An encapsulated fuse for power distribution systems and method for producing such fuses is provided. A fuse includes a body with opposing terminals. A corona shield is generally coaxial with the fuse and substantially extends the full length of the fuse body. The corona shield is electrically coupled at its first end with a first fuse terminal. The second end of the corona shield has a slightly larger cross-section than the first end to provide electrical isolation from the second fuse terminal. The fuse and attached corona shield are molded in an encapsulating material.

A shielded encapsulated vacuum interrupter with a ceramic vacuum chamber and opposing conductive end caps is provided. One end cap is electrically connected to a fixed contact, while an opposing end cap is connected to a moving contact. The moving contact is actuatable with the fixed contact for opening or closing an electric circuit. A floating shield inside the vacuum chamber connected to the vacuum chamber ceramic wall and spaced from the fixed and moving contacts is isolated and has a floating voltage potential. A portion of the vacuum chamber exterior ceramic wall is coated with a semi-conductive material and conductive voltage screens enclose a portion of the vacuum chamber exterior and are electrically connected to each conductive end cap of the vacuum chamber. The chamber and connected screens are encapsulated in a molded dielectric housing.