History of Circuit Breakers and Expectations of Japanese Original Development

Abstract

This paper studies the history of high voltage circuit breaker engineering. Methods of analysis are (1) to collect facts in regard to its development, (2) to review the history in order to find essential factors and (3) to identify its pros and cons from engineering point of view. The amount of electric power consumption has increased and gradually the circuit breaker concept was developed. At first the oil circuit breakers were developed in Europe and the air circuit breaker and vacuum circuit breaker were developed. Finally the SF₆gas circuit breakers are developed together with the gas insulated switchgear and what is next? The future research and development policy is also discussed.