Effect of Frequency on Arc Motion in Multiple Parallel Contacts’ System

The air circuit breaker (ACB) is required to switch off the short current at various frequencies in the permanent magnet wind power generation system. The movable contact of ACB consists of multiple parallel contacts, and the arc will be ignited when the short-circuit current appears. This paper focuses on the effect of frequency on arc motion in multiple parallel contacts' system. A 3-D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of a multiple parallel contacts' structure is built. In this model, the anode consists of five parallel contacts. The difference in voltage between the near-anode layer and the near-cathode layer is considered. The nonlinear B-H curve of the splitter plate is taken into account. The time-varying electromagnetic field induced by the current loop including electrodes and arc column is calculated. The arc evolution process and effect of frequency on arc motion in multiple parallel contacts' system are analyzed by the arc voltage and the current density distribution. This paper is expected to provide the theoretical references for the optimal design of arc quenching chamber of ACBs.