中文摘要：

真空开关因为其耐压强度高、介质恢复速度快,在很多直流开断的场合,常采用真空开关作为基本开断单元,利用强迫过零的原理实现直流电路的开断。文中对真空开关用于直流开断方面的研究进行综述,包括强迫过零真空直流开断的原理分析,真空断路器直流开断能力研究,尤其是关键开断参数,如恢复电压的du/dt,电流变化率di/dt（包括电流下降阶段平均值以及电流开断时刻的瞬时值）以及开断电流幅值的极限及其相互关系;同时,对至今为止世界各国开发研制的典型直流开断装置的情况也进行了介绍;最后,对于未来真空直流开断在高压直流电网中的应用研究给出建议。

英文摘要：

Vacuum circuit breaker（ VCB ）has been used for the direct-current breaking by means of forced current zero due to its high voltage withstand ability and high dielectric recovery strength. In this paper, the researches on this field are reviewed. The main content includes the principle analysis of forced commutation of vacuum switches for HVDC breaker application, as well as the HVDC breaking capability of VCB. One of the most concerned questions is the existence of critical limits in parameters like the duldt of the recovery voltage, the current derivative di/dt （both mean values during the current decrease and values at the interruption）, the amplitude of interruption current and their interaction. At the same time, the typical HVDC breaking devices developed around the world are introduced. Finally, the suggestion of application of the VCB for high-voltage direct-current grid in future is provided.