Arc-backs in rectifier circuits artificial arc-back tests

THE enormous development in the use of rectifiers for the electrolytic reduction of light metals has been an outstanding development of World War II. One important problem in this rectifier development has been the performance at the time of rectifier arc-back. Currents of between 50,000 to 100,000 amperes maybe encountered on an individual rectifier and associated transformer. Still higher currents would obtain if back feed from other units on the same bus were not eliminated by prompt isolation from the circuit or d-c bus.