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Based on a Marx generator and a coaxial pulse forming line, an experimental investigation of surface flashover characteristics in vacuum is conducted by using nanosecond pulses of 10 ns rise time and 30 ns full width at half maximum (FWHM). Insulator dielectrics chosen for this investigation are Teflon, PMMA and Nylon. The tested factors include gas pressure, cone angle of conical frustum, diameter and length of cylindrical insulator, material and shape of electrode, and contact style between insulator and electrodes. The effects of these parameters on the surface flashover characteristics are described and analyzed in this paper. In addition, the character of flashover time lag in the nanosecond range, and surface flashover theory in vacuum charged by nanosecond pulses are also discussed. Index Terms--Surface flashover, vacuum, nanosecond pulse, cathode triple junction, electron emission.

This study focuses on a compact vacuum circuit breaker (CB) for nominal voltage of 72.5 kV, nominal current of 2000 A and short circuit current of 31.5 kA. The dielectric conception of the vacuum interrupter (VI) is based on a multiple floating shield configuration which reduces the risk of total breakdown due to partial breakdown between the contacts and shield. An optimised electrical field distribution on the contact surface with the maximum field pointing towards the floating shield is arranged and hence reducing the breakdown effective area of the contacts facing each. All tests have been performed on a specially designed single-phase circuit breaker pole-unit equipped with a low energy spring type mechanism. Interruption performance was confirmed in direct tests. The circuit-breaker pole was proved to be restrike-free with respect to cable charging class C2. Dielectric tests in new condition and after interruption tests confirmed the announced ratings. These tests confirm the feasibility of this HV-CB with 25% more compact VI's based on the outlined dielectric conception. Index Terms--Vacuum breakdown, dielectric breakdown, vacuum interrupters, high-voltage techniques, circuit breakers, S[F.sub.6].

The paper is devoted to study of the mechanisms responsible for vacuum breakdown as a whole and the total voltage effect in particular. Experiments at dc and pulsed voltages were carried out. It has been shown that there is no manifestation of the total voltage effect at dc voltages up to 20 kV. The strong dependence of hold-off on anode temperature was recognized at dc voltages while pulsed hold-off turned out to be almost the same with heating the electrodes. This gives a basis to consider gas desorption as an insufficient factor in the initiation of pulsed breakdown. An attempt to enhance hold-off with electrostatic removing of loosely bound particles with assistance of electron flow from a thermionic cathode was undertaken in the work. The approach turned out to be ineffective. Index Terms--Vacuum breakdown, vacuum insulation, vacuum measurement.