Effect of different deion plate surface finishes on arc mobility at higher voltage and fault currents

This paper discusses various methodologies to evaluate and enhance the performance of Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) breaking capacity at higher voltage and fault currents. The experimental investigation is carried out to examine the effect of different kind of plating on Deion plates in order to achieve higher breaking capacity at higher voltage. At higher voltage, the performance of the circuit breaker becomes a challenge based upon the efficiency of arc quenching system. The influence of different plating on Deion plate has been studied to enhance the performance at higher voltage and current. The overall arc mobility and quenching in the system gets enhanced with the Nickel and Copper plating on the Deion plates. The performance improvement has been evaluated on the basis of parameters like arcing time and let through energy which determines the behavior of a circuit breaker at different fault conditions.