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Dielectric Simulation of Capacitive Switching Behavior

for Vacuum Circuit Breaker
M. Kurrat
Technische Universitaet Braunschweig
Institute for High Voltage Technology and Electrical Power Systems
Schleinitzstraße 23
38106 Braunschweig, Germany

ABSTRACT
Abstract- Switching of capacitor banks or cables leads to small breaking currents in
comparison with short-circuit currents. After current interruption the circuit-breaker
must withstand twice the peak value of the system voltage. Furthermore, restrikes can
lead to voltage multiplication. The conjunction of relatively small breaking currents with
high voltage stress must be considered in detail. This leads to a reconsideration of an
appropriate design of contact speed and gap distance for capacitive switching duties. In
particular the dielectric strength (DS) of the contact gap plays a major role regarding
restrike performance. To simulate the capacitive switching performance of a certain
contact system, the DS of a contact gap is required. A former study with a notable
number of restrikes allows the calculation of the rate of rise of dielectric strength
(RRDS). Taking this into consideration restrike simulations for vacuum circuit breaker
for distribution and transmission voltages are presented. The evaluation of the
simulations yields necessary requirements for contact speed, stroke and dielectric
strength.
Index Terms — Vacuum circuit breaker, vacuum interrupter, switching in vacuum,
capacitive switching, double-break, post-arc current.

1 INTRODUCTION
CAPACITIVE switching is the process of energization For distribution systems with compensated neutral the
or de-energization of no-load cables, capacitor banks or filters capacitive voltage factor for earth fault condition ݇௖ ൌ ͳǤ͹
in alternating-current a.c. circuits at distribution or transmission should be applied.
voltages [1]. The switch-on process may involve high voltage
and high current transients. The interruption of capacitive
currents generates high recovery voltage values ‫ݑ‬௥ of 2 per unit.
Thus there is a certain probability of dielectric breakdown of
the contact gap [2]. This dielectric breakdown occurring after
more than a quarter cycle after current interruption and
discharge or change the voltage of the load capacitor is called
restrike. In the case of multiple restrikes the capacitor and
recovery voltage, ‫ݑ‬௖ and ‫ݑ‬௥ , respectively, increase stepwise.
This voltage escalation would destroy the insulation of the
adjacent equipment or the switch. Figure 1 shows the schematic
for switching a capacitor bank. The recovery voltages are built Figure 1.. Schematic for capacitive current switching.
up by the three-phase capacitor and supply voltage sources.
Analyzing the switching process by a single-phase circuit a For transmission systems with non-effectively earthed
capacitive voltage factor has to be introduced to the supply neutral system an earth fault factor of ݇௖ ൌ ͳǤͶ is typically
voltage in equation (1) to simulate the neutral potential shift: applied to the system voltage U. According to the definition of
݇ሺൌ ݇௖ ሻ in IEC 60071-1 [2] ݇௖ may take different values
‫ݑ‬௦ ൌ ݇௖ ή ඥʹΤ͵ ή ܷ ή ܿ‫ݏ݋‬ሺ߱ ή ‫ݐ‬ሻ ሺͳሻ depending on the earth system. Figure 2 (top) shows the
constant capacitor voltage after capacitive current interruption
Manuscript received on 30 November 2016, in final form 23 July 2017, accepted at supply peak voltage (t = 0). The rate of rise of recovery
25 September 2017. Corresponding author: M. Kurrat. voltage ‫ݑ‬௥ ൌ ‫ݑ‬௖ െ ‫ݑ‬௦ is given for a 50 Hz a.c. supply voltage.

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Below in Figure 2 two restrikes are shown according to
textbook examples. The rate of rise of dielectric strength
(RRDS) is insufficient and the recovery voltage reaches the
withstand voltage of the contact gap at two times. The restrikes
reverse the recovery voltage polarity and increase stepwise the
capacitor voltage amount starting voltage escalation.
Figure 2. Single-phase voltage simulations for a successful
capacitive current interruption (top) and multiple restrikes with
voltage escalation (bottom).
2 DIELECTRIC MODEL
Suitable VCB have a very low restrike probability of less
than 3%. Thus standard capacitive switching tests do not
deliver enough breakdown voltage values for statistical
evaluation of breakdown voltages. In fact the non-occurrence
of restrikes for a certain recovery peak voltage is tested. In this
paper the withstand voltage as lower limit of the breakdown
voltage ‫ݑ‬ො௕ௗ ሺ݀ሻ is used as parameter and called dielectric
strength (DS). The withstand voltage depends on the contact
gap length. If contact travel ݀ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻor velocity versus time during
opening is known the RRDS ‫ݑ‬௕ௗ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ referring to the withstand
voltage can be calculated (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Calculation method of RRDS.
2.1 MODEL EQUATIONS
The contact travel ݀ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ by time is described as minimum gap
length without mechanical oscillations by the lower envelope
function for a given contact stroke ݀଴ :
݀ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ ൌ ݀଴ ή ‫ ݐ‬ଶ Τሺ݀଴ ൅ ‫ ݐ‬ଶ ሻ ሺʹሻ
For different contact strokes of 20, 40 and 80 mm the contact
travels are shown in Figure 4 described by equation (2). The
average contact velocities are 2, 2.7 and 4 m/s respectively. The
assigned maximum contact speeds for fast contact separation
are extremely high for standard VCB design and reach values
of 3, 4 and 6 m/s.
Figure 4. Contact travel simulation for different gap lengths in
medium voltage (MV) up to 36 kV and high voltage (HV) applications
for 72,5 kV and more.
Thermal reignitions and dielectric breakdowns after high-
current breaking with different gap lengths at transient recovery
voltage (TRV) application were investigated. From these
breaking tests the dielectric strength limit (red curve in Figure
5) may be estimated by late or cold breakdown values (circles
in Figure 5). Applying the typical square root dependence for
vacuum gaps [4] the withstand voltage is given by:
‫ݑ‬ො௕ௗ ሺ݀ሻ ൌ ܷௗଵ ή ሺ݀ Τ݀ଵ ሻ଴ǡହ ሺ͵ሻ
with a ݀ଵ ൌ1 mm gap withstand voltage ܷௗଵ ൌ ʹͺ. But
vacuum insulation shows a statistical behavior. Therefore
dielectric strength values with very low restrike probability
should be taken from capacitor bank switching test, e.g. as
performed in [2]. The evaluation from experimental data,
shown as blue curve in Figure 5, is described later. This curve
should be seen as reliable lower limit of dielectric strength
caused by severe pre-arcing during test sequence (worst case).
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Figure 5. Dielectric strength model according to measured cold
breakdown (withstand voltage) and recovery voltage with very low
restrike probability (low restrike voltage).
Contact travel velocity and withstand voltage of contact gap
determine the voltage-time-curve required for electric circuit
simulation. The dielectric strength grows with increasing
contact stroke. Combining equations (2) and (3) the rate of rise
of dielectric strength (RRDS) is computable. To distinguish
between successful and failed interruption processes the RRDS
and the recovery voltage have to be compared. A restrike occurs
when the recovery voltage exceeds the withstand voltage.
2.2 DETERMINATION OF WITHSTAND VOLTAGE
Capacitor bank switching experiments are described in [2]. The
switching test sequence is shown in Figure 6. During closing
operation the decreasing contact distance leads to a breakdown
and a high current pre-arc in the contact gap. The contact
material is melted and will weld at contact collision. The switch
opening starts with breaking the weld and creating some surface
deterioration. Simultaneously during opening a diffuse plasma
is formed by the capacitive breaking current. After current
interruption the recovery voltage may initiate a restrike at a
random contact location.
Figure 6. Capacitor bank switching processes during making and
breaking operation sequence from left to right (pre-arcing / welding /
breaking weld and current interruption / restrike).
The pre-arcing results in the inrush-current and the discharge of
the capacitor bank seen by the capacitor voltage drop in
Figure 7. The inrush current amplitude is about 5 kA.
Contact travel
Figure 7.. Pre-arcing during contact closing referring to the capacitor
bank switching experiments in [2].
After the making operation the charged capacitor bank is
switched off and separated from the power supply. The
capacitive current of about 500 A is flowing through the plasma
in the opening contact gap and is interrupted at the first current
zero (CZ) time. Half a period after current interruption the
recovery voltage reaches a maximum value of 52 kV. At some
breaking operations the dielectric strength is not high enough
and a restrike occurs. In Figure 8 the restrike occurs in the rising
part of the recovery voltage at 40 kV before reaching the peak
value.
Figure 8.. Interruption process and restrike occurrence during
contact opening referring to the capacitor bank switching experiments
in [2].
Here a special analysis of the raw data from the capacitive
switching experiments in [2] is done to get a first impression of
the breakdown voltage distribution for vacuum breaker contact
gaps. CuCr Contacts with additives seem to be a good study
model. The additives act as failure spots. It is assumed that pre-
arcing activates these spots for breakdown processes during
recovery voltage application. Few dielectric breakdowns occur
within the first recovery voltage period after capacitive current
interruption. Some occur at voltage peak, some just before the
first peak. Here 7 values are obtained in 3 test sequences and
statistical treatment with a symmetric standard distribution
yields the 50% breakdown voltage value of 51 kV (see
Figure 9). Because a symmetric distribution is applied, it has to
be considered, that the recovery voltage is limited and no
breakdown voltage values can be obtained higher than crest
voltage value of 52 kV. Evaluation of the variability coefficient
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of 0.04 supports a precise measurement. For estimating the
dielectric strength the withstand voltage of 46 kV is calculated
by the distribution function. This defined withstand voltage is
the worst case value for restrike calculations after capacitive
current interruption.
Figure 9.. Breakdown voltage distribution for the first recovery
voltage period for CuCr Contacts with additives (G,H,I).
It has to be pointed out, that this result is only applicable to
describe the intrinsic material characteristics. Dielectric
breakdown due to particles produced by the closing or opening
operation may lead to delayed breakdown (some 100 ms after
CZ) and lower breakdown voltage values. These processes are
more related to the welding and rupture characteristics of the
material. These external material characteristics are not taken
into account for the calculation of the breakdown voltage. The
applied material has to fulfill the requirements of welding and
rupture without particle emission. A special test procedure to
obtain the breakdown voltage distribution would be helpful and
is recommended for future VCB design. In [2] time consuming
complete test sequences of 100 making and breaking operations
with a capacitor bank were performed for different contact
materials. The number of restrikes of different contact materials
is shown in Figure 10. Spiral type and butt type contacts made
of CuCr 75/25 are compared. The contact material F through J
incorporates small amounts of additives to analyze the
influence of local material imperfections. The materials K
through P are multilayer contacts to study the endurance of
sheath properties. For comparison the limits for the capacitive
switching classes 1 and 2 of circuit breakers are indicated in
Figure 10.
Figure 10.. Restrikes occurrence at 100 current interruptions (each
after making operation) of capacitor bank switching for different
contact materials A through P [2].

3 SIMULATION ALGORITHM
An explicit method is used for the numerical analysis of
capacitive switching behavior. The state of the system in the
next time step is calculated from the actual system state. Supply
voltage, contact travel and dielectric strength are calculated at
every time step. A crest voltage detection is implemented for
longer arcing times (not used here). Contacts open at supply
voltage peak and the capacitive current is interrupted (see
Figure 11).
Figure 11. Flowchart representing the restrike process.
Capacitive voltage uc stays at peak voltage. Recovery voltage
ur is calculated and compared to breakdown voltage. If the
recovery voltage exceeds the dielectric strength a restrike is
detected. The polarity reversal of the recovery voltage adjusts
the capacitor voltage to the new value and the new recovery
voltage is calculated in the next time step.
3 CAPACITIVE SWITCHING SIMULATION
Different capacitive switching behaviors are analyzed. For
medium voltage VCB in distribution systems the effect of low
dielectric strength caused by severe pre-arcing is shown. For
transmission systems the increased dielectric strength of multi-
break high voltage VCB is analyzed.
3.1 DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The capacitor bank switching tests in [2] consist of a
consecutive energization with pre-arcing and subsequent
current interruption series. During closing operations the
contacts suffer from high-current pre-arcing, contact melting
and welding. The subsequently opened switch has first to break
the weld mechanically before the small capacitive current arc is
formed and interrupted. These operations deteriorate the
contact surface and may reduce the DS. Using equation (3) a
reduced 1 mm gap withstand voltage ୢଵ  ൌ ͳͷ is applied.
With a maximum switching velocity of 1 m/s and a contact
stroke of 20 mm restrike probability is increased. Due to the
low DS the RRDS may be insufficient for capacitive switching.
For a distribution voltage level of 20 kV the recovery voltage
under earth fault condition is shown in Figure 12 after capacitive
current interruption at t = 0. This minimum arcing time
describes the worst case, because in 3-phase systems longer
arcing times delay the rise of the recovery voltage and give the
dielectric strength more time to increase during contact travel.
 
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Capacitor Voltage
Supply Voltage
Recovery Voltage
Withstand voltage
Figure 12. Restrike simulation after capacitive current interruption at
minimum arcing time due to heavy pre-arcing duties and low RRDS.
The first restrike leads to a sudden capacitor voltage jump to
values higher than supply voltage. Now the remarkably
increased recovery voltage peak exceeds the DS and the breaker
fails.
To improve the low RRDS capability of the switch a higher
contact speed can help. Using a switching actuator with a
maximum contact velocity of 2 m/s the recovery voltage under
earth fault condition and at minimum arcing time doesn´t reach
the DS and no restrikes occur in Figure 13.
Capacitor Voltage Supply Voltage
Recovery Voltage Withstand voltage
Figure 13. Successful capacitive current interruption simulation at
minimum arcing time with faster switching actuator and sufficient
RRDS.
It should be emphasized again that this low DS is typical for
single-phase, single polarity capacitor bank switching [2].
Furthermore the supply voltage under earth fault condition
reflects the worst case scenario for restrikes.
4 TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
In recent years applications of VCB at transmission voltage
levels have become reality [5]. The DS of double and single
break VCB is demonstrated in experiments [6]. The traditional
multi break concept for transmission voltages utilizes the high
dielectric performance of short vacuum gaps. In Figure 14 the
DS curves of a 80 mm single break and two 40 mm double
break vacuum gaps are demonstrated. The negative effect of the
square root dependence of the breakdown voltage from contact
stroke is clearly visible for the 80 mm long single break.
double break
single break
Figure 14. DS simulation model according to measured reignition
voltages after short-circuit current breaking for single and double
break arrangements acc.
The double break has ideally twice the DS of the single break
and supersedes the maximum value of the single break by 40%.
The VCB design has to take care about an even voltage
distribution across both contact gaps. Test results of double
break arrangements showed a voltage ratio between both
contact gaps of 0.7/0.3 without grading capacitors [7]. Thus a
vital research demand is upcoming for field grading and
conditioning methods of VCB. Field grading by capacitive
shield coupling is a commonly used technique in high-voltage
engineering. A steering capacitor cascade corrects the voltage
distribution inside the contact system of a double break VCB
[7, 9, 10]. A voltage ratio of 0.55/0.45 could be realized. Field
grading capacitance values range from 50 pF up to 2000 pF.
The second positive aspect for high RRDS is the higher
velocity of the double break arrangement. The contrary contacts
movement doubles the total contact speed. Thus a double
breaker needs less kinetic energy for the same total opening
speed than a single breaker.
The single break VCB simulation applies the dielectric
strength given by equation (3) with a 1 mm gap withstand
voltage ܷௗଵ ൌ ʹͺ for a contact system in operation. To
minimize the DS demands an effectively earthed neutral system
of the capacitor bank is assumed. The question is if the rate of
rise of DS of a single break VCB would be sufficient for
capacitive switching at a transmission voltage of ܷ௡ ൌ ͳͳͲ
ƒ†ƒŽ‘™…ƒ’ƒ…‹–‹˜‡˜‘Ž–ƒ‰‡ˆƒ…–‘”‘ˆ ݇ܿ= 1.2 for power cable
systems. The contact stroke is enlarged to 80 mm. The actuator
is speeded up to a maximum contact velocity of 6 m/s. The
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worst case scenario of a minimum arcing time is applied. The

simulated voltage curves are shown in Figure 15. The recovery
voltage rises after capacitive current interruption at t = 0. Capacitor Voltage

Capacitor Voltage Supply Voltage

Supply Voltage

Withstand Voltage
Recovery Voltage Withstand Voltage
Recovery Voltage

Figure 15. Restrike simulation after capacitive current

interruption at minimum arcing time for a single break VCB
with 80 mm contact stroke in an effectively earthed neutral
system,  ୡ ൌ ͳǤʹǤ Figure 16.. Successful capacitive current interruption
simulation at minimum arcing time for a double break VCB
with 40 mm contact stroke each in a
The RRDS increases with the contact travel and reaches the
non-effectively earthed neutral system,  ୡ ൌ ͳǤͶǤ
maximum value of 240 kV after a time of 30 ms. The RRDS is
obviously too low. The first restrike occurs 6 ms after
capacitive current interruption. The capacitive voltage and the 4 CONCLUSION
recovery voltage reverse polarityf. This voltage offset shifts the
The grid integration of a huge amount of volatile renewable
recovery peak voltage above withstand voltage. Multiple
energy resources demands frequent adaption of reactive power.
restrikes occur and the voltage escalation may destroy the
The switching frequencies of capacitor or reactor banks will
insulation of adjacent components.
increase significantly. Switching of reactive power supplied by
The double break VCB simulation applies the same DS given
capacitor banks is a challenging task. Heavy pre-arcing at high
by equation (3) with a 1 mm gap breakdown voltage ܷௗଵ ൌ
operation numbers reduces dielectric strength of the contact
ʹͺ. The capacitor bank has a non-effectively earthed neutral
gap. Capacitive switching may suffer from this and restrikes
system. The switch operates at a transmission voltage of ܷ௡ ൌ
may occur. Voltage escalation is a threat for the whole system
ͳͳͲ ƒ† ƒ …ƒ’ƒ…‹–‹˜‡ ˜‘Ž–ƒ‰‡ ˆƒ…–‘” ‘ˆ ݇ܿ= 1.4 for
operation. A demanding design of VCB has to guarantee a high
overhead line systems. The contact stroke is separated in two
rate of rise of dielectric strength (RRDS). The simulation
contact gaps of 40 mm each. The maximum contact speed is
applies a simple dielectric model for VCB based on the
4 m/s each. The dielectric strength is doubled because of two
knowledge of the cumulative breakdown voltage distribution
contact gaps, assuming a mechanical design with a synchronous
after capacitive current interruption and the evaluated withstand
behavior of the two gaps and that the recovery voltage is
voltage. The contact travel and the resulting dielectric strength
divided evenly across both contact gaps. But also uneven
(DS) are calculated. The recovery voltage is defined by the
dielectric behavior of contact gaps can be simulated. The
arcing time, the frequency of 50 Hz, the supply voltage and the
capacitive voltage ratio between both contact gaps is one
capacitive voltage factor ݇ܿ. Further research is needed to
essential parameter. The second one is the post-arc current.
analyze the breakdown voltage statistics of different contact
Measurements of post-arc charges for a double break test VCB
materials and VCB designs.
are presented in [8], [10]. Interpolation of post-arc charge
The simulation helps to visualize the safety margin for
measurements yields values of about 100 nC. Regarding field
restrike or voltage escalation. Frequent pre-arcing reduces the
grading capacitances of 50 pF an additional voltage due to the
RRDS and recovery voltage may reach the contact gap
poisson field of the post-arc charge of several kilo-volts are
breakdown voltage. The simulation supports the interpretation
possible. The voltage ratio remains therefore nearly unchanged. of test results with restrikes for different switch types and the
In result Figure 16 shows some safety margin of the DS. The chosen test conditions for switching of capacitor banks can be
total recovery voltage after capacitive current interruption is evaluated. The simulation is currently extended to real 3-phase
right below the RRDS even at short arcing times (t = 0). The capacitive test circuits and different current interruption
most important parameter is the withstand voltage of the contact behaviors of switches to consider the influence of stray
gap and this is mainly influenced by the contact material and inductances and capacitances and the voltage shift of the test
the electric field design. circuit´s neutral-point. In this regard further measurements in
 
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the field are required to define pre-arcing and switching
transient recovery voltages TRV in modern filters or reactive
power banks.
At transmission voltage the simulation shows the principal
advantage of multi break concepts. In reality, a mechanical
design with a synchronous behavior of the two gaps is needed.
Especially the development of integrated field grading systems
seems to be a promising task for even voltage distributions and
minimized post-arc charge influence.
REFERENCES
[1] M. Kapetanovic, High Voltage Circuit Breakers, Sarajevo: Faculty of
Electrotechnical Engineering, 2011.
[2] F. Körner, M. Lindmayer. M. Kurrat, D. Gentsch, “Switching Behavior
of Different Contact Materials under Capacitive Switching Conditions”,
23rd International Symposium on Dieelectrcs In Vacuum, Bucharest,
Romania, pp. 202 – 206, 2008.
[3] IEC 60071-1:2006, Insulation co-ordination - Part 1: Definitions,
principles and rules.
[4] P.G. Slade, Electrical Contacts: Principles and Applications, 2nd
Edition, CRC Press, 2014.
[5] CIGRE WG A3.27, The Impact of the Application of Vacuum
Switchgear at Transmission Voltages. CIGRE Technical Brochure 589,
2014.
[6] H. Knobloch, S. Giere nd H.C. Kärner, “Dielectric Strength of Double
and Single-Break Vacuum Interrupters - Experiments with Real HV
Demonstration Bottles”, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul., Vol. 8, No.
1, pp. 43 – 47, 2001.
[7] T. Fugel and D. Koenig, “Influence of grading capacitors on the breaking
performance of a 24-kV vacuum breaker series design”, IEEE Trans.
Dielectr. Electr. Insul., Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 569 – 575, 2003.
[8] A. Horn and M. Lindmayer, “Investigations on the series connection of
two switching gaps in one tube in vacuum”, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci,
Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 1594 – 1599, 2005.
[9] B. Kühn, M. Kurrat, D. Gentsch, Field grading method of a double
breaking vacuum chamber arrangement, VDE-Fachtagung
Hochspannungstechnik, Berlin, Germany, 2016
[10] D. Huang, S. Shu and J. Ruan, “Transient Recovery Voltage Distribution
Ratio and Voltage Sharing Measure of Double- and Triple-Break
Vacuum Circuit Breakers”, IEEE Trans. Components, Packaging and
Manufactoring Technology, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 545 – 552, 2016.

Michael Kurrat received the Dipl.-Ing.

degree in electrical engineering and the
Dr.-Ing. degree from the University of
Dortmund, Germany, in 1988 and 1993,
respectively. He was with Felten and
Guilleaume switchgear division in
Krefeld, Germany. Since 2001, he has
been a Professor with the Institute
elenia for High Voltage Technology and
Electrical Power Systems, Technische
Universitaet Braunschweig, Germany,
where he has been the Managing
Director since 2005.