A Comparison of Vacuum and SF6 Technologies at 5-38 kV

Comparisons are made between characteristics of vacuum and SF6 (sulfur hexafloride) interrupters as a result of comparative tests, and papers relating to the subject are reviewed. Subjects are discussed which are not currently defined by existing industry standards but which are important to the user. At this point in time, vacuum tends to favor short range economics and yields longer life for highly repetitive operations at load break current levels. SF6 technology tends to increase system reliability due to a number of inherent characteristics.