Vacuum Monitored Disconnect Switch

Abstract

A vacuum monitored disconnect switch includes vacuum interrupter with a high-voltage electric contactor inside a vacuum bottle, which can fail causing the vacuum switch to electrically short potentially causing extensive damage to the switch and other components. A vacuum monitor in fluid communication with the vacuum bottle includes a capacitance manometer for detecting a vacuum failure of the vacuum bottle. The capacitance manometer and associated components are powered by a current transformer (CT) that harvests power from the power line controlled by the vacuum disconnect switch. A porcelain tube in fluid communication with the interrupter vacuum bottle provides high voltage isolation between the vacuum interrupter bottle and the capacitance manometer to protect the manometer and associated electronics.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.