Fundamental research on vacuum interrupters at technical universities in Germany and Austria

The main activities in the field of vacuum interrupters carried out by the authors' research groups at technical universities in Germany and Austria are discussed. A wide field of dielectric programs has been treated. Work concerning arc modes and motion is reported. Questions of current zero at line frequency and high frequency, as well as chopping characteristics, have been investigated. In many investigations, the influence of contact material has been of great importance.<
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