Abstract
Various electrode materials for low surge vacuum circuit breakers which were impregnated with Ag2Se intermetallic compound into sintered Co matrix were prepared in vacuum.
The microstructures and basic electrical properties for the electrodes have been examined. Ag2Se can be impregnated to the Co matrix very well. There are almost no structural defects in these alloys.
The maximum chopping-current value of the materials are approximately 1∼1.2 A and the average are 0.4 A. Especially, the chopping-currents of the electrodes are very stable and at a low level even after interruptions.
Further, it has been found that the materials have are comparable in performance to the conventional electrode of Cu-0.75 mass%Pb alloy in withstand-voltage and interruption-ability.
