A method of disconnecting a short-circuit current in the generator region near

The invention relates to a method for interrupting a short circuit current in a generator-near zone of a high-voltage system, comprising the following steps: a) detecting a short circuit and triggering a power circuit breaker (1) to interrupt the short circuit current by means of a superordinate installation protective device; b) opening a switch device (3) disposed in a power current track (9) of the power circuit breaker (1) and producing a first arc in an insulating distance of the switch device (3); c) opening a vacuum switch chamber (2) connected in the power current track (9) of the power circuit breaker (1) in series to the switch device (3) in a well-timed manner with respect to the opening of the switch device (3) and producing a second arc in the vacuum switch chamber (2); d) attenuating the major portion of the asymmetric component of the short circuit current to be interrupted by way of the arc voltage decreasing at the level of the switch device (3); e) supporting the attenuation of the asymmetric component of the short circuit current to be interrupted by the decrease of arc voltage at the level of the vacuum switch chamber (2); f) extinguishing the second arc across the vacuum switch chamber (2) in a zero crossing of current wave and simultaneous extinction of the first arc and thereby of the short circuit current.