A new range of vacuum interrupters developed using latest modeling tools and a design for the environment approach

A new, rationalised range of vacuum interpreters has been developed covering power levels up to 2,500 MVA. The average number of components and size of interrupters was reduced by about 50% leading to significantly lower product cost. The "one-shot seal-off" manufacturing process was further refined reducing the braze cycle to only 11.5 hours and increasing the productivity by a factor greater than two. Several computer modeling tools were applied to optimise the arc control system and the mechanical and dielectric performance. This allowed a significant reduction of development time and expenditure. A design for the environment approach was used throughout the project. The new ALSTOM technology reduces the energy needed for the manufacturing of vacuum interrupters in total by 40% and the raw materials by over 30%. It could be shown that an environmental approach could not only be good for the environment, but also significantly benefit the company.