3-D finite element analysis of electrodynamic repulsion forces in stationary electric contacts taking into account asymmetric shape

The quantitative characteristics of stationary electric contacts in electrical apparatus have been given by means of some calculations, based on an artificial model of the current flow lines which highly simplifies the treatment. We have developed a 3-D finite element method by which the static characteristics of the electric contacts having asymmetric shapes can be analyzed. Repulsion forces in the stationary electric contacts with rectangular solid contact members as well as ones with cylindrical contact members are calculated by our method. The validity is confirmed by comparing with the results by the well-known Holm formula.