Load Breaking on Distribution Circuits

This paper deals with the basic and fundamental operation of opening load-break switches on distribution circuits. It concentrates on phenomena exhibited during the first half-cycle after the switch blades have parted. Verification of analysis is based on oscillograms of interruptions to three types of in-service feeders: 1) industrial, overhead; 2) residential, overhead; and 3) residential, underground. Because there are no known field data of this particular nature, the information in this paper should be valuable to the utility industry in positively identifying the inherent circuit characteristics when switching different types of feeders.