SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING SERIES CAPACITOR BANK

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods for protecting series capacitor bank. SOLUTION: A capacitor protection circuit 202 may include a capacitor bank 204, a pilot circuit 210 and a main commutation gap 212. The pilot circuit 210 and the main commutation gap 212 may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank 204. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors 214a, 214b may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit 210. The plasma injectors 214a, 214b may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap 212 to make the main commutation gap 212 conductive. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT