Observation on molten bridge of AgNi10 electrical contact material under different current

The electrical contact-high speed imaging experimental system was developed to investigate the molten bridge phenomena of AgNi10 electrical contact material. The dimension of molten bridge was measured along with measurement of SEM morphology under the load of DC 12 V (8 A to 20 A). A part of the observed results was presented, which showed us some new phenomena. Molten bridge and arc could exist simultaneously. The molten bridge was seen like cylindrical shape, the diameter of molten bridge increased with the increase of current while the length is not sensitive to the change of current.