Vacuum interrupters used for the interruption of high dc currents

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5259843

Warren, R W

Conventional ac vacuum interrupters are being used to interrupt currents in pulsed energy storage systems. They have been tested with dc currents of up to 37 kA. The limit to the current which can be successfully interrupted has been measured as a function of various parameters. Among these are (1) the size of the interrupter, (2) the magnitude of the counterpulse current, (3) the nature and flux rating of the saturable reactor used, and (4) the kind of ''snubber'' circuit used. Fragmentary data have also been collected on electrode erosion rates and on mechanical failure of the bellows. A description is given of the circuits used in these tests and of the results found for a representative selection of the commercially available domestic interrupters. More recently efforts have been made to increase the values found for the maximum interruptible current. The techniques used have included connecting interrupters in parallel and operating them in an impressed axial magnetic field. The results of this work are discussed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5259843
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-77-2356; CONF-771029-44
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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Energy Storage
BELLOWS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRODES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ENERGY STORAGE
FAILURES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
STORAGE
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
TESTING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS