where an arc forms.

The force of the air blast cools the arc rapidly and sweeps away the ionized gases,
extinguishing the arc and stopping the current flow.

Figure 13: Air Blast Circuit Breaker

Advantages

• Environmentally Friendly: ACBs use air, a readily available and eco-friendly medium, for arc
quenching. This eliminates the environmental hazards associated with oil leaks (OCBs) and SF6
gas emissions (SF6 breakers).
• Fast Acting: The high-pressure air blast allows for very rapid arc quenching, making ABCs suit-
able for interrupting high fault currents effectively.
• Durability: The simple design of ABCs with minimal moving parts contributes to their durability
and reliability.
Disadvantages

• Complex Air System: The high-pressure air system with its compressors, reservoirs, and valves
adds complexity to the design compared to simpler OCBs. This complexity can also increase
maintenance requirements.
• High Noise Level: The release of high-pressure air during arc interruption creates a significant
amount of noise, which can be a concern in densely populated areas.
• Bulkier Size: The air chambers and associated equipment can make ABCs larger than some other
types of circuit breakers for the same voltage rating.

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3.3.2.4 Vacuum Circuit Breaker

A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) is a type of circuit breaker that utilizes a vacuum environment to ex-
tinguish electrical arcs when interrupting current flow during faults or overloads.

Under normal operation, the contacts inside the VCB remain closed, allowing electricity to flow freely
through the circuit. The key component here is a sealed chamber containing a near-perfect vacuum.
When a fault or overload occurs, a trip mechanism within the breaker is triggered. This mechanism
forces the contacts apart. As the contacts separate, an arc forms due to the presence of ionized particles
in the small gap. However, the near-vacuum environment offers very limited movement for these ionized
particles, hindering their ability to sustain the arc. Additionally, any metal vapor arising from the contacts
condenses rapidly on the cooler surfaces within the chamber, further reducing current flow. This rapid
extinction of the arc ensures a swift interruption of the current.

Figure 14: Vacuum Circuit Breaker

Advantages

• Excellent Arcing Performance: The near-vacuum environment in VCBs allows for superior arc
quenching, making them effective for interrupting high fault currents.
• Compact Size: Due to the efficient arc interruption in a vacuum, VCBs can be significantly more
compact compared to air blast (ACB) or oil circuit breakers (OCB) for the same voltage rating.
This is a major advantage in space-constrained substations.
• Low Maintenance: The sealed vacuum chamber minimizes maintenance needs, as there is no oil
or compressed air system to maintain.
• Environmentally Friendly: VCBs do not rely on any harmful substances like oil or SF6 gas for
arc quenching, making them an eco-friendly choice.

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