Insights
[VF-20E/25E series Medium-Voltage vacuum circuit breakers]Taking on the challenge of meeting a new standard
Published in April 2026
Mitsubishi Electric launched the new VF-20E/25E series Medium-Voltage vacuum circuit breakers in late 2025. This range was developed to meet a new standard introduced to raise safety assurance levels in response to declining numbers of electrical engineers across Japan. Some aspects of this new standard required major design changes; but with the VF-20E/25E, Mitsubishi Electric now offers a complete product range including models that meet the strictest safety requirements. The engineers involved in the design changes were motivated by a sense of responsibility, knowing that Mitsubishi Electric holds the leading market share in this sector.
People featured in this article
Hiroshi Yamada
Head of Circuit Breaker Design Section,
Switchgear Manufacturing Department
Mitsubishi Electric Power Distribution Systems Center
Tomohiro Nakata
Chief Engineer (Circuit Breakers), Switchgear Development Section,
Switchgear Manufacturing Department
Mitsubishi Electric Power Distribution Systems Center
Akira Nishi
Circuit Breakers Team, Switchgear Development Section,
Switchgear Manufacturing Department
Mitsubishi Electric Power Distribution Systems Center
Yusuke Fujiki
Circuit Breakers Team, Switchgear Development Section,
Switchgear Manufacturing Department
Mitsubishi Electric Power Distribution Systems Center
Ryohei Watarai
Vacuum interrupter Team, Switchgear Development Section,
Switchgear Manufacturing Department
Mitsubishi Electric Power Distribution Systems Center
Ryosuke Matsuoka
Chief Engineer, Switchgear Technology Group 1,
Systems Technology Department 3
Mitsubishi Electric Engineering, Marugame Plant
Yoshihiro Takebe
Equipment Sales Manager,
Business Planning Division
Mitsubishi Electric Power Distribution Systems Center
Job titles and departments correct at time of interview (December 2025).