A utility optimization method of a high voltage vacuum interrupter design

In this paper, a new method of electric field design of high voltage vacuum interrupters is proposed. According to the multi-gap insulation effect and the vulnerable breakdown spots theory, the symmetrical voltage shields are proved to be effective. So the initial model of a high voltage vacuum interrupter is designed. Next with finite element methods and optimization theory, a mathematical model of electric field intensity in interrupters is given. What's more, by optimizing this model with finite element software, a more symmetrical electric field in vacuum interrupters is obtained and its peak value appear as in the second auxiliary gaps (the two gaps between the center floating shield and the symmetrical voltage shields). The result shows that with this method, the vacuum interrupters can withstand higher static breakdown.