Analytical multi-body approach for component selection and timing analysis in spring-actuated vacuum circuit breakers

A vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) operates with a mechanical mechanism that ensures rapid arc quenching, reliable protection, and current interruption in high-voltage electrical systems. Over the past few decades, numerous engineering teams and researchers have explored this issue. However, despite the importance of precise timing in VCBs, no analytical method currently exists to investigate the dynamic response of their mechanical mechanisms. Existing approaches rely heavily on numerical simulations or experimental testing, which are often time-consuming, computationally expensive, and impractical for extensive parametric studies. In this study, the time response of a VCB case study is investigated through multi-body dynamic analysis for both opening and closing conditions. Additionally, the optimal spring characteristics of the mechanism are explored, and a SolidWorks model of a manufactured VCB was created as a case study to achieve this objective. The angular relationships of the mechanism's links were analyzed for both opening and closing actions. From these relationships, angular velocities were derived and incorporated into work-energy equations and boundary conditions from the SolidWorks model to determine the mechanism's time response. The results indicate an opening time of 39.9 ms and a closing time of 60.5 ms.