Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a grid influencing system for a power supply grid comprising: a current-conducting grid influencing component; and a vacuum circuit breaker including a vacuum circuit breaker tube containing an at least partly integrated pre-arcing device for actively generating an arc between two contacts.

A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.

A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.

A vacuum circuit breaker includes a vacuum circuit breaker tube having a vacuum housing in which a contact system is disposed. The contact system includes two contacts which are movable relative to one another. An electrical pre-arcing unit having an ignition electrode in the vacuum housing is provided for igniting an arc along an arc current path.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a grid influencing system for a power supply grid comprising: a current-conducting grid influencing component; and a vacuum circuit breaker including a vacuum circuit breaker tube containing an at least partly integrated pre-arcing device for actively generating an arc between two contacts.

A vacuum circuit breaker includes a vacuum circuit breaker tube having a vacuum housing in which a contact system is disposed. The contact system includes two contacts which are movable relative to one another. An electrical pre-arcing unit having an ignition electrode in the vacuum housing is provided for igniting an arc along an arc current path.

A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.

A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.

A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.

A vacuum transistor includes a substrate and a first terminal formed on the substrate. A piezoelectric element has a second terminal formed on the piezoelectric element, wherein the piezoelectric element is provided over the first terminal to provide a gap between the first terminal and the second terminal. The gap is adjusted in accordance with an electrical field on the piezoelectric element.