Electromagnetic Radiation Characteristics of Series DC Arc Fault and Its Determining Factors

A dc arc fault can be a serious threat to the safe operation of a low-voltage dc system. Typically, a fair amount of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) accompanies the arcing process. To investigate the characteristics of EMR of the series dc arc fault, a fourth-order Hilbert fractal antenna is used to detect the EMR signals generated by the dc arc. The factors influencing the characteristics of EMR including electrode material, diameter, current, and pressure are considered. The amplitudes of the EMR pulses at the arc initiation moment are measured, and fast Fourier transform is used to analyze the characteristics of the frequency spectrums. The test results indicate that the amplitudes of the EMR pulses generated by stainless steel electrodes are higher than those generated by brass, copper, and aluminum electrodes. Furthermore, the trends of the amplitudes of the EMR pulses with increasing current are different for electrodes with different diameters. Finally, it is observed that the influence of the pressure is different for different electrode materials. The characteristic frequency band of the EMR pulses of the dc arcs generated under various test conditions is in a certain range (36-41 MHz), which can be used as a detecting characteristic parameter for the series dc arc.