Implementation of the supercapacitor-assisted surge absorber (SCASA) technique in a practical surge protector

Abstract

Their combination of large continuous energy ratings and very large time constants allows supercapacitors to be used in surge protection circuits. This fact, supported by recent research publications and laboratory tests, has assisted the authors to propose a new surge protection circuit topology known as the supercapacitor-assisted surge absorber (SCASA). This technique utilizes a multi-winding transformer, common surge protector devices such as metal oxide varistors (MOV) and/or semiconductor types combined with a supercapacitor sub-circuit to absorb part of the surge energy usually expected to dissipate within the MOV or the semiconductor. The paper presents design details and test results for a differential mode surge protector based on the SCASA technique where the test device was subjected to lightning-type surges defined in international standards for Class-A and Class B type protectors. The performance of a prototype based on Class-B waveforms of up to 6.6 kV surges generated from a lightning surge simulator are discussed in the paper. Its performance is compared with two commercially available surge protectors.

Supercapacitor assisted surge absorber technique: high performance transient surge protectors for consumer electronics

“…Under this situation, energy dissipated in the SC loop is of importance, since it can create heat within the device (due to the effect of the ESR), and push the capacitor beyond its safe temp range. It can be shown that [12] energy dissipated in ESR of the SC as a ratio of energy absorbed by the SC is given by,…”

“…Power electronics research group at the University of Waikato, launched a PhD thesis completed by the first author [10]- [14], based on the preliminary investigations which lead to the first patent [8]. As per detailed research published in [12]- [16], a uniquely new circuit topology as per Figure 10(d) was successfully developed by the team at Waikato. This was based on a step by step analysis of Figures 10(a) to 10(c).…”

Supercapacitor Assisted Hybrid PV System for Efficient Solar Energy Harnessing

“…This technique uses the advantage of a large time constant when a supercapacitor is connected to an RC circuit. Based on this concept, several SC assisted circuit topologies such as SC assisted light-emitting diodes (SCALED) [20], SC assisted low dropout regulator (SCALDO) [25] and SC assisted surge absorber (SCASA) [26] have already been developed. The fundamental background of this theory is summarized as follows.…”

Supercapacitor‐assisted LED (SCALED) technique for renewable energy systems: a very low frequency design approach with short‐term DC‐UPS capability eliminating battery banks

“…Combining the above LCC with the case of a SC bank extending the time constant by several orders of magnitude, several SC-assisted (SCA) techniques have been developed at the University of Waikato [22]. Some examples are low drop-out regulator (SCALDO), temperature modification apparatus, high density inverter, surge absorber and LED lighting converter (supercapacitor-assisted LED (SCALED)) [8,[23][24][25].…”