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Vacuum Circuit Breaker Working and

Applications
ELECTRIC

A circuit breaker is a device that, interrupts an electric circuit to prevent unwarranted current, caused by a sho
resulting from an overload. Its basic functionality is to interrupt current flow a er a fault is detected. To
Circuit breakers read this article Types of Circuit Breaker and Its Importance. A vacuum circuit breaker is a kind
where the arc quenching takes place in vacuum medium. The operation of switching on and closing of curren
and interrelated arc interruption takes place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker which is called vacuum inter

Vacuum Circuit Breaker

The Vacuum interrupter technology was first introduced in the year of 1960. But still, it is a developing techno
on, the size of the vacuum interrupter has reduced from its early 1960’s size due to di erent technical develop
of engineering.
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 Vacuum Interrupter

Construction of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

The vacuum circuit breaker comprises a steel arc chamber in the center-symmetrically arranged ceram
pressure inside the vacuum interrupter is maintained below 10^-4 torr.

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The material used for current carrying contacts plays an important role in the performance of the vacuum c
alloys like, Copper-bismuth or copper-chrome are the ideal material to make VCB contacts.

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 Construction Of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

From the figure shown above, the Vacuum circuit breaker consists of a fixed contact, a moving conta
interrupter. The moving contact is connected to the control mechanism by stainless steel bellow. The arc shie
o the insulating housing such that they cover on these shields and is prevented from condensing on the ins
The possibility of a leak is eliminated due to permanent sealing of vacuum chamber for that a glass vessel o
used as the outer insulating body.

Working of  Vacuum Circuit Breaker

The sectional view of vacuum circuit breaker is shown in the figure below when the contacts are separ
abnormal conditions, an arc is struck between the contacts, the arc is produced due to ionization of metal
very much on the material of contacts.

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Pressure Diagram

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 Sectional view of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

The arc interruption in vacuum interrupters is di erent from other types of circuit breakers. The separation
the release of vapor which is filled in the contact space. It consists positive ions liberated from contact m
density depends on the current in the arc. When the current decreases, the rate of vapor release decreases
zero, the medium regain its dielectric strength if the vapor density is reduced.

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When current to be interrupted is very small in a vacuum, the arc has several parallel paths. The total curr
many parallel arcs which repel each other and spread over the contact surface. This is called di used
interrupted easily.

At high values of current, the arc gets concentrated in a small region. It causes rapid vaporization of the co
interruption of the arc is possible if arc remains in di used state. If it is quickly removed from the contact surf
re-strike.

Arc extinction in vacuum breakers is greatly influenced by material and shape of the contacts and the techni
metal vapor. The path of the arc is kept moving so that temperature at any one point will not be high.

A er the final arc interruption, there is rapidly building up of dielectric strength which is peculiar of the vacu
are suitable for capacitor switching as it will give a re-strick free performance. The small current is interrup
current zero, which may cause chopping whose level depends on the material of contact.

Advantages of VCB
Vacuum o ers the utmost insulating strength. So it has extreme superior arc quenching properties than any ot

The vacuum circuit breaker has a long life.

Unlike Oil Circuit Breaker (OCB) or air blast Circuit Breaker (ABCB), the explosion of VCB is avoide
the safety of the operating personnel.
No fire hazard
The vacuum CB is fast in operation so ideal for fault clearing. VCB is suitable for repeated operation
Vacuum circuit breakers are almost maintenance free.
No exhaust of gas to the atmosphere and Noiseless operation.

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Disadvantages of VCB
 The main disadvantage of VCB is that it is uneconomical at voltages exceeding 38 kVolts.
The cost of the breaker becomes excessive at higher voltages. This is due to the fact that at high vo
kV) more than two numbers of the circuit breaker are required to be connected in series.
Moreover, the VCBs production is uneconomical if produced in small quantities.

Applications of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

The vacuum circuit breaker is today recognized as the most reliable current interruption technology fo
switchgear. It requires minimum maintenance compared to other circuit breaker technologies.

The technology is mainly suitable for mainly medium voltage applications. For higher voltage vacuum tec
developed, but it is not commercially feasible. Vacuum circuit breakers are used in metal-clad Switchgear an
housed circuit breakers.

Thus, this is all about Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB) working and applications. We hope that you h
understanding of this concept. Furthermore, any doubts regarding this concept or to implement any electric
projects ideas, please give your feedback by commenting in the comment section below. Here is a question fo
working principle of VCB?

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2 Comments

Zaw Min Lwin Says:

at
Many many thanks toyour knowledge sharing

Tarun Agarwal Says:

at
Hi Zaw min
Thank you so much for this feedback

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