Regarding the application of voltage source converter-based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) technology to the overhead line with modular multilevel converter (MMC) topology

the key problem is how to isolate DC line fault rapidly. It is generally believed that the converter based on full bridge is a good solution. A new type of MMC is presented based on simple full bridge submodule (SFBSM-MMC) which

while retaining the DC line fault isolating ability

is cost-effective. The topology

basic control strategy

charging strategy and DC line fault isolating strategy of SFBSM-MMC are designed. Finally

the charging strategy and DC line fault isolating strategy are verified by simulation. Results show that the SFBSM-MMC is suitable for VSC-HVDC projects based on overhead line for its good performance in the rapid isolation of DC line fault. This work is supported by National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (No. 2013AA050106

No. 2015AA050101).