Modeling Fast-Elongated Arcs at Fast Circuit Breakers

Recent developments in AC and DC power systems require fast circuit breakers to protect crucial and valuable devices. Utilizing the electrodynamic drive (Thomson Drive) is one of the solutions for achieving higher speeds in power circuit breakers. Fast circuit breakers usually use in Fault current limiters in AC systems and Hybrid Mechanical HVDC Circuit breakers. Study and verification of electric arcs between the contacts of circuit breakers have an important impact on the development and design of reliable circuit breakers. Regarding the study of fast-elongated arcs between the contacts, a suitable prototype has been implemented. In this work design of the prototype is commensurate with the purpose of generating fast-elongated arcs. Fast-elongated arcs important characteristics like voltages and current has been recorded and also contact opening speed has been estimated properly in HV-Laboratory. Finally, a suitable approach for modeling fast-elongated arcs is obtained which is in accordance with experimental results.

Keywords:

Arc discharges , Circuit breakers , Cassie-Mayr arc model , Electric arc modeling , Dynamic analysis of arc , Electromagnetic forces