Vacuum circuit breaker

A dead tank system for protecting electrical components against electrical surges, the system comprising:

• a plurality vacuum interrupters;
• a current bypass circuit electrically coupled to one or more vacuum interrupters;
• a dead tank encasing and hermetically sealing the one or more vacuum interrupters and the current bypass circuit, wherein the dead tank is pressurized with a non-SF6 gas;
• and
• a controllable mechanism coupled to the one or more vacuum interrupters and to the current bypass circuit, the controllable mechanism is configured to actuate the one or more vacuum interrupters and the current bypass circuit to open or close a main circuit path such that any pre-strike arcing occurs on the current bypass circuit;
• wherein the one or more vacuum interrupters are coupled in series, and wherein the current bypass circuit is coupled in parallel with the one or more vacuum interrupters.

A dead tank system for protecting electrical components against electrical surges, the system comprising:

• one or more vacuum interrupters;
• a current bypass circuit electrically coupled to the one or more vacuum interrupters;
• a dead tank encasing and hermetically sealing the one or more vacuum interrupters and the current bypass circuit, wherein the dead tank is pressurized with a non-SF6 gas;
• a controllable mechanism coupled to the one or more vacuum interrupters and to the current bypass circuit, the controllable mechanism is configured to actuate the one or more vacuum interrupters and the current bypass circuit to open or close a main circuit path such that any pre-strike arcing occurs on the current bypass circuit;
• and
• a dampening resistor coupled in series with the one or more vacuum interrupters and in parallel with the current bypass circuit.

A dead tank system for protecting electrical components against electrical surges, the system comprising:

• one or more vacuum interrupters;
• a current bypass circuit electrically coupled to the one or more vacuum interrupters;
• a dead tank encasing and hermetically sealing the one or more vacuum interrupters and the current bypass circuit, wherein the dead tank is pressurized with a non-SF6 gas;
• and
• a controllable mechanism coupled to the one or more vacuum interrupters and to the current bypass circuit, the controllable mechanism is configured to actuate the one or more vacuum interrupters and the current bypass circuit to open or close a main circuit path such that any pre-strike arcing occurs on the current bypass circuit;
• wherein the current bypass circuit comprises a cylindrical moveable electrode having a lumen to receive the fixed electrode;
• wherein a distal opening of the cylindrical moveable electrode is rounded or tapered.