DC　circuit　breaker　plays　an　important　role　in　the　reliability　of　HVdc　system,　but　the　large　number　of　expensive　press-pack　insulated-gate　bipolar　transistors　(IGBTs)　is　used　at　present,　which　is　a　serious　impediment　to　HVdc　development.　Thus,　the　low-price　integrated　gate　commutated　thyristor　(IGCT)　becomes　a　promising　alternative　device.　This　letter　presents　a　low-cost　HVdc　circuit　breaker　with　high　current　breaking　capability　based　on　IGCTs.　The　topology　and　principle　of　the　proposed　HVdc　circuit　breaker　are　introduced　at　first.　Then,　the　parameter　design　is　analyzed.　A　scaled-down　test　successfully　demonstrates　the　high　current　breaking　capability　of　15　kA.　In　the　end,　the　cost　comparison　shows　that　this　scheme　can　achieve　61.8%　cost　reduction　of　the　commutation　branch.　©　1986-2012　IEEE.