Vacuum Interrupter Testing
Predicting remainder of field life finally becomes easier
BY FINLEY LEDBETTER, Group CBS
Vacuum interrupters (VIs) have widely replaced older air-magnetic and oil interrupters for circuit breakers rated at one kilovolt (kV) or higher. These devices offer up to 10 times the expected lifetime than newer SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) gas interrupters.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. Manufacturers predict that most of their interrupters have a service life of 20 years; however, users generally ignore this fact....
