Vacuum circuit interrupter

A vacuum circuit interrupter includes an evacuated envelope composed of a plastically deformable metallic cylinder and first and second insulating disks closing the opposite ends of the cylinder. Stationary and movable conductive rods project coaxially through the first and second disks respectively. Stationary and movable electrodes are connected to the stationary and movable rods in such a manner as to engage with each other when the movable rod moves toward the stationary rod and disengage with each other when the movable rod moves away from the stationary rod. A bellows surrounds the movable rod inside the envelope and is fixed at its one end to the movable rod and at its other end to the second disk in such a manner as to provide a seal about the movable rod to allow for movement thereof without impairing the vacuum inside the envelope. A first conductive shield surrounds the stationary rod inside the envelope. The first shield is fixed to the first disk in such a manner as to be isolated electrically from the stationary rod and the metallic cylinder. A second conductive shield surrounds the bellows. The second shield is fixed to the second disk in such a manner as to be isolated electrically from the movable rod and the metallic cylinder.