Vacuum interrupter model based on breaking tests

In this paper, a model will be presented of a HOLEC-made commercially available vacuum interrupter. This model can he used to determine the breaking capacity under various current switching conditions. It will be shown how the model is derived from switching tests in a synthetic test circuit. The measured data consist mainly of short circuit currents, arc voltages, TRV's, and arcing times from which other important information like, e.g., the critical arc energy and the amount of transferred electric charge can be determined. The calculated results obtained by the theoretical model and the measured data will be shown in various graphs. Furthermore, derating curves of this type of vacuum interrupter and a comparison between different types of electrode configurations will be presented.