370 / 2017-04-13 16:11:04

Prestrike Characteristics when Switching on Inrush Current in 40.5kV VIs with Axial Magnetic Field

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Nowadays the controlled switching technology is a preferred method for capacitive switching by using 40.5kV vacuum circuit breakers. Thus the distribution of prestrike gaps are important for the control strategy. The objective of this paper is to understand the distribution of prestrike gaps for contact materials manufactured by arc melted technology. Back-to-back capacitor bank switching by 40.5kV VCBs is studied. In the experiment, CuCr40 contacts with a diameter of 50 millimeters were prepared. The test vacuum interrupters are equipped with cupped axial magnetic field type electrodes. L-C oscillating circuit generated inrush current with frequency of 200Hz and peak of 6.88kA, while the applied voltage was 35kV. The experimental results will be shown in full paper. The distribution of prestrike gaps is important when employing controlled switching technology in VCBs for the capacitive switching.