Parallel and Series Operation of Vacuum Interrupters for Circuit Breakers and a Superconducting Fault Current Limiter

The increase of fault current flowing to a power transmission line by the increase of demand for power might become a problem around the world. It is considered that installation of a superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) to the power system is effective as one of some provisions. Therefore, the development of an SFCL which can be applied to a power system with high current and voltage is necessary. We developed an SFCL with various advantages and performed a short-circuit test for a prototype of the SFCL. A vacuum interrupter (VI) is included in the SFCL, and parallel and series operation of the VIs might contribute to a solution of problems with the SFCL. Furthermore, by parallel and series operation of VIs in vacuum circuit breakers (CBs), the upgrade of the vacuum CBs might be achieved. For these reasons, it was performed to investigate parallel and series operation of the VIs in the vacuum CBs and the SFCL.