Investigation of Three-Phase Electrical Endurance Test Results of Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Abstract

Instead of medium voltage breakers that use SF6 gas, which has a global warming potential of 23,500 times more than CO2 in a 100-year equivalent, the modeling and production of vacuum medium voltage breakers that can operate at different rated currents without any environmental damage is gaining importance. The issue of restricting the use of SF6 gas through international agreements since the 1990s is becoming an obligation rather than a recommendation every day. This situation makes it necessary to develop products using SF6 alternative insulating media in power system equipment for national and international markets. In this study, the electrical endurance tests for class 2 vacuum circuit-breakers for auto-reclosing are investigated. 10, 30, 60, and 100% rated short-circuit breaking currents are applied with different operating sequences.