Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Student Manual
2.0
Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
2.1
USNRC
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
2.1.1.2
Solenoid operated:
The first electrically operated breakers were closed by a
solenoid close coil. The coil pulled a solenoid slug, which
actuated the closing mechanism. Figures 2-1 and 2-2 show the
first generation Westinghouse DHP circuit breaker with a
solenoid-closing coil. Solenoid closing operation was replaced
by stored energy breakers.
2.1.2.2
2.2
USNRC
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
Direct Current (DC) breakers are usually used in low voltage applications and
normally are two Pole design. There are also applications in the mining and rail
industries, which use single-pole DC breakers.
The phase or pole design in all breakers is essentially the same and will consist of
some or all of the following components.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Primary disconnects.
Primary conductors (Bushing)
Moving contact arm
Contacts
Puffer device
USNRC
2-3
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
2.2.4 Contacts
USNRC
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
o Main Contacts: The main contacts carry the breaker load. Air circuit
breaker main contacts are normally a silver plated copper body with a
silver cadmium oxide contact material attached at the connection point
of the moving and the stationary contacts.
Pure silver or silver plated copper could not withstand the force of
opening and closing the breaker, and therefore the contact tip is a
silver alloy; silver cadmium oxide is commonly used for this application
because it is a good conductor and adds enough strength to minimize
the wear from the opening and closing impact.
The contact surfaces of the arcing and main contacts are not silverplated. The plating deposited during the plating process is removed, as
it would burn off during arcing.
Vacuum Breakers: There are only main contacts within a vacuum bottle.
The commonly used materials for vacuum breakers are either copperbismuth or copper-chrome alloys. The shape is also important and two
basic shapes are used cupped axial magnetic design and a slotted
design. Figure 2-5 shows the slotted design.
SF6 Gas Breakers: Have a main and arcing contact design similar to
ACBs.
2.3
USNRC
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
ABB calls it a Jack shaft and the on the new vacuum breakers it is called a
Main Shaft. (See Figure 2- 6, Item 12)
The closing shaft has three-connection pivot points where the phase insulated
links are connected. The operating mechanism driving link is also connected to
the operating shaft under the center phase.
2.4
OPERATING MECHANISM
All stored energy breakers operate on the same principle. Before discussing the
operating mechanism the following are common terms used for mechanism
components:
Closing arms/lever or closing cranks: The arms attached to the closing shaft.
Trip Latch: The latch, which rests on the trip latch roller when the breaker is
closed. Trips the breaker when closed.
Closing Roller: The roller on the mechanism linkage. The closing roller rides
on the closing cam during the close operation.
Closing Cam: The closing cam is a drop cam shape design and pushes the
breaker linkage to the close position.
Prop Latch (DHP = Tripping cam): Latch used to hold the mechanism in the
closed position after closing to allow the mechanism to recharge.
USNRC
2-6
Rev 0
2.5
Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
The trip latch will now be in a position to hold the mechanism in a closed
position when the close operation is initiated. (Figure 2-6b Item 10 and 18)
When the close latch is moved the closing spring will drive a closing cam
and engages the closing mechanism linkage, the mechanism linkage is
attached to the operating shaft, which in turn is attached to the moving
contacts, and the breaker will close. (Figure 2-7c)
For the breaker to remain in the closed position the linkage has to be held
in a closed position by the trip latch.
To allow the breaker to recharge and remain closed the breaker will use a
prop latch (DHP = Tripping Cam) in conjunction with the trip latch to hold
the mechanism in a closed position. This will allow the mechanism to
recharge. (Figure 2-8d)
To trip the breaker the trip latch is moved allowing the mechanism toggles
to collapse.
BREAKER SPRINGS
2.5.1 Closing Spring
The closing spring provide the energy to close the contacts and is the largest
spring on any stored energy breaker. It is sized according to the continuous
amperage and interrupting amperage of the breaker. There can be one or
two closing springs depending on the type and size of the breaker.
2.5.2 Opening springs
The opening spring or springs open the breaker during a trip operation. The
quantity and size of the opening springs will depend on the interrupting
requirements of the circuit breaker. Opening springs are normally located on
the outside phases and are attached to the closing shaft.
The springs are compressed or stretched during the close operation and
remain stretched until a close signal is given to the breaker. Most breakers
have two large springs but some breakers will have more.
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
2.6
RACKING MECHANISM
A racking mechanism or levering system is used to insert and remove the circuit
breaker from the circuit breaker compartment.
Most breakers use a mechanism mounted on the breaker and rack the breaker into
position horizontally. The GE Magna-Blast Model AM is the only breaker that has
its racking mechanism in the switchboard cubicle and racks the breaker into
position vertically.
USNRC
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
USNRC
2-9
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
USNRC
2-10
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
USNRC
2-11
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
USNRC
2-12
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
USNRC
2-13
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Chapter 2.0
Circuit Breaker Mechanical Components and Operation
USNRC
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Rev 0
SLAC-169
UC -38
ALEXANDER
AN-SHENG TSENG
CENTER
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Stanford,
California
94305
March 1974
Electrical
Engineering
thesis.
ABSTRACT
The application
switching
of
on-off
short
better
circuit
and
breaker
of
system
thesis
Vacuum Circuit
is
and/or
Temperature
Rise
circuit
constants
to
the
Development,
such
Voltage
vs.
Field
Pressure
Current
Chopping
of
Properties
of
the
Vacuum
is
requires
arcs,
need
a
electrode
phenom-
vacuum
circuit
fol
lowing
areas:
I)
History
of
2)
Major
circuit
coordinated
Reasonable
corrective
these
in
3)
Contact
4)
suit
care
Time
and
Vacuum
Periods,
Switching
Materials,
the
by the
Operating
Large
volt
Physical
Physical
of
High
Experiences
Solid
Fina I design
Contact
Emission,
in
Understanding
567KW 4160
used
the
must
breakers.
measures
Field
Influenced
Better
I 5kv
Cold
vs.
State
and the
solid
of
Power
selection
state
power
paper.
breakers
to
is
Levels
Pump Action
Long
5.8MW.
six
this
Pressure,
How it
Characteristics
Voltage
Over
Initia
l.5MW to
for
Electric
Vacuum
I,
5) The
breaker
presented
when applying
simple
the
the
Used on Eight
from
circuit
and
Materia
and
Breakers
Ranging
Vacuum
perform.
Contact
Arcs,
Vacuum Circuit
well
plus
for
which
Maintained
Mechanism
are
supply
system
under
Emission,
Characteristics,
supplies
power
breaker
vacuum
Vacuum
Voltage
vacuum
the
power
as Spark-over
and Recovery
of
to
same circuit
high-current
devoted
from
Vacuum
Supplies
a large
by the
Breaker
Spark-over
Current
breaker
the
Breaker
Vacuum Circuit
Switches,
circuit
applied.
This
Spacing,
load
protection
power
is
vacuum
a large
understanding
enon
of
of
duties
be taken
Such
are
at
that
under
applications
proposed.
iii
Stanford
Linear
a circuit
certain
are
Accelerator
breaker
Center
must
circumstances
identified
and
CONTENTS
I.
INTRODUCTION
A.
Search
for
B.
Technologies
Ideal
Electric
needed
Circuit
for
Breaker
Vacuum Circuit
Breaker
Development
Programs
II.
a)
Insu I ating
b)
Method
c)
Contact
THEORETICAL
of
I Vacuum Sea I
Envel ope-to-Meta
Gas Removal
Material
AND ELECTRODE
PERFORMANCES
III.
A.
Breakdown
Strength
B.
Spark-over
Voltage
Level
C.
Spark-over
Voltage
vs.
D.
Cold
E.
Temperature
F.
Vacuum
Field
of
vs.
Contact
Vacuum
Level
Spacing
Emission
Rise
from
Pump Action
HIGH-CURRENT
Insulation
in
Field
Emission
Vacuum Switch
VACUUM ARCS
A.
Observations
of
6.
High
Vacuum Arcs
Current
Vacuum Arcs
Stabilized
by Magnetically-Induced
Field
C.
IV.
Critical
Axial
VACUUM CIRCUIT
Operating
B.
Typical
C.
Vacuum Circuit
CONCLUSION
VI.
REFERENCES
Flux
Density
to
A.
V.
Magnetic
Stabilize
the
LOAD SWITCHING
Experience
Construction
Breaker
of
a Vacuum Circuit
Specification
iv
Breaker
and its
Application
Arcs
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author
and
wishes
encouragement
Emeritus
Spicer
optical
of
Professor
gave
him to
properties
Research,
the
under
Atomic
Energy
Stanford
to
his
express
adviser
his
appreciation
for
and supervisory
committee
Hugh H. Shilling;
the
help
better
the
electronic,
understand
of
solids
actual
field
Commission
Linear
and
undertake
performance
in
Accelerator
connection
Center
the
Professor
the
Contract
chairman,
William
magnetic
review
and testing
with
assistance
of
E.
and
this
thesis.
was supported
work
No.
being
performed
AT(04-31515.
by
I.
A.
tame
more
a plasma
technical
from
of
designing
the
debate
not
dousing
of
an electric
As the
KV to
and
problem
is
too
quickly.
the
arc
contacts,
at
current
are
operation.
the
as it
at
for
which
twice
applied
the
arc
products
problem
and
In
an oil
hydrogen
cool
oil.
which
is
magnitude
the
other
until
cycle.
At
gap is
the
instant
beneath
the
and is
oil,
the
current
is
I force
of
interruption
vacuum
to
of
example,
current
once
in
the
capable
the
arc
by an
to
zero,
cool
contac-ls,so
of
does
comes
current
across
quenched
itself
bridged
quickly
of
passes
current
of
impressed
for
of
This
at
alternating
breaker,
that
the
the
the
circuit
arc
principle
speed.
medium
momentarily
the
therefore
which
vicinity
an insulating
the
devices.
interrupters
the
and
contactors
amount
hand,
factors;
high
contact
overloads
mechanica
a great
through
a relatively
quickly
separating
a common fundamental
contacts
from
are
inrush,
considerable
these
then
The interruption
extinguishing
on the
of
quickly
switches,
many electric
by the
into
broken.
involves
On the
both
burns
each
are
voltages
of
closed
arc
region
arc.
there
means
that
of
of
has
current
and
interruption--and
for
current,
does
remove
bubble
blast
the
the
type,
voltage
is
and then
minimizes
of
electric
system.
a subject
intensified
on electric
voltage,
by the
mechanically
off
high
way to
starting
Depending
perform
Normally
forming
to
interruption
speed,
attractive
Regardless
vigorous
best
transmission
cultivating
circuit
demands
part.
vacuum
in
conditions,
operating
to
in
interrupters
zero,
power
a high
when the
high
may be released
intense
the
has steadily
lies
Current
contacts
may be required
cut
in
the
remains
recently
interrupt
severe
and the
not
effort
circuit
breaker
load
devices.
interrupted
and
forms
normal
as the
parted
used
The answer
usually
are
voltage
how to
that
protective
energy
engineering
breaker
circuit
circuits--places
formed
of
BREAKER
a reliable
current--under
short
of
in
CIRCUIT
continues.
The
but
70 years
arc
230
ELECTRIC
than
debate.
risen
INTRODUCTION
the
arc
trans-
withstanding
it
by the
burns
by a strong
power
within
cross-
When the
with
a high
Dr.
Langmuir
arc
of
gas in
charged
ions
the
about
times
four
re-enters
the
plasma
years
50,OOOK
the
is
in
an insulator
front
heat
within
the
needed
to
high
past
because
at
of
as some metals.
convert
after
the
as it
very
reactions,
as high
a few microseconds
times
cone
in
in
is
The conductivity
is
is
This
the
study
ionized.
positively
seven
to
an
plasma
nose
character
fusion
interrupter
transfer
the
late
of
the
and
of
intensive
are
of
led
describe
numbers
corona
in
under
atoms
circuit
of
in
thermonuclear
the
to
as 50,OOOK.
suns
similar
has been
all
rate
the
heated
is
controlled
a power
rapid
It
which
equal
fil
by the
The temperature
of
is
Laboratory
may be as high
air
contacts
introduced
Research
electrons.
temperature
practically
plasma
into
for
first
the
approximately
interrupters
the
between
a term
are
atmosphere.
temperature
A very
there
of which
temperature
space
Genera I Electric
and negative
circuit
the
plasma,
which
some power
the
formed
temperature
ionized
several
is
the
such
a conductor
natural
current
zero.
As power
distance
of
devices
have
for
needs
the
have
the
been
systems
become
of
in
which
might
both
the
also
ment
and small
by a simple
present
breaker
in
is
It
them
California
as a result
gram
arc
years
of
was initiated
for
the
of
existing
than
hazard
against
with
successful
quenched
Professor
Sorenson
of
Technology
disclosed
power
the
purpose
circuit
the
General
the
work,
Electric
2
have
inter-
long
life
equipment.
to
its
It
surrounding
research
of
of
and
and
a power
develop-
circuit
H. E. Mendenhal
experiments
evaluating
interrupters.
Sorensons
require-
vacuum.
ago,
for
the
interrupter,
liary
construction
in
some of
devices,
background
performing
and a quieter
and be insensitive
this
of
quest.
rapid
no auxi
themselves
engineers
circuit
this
currents
prepare
means
moment,
and
protective
switchgear
an ideal
goal
to
better
a more
is
Professor
in
of
mechanism
colleagues
ambient
order
shou Id effect
the
Institute
and their
switching
for
the
Thirty-five
the
is
required
which
for
voltage,
on circuit
future,
new and
ultimate
no fire
condition.
work
the
capacity,
In
and the
for
of
placed
severe.
specification
interrupter
large
terms
Consider,
be considered
be operated
ambient
present
searching
functional
of
should
and more
the
in
requirements
functions.
An ideal
and
more
continuously
ments
grown,
the
transmission,
interrupting
ruption
have
an extensive
Company
and
made by
vacuum
Shortly
of
as a
afterwards,
development
Jenning
pro-
Company
here
in
San Jose.
technical
However,
breakthroughs
problems
before
encountered
success
could
8.
The
vacuum
fields
of
have
provided
points
that
vacuum
circuit
space
the
the
the
were
when the
seals
the
in
the
electronic
related
industry
and cost
a successful
technoloqy
could
cross-over
and economical
belonged
many other
fields.
of
to
the
extent
that
to
vacuum
interrup-
be made.
problems
technologies
years
years.
seal
common to
recent
breakthroughs
earlier
these
and in
produce
qlass-to-metal
some of
others
solved
in
to
vacuum-tight
Although
were
problems
breaker
Develop
needed
many major
I), 2)
be assured.
of
semiconductors
following
reliable
ters,
advancements
science,
were
a.
larger
technology
required
the
only
These
related
latter
fields
problems
made significant
advances.
Making
devices.
large
While
having
large
to
The
major
make
nickel-cobalt
that
of
of
that
a glass
were
used
Equally
There
iorate,
and its
glasses
four
life
having
having
not
in
the
such
is
the
only
this
is
the
interrupter,
rate
expansion
Today
as far
is
its
a partial
can
an example,
would
gas
through
so that
Today
that
pressure
permeate
vacuum
characteristics.
application
affected.
low permeation
an iron-
consideration
atmosphere
very
a pair.
of
required
Helium
Pyrex
wow1 d be seriously
such
between
glasses.
the
in
microns.
rate;
a vacuum
it
borosilicate
is
is
expansion,
seals
many
glasses
has a coefficient
important
a considerable
in
This
metal
and
glass
to
common to
metals
thermal
strong
certain
manufacture
approximately
at
of
subject
of
helium.
some glasses
of
this
joining
to
was a problem
be made between
was developed.
concerned.
impermeability
ber
in
perfectly
is
helium
can
mechanically
advance
companies
as glass
seals
coefficients
large,
Satisfactory
of
seals
alloy,
matches
number
small
differencesin
difficult
first
glass-to-metal
quickly
there
are
permeation
if
such
detera numpresents
no problem.
Since
found
in
With
these
choices
the
for
the
past
development
several
developments
the
envelopes
of
years,
we have
of
Fernico,
other
including
now at
vacuum
3
the
our
matching
use of
disposal
interrupters.
pairs
high
a large
have
purity
number
been
ceramics.
of
In
order
to
vacuum,
one must
this
a subject
is
decade.
For
vacuum
better
this
limit
good
indication
in
surfaces
which
effects,
vacuum
Due to
are
vacuum
became
required
to
being
strength
of
techniques
known.
Again,
been made in
pressures
valuable,
obtain
possible
to
produce
the
this
directly
resulted
of
was
IO
-9
atomically
mm or
clean
physics
of
organization,
in
a hot
surface
the
are
in
of
magnetron
capable
of
These
in
ultra-high
development
Torr.
indirectly,
many scien-
engaged
cathode
which
-15
low as IO
and
that
error
vacua
been actively
tube,
as
discovered
them.
of
use of
fundamental
one of
past
achieve
Once this
to
has
the
vacuum.
the
to
equipment
possible
have
effort
pumping,
partial
of
interest
mass spectrometer
the
new
gauge,
measuring
advances
have
development
of
power
interrupters.
investigators
gases
from
arcing,
the
in
during
the
If
unsuitable
for
contacts
Method
of
It
was found
arcing,
With
possible
the
at
tungsten
point
metals
such
as copper,
point,
the
retains
the
that
amounted
would
in
metals
be removed,
to
if,
of
after
one
part
not
function
are
many orders
the
metals
per
proof
are
of
gave
dissolved
in
gases
out
a large
gases
can
temperature.
vacuum
this
off
amount
of
gas
vacuum.
an elevated
de-gas
still
gases
emission
interrupters.
electrodes
metals
to
diffusion
vacuum
destroying
a vacuum
envelope
cannot
was the
plagued
Gas Removal
refractory
in
gases
which
indicated
interrupter
most
problems
research
the
the
of
for
that
thus
in
metal,
these
major
Calculations
left
solubilities
higher.
the
interruption
arcing.
gas
magnitude
b.
vacuum
evaporated
Yet,
one of
previously,
ungettered
of
perly.
out
solids
IO million
metal
dielectric
have
measuring
study
laboratories
ion
early
heating
it
diversified
As pointed
during
advances
immediately
This
and a compact
very
vacuum
degree
breakdowns
the
in
and
high
best
by the
actual
means
research
principles
the
major
set
the
research.
total
which
became
By this
been
make use of
of
better.
in
intrinsic
many years,
it was thought
to be impossible
-8
than
IO
It was subsequently
mm of Hg.
it
vacuum
the
was actually
corrected,
tists
realize
impossible.
of
such
a considerable
amount
4
For
at 2300K.
is
With
gas.
can
by prolonged
example,
it
lower
Even at
metals
of
be removed
be so
is
boiling
the
melting
low that
the
Advances
solution
to
in
this
marily
on their
whose
properties
material
to
amounts
the
problem.
impurity
can
arcing
to
of
results
which
the
materials
molybdenum,
pure
copper,
such
as stainless
tinuous
tendency
to
sure
lower
contact
pure
weld
beryllium,
Recent
to
I)
meet
copper
the
The major
1)
refine
add
the
known
modifications
The ungettered
gas,
after
problem
methods,
and all
had been
found.
following
are
use of
binary
conditions
of
of
less
constituent,
fol
properties:
an effective
to
cold
the
binary
copper
has
and con-
vacuum
it
has a
vapor
amount
presof
In
high
vacuum,
weld
from
mechanical
this
as vacuum
problem.
switch
successfully
alloy
electrical
and alloys
Pure
higher
now solving
alloys
done
metals
large
has been
good
than
and its
pure
was also
high
temperatures.
alloys
constituent
in
or
momentary
a comparatively
has a tendency
the
higher
that
contact
crystal,
Work
low currents,
arc
with
and others.
found
also
of
single
for
lower
cohesive
had been
and other
titanium,
allows
The minor
a)
pri-
be
carbon,
much
point
lowing
depends
could
purified.
pure
at
meta I , preferably
boiling
semiconductors
major
and
easily
we have
point
research
to
first
by several
be advantageous
even
Less
this
to
special
refine
sintered
more
so far
at
a I one.
with
leading
semiconductors
and then
experience
tantalum,
easily
ultra-clean
pressure
tacts
pure
vaporization
to
both
are
melting
purity,
was measured
they
but
produce
metals.
successful
and could
currents,
and
most
steel,
been interesting
to
necessary
that
from
in
Is
tungsten,
since
of
helped
semiconductors
is
to
a solution
the
pure
with
degree
gases
Materia
1962,
of
it
developed
of
that
Contact
Up to
order
so refined,
indicated
c.
In
was found
were
removal
materials
of
high
It
have
The behavior
be controlled,
impurities.
techniques
technology
content.
an extremely
of
adapted
semiconductor
is
tested:
con3)
a non-refractory
conductivity,
having
35OOK.
or
freezing
the
eutectic
it
temperature
forms,
below
that
has th?
of
the
major
constituent
b)
cl
substantial
solubility
liquid
state
little
or
solid
state.
in
the
major
constituent
in
the
and
no solubility
in
the
major
constituent
in
the
The minor
constituent,
in
be highly
dispersed
throughout
minor
constituent
value
in
the
in
order
to
container.
of
minor
Alloys
that
such
these
alloys
cools
below
the
not
ingly
rich
Finally,
above
il
temperature
in
a granular
structure.
soluble
in
the
constituent
mutually
solidifies
required
should
solid
solubil-
state
in
mix
the
copper-
silver-bismuth,
phase
soluble
the
solid
the
within
constituent
include
diagrams
in
As the
during
of
low
for
I and 2.
Since
constituent
temperature
Figs.
of
the
constituent.
by casting.
freezing
when the
the
requirements
in
are
formed
secondary
to
of
a relatively
minor
Representative
constituents
mutually
to
must
percentage
copper-thallium,
I ustrated
readily
the
major
stated
the
in
secondary
are
two
are
solidify
tially
the
requirements,
strength
corresponding
in
the
of
copper-tellurium,
a I loys
Since
to
dielectric
and silver-tellurium.
binary
be limited
percentage
constituent
copper-lead,
silver-lead,
high
these
The maximum
must
the
a value
meet
meeting
alloy.
alloys
preserve
above
this
bismuth,
these
to
the
The minimum
be substantially
ity
addition
the
liquid
homogeneous
phase,
liquid
primary
constituent,
it
the
constituents
are
two
phase,
the
liquid
this
initial
grain
of
the
increas-
period.
sufficiently,
boundaries
essen-
becomes
cooling
has dropped
begins
the
primary
grains.
The extensiveness
around
two
the
primary
from
tinuous,
films
to
varies
This
of
0.5%
bismuth
thin
grain
constituents.
micrographs
and thickness
bismuth
is
copper
Note
20%.
(I I$ - 20$),
whereas
at
and
smal I,
il
of
according
lustrated
alloys
lower
grain
islands
Fig.
the
constituents
relative
3 showing
which
the
bismuth
at
the
higher
that,
percentages,
discrete
in
boundary
secondary
to
in
particularly
the
the
deposit
the
is
bismuth
on the
grain
quite
quantities
a series
of
content
deposits
boundary.
500X
varies
percentages
thick
of
of
and conare
in
very
Test
summarized
results
in
TABLE I.
on various
Table
alloys
used
as contact
materials
are
I.
TESTS
We I d Strength
Observations
of Various
Al low
Peak
Current
Ranqe
4% Pb - Al
29-x)
4%Sn
-Al
Copper-Bi
Weld
Breaking
Force
KA
30 l-a
l-IO%
0?400#
I 0 -4OO#
14-32
KA
lO-40#
50-170s
Cu-Te
5%
M-40
KA
Cu-Te
(.5%)
22-28
KA
Cu-TI
(3%)
22-30
KA
Cu-Pb
(1%)
21-34
KA
Ag-Bi
(3%)
Ag-Pb
(6%)
33-36
KA
o-45#
Ag-Te
( I%)
29-34
KA
o-550?+
34KA
O-870@
45-900#
IM-990#
o-lOOi?
Fig.
I.
bismuth
Phase
alloys
diagram
for
Fig.
2.
silver-lead
copper-
Fig.
4.
strength
tacts
in
Metallographic
sections
Fig.
3.
showing
effect
on grain
structure
of copper-bismuth
alloys
of specified
concentrations
of bismuth
Phase diagram
alloys
for
Statistical
plot
of weld
for copper
bismuth
cona vacuum interrupter
THECRETZCAL
II.
A.
ment
are
and
Breakdown
Strenqth
The major
insulating
essentially
dielectric
materials,
vacuum
can
diameter
vacuum
gap,
gap of
ponding
of
The reason
for
cules
probably
are
the
there
meters)
an electron
10m6 Tort-,
than
cm and that
with
collide
high
air
for
voltage
of
the
be seen
Table
breakdown
molecules
II).
carriers
strength
from
Fig
5,
strength
is
the
electrodes
of
an air
in
electric
electron
is
of
more
than
I cm only
is
primarily
in
vacuum
is
40 x IOs6cm.
path
a few
electrons
this
fact
in
if
the
is
responsible
the
is
vacuum
more
It
can
form
responsible
low breakdown
is
than
be seen
a million
to
which
mole-
a volume of 22.4
-6
cm (centi7 x IO
cm.
in
air
room temperature
molecule
opportunities
.4)
and
and
30,000
of
ionized
However,
the
to
air,
about
have
compared
absence
charges
molecule
and therefore
It
a 3/B-inch-
of
With
mean free
of
of
strength
breakdown
for
gap in
inch.
about
the
a gap distance
with
in
path
by these
a corresponding
As can
equip-
compound
be withstood
breakdown
vacuum.
electrodes.
main
can
what
power
rubber-like
At atmospheric
pressure
value.
23
molecules
of air constituents
6 x IO
about
and
shown
the
and
kv per
high
liters.
5,000
to
electric
low breakdown
are
better
paper,
has a breakdown
this
the
oil,
minute
air
1,750
the
present-day
voltages
5 gives
for
inch
gradient
between
that
both
of
air,
are
Fig.
l/IO
molecules
mediums
they
Insulation
appreciable
withstand.
rod
of
atmospheric
Although
porcelain.
for
will
ions
(as
for
strength
the
in
TABLE II.
Pressure
(Tori-1
Molecules
per
Cubic Cm
760
2.46 X 101
6.69
X lO-6
3.24 X lOI
5.09
lo-3
lo-3
3.24 X lOl3
5.09
IO0
IO6
3.24 X lOlo
5.09
IO3
lo-g
3.24 X IO7
5.09
IO6
lo-l2
3.24 X IO4
5.09
IO9
lo-5
3.24 X IO1
5.09
lOI
If
the
indicated
this
voltage
in
to
down is
not
the
fully
at
of
the
film
anode
the
high
of
the
not
more
thousand
quick
that
amperes,
return
the
of
fuses
rapidly
go at
high
and there
due to
speeds
to
the
the
at
latter
in
in
order
original
dielectric
dielectric
strength
absence
the
insulating
the
the
localized
of
gas,
of
is,
of
condense.
IO
during
is
the
in
air.
time
of
several
This
the
contacts
The metal
the
current-
drops
due to
the
metal
to
supporting
established.
course,
between
and to
of
values
gas molecules.
walls
velocity
a deionization
strength
emission
high
voltage
current
break-
vaporization
capable
contacts
and after
after
at
during
this
causes
shooting
the
even
the
anode
across
discharge
is
be started
the
values
circuit,
by field
small,
which
of
to
IO microseconds,
metal
the
The current
impedance
appears
drop
high
gap occurs.
above
It
The voltage
the
or
of
ionization
the
to
The mechanism
electron
of
raised
breakers.
metal,
extremely
vaporized
the
The impact
and anode
is
than
is
by external
circuit
Upon termination
of
only
cathode.
causing
period
of
understood.
current.
carrying
electrodes
a breakdown
limited
case
electrons
cathode,
5,
is
of
the
between
Fig.
breakdown
similar
fact
dif-
molecules
surfaces,
Breakdown
voltage
of vacuum comFig.
5.
pared with air
for one pair
of 3/8-inch
diameter
tungsten
contacts
Snark-over
B.
In
genera
(spark-over)
ing
the
of
impu Ise,
contact
for
voltages
to
graph
(standard
IJJsec,
similar
for
high
for
dependent
been
are
highest
on insulating
Fig.
maximum
methods
6 at
space).
the
In
breakdown
of
process-
same vacuum
this
The 300-kc
60 cycle
for
test
l-l/2
graph,
voltage
ac curve
l-l/2
value
found
higher
x 40,usec
voltage,
l/2
frequencies
on vacuum
the
particular
outer
the
Spacinq
line
for
maximum
standard
impulse
contacts.
reducedto
these
that
compared.
to
impulse
Contact
found
curve,
in
close
vs.
with
spacing
diameter
shows
at
cularly
lie
half-inch
voltage
more
vacuum
levels
also
that
in
ac and
The
found
has
(existing
dc
Levels
it
10m7 Torr
was found
values
I,
voltages
follow
level
Voltaqe
in
at
surfaces,
and
40,Usec),
switching
frequencies
level
the
remaining
than
for
dc voltages.
I I
x 40,
mean peak
and is
surges.
withstand
adsorbed
steady
state
somewhat
We have
level
is
gases,
60 cycle
much
partior
Variation
Fig.
6.
for various
contact
The curves
continuing
depending
of
be aged
out
graph
use)
on residual
vacuum
by high
be forced
show the
Occasional
breakdown.
typical
actually
this
I es by popular
barnac
again
in
components
voltage
upward
of breakdown
spacings.
areas
at
gases
loose
these
application
I2
lower
contact
this
(called
voltages,
It
material.
intermittent
of
constant
breakdowns
considerably
so that
by application
reasonably
type
may occur
that
of
short-burst
and
voltage
breakdowns
operating
high
levels
voltage.
is
can
can
Spark-over
C.
For
uration
of
Voltaae
a fixed
the
the
pressure
in
7.
These
were
presented
1955 and
switch
particu
1956.4)
The
and its
gradient
are
switches
occur
and still
as
type
in
voltage
dependent
materials,
can
curves
specific
and contact
Variations
70 percent
as shown
as early
considerably
configuration.
voltage
I ar
difference
on processing,
Level
maximum
curve
by Ross
Vacuum
and config-
60 Hz spark-over
follows
Fig.
type
contacts,
steady-state
vs.
as much as
in
commercial
be satisfactory
for
some applications.
At
graph
or
the
indicates
better
values
for
the
voltage
more
widely
diameter
in
residual
enclosure,
surfaces
voltage
the
extreme
at
useable
one of
of
sparkthe
l/2-inch
Pressure
analysis
the
type
will
and
gases
and
Iarge
quantities
emission
high
since
Variation
Fig.
7.
age at different
vapor
of
pressure
which
is
sources.
I3
must
be taken
corona
especially
Torr
of spark-over
pressures.
remaining
be adsorbed
distortion
and external
This
materials
can
Care
wave shape
levels.
voltage
vary
positioning
surfaces.
currents
voltage
hipot
10s7 Torr
contacts.
and current
field
impedance
of
and insulating
ing
the
maximum
types
static
to
to
vacuum
levels
tungsten
according
-4
average
used
This
spacing,
a IO
range
over
of
l/32-inch
on both
in
true
can
the
conductive
metering
may be caused
which
in
volt-
applied
by rectify-
be prominent
high
at
0.
Graphs,
may concern
Wide
8 and
graphs
variations
indicate
during
emission
effects
time
voltages,
which
test
elevated
heating
also
and
have
a general
which
operation
voltages,
effect
do not
and,
are
are
long-time
possibly
show some of
properties
may occur
performance
ately
9,
post-interrupting
These
tics.
Figs,
usually
usually
operating
X-ray
for
as well
average
appear
rated
to
field
have
must
emission
effect
operating
higher,
or
close
vacuum
for
or
short-
for
spacings,
be considered.
when
levels.
on switch
However,
negligible.
which
characteris-
steady-state
voltages,
distribution
characteristics
as statis
in
considerably
radiation
on voltage
the
moderemission
Emission
units
are
used
may
in
a series.
These
emission
current
applied
voltage
i I lustrate
current
true
graphs
from
a lone
or
(ac
checkers
capabilities;
cate
vs.
field
does
inability
hold
cold-field
spacing
and
why ordinary
condition
ing
of
off
not
do not
and
dc),
also
dc
leakage
tel
I a
for
ac operating
a high
leakage
read-
emission
current
necessari
I y indi-
to
interrupt
current,
voltage.
dc voltage
for different
coldFig.
9.
emission
average
currents
at various
contact
spacings
in vacuum.
Fig.
rise
caused
by the
IO. Temperature
bombardco lI dn
d fie I d-emission
typica
I %co
ment energy.
dc voltage
for different
Fi
co 9d-emission
currents
at various
8contact
spacings
in vacuum.
I4
Temperature
E.
In
shown
vs.
to
typical
current
co1 d
fiel
causes.
It
recommended
operating
level
for
the
for
the
positive
the
In
is
of
the
shows
the
that
of
Fig.
IO is
bombardment
energy
about
particular
heated.
Emission
This
cycle
graph
d emission
polarities.
ha If
the
is
wil I have
very
8 watts
the
contact
studied.
current
wi I I be
evident
different
is
on ac
emission
than
half.
all
diameter
contact
different
positive
negative
and
emission
it
different
the
the
Emission
rise
dc only,
where
to
Field
temperature
maximum
For
from
relationship
indicate
the
Rise
of
these
tungsten
ratings
curves
the
contacts
are
average
have
necessari
been
I y lower
maximum
shown.
to
va ues
found
for
l/Z-inch
Over-a
l production
values
a I low reasonab
y economical
and
safe
variations.
F.
has
been
IO
Vacuum
Pump Action
Another
fundamental
established
years
is
the
pump action
gassed
tungsten
which
pie
are
vacuum
in
itself
this
shows
pumping
within
a few
contact
the
large
molecule
the
or
container
and
heavy
Fig.
II
a IO -4 Torr
or
is
Y
3
2
91.,6
better
2
_
*I(
5
If
2
used,
tungsten
inert
atom
in
-I s
vapor
this
walls
action.
plasters
other
GENERAL AC,4
t,;d
con-
operations.
material
easily
any
The
of
metal lit
hundred
tungsten
very
speed
speed
can improve
-6
Torr
level
a IO
to
princi-
possible
action
T-
1x1-d
pump
The graph
the
LEVEL S
is
ion
high
high
that
vacuum
atom
today.
its
GENERAL MCM
pumps
ion
vapor
gases.
i I lustrates
out-
when interrupting,
al I of
taminating
This
market
~ll--1I
provides.
has a relatively
for
I*,(
past
properly
vapor
a metallic
action
the
vacuum
metal
contact,
which
the
cmmercial
on the
Switches
which
within
contact
use the
Vacuum
self-correcting
vacuum
High-speed
in
a tightly
inert
Fig.
I I.
interruptions
level.
against
held
I5
The effects
of number of
and time on the vacuum
met hanica
vapor
I I ayer .
reacts
thus
For
oxygen
chemically
effectively
removing
them
of
vacuum
However,
arcs
deals
the
the
currents.
60kA
r.m.s.,
currents
between
to
the
tained
from
continually
streams
the
it
arcs
through
cathode
cathode
is
about
The anode
a condensing
surface
the
for
about
1000A.
affected
the
IOmm in
about
IOkA.
The
adversely
spots
(a)
arcs
of
the
total
if
area,
performance
affected
current,
rooted
to
the
of
in
two
of
cathode
the
the
of
the
copper-vapor
practical
molten
anode
or
power-frequency
vacuum
circuit
ways
if
these
breakers
large
contact
erosion
or
wear
I6
will
vapor.
be produced.
and
forms only
5) ,6) ,7) ,8) ,9)
shows
that
the
contact
are
in
readily
excess
arc
of
is
confined
also
form
spots
loops
will
high-temperature
develop:
Excessive
and
and cathode
during
across
geometry
current,
and a constructed
large
move
gap with
electrode
currents
sus-
which
relationships
at
con-
is
developed
arc
these
examined
arc
spots
and cathode
10),11),12)
a function
of
diameter,
discharge,
by others
may
centimeters
interelectrode
of
particles
about
breaker
vacuum
The voltage
in
systems,
up to
a few
mobile
and that
current
major
of
circuit
the
appearance
arc
much higher
literature;
part
reported
the
art
at
breaker
range.
arcs
independent
dimensions
Moreover,
circuit
a few centimeters
particles.
is
vacuum
currents
filling
amperes.
distribution
current
of
highly
geometry,
vacuum
vacuum
the
arc
the
a vacuum
this
charged
work
may develop,
about
the
the
that
little
copper-vapor
by the
arc
for
in
properties
a few thousand
interconnected
surface,
plays
and contact
apparent
in
fundamental
than
interrupt
2OV and is
experimental
separation
of
up to
and charged
separation.
of
study
electrodes
the
electrodes
voltage
interest
1000A,
given
vapor
The
of
less
of
to
about
copper
the
of
desirable
description
over
of
is
up to
butt
as mechanically,
circulation.
on the
on high-power
control
At
form
resurgence
and thus
tungsten
VACUUM ARCS
discharges
may be required
satisfactorily
long,
with
faults
breakers
active
literature
a fundamental
During
as well
the
Vacuum Arcs
existing
present
has necessitated
circuit
of
of
from
HIGH-CWIRENT
Observation
Most
materials,
and electrostatically
III.
A.
and othernon4nert
of
exceeds
be
of
(b)
A high
density
more
These
have
designs
prevented
the
at
arc,
of
spot
the
a transverse
of
order
As the
current
repelled
cathodes,
these
velocities
of
of
Froome
field
butt
spots
up to
and
vacuum
spots
motion
of
is
been
the
the
observed
is
increased,
the
mean current
to
addition
to
increasing
been
with
once
of
of
of
cathode
spots
than
this
field
of
spots
form
divide
On copper
mean directed
they
process
by more
which
spots
spot.
the
formation
has also
which
develops
additional
IOO-ZOOA per
if
on a variety
arc
be
cathode
spot
magnetic
to
on
direction,
at
on
However,
random.
a transverse
one another
is
out
of
repel
current
carried
The order
by Reece
In
been
and Reece.
shown
and tend
contacts.
spots
Amperean
has
moving
cathode
cathode,
normal
presence
spontaneous
cathode
the
the
electrodes.
of
to
the
of
the
the
may be
by magnetically
of
field
to
motion,
the
IOm/s
that
circuit-
melting
IOkA peak
overheating
applied
one another;
is
when the
formation
is
in
in
has reported
cathodes
re-ignition
practical
electrode
magnetic
opposite
from
cathodes
about
an external
lOOm/s
on copper
edge
of
by Cobine
IWb/m.
of
undue
may be concluded
retrograde
of
and are
arc
and
exists
on the behavior
13) * 14)
Much work has
velocity
may be
some time,
literature
magnetic
of
for
that
excess
and it
cathodes
velocity
making
localized
designated
metal
the
in
absence
a component
recognized
meta I electrodes.
cathodes,
been
be maintained,
preventing
of
mercury
has
will
demonstrated
currents
A volume
a variety
been
have
and thus
in
vapor
likely.
problems
breaker
of
move over
spot
the
fission,
on mercury
spontaneous
15)
on copper
by Reece
reported
IOA/s;
cathodes.
The
been
rate
at
which
investigated
Plyutto
up to
et
a few
evaporation
of
During
between
criptions
by many workers,
including
is
vacuum
in
the
the
from
Cobine
during
cathode
cathodes
is
of
the
spots
and Vanders
the
is
cathode
vacuum
eroded,
the
order
of
of
less
than
lice,
arc
and
has
Greece,
at
that
currents
the
mean
100 g/C.
arc:
all
electrodes
show that
that,
only
copper
practically
given
concluded
amperes,
for
the
copper
photographs
evaporated
hundred
rate
Appearance
is
and it
al.,
metal
of
the
the
more
general
discharges
than
IOOmm in
appearance
The
literature.
I7
of
discharge
diameter,
the
is
arc
about
IOkA peak,
high-speed
follows
supported
the
through
tine
desa
number
these
of
cathode
spots
emit
current
cathode
Summary
of
in
spot
12.
.linear
i.e.
up to
the
gram
obtained
ities
occur
the
Fig.
current
arcing
voltage
of
arcing
They
were
portion
excess
of
the
current
of
the
surface,
anode.
by a further
most
50%;
of
considerably
oscillogram
clearly
indicates
to
the
the
three
copper,
Fig.
at
and
The mean-
the
test
arc
25%.
the
effect
period,
by the
onset
during
of
I3
up to
40V;
instabilstarvation
in
and the
of
oscillo-
increases
results
gross-melting
of
of
Arc
Fig.
tests
Current
16.8KV
Vo I tage
Arc
Current
2l.IKV
Arc
Voltage
the
form
arcing
of
I8
10.5KA/cm
25V/Division
10.5KA/cm
25V/Division
Arc
Current
32KV
IO. 5KV/cm
Arc
Voltage
I5V/Division
12. Arcing-voltage/current
characteristics
on 75 mm-diameter
o.f.h.c.copper
electrodes
the
ThPs
discharge.
Arc
in
a reduced
extent
melting.
disposition
the
the
on
Fig.
Gross
exceeds
are
tests
subsequent
melting
asymmetrical
current
the
current
high-current
the
consecutive
by about
electrode
reduced
arcs
5mm separation.
I4 shows
and shows
gross
vacuum
characteristic
increased
i.e.
third
with
voltage/current
is
40V;
I5 was the
respect
during
current.
are
with
to
associated
obtained
0.f.h.c.
instabilities
voltage
voltage
of
starvation
for
extends
the
characteristics:
when the
in
which
over
IOO-ZOOA.
electrodes
the
current.
is
forms
Fig.
move constantly
plasma
arcing-voltage
75mm-diameter
shows
which
a green
The three
shown
spots
during
three
consecutive
at 5 mm separation
the
B.
fields
tliqh
Current
Vacuum Arc
High
current
vacuum
have
(a)
important
So far
the
anode
radiation
of
at
the
to
enable
desired
field
The
other
will
types
ment.
the
the
better
arc
in
vacuum
constant
arc
an attempt
fields
on constant
Recently,
arcs
is
cally
experimental
et
a I.
ca Icu la-ted,
field
of
copper
arcs
arcs
outline
of
column
and arc
Axial
Arcing
voltage
electrodes
voltage
represented
current
reaches
ponding
to
in
u I ar
vi bration,
radius
that
of
to
have
with
electrode
is
not
in
this
study.
of
high
current
respect
of
magnetically
aid
of
obtained
data
through
vacuum
to
arcs
magneti-
are
stabilized
the
magnetic
data
vacuum
than
gap arcs.
by axial
with
stabilized
same as
longer
constant
stabilized
move-
the
becomes
of
out
contact
The voltage-current
by the
peak
axial
arcing
while
Masnetic
Flux
measurement
a dc magnetic
in
three
of
that
information
magnetically
authors,
with
by the
properties
available.
induced
and
reported
arcs
on axial
are
electric
application
of
the
limit.
Critical
form
is
less
quantities
to
wave
but
vacuum
8) The various
the
so as
operation.
arcs
was carried
concerning
gradually,
Kruskal-Shafranov)
C.
vacuum
spacing
designed
spacing
to
be prevented
important
line
when electrode
up the
is
separation
to
of
by
magnetically
proper
in
change
clear
are
initiated
characteristics
according
arc
for
are
melting
caused
can
compared
longer
contact
induced
density.
It
arcs
go,
anode
by the
breakers
However,
electrode
increasing
melting
current
becomes
the
literature
stabilized
by Ito
of
gap arcs.
5 mm, the
Thereby,
the
stage
anode
name indicates,
breakers,
the
dimensions
threshold
circuit
length
arcs)
to
reproducibilities.
circuit
arc
the
Field
magnetically
input
be controlled
as the
arcs,
and the
energy
Induced
lows:
electrode
to
the
by axial
as triggered
neglected,
exceed
actual
(such
when the
not
The initial
about
is
have
the
stabilized
If
density
lized
a stabilized
separation
place.
plasma
current
stabi
In
take
by Maoneticallv
as fol
gap arcs
current,
the
which
(b)
not
arc
arcs
characteristics
as constant
does
Stabilized
Fig.
field
in
wave
flux
is
the
The change
magnetic
the
carried
I3 indicates
value.
voltage
Densitv
of
densities
a relatively
form
of
I9
to
Stabilize
out
with
shown
in
value
arcing
at
a pair
Fig.
shown
voltage
in
asymmetric
The arcing
instant
voltage
is
Arcs
of
13.
the
weak magnetic
arcing
the
in
when the
wave
form
Fig.
14.
field
a strong
corresThe
has irregmagnetic
field
has
no vibration,
photographic
a strong
radia
but
observation
magnetic
has good
confirms
field
is
reproducibility
that
caused
the
of
arcing
by expansion
wave
voltage
of
arc
in
Fig.
to
column
form.
The
over-shoot
in
column
toward
the
I direction.
The diminishing
to
be the
is
that
parts
transition
the
magnetic
region
energy
field
of
loss
applied
the
from
arc
diffused
by diffusion
across
the
voltage
arcs
is
arc
being
13 are
decreased
voltage
which
considered
arcs;
the
through
exists
fact
the
between
axial
the
contacts.
The
reason
is
explained
tial
field
region
ing
the
column
paths
to
increasing
as follows.
B. and the
of
leading
for
axial
these
the
decrease
The effect
field
For
arcs.
along
been reported
Helical
this
helical
of axial
of
voltage
magnetic
Bz are
magnetic
the
fields
radius
of
fields
with
magnetic
fields
brought
by the
tangen-
enlarged
plasmas
are
in
easily
for
of the thinly
20
long
discharg-
extinguished,
increased
the helical
peripheral
arcs.
is being
this
the
having
of low current
10) According
in pace with the increase
by C. W. Kimblin.
line
fields
being
reason,
magnetic
actual
in
column arcs.
it
may be due to
27
34 kA
Over-shoot
01
0
Axial
Fig.
13.
flux
for
spacing
I
0. 05
Magnetic
of
Flux:
Arc voltage
various
arc
I
0. 1
B, (Wb/m2)
versus
currents
1
0. 15
axial
magnetic
30mm electrode
Arcing
voltages
25 V/div
sweep 2
mS/div
Arcing
voltage
wave form in various
Fig.
14.
magnetic
flux
densities
at 18.4 kA.
Zero lines
of arcing
voltages
are the same as for currents
(a) B, = 0.02 Wb/m2
(b) B, = 0.064
Cc) B, = 0.12
21
IV.
VACUUM CIRCUIT
Operatinq
A.
Since
eight
I5 kV,
state
power
LOAD SWITCHING
Experience
1965,
3-pole
the
Stanford
vacuum
circuit
supplies
Linear
Accelerator
breakers
operating
at
12.47
for
kV,
Center
all
has
of the
60 Hz,
used
large
solid-
ranging
from
1.5 to
were
added
5.8 MW.
In
replace
1970,
the
solid-state
six
4160
existing
air
power
circuit
breakers
beyond
the
duty
has
been
the
vacuum
properly
corrected
or
breaker
of
to
the
the
similar
air
questioned
which
are
breaker
initial
(Q:B
two
5 kV,
the
power
supply
off
supply
air
circuit
vacuum
rectifier
rectifier
circuit
It
the
chopping
circuit
breaker
generated
22
through-
short
complete
circuit
are inhibited
circuit
transformer
failures.
were
due to
current
reported.
5 kV vacuum
generated
breaker
been
breakers,
due to
Oscilloscope
is
anti-bouncing
have
circuit
the
from
by vacuum
current
Fig.
noted
is
while
breaker
Fig.
the
circuit
that
the
was switched
that
about
less
were
chopping.
16 shows
voltage
chopping
pictures
voltage
breaker.
breaker.
on
currents.
of
transformer
sticky
failures
sustain
two
wear
transformer
transformer
circuit
circuit
only
were
failures
breaker
that
circuit
voltages
air
difficulties
circuit
by vacuum
thread
due to
currents.
breakers.
of
difficulties
to
period
prove
due to
vacuum
operations
previously.
transformer
transient
air
the
properly
operation
records
were
These
I5 kV and
4000
there
closing
operating
the short
the
existing
either
to
life
used
stage
delayed
of excessive
clear
were
earlier
Each time
compare
power
conventional
567 KW
vacuum
above
2000
operating
failures
operated
of
the
these
2 MVA rectifier
circuit
was switched
volt,
circuit
on all
breakers;
normal
no further
vacuum
the
to
These
and oil
range
mechanism.
the
the
4160
operations
(ACB)
which
long
15 kV,
periods
that
due to
the
fuses,
was suspected
shows
the
in
history.
were
current
six
circuits.
installed
these
tripping
two
there
versus
of
breakers,
the
repetitive
An annual
that
and
power
During
taken
been
mechanism
operating
opening during
It
of
breakers
on the
were
circuit
for
switching
breaker
exceed
circuit
rods
used
air
far
indicate
material
current
needs
have
each
operating
their
power
breakers,
breakers
There
breakers
breakers
circuit
for
fibre-glass
with
air
and oil
the
the
circuit
mechanical
out
provide
counters
Records
the
a.c.
recorded
breakers
circuit
circuit
cycles.
Operating
5 kV vacuum
vacuum
supply
present
mechanical
volt
than
the
voltage
off
by
rise
ZOO%, whereas
lO$ overvoltage.
the
15
I7 and
Figs.
formers
during
closed
position.
the
vacuum
circuit
be used
initial
in
I9 shows
order
to
against
which
life
3/64
closing
change
of
of
in
the
this
life
during
contains
dimension
Transient
Fig.
15.
567KW, 416OV power
scale
2.5 kV/cm
the
pnoper
force
of
the
life
of
the
breakers.
initial
to
circuit
radial
can
bouncing
in
closing
the
with
the
breaker
in
air
contacts
contact
is
and
to
breaker
is
measured
is
noted
to
in
their
Therefore,
assure
there
especial
displacement.
spring
determined
on each
to
that
wipe
assist
is
surfaces.
provided
contact
on contact
force
circuit
be attributed
an
container
the
service-
may be a change
ly if
the
Any subsequent
contact
wear.
voltage
rise
on vacuum breakerbwitched-off.
supply
PB20.HorizontaI
scale
IOms/cm;
vertical
23
the
differences
requirements
50 operations,
a slight
then
It
contact
I7 compared
travel
mark
contact
same trans-
no essential
vacuum
vacuum
the
the
18.
contact
dimension
of
vacuum
on Fig,
of
the
are
on Fig.
moveable
an impact
reference
an inch
motion
assure
wear
examine
there
defines
erosion
the
that
as shown
The
by the
external
of
to
conditions
to
as shown
curve
provide
initial
able
noted
a typical
This
voltage
period
closing
opening.
general
is
closing
I curve.
in
turn-on
It
breaker
motions
to
the
breaker
Fig.
trave
I8 show the
Load-
a)
5 kV/cm
Horizontal
scale
20 ms/cm
b)
Transient
voltage
rise
on air circuit
breaker
during
Fig.
16.
Load - 567 I<# 4160 V power supply
PQ 204.
"switched-off".
24
Vertical
scale
2.5 kV/cm
Horizontal
scale
50
ms/cm
Fig.
17.
turn-on.
Horizontal
Fig.
18.
turn-on.
horizonta
Voltage
Load
scale
condition
in vacuum breaker
during
567 KW 4160 V power supply
PB-204.
IO MS/cm; vertical
scale
2.5 kV/cm
air current
breaker
Vo I tage condition,
Load 567 KW 4160 V power supply
PQ-204;
I sea I e 20 MS/cm; vertica
I sea I e 2.5 kV/cm
25
f
Spet:tfjed
Ida*.
overrrnve1
Fig.
19.
Tvaical
B.
Typical
Construction
The vacuum
consist
of
I)
the
interrupter
As shown
a.
in
Fig.
for
20,
the
unit
appears
are
described
below:
This
components
as well
in
the
alumina
ceramic,
able
maintaining
of
selected
Breaker
the
project
use
components:
Enveloae:
are
curve
unit:
components
tacts
travel
a Vacuum Circuit
breakers
main
contact
of
circuit
following
Vacuum
The major
moving
Ideal
provides
mechanical
as electrical
open
or
the
simple.
support
for
insulation
position.
glass
deceptively
It
may be nade
over
other
when the
glass-ceramic.
vacuum
the
It
the
long
of
conhigh
must
be cap.-
life
of
the
interrupter.
b.
End CUDS or
stainless
other
steel
Stationarv
center
Monel.
and must
a direct
match
seal
and Moveable
is
copper.
conductors.
One is
fixed
Metal
from
Usually
provide
the
made of
support
thermal
to
various
expansion
of
the
made.
Rods:
(OF%)
the
shell:
These
conductivity
ate
d.
if
and
or
components
envelope
c.
plates
Normally
These
while
are
the
oxygen-free,
the
other
main
moves
high
electrical
to
separ-
contacts.
vapor
condensina
OFHC copper,
as a condensing
shields:
nickel
surface
26
or
for
These
are
normally
stainless
steel.
the
vaporized
metal
They
made
serve
by the
arc.
e.
It
prevents
the
ing
portion
of
Flexible
metal
the
bellows:
into
the
The usual
vacuum.
condensing
on the
insulat-
envelope.
metallic
transferred
from
Permits
interrupter
the
motion
without
materials
are
to
a loss
stainless
be
of
steel
or
Monel .
f.
Electrical
contacts:
components
of
destroy
the
the
entire
low vapor
tively
high
the
ized
of
which
contacts
copper
will
not
only
quantities
of
tacts
exhibit
must
tradictory,
They
means
less
have
a copper
the
would
go to
mally
the
Thus,
it
ping
alloy.
They
at
zero
current
and is
goes
of
are
of
to
the
is
reached,
about
interrupter
the
to
the
tube
sometimes
materials)
anti-we1
wave,
but
directly
from
derived
line
the
system
or
silver-alloy
The interrupter
A copper
evacuation.
off,
ding
must
a few
impedance
of
27
good
from
and
normally
current
the
tube.
This
the
only
pinched
con-
Ideally,
voltage
is
The con-
They
any
for
in
copper.
that
IO-T.
level
present
material.
sinusoidal
zero
welded
package.
a pressure
the
independent
components
an airtight
values.
following
a function
current
sealing
high
normally
exhibit
of
vapor-
on contact
pure
few
chopping
and
is
using
welding
conductivity.
eliminates
of
the
easily
current
diverse
must
used
has a rela-
one of
is
is
section
electrical
may be noted
is
ious
(see
may
rule
so that
contact
of
good
current
the
It
I$ of
a number
This
properties.
chop
than
is
also
reduces
a few amps.
the
as bismuth
It
critical
failure
to
copper
occur.
properties
must
exception
the
most
common material
Bismuth
thus
the
their
materials,
modify
arc-and
to
one
pressure.
will
by the
is
pressure
vapor
perhaps
The most
This
only
are
interrupter;
interrupter.
copper-bismuth.
elements
These
not
noramps.
chop-
the
chop
The var-
voltage.
brazed
forming
is
then
tube
is
usually
attached
When the
desired
pressure
actually
evacuated
a cold
to
weld
The interrupter
Wren the
several
will
reveal
Metallic
.
. .
nssemDty
1
,, to ,ns,ation
Meta
Vacu lum Seal
unit
is
then
found
This
weeks.
standard
FI exible
Bellows
is
leaks
helium
checked
to
for
be good,
time
is
leak
testing
is
for
that
than
are
retained
succeeding
detectable
tests
with
equipment.
Electrical
Contacts
InsulatinaVacuum
Enve,ape-
properties.
it
such
much smaller
dielectric
Vacuum
Chamber
Stationary
Electrical
Terminal
Fig.
20.
Cutaway
view of typical
15.5
600/800
ampere
load current
interrupter.
28
Shield
kV,
Elactric
Region
12,000
Arcing
ampere
interrupter
2)
Three-pole
control
As shown
use
on each
control
age,
of
as shown
travel
2.1, the
phase
lower
portion
and
power
protective
on Fig.
vacuum
circuit
C.
mercial
safety
are
housed
The final
22.
breaker
order
to
on the
closing
and tripping
the
picture,
for
top
provides
circuit
of
the
link-
the
contact
Each
kV,
ating
voltage
12.5
the
vacuum
steel
switching
housing
as
coordinated
medium.
and its
circuit
switch
over-ail
Application
breakers
were
used
from
for
com-
the
15 kV
interrupting
voltage
breaker
be 4000
of
shall
and
in
closing
for
into
a fault
of
a minimum
of
normal
40,000
carrying
and
The impulse
The vacuum
20,000
rating
At
80 percent
housing
of
interrupting
The
its
be capable
rating
system.
amperes.
at
current.
cycles.
have
grounded
be 400
be 95 kV BIL.
latch
at
Z-l/Z
shall
oper-
voltage
amperes
assembled
continuous
40 operations
of
kV,
shall
rating
time
14.5
capacity
rated
a close
13.2
wye connected,
I and subsequently
its
at
3 phase,
shall
design
be rated
kV,
be capable
amps asymmetrica
shall
maximum
The switch
shall
I have
breaker
ac,
capacity
operation
clearing
provides
circuit
current
factor.
minimum
gauge
specifications
60 Hz
interrupting
shal
II
as the
assembly,
disconnecting
Specification
the
vacuum
The continuous
stand
mechanism
breakers:
(15L)
power
a No.
be served
following
Rating:
in
assembly
procure
control
manual-operated
Breaker
to
the
the
of
units
mounted
of
3-phase
fuses,
relays
sources
a.
units,
Vacuum Circuit
In
are
interrupter
Assembly:
with
shown
vacuum
previously.
The interrupter
complete
three
The movement
as described
Final
assembly:
15 kV systems
assembly.
on the
movement
3)
on Fig.
three
mechanism
mechanism
rated
breaker
amperes
with
and maximum
current
operating
with-
life
of
fault
(400/600
amp),
40,000
oper-
ations.
b.
Design
remote
Breakers
Each 3-pole
125 volt
shall
switch
shall
dc electrical
be long
be designed
operation
minimum
life,
29
for
as shown
maintenance
local
on the
with
and
drawing.
minimum
Fig.
21.
15.5
kV 600/800
Amp 3 pole
30
control
mechanism
assembly
I
I-
i,
.
.i:.d_
-.-,.
.
&.i
interrupting
c.
interrupt
time
Trip
free
mechanism:
with
125 volt
the
vacuum
loses
d.
rating
Vacuum
in
Figs.
breaker
23,
one cycle
Trip
in
Shall
while
switch
switch
dual
Typica
case
less
mechanism
dc undervoltage
Interlocks:
the
4000
trip
maximum
preferable.
shal I be equipped
device
125 volt
to
trip
dc control
out
circuit
voltage.
a switch
e.
with
to
pole
the
fuse
contactor
position
shall
I SLAC vacuum
24,
be provided
to
prevent
compartment
position
and contact
is
the
of
open.
indicators
erosion
closing
to
indicate
for
each
indivi-
lations
are
shown
be provided.
circuit
breaker
instal
25 and 26.
breaker
transformers
32
assembly
complete
for use on 5.8
with
MW
Fig.
24.
Same I5 kV 600 Amp vacuum circuit
covered
with metallic
screen
to comply
with
for ho-l' maintenance
and inspection.
33
breaker
California
as shown
Safety
in Fig.23,
Code
breaker
back side power fuses
for use on 5.8 MW power supply.
After
vacuum
eight
circuit
I5 kV power
circuit
for
are
now being
5 kV 3.0
magnet
is
MW vacuum
power
accepted
by SLAC for
A fully
built
15 kV main
circuit
supply
34
for
experience
now being
Ring)
installation
operating
applications.
breaker
Assymetric
SPEAR detector
successful
switching
circuit
Electron
Two additional
of
breakers
years
breaker
use.
rated
for
feeder
breakers
at
SLAC,
5 kV and
I5 kV,
SPEAR (Stanford
circuir
are
being
breaker.
built
v.
Vacuum circuit
a circuit
fast
breakers
breaker
must
and efficient
maintainable
after
thousands
have
to
fault
be capable
duties
The
switches
of
repetitive
any
know the
devices
The
is
exhaust,
the
must
be taken
continuing
of
to
the
surge
much closer
in
on 34.5
69 kV and
of
vacuum
on the
cost
breakers
to
in
the
ideally
or
known
of
be made
and
vacuum
attributes,
for
and
such
hazardous
of
non-
distribution
highly
conditions.
manufacturer,
circuit
application
the
power
switchgear
all
to
is
operations
suited
under
it
The contacts
These
characteristics
in
have
normal
of
a quiet,
design
low maintenance
especially
selecting
special
of
that
is
erosions.
be a fact.
engineer
its
adjustments
and
to
duties
breaker
a lifetime
make them
of
electrica
state
kV,
proven
importance
specific
life
electrical
care
in
the
of
contact
all
operations,
I including
Reasonable
under
been
switching
As an applications
must
due to
operating
for
circuit
external
encountered
long
suited
By virtue
interrupting
has already
absence
breaker.
operations
of
well
A vacuum
occasionally
normally
services.
the
of
are
perform.
circuit
except
coNcLlJsIoN
one
protective
vacuum
of
breakers.
vacuum
breakers
I network.
art
of
ahead.
the
the
vacuum
Vacuum circuit
conventional
A greatly
industrial
and
horizon.
35
power
and material
breakers
bulk-oil
I I5 kV circuits.
the
technology
should
switchgear
expanded
systems
is
science
bring
now used
application
definitely
it
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