DC test of vacuum integrity in MV switchgear

Since the 1950’s vacuum has been used as insulation media in switchgears. Even though that technology has proven to be very reliable, over time air will leak into the vacuum chamber and degrade the insulation. Also, a good practice is to measure after transport or accidents. The accepted way to test the vacuum integrity has always been through a voltage withstand test. For field tests DC test is preferred due to the weight andsize of the instruments.