Study on the influence of breaking parameters and load characteristics on arc energy

The arc energy has an important influence on the breaking capacity of switches. Based on the theory of magneto-hydrodynamics, a simplified two-dimensional dynamic arc model of switch is established and the variation law of arc temperature, current and arc shape are analyzed under the conditions of different breaking velocity and load characteristics. At the same time, the arc voltage, arc current are measured and compared with the simulation results on experimental platform, to show the influence of different parameters on arc energy. Simulation and experimental results show that under the same load characteristics, with the reducing of load value, arc current and arc temperature increase, arc column shrinks, and the arc energy increases. In a certain range increasing breaking velocity of the contact is beneficial to shorten the arc igniting time. The research results can provide a reference and basis for the optimization design and breaking technology of switches.