Gas flow and composition effects on arc motion in current limiting circuit breakers

K. Pechrach; J. W. McBride; P. M. Weaver

Gas flow and composition effects on arc motion in current limiting circuit breakers

K. Pechrach, J. W. McBride, P. M. Weaver

University of Southampton

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

Arc motion in low voltage (240VAC) high current (10³-10⁴ A.) current limiting circuit breakers is dominated by arc root mobility. This is strongly affected by the gas flow and gas composition in the contact region, but there is little experimental data on these effects. New pressure and spectral data measurement during arc movement are presented using a Flexible Test Apparatus and an Arc Imaging System. These measurements are used to investigate gas flow characteristics in the arc chamber. The chemical and physical phenomena occurring during the arc motion are discussed. The combination of optical and spectral data provides new insight into the arc motion. Also studied are the influences of arc chamber material, contact material, and contact opening speed. These data are used to improve arc control for a low, contact opening velocity of 1 ms^-1.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	12-17
Number of pages	6
Journal	Electrical Contacts, Proceedings of the Annual Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts
Publication status	Published - 2001
Externally published	Yes
Event	47th IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts - Montreal, Que., Canada Duration: 10 Sep 2001 → 12 Sep 2001

Cite this

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title = "Gas flow and composition effects on arc motion in current limiting circuit breakers",

abstract = "Arc motion in low voltage (240VAC) high current (103-104 A.) current limiting circuit breakers is dominated by arc root mobility. This is strongly affected by the gas flow and gas composition in the contact region, but there is little experimental data on these effects. New pressure and spectral data measurement during arc movement are presented using a Flexible Test Apparatus and an Arc Imaging System. These measurements are used to investigate gas flow characteristics in the arc chamber. The chemical and physical phenomena occurring during the arc motion are discussed. The combination of optical and spectral data provides new insight into the arc motion. Also studied are the influences of arc chamber material, contact material, and contact opening speed. These data are used to improve arc control for a low, contact opening velocity of 1 ms-1.",

author = "K. Pechrach and McBride, {J. W.} and Weaver, {P. M.}",

year = "2001",

language = "English",

pages = "12--17",

journal = "Electrical Contacts, Proceedings of the Annual Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts",

issn = "0361-4395",

note = "47th IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts ; Conference date: 10-09-2001 Through 12-09-2001",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Gas flow and composition effects on arc motion in current limiting circuit breakers

AU - Pechrach, K.

AU - McBride, J. W.

AU - Weaver, P. M.

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - Arc motion in low voltage (240VAC) high current (103-104 A.) current limiting circuit breakers is dominated by arc root mobility. This is strongly affected by the gas flow and gas composition in the contact region, but there is little experimental data on these effects. New pressure and spectral data measurement during arc movement are presented using a Flexible Test Apparatus and an Arc Imaging System. These measurements are used to investigate gas flow characteristics in the arc chamber. The chemical and physical phenomena occurring during the arc motion are discussed. The combination of optical and spectral data provides new insight into the arc motion. Also studied are the influences of arc chamber material, contact material, and contact opening speed. These data are used to improve arc control for a low, contact opening velocity of 1 ms-1.

AB - Arc motion in low voltage (240VAC) high current (103-104 A.) current limiting circuit breakers is dominated by arc root mobility. This is strongly affected by the gas flow and gas composition in the contact region, but there is little experimental data on these effects. New pressure and spectral data measurement during arc movement are presented using a Flexible Test Apparatus and an Arc Imaging System. These measurements are used to investigate gas flow characteristics in the arc chamber. The chemical and physical phenomena occurring during the arc motion are discussed. The combination of optical and spectral data provides new insight into the arc motion. Also studied are the influences of arc chamber material, contact material, and contact opening speed. These data are used to improve arc control for a low, contact opening velocity of 1 ms-1.

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M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:0034797475

SN - 0361-4395

SP - 12

EP - 17

JO - Electrical Contacts, Proceedings of the Annual Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts

JF - Electrical Contacts, Proceedings of the Annual Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts

T2 - 47th IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts

Y2 - 10 September 2001 through 12 September 2001

ER -

Gas flow and composition effects on arc motion in current limiting circuit breakers

Abstract

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