Influence of opening velocity on various characteristics in DC high voltage Ag break arc

Recently, the demand to interrupt high DC voltage and current with electrical contacts has risen because of photovoltaic and electric vehicles (EV) applications. We produced the separating device that is able to open electrical contacts by the constant speed (1~200mm/s). The experiments had set the closed contact current to 10A constant under the source voltage DC200, 300, and 500V respectively. The arc voltage and current waveforms were observed. In addition, the video of the arc discharge light was recorded. To evaluate various characteristics of Ag break arc, arc duration time, contacts gap length, arc length and arc energy etc. were measured. As a result, it has been understood that the arc duration is in inverse proportion to opening velocity. This was similar to past research results. Further, arc energy is inversely proportional to opening velocity.