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Arc root commutation from moving contacts in low voltage devices

Arc root commutation from moving contacts in low voltage devices
Arc root commutation from moving contacts in low voltage devices
This paper focus on the arc commutation from a moving contact and in particular on the anode motion of a high current arc in low voltage current limiting circuit breakers. Recent investigations have observed that the anode arc root motion is affected by arc chamber geometry. It was previously assumed that cathode root motion was the dominant process. The study uses a flexible test apparatus with a solid state high speed imaging system. The experimental results presented show the influence of arc chamber venting, current level, current polarity and contact velocity on arc motion, Particular emphasis is made on the anode motion. The physical processes occurring in the anode root are discussed and related to the observed motion. The results show that the anode root is retarded at the tip of the moving contact and that this is primarily related to the venting process in the arc chamber.
circuit breakers, circuit-breaking arcs, commutation, electrical contacts
1521-3331
331-336
McBride, J.W.
d9429c29-9361-4747-9ba3-376297cb8770
Pechrach, K.
58bf3627-cfd9-4909-a76b-d236bfdcadca
Weaver, P.M.
649cbff1-3909-4d09-bab6-79ef325089d0
McBride, J.W.
d9429c29-9361-4747-9ba3-376297cb8770
Pechrach, K.
58bf3627-cfd9-4909-a76b-d236bfdcadca
Weaver, P.M.
649cbff1-3909-4d09-bab6-79ef325089d0

McBride, J.W., Pechrach, K. and Weaver, P.M. (2001) Arc root commutation from moving contacts in low voltage devices. IEEE Transactions on Components and Packaging Technologies, 24 (3), 331-336. (doi:10.1109/6144.946475).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper focus on the arc commutation from a moving contact and in particular on the anode motion of a high current arc in low voltage current limiting circuit breakers. Recent investigations have observed that the anode arc root motion is affected by arc chamber geometry. It was previously assumed that cathode root motion was the dominant process. The study uses a flexible test apparatus with a solid state high speed imaging system. The experimental results presented show the influence of arc chamber venting, current level, current polarity and contact velocity on arc motion, Particular emphasis is made on the anode motion. The physical processes occurring in the anode root are discussed and related to the observed motion. The results show that the anode root is retarded at the tip of the moving contact and that this is primarily related to the venting process in the arc chamber.

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More information

Published date: September 2001
Keywords: circuit breakers, circuit-breaking arcs, commutation, electrical contacts

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 21717
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/21717
ISSN: 1521-3331
PURE UUID: 55b24b24-dbd2-43c9-8ef0-8f8f4abe7722
ORCID for J.W. McBride: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3024-0326

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 17 Mar 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:37

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Contributors

Author: J.W. McBride ORCID iD
Author: K. Pechrach
Author: P.M. Weaver

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