Electric strength of a triggered vacuum switch

The results of a statistical study of the electric strength of a triggered vacuum switch (TVS) with a disk electrode system are presented. The electric strength of a switch was measured after switching currents with an amplitude of 3.5 kA at the commercial frequency. The dependence of the TVS breakdown voltage on the interelectrode distance is determined. It is shown that, when the interelectrode distance increases to 20-25 mm, the tested TVS prototype may serve as the basis for developing high-voltage TVSs intended for use in electric -power engineering as elements of switching and protective devices in networks of commercial frequency with a nominal voltage of 35 kV.