3d electric field calculation of vacuum circuit breakers with multiple breaks using the ANSYS finite element program

Abstract

The finite element method has proven to be a very useful tool for calculating the electric field in vacuum interrupters. A number of infinite element programs have been developed for this special task. For those who do not have access to one these specialized programs and do not wish to develop their own program, another option is available to use the commercial finite element programs such as the ANSYS finite element program. Recently a new vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) technology with multi-breaks is proposed by means of placing the fiber-controlled vacuum interrupter modules (FCVIMs) in series just like the building blocks. This contribution uses the ANSYS finite element program to calculate the electric field in VCB with double or triple breaks that are composed of FCVIMs. The model of a 12kV vacuum interrupter is set up to calculate the three dimensional (3D) electric field as well as its self-capacitance the three VCB with double or triple breaks are also set up for calculation while the capacitance equivalent circuit is proposed for stimulating the voltage distribution of the breaks. By means of calculation of different collocation of VCB with triple breaks, the optimized electric field calculation is put forward. It shows that it is really an effective method for the design of VCB with multi-breaks using the ANSYS finite element program.