DC arc characteristics according to source voltage and load power level

Compared with AC systems, the most distinctive feature of DC systems is that no current zero point exists. For this reason, in case of electric arc faults of DC systems, a plasma arc discharge with high temperature is easily developed and sustained. In DC distribution systems, socket-outlet & plug are essential parts which are normal path to supply electric power to electric appliances such as TV sets, computers, electric cookers, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc. Because socket-outlet & plug are manually operated by untrained people, safety against arc-fault in socket-outlet & plug in DC environment is critically required. To discover safe operation condition of socket-outlet & plug in DC environment, DC arc characteristics should be studied inevitably. In this paper, experiments to break DC electric power through socket-outlet & plug with normal copper electrodes are performed in various conditions of source voltages, load power levels and separation speed of contact electrodes. From the experimental results, DC arc characteristics are analyzed in socket-outlet & plug with normal copper electrodes.