Arcing and Interruption Phenomena in AC Vacuum Switchgear and in DC Switches Subjected to Magnetic Fields

Vacuum interrupters are extensively used in contactors, motor starters, tap-changers, distribution apparatus, and metalclad switchgear. The present paper reviews this growing technology with descriptions of the internal components of a vacuum interrupter, a brief history of the development steps, and a discussion of the range of application of these devices. The basic physical properties of cathode and anode spots are described, together with a discussion of the arcing and interruption phenomena which occur in vacuum interrupters during an ac wave. This includes a description of arc initiation, the high current arc mode, current zero phenomena, and dielectric recovery plus voltage withstand. The influence of electrode material and electrode configuration is included. The paper concludes with a brief description of dc applications for vacuum interrupters, where axial magnetic fields have been used in conjunction with current counterpulse in tokamak circuits, and transverse magnetic fields have been used to commutate current from vacuum arcs to parallel circuits. The extensive references have been selected to give the reader a broader overview of vacuum switching technology.