Interaction of a Vacuum Arc With an SF6 Arc in a Hybrid Circuit Breaker During High-Current Interruption

HVDC Circuit Breakers: A Review Identifying Future Research Needs

“…Here speed is not the primary aim, but the combination of the high current and high frequency interruption capability of vacuum circuit breakers together with the high voltage withstand capability of gas circuit breakers. These schemes are continuously under discussion for both HVDC breakers [68] and AC circuit breakers [97]. These type of hybrid concepts are of principal interest, but the interaction of different devices is often complex and makes a detailed understanding of the working principle, and careful consideration when coupling, necessary.…”

Vacuum interrupters in high voltage applications

“…Preliminary investigations on SF 6 and vacuum as current interrupting media have been done between 1920-1940 [1,2]. Both technologies found later application in circuit breakers.…”

“…Now as this barrier don't exist any more the dielectric performance and also capacitive switching duties requested by international standards create today's challenge as well as the client's acceptance using a new technology. The growing market need for SF 6 free circuit breaker technologies has resurrected vacuum as the most promising candidate to replace SF 6 for lower high voltage ratings up to 145kV. Vacuum circuit breakers for 72,5kV and 84kV have been commercialized up to now mainly in Japan and in USA for the lower high voltage ratings.…”

“…Both interrupting technologies, SF 6 and vacuum, achieve excellent short circuit current performances and dielectric withstand capabilities. Where vacuum interrupters are known by there aggressive breaking characteristics and are able to break currents with very steep Transient Recovery Voltages (TRV) of more than 10kV/µs [3] compared to only about 2kV/µs with SF 6 .…”

“…SF 6 offers a good and secure dielectric withstand performance to comply with the requirement to cope with the extremely high TRV peak voltages that occur during high voltage breaking duties and lightning impulse (BIL) and power frequency (PF) withstand voltage requirements. Damping capacitors are generally used to reduce very steep TRV rise times for SF 6 breakers but add additional cost to the installations.…”