A PIC-MCC simulation of the high-voltage interruption ability of a vacuum interrupter

In order to examine the ultimate high-voltage interruption ability of a vacuum interrupter, a particle in cell-Monte Carlo collision computer simulation was conducted under the following conditions. Residual charged and neutral particles at current zero were arranged between the electrodes. The particle conditions were obtained from an extrapolated value of experimental data. Secondary electron emission and self-sputtering effects due to ion bombardment were also considered for the simulation. The simulation voltage, which also represents the recovery voltage, was applied between the electrodes. From the results of a simulation on a 168-kV/25-kA 40-mm-diameter one-break interrupter, it was found that the breaking ability is most influenced by the initial neutral particle density. The charged particle density and the secondary electron emission coefficient were found to have a lesser effect on the breaking capability. Consequently, it is estimated that the self-sputtering coefficient from ion bombardment is one of the most important parameters for metal vapor supply after current zero.