What is the difference between circuit breaker and AC contactor vacuum interrupter tubes?

Both types share the same vacuum insulation principle, but their operation profiles differ: AC Contactor Tube (TJ Series) : Optimized for frequent switching . 100/25/3 cycle profile. Low kA range, for applications with frequent stop-start like motor drives. Circuit Breaker Tube (TD Series) : Optimized for high fault current interruption . 30-cycle profile. High kA range (8-31.5 kA), for rare but critical short-circuit protection. Circuit breaker tubes also offer higher lightning impulse withstand voltage (18-185 kV vs 10-48 kV in contactors) — protecting against grid overvoltages.

TD series has 8 models for 12 kV circuit breakers — how do I select?

The 8 models in the 12 kV class are selected based on rated current and breaking current combinations. TD-12/630-20: standard distribution line. TD-12/630-25A: high fault distribution. TD-12/1250-20/25J: industrial main inlet. TD-12/1250-31.5J and TD-12/1600-31.5A: substation and large industrial protection. TD-12/2000-26.3: mega industrial main inlet. Selection follows city distribution system standards and industrial facility system analysis.

What applications are 36 kV and 40.5 kV high voltage circuit breaker tubes for?

36 kV and 40.5 kV tubes are designed for high voltage medium-voltage (HV-MV) systems: 30-35 kV distribution lines, wind farm collection lines (33-34.5 kV), solar plant main output, cogeneration large facility output, railway traction transformer feed (27.5 kV catenary). TD-36/2000-26.3 and TD-40.5/1250-20A are the highest voltage class GLVAC tubes.

Why is the lightning impulse withstand voltage of circuit breaker tubes so high?

The Rated Lightning Impulse Withstand Voltage (BIL) is the tube's capacity to withstand transient overvoltages . Voltage spikes during lightning strikes, line switching, or fault currents can reach 5-10 times the nominal system voltage: 12 kV system→75 kV, 24 kV→125 kV, 36 kV→185 kV BIL. Selecting a tube with insufficient BIL leads to tube puncture and grid outage during lightning.

B2B · PRODUCT SERIES · GLVACREF · IMB · GLVAC · DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI

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GLVAC · PRODUCT SERIES

GLVAC Vacuum Interrupter for Circuit Breaker

1.14-40.5 kV, 400A-2000A core component of medium-voltage circuit breakers — TD series vacuum interrupter tubes

The GLVAC TD Series vacuum interrupter tubes are the core element of medium-voltage circuit breakers (CB). Unlike AC contactor vacuum interrupters, circuit breaker tubes are optimized for short-circuit fault current interruption — safely interrupting fault currents at high kA values in milliseconds.

15 models span 6 voltage classes:

1.14 kV (2 models)
7.2 kV (1 model)
12 kV (8 models: 630-2000 A, 20-31.5 kA breaking)
24 kV (1 model)
36 kV (2 models)
40.5 kV (1 model)

Each model offers 30 rated breaking cycles. Lightning impulse withstand voltage of 18-185 kV (model-dependent) protects against system overvoltages.

Typical customers: medium-voltage circuit breaker manufacturers (vacuum circuit breaker VCB makers), city distribution panel manufacturers, and industrial switchgear manufacturers.

Medium-voltage circuit breaker (VCB) manufacturersCity distribution panel manufacturersIndustrial switchgear manufacturersMV substation equipmentGrid protection systems

01type: Devre kesici çekirdek bileşeni vakum kesici tüpü
02Current Range: 400 A – 2000 A nominal
03voltage classes: 1.14 / 7.2 / 12 / 24 / 36 / 40.5 kV (6 sınıf)
04rated breaking times: 30 çevrim
05breaking current range: 8 – 31.5 kA
06lightning impulse withstand: 18 – 185 kV (model dependent)

Vacuum Interrupter for Circuit Breaker Series Contactor Models

Sorted by current rating (150A → 1000A)

15 MODELS

MODEL↑ current	rated current a	rated voltage kv	breaking current ka	lightning impulse kv	withstand voltage kv
TD-1.14/400-8	400	1.14	8	18	10
TD-1.14/630-15A	630	1.14	15	18	10
TD-12/1250-20	1250	12	20	75	42
TD-12/1250-25J	1250	12	25	75	42
TD-12/1250-31.5J	1250	12	31.5	75	42
TD-12/1600-31.5A	1600	12	31.5	75	42
TD-12/2000-26.3	2000	12	26.3	85	48
TD-12/630-20C	630	12	20	75	42
TD-12/630-20D	630	12	20	75	42
TD-12/630-25A	630	12	25	75	42
TD-24/1250-20	1250	24	20	125	65
TD-36/1250-20	1250	36	20	185	95
TD-36/2000-26.3	2000	36	26.3	185	95
TD-40.5/1250-20A	1250	40.5	20	185	95
TD-7.2/630-12.5E	630	7.2	12.5	60	32

TECHNICAL DIFFERENTIATORS

Why DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI Series?

03 · CATEGORIES

Maintenance-Free Performance

Vacuum insulation
→ No oil or gas replacement needed.
Long service interval
→ Ideal for city distribution infrastructure.

High BIL (Lightning Impulse) Protection

18-185 kV BIL
→ Lightning and line switching overvoltage protection.
6 voltage classes
→ Optimum BIL for every system voltage.

High Short-Circuit Breaking

8-31.5 kA breaking current
→ Safely interrupts high fault currents.
30-cycle life
→ Optimum for circuit breaker operation profile.

DATASHEET · GUIDE · APPLICATION NOTE

DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI Series — Technical Resources

15 · FILES

TD-1.14/400-8 Datasheet

TD-1.14/400-8 DatasheetSOON

TD-1.14/630-15A Datasheet

TD-1.14/630-15A DatasheetSOON

TD-7.2/630-12.5E Datasheet

TD-7.2/630-12.5E DatasheetSOON

TD-12/630-20C Datasheet

TD-12/630-20C DatasheetSOON

TD-12/630-20D Datasheet

TD-12/630-20D DatasheetSOON

TD-12/630-25A Datasheet

TD-12/630-25A DatasheetSOON

TD-12/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-12/1250-20 DatasheetSOON

TD-12/1250-25J Datasheet

TD-12/1250-25J DatasheetSOON

TD-12/1250-31.5J Datasheet

TD-12/1250-31.5J DatasheetSOON

TD-12/1600-31.5A Datasheet

TD-12/1600-31.5A DatasheetSOON

TD-12/2000-26.3 Datasheet

TD-12/2000-26.3 DatasheetSOON

TD-24/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-24/1250-20 DatasheetSOON

TD-36/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-36/1250-20 DatasheetSOON

TD-36/2000-26.3 Datasheet

TD-36/2000-26.3 DatasheetSOON

TD-40.5/1250-20A Datasheet

TD-40.5/1250-20A DatasheetSOON

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI series

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RELATED INSIGHTS · DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICIREF · IMB · PUB · 02 ENTRIES

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RELATED INSIGHTS

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02 ENTRIES

// end of index · 02 / 02

GLVAC Vacuum Interrupter for Circuit Breaker

Why DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI Series?

Maintenance-Free Performance

High BIL (Lightning Impulse) Protection

High Short-Circuit Breaking

DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI Series — Technical Resources

TD-1.14/400-8 Datasheet

TD-1.14/630-15A Datasheet

TD-7.2/630-12.5E Datasheet

TD-12/630-20C Datasheet

TD-12/630-20D Datasheet

TD-12/630-25A Datasheet

TD-12/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-12/1250-25J Datasheet

TD-12/1250-31.5J Datasheet

TD-12/1600-31.5A Datasheet

TD-12/2000-26.3 Datasheet

TD-24/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-36/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-36/2000-26.3 Datasheet

TD-40.5/1250-20A Datasheet

About the DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI series

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Orta Voltaj Devre Kesici (VCB) İmalatında Vakum Tüp Seçimi

BIL (Yıldırım Darbe Dayanım) ve Sistem Koruma

GLVAC Vacuum Interrupter for Circuit Breaker

Why DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI Series?

Maintenance-Free Performance

High BIL (Lightning Impulse) Protection

High Short-Circuit Breaking

DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI Series — Technical Resources

TD-1.14/400-8 Datasheet

TD-1.14/630-15A Datasheet

TD-7.2/630-12.5E Datasheet

TD-12/630-20C Datasheet

TD-12/630-20D Datasheet

TD-12/630-25A Datasheet

TD-12/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-12/1250-25J Datasheet

TD-12/1250-31.5J Datasheet

TD-12/1600-31.5A Datasheet

TD-12/2000-26.3 Datasheet

TD-24/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-36/1250-20 Datasheet

TD-36/2000-26.3 Datasheet

TD-40.5/1250-20A Datasheet

About the DEVRE-KESICI-ICIN-VAKUM-KESICI series

01What is the difference between circuit breaker and AC contactor vacuum interrupter tubes?

02TD series has 8 models for 12 kV circuit breakers — how do I select?

03What applications are 36 kV and 40.5 kV high voltage circuit breaker tubes for?

04Why is the lightning impulse withstand voltage of circuit breaker tubes so high?

Go deeper

Orta Voltaj Devre Kesici (VCB) İmalatında Vakum Tüp Seçimi

BIL (Yıldırım Darbe Dayanım) ve Sistem Koruma