Vacuum circuit breakers interrupt an electric circuit to prevent unwarranted current, usually caused by a short circuit. They have a longer service life than other types and require minimal maintenance.
These circuit breakers are often used in power stations and generators. They also find a home in railway applications for traction current and electricity supply switching.
They are oil-free
Vacuum circuit breakers do not require refilling with oil or gas, and they are free of periodic maintenance. They also do not emit exhaust gases into the environment, which makes them more environmentally friendly than other types of breakers. They also use less energy, making them more efficient than traditional breakers.
VCBs have high electrical conductivity to allow usual load currents to pass through without overheating. Their thermal conductivity is also high to dissipate the large amount of heat produced during arcing. In addition, they have a low boiling point and low vapor pressure, which helps reduce arc erosion and short-line arcing.
Unlike other circuit breakers, vacuum interrupters offer the highest insulating strength. As a result, they have better arc quenching abilities than any other medium used in other breakers, including air and SF6. VCBs are ideal for applications with voltage levels of up to 33 kV. These breakers are often utilized in LT MCCs and the secondary feeder circuit of power transformers.
They are compact
Unlike molded case circuit breakers, vacuum air circuit breakers do not require oil or other arc extinguishing mediums. This makes them smaller and more lightweight, making them ideal for use in small spaces. They can also operate frequently and require little maintenance. They have a higher dielectric strength than other breakers, so they can withstand short-circuits and ground faults.
Vacuum circuit breakers can be used in both the high voltage and low voltage part of an electricity system. They can be found at substations, at the source of the power line, and at different points along the circuit to isolate sections of the power line for repair or installation.
The movable contacts of vacuum circuit breakers are housed in an arc shield inside a steel chamber called the arc interrupter. The pressure inside this chamber is kept at a constant value by stainless steel bellows. This allows the arc to be interrupted quickly. Upon the opening of the contact gap, the metal vapors in the arc are drawn into the contact zone and the gap is extinguished.
They are reliable
Vacuum circuit breakers offer a high level of reliability. They can switch rated currents thousands of times and handle short-circuit currents dozens of times. They also have a long service life and require very little maintenance.
The vacuum interrupter chamber, or bottle, in a VCB has a very high insulating strength and offers superior arc quenching capabilities. It also has a shorter gap between the movable and fixed contact, which helps reduce power losses. This allows the arc to be interrupted quickly and prevents damage to surrounding equipment.
Unlike other types of circuit breakers, VCBs can withstand very high switching sequences. This makes them ideal for use in power stations and generators. They are also used in railway applications for traction current and electrical supply switching. Moreover, they are a reliable choice for metal-clad switchgear and porcelain housed circuit breakers. Besides, they are easy to install and offer many benefits. Moreover, they do not release exhaust gas into the atmosphere.
They are easy to install
Vacuum circuit breakers use a vacuum between the contacts instead of an oil or air. The vacuum is a highly insulator and electricity cannot pass through it. This makes it one of the best arc extinguishing media available. Other circuit breakers use a blast of high-pressure air or special oil to blow the arcs apart. These types of breakers are more complicated and require more energy to operate.
Air and vacuum breakers have many benefits, including long life span and minimal maintenance requirements. They are also non-flammable and operate quietly. They also do not release exhaust gas into the atmosphere, so they are safer for people working in breaker rooms. They are especially useful for capacitor switching, cable switching and long line dropping. They are also very compact, making them an excellent choice for metal-clad switchgears and porcelain housed circuit breakers. They can also be used in traction current and electric supply switching in power plants.
