The ability of vacuum switching devices to interrupt high frequency currents can lead to repeated prestrikes and clearings when such switches are being closed and repeated reignitions and clearings when the switches are opening. This paper focuses on the interruption of a motor inrush current (aborted starts) where the successive trapping of magnetic stored energy in the motor winding and its subsequent release to the motor and cable capacitance, can result in the development of a sequence of escalating voltage surges. Of particular concern is the sudden collapse of voltage when sequential reignitions occur and the impact of this on the interturn insulation of the motor winding. The study reports on many simulated tests with circuit breakers of different manufacturers and attempts through analysis to identify cause and effect with respect to the magnitudes of the voltages developed and the characteristics of the switch, paying particular attention to the rate of dielectric recovery of the contact gap and the dI/dt interrupting capability of the switch.