Development of a dynamic model of electric arc for power electronics simulations

This paper presents a physics-based electric arc model which can realistically simulate both static and dynamic characteristics of an arc load controlled by a power electronic circuit. The proposed model was developed from modifications of the classical Cassie and Mayr equations. The model equations have been expressed in a form suitable for incorporation into circuit simulators employing the nodal analysis method of equation solving. The model has been test implemented in the Saber circuit simulator. There has been a considerable degree of correspondence between the simulated and experimental results.