satisfactory results with enough capability margin to effectively mimic system conditions that the solid-state circuit breaker may face in actual operation.Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyNASA Cleveland, OH 4414
