Insulated interrupter

1. An apparatus comprising:

a vacuum interrupter comprising a vacuum interrupter container;

an upper insulating shield forming part of a support structure to mechanically support the vacuum interrupter in a mounted position;

a top portion of the vacuum interrupter container seated within the upper insulating shield;

a first lower insulating shield forming part of the support structure to mechanically support the vacuum interrupter in a mounted position;

a lower portion of the vacuum interrupter container seated within the first lower insulating shield;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are mechanically coupled with one another independent of the vacuum interrupter;

at least two electrically insulated support rods mechanically coupling the upper insulating shield with the first lower insulating shield.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

a terminal of the vacuum interrupter extending through an opening in the upper insulating shield.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

a base structure for a switch;

wherein the terminal of the interrupter extends through an opening in the base structure so as to provide a terminal for the switch.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

a second lower insulating shield extending at least partially around the circumference of the vacuum interrupter.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

a base structure for a switch; and

at least one insulating support member to support the base structure.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vacuum interrupter container is coupled with the upper insulating shield via sealant.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vacuum interrupter container is coupled with the first lower insulating shield via sealant.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

insulation disposed about at least a majority of an outer surface area of a non-terminal portion of the vacuum interrupter.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a non-terminal portion of the vacuum interrupter is encapsulated by the upper insulating shield, the first lower insulating shield, and insulation.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

a switching mechanism disposed within a housing.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

an insulated shed proximate a lower portion of the vacuum interrupter.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is rated for operation at voltages between 4,000 volts and 35,000 volts.

13. A method comprising:

seating a top portion of a container for a vacuum interrupter within an upper insulating shield;

seating a lower portion of the container for the vacuum interrupter within a first lower insulating shield;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are part of a support structure that mechanically supports the vacuum interrupter in a mounted position;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are mechanically coupled with one another independent of the vacuum interrupter;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are mechanically coupled with one another by at least two electrically insulated support rods.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

positioning the vacuum interrupter so as to extend a terminal of the vacuum interrupter through an opening in the upper insulating shield.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

coupling a base structure for a switch with the vacuum interrupter so as to extend the terminal of the vacuum interrupter through an opening in the base structure.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

disposing a second lower insulating shield in proximity to a second terminal of the vacuum interrupter, the second lower insulating shield extending at least partially around the circumference of the vacuum interrupter.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

supporting a base structure with at least one insulating support member.

18. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

coupling the upper insulating shield with the vacuum interrupter container via sealant.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

coupling the first lower insulating shield with the vacuum interrupter container via sealant.

20. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

insulating at least a majority of an outer surface area of a non-terminal portion of the vacuum interrupter.

21. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

encapsulating non-terminal portions of the vacuum interrupter with the upper insulating shield, the first lower insulating shield, and insulation.

22. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

disposing a switching mechanism within a housing.

23. The method as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising:

disposing an insulated shed proximate a lower portion of the vacuum interrupter.

24. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the vacuum interrupter is rated to operate at voltages between 4,000 volts and 35,000 volts.

25. An apparatus comprising:

a vacuum interrupter;

an upper insulating shield forming part of a support structure to mechanically support the vacuum interrupter in a mounted position;

a top portion of the vacuum interrupter seated in the upper insulating shield;

a first lower insulating shield forming part of the support structure to mechanically support the vacuum interrupter in a mounted position;

a lower portion of the vacuum interrupter seated in the first lower insulating shield wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are mechanically coupled with one another independent of the vacuum interrupter during operation, and

at least two electrically insulated support rods mechanically coupling the upper insulating shield with the first lower insulating shield.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein the apparatus is rated for operation at voltages between 4,000 volts and 35,000 volts.

27. A method comprising:

seating a top portion of a vacuum interrupter in an upper insulating shield;

seating a lower portion of the vacuum interrupter in a first lower insulating shield;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are part of a support structure that mechanically supports the vacuum interrupter in a mounted position;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are mechanically coupled with one another independent of the vacuum interrupter;

wherein the upper insulating shield and the lower insulating shield are mechanically coupled with one another by at least two electrically insulated support rods.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the vacuum interrupter is rated to operate at voltages between 4,000 volts and 35,000 volts.