The paper discusses limitations to the existing technology of Vacuum Switchgear, what these are, and also how these may be overcome. It then moves on to discuss new developments in Vacuum Interrupter/ Vacuum Circuit Breaker technology which are likely to have an impact on the next generation of devices. Finally it looks forward ten years to what the impact of these developments may be on the use of Vacuum Circuit Breakers.
Topics covered include;
New concepts for VCB such as SAVI
Limitations of VCB for transmission voltages and how these may be overcome.
The use of VCB for Low Voltages, how can we apply VCB economically at these voltages.
The use of VCB for High Voltage DC applications.
What VCB may look like in 10 years' time, and where they may be applied.