Compact high-voltage vacuum circuit breaker, a feasibility study

This study focuses on a compact vacuum circuit breaker (CB) for nominal voltage of 72.5 kV, nominal current of 2000 A and short circuit current of 31.5 kA. The dielectric conception of the vacuum interrupter (VI) is based on a multiple floating shield configuration which reduces the risk of total breakdown due to partial breakdown between the contacts and shield. An optimised electrical field distribution on the contact surface with the maximum field pointing towards the floating shield is arranged and hence reducing the breakdown effective area of the contacts facing each. All tests have been performed on a specially designed single-phase circuit breaker pole-unit equipped with a low energy spring type mechanism. Interruption performance was confirmed in direct tests. The circuit-breaker pole was proved to be restrike-free with respect to cable charging class C2. Dielectric tests in new condition and after interruption tests confirmed the announced ratings. These tests confirm the feasibility of this HV-CB with 25% more compact VI's based on the outlined dielectric conception.