Arc mobility on bouncing contacts

Author

Hetzmannseder, Engelbert ; Rieder, Werner

Author_Institution

Eaton Corp., Milwaukee, WI, USA

Volume

21

Issue

1

fYear

1998

fDate

3/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

40

Lastpage

45

Abstract

The arc mobility on eroded Ag/CdO and three different Ag/SnO₂-contacts during bounces simulated in a model switch was investigated with the aid of a two-dimensional (2-D) optical arrangement. The high apparent arc mobility observed on two of the Ag/SnO₂-materials investigated was caused by arc commutation inside the contact gap. Ag/CdO and another Ag/SnO₂-material showed both arc creeping and arc commutation-but only very close to the site of arc ignition. No continuous fast arc motion occurred in short bounce gaps (0.18 mm, corresponding to bounce values in modern contactors) whether or not a magnetic blast field has been applied, There was no correlation between the amount of contact erosion at make and the apparent arc mobility observed on certain materials

Keywords

cadmium compounds; circuit-breaking arcs; commutation; electrical contacts; particle reinforced composites; silver; switches; tin compounds; wear; 0.18 mm; 2D optical arrangement; AgCdO; AgSnO₂; arc commutation; arc creeping; arc ignition; arc mobility; bouncing contacts; contact erosion; magnetic blast field; switch; Contactors; Contacts; Face detection; IEC standards; Ignition; Magnetic materials; Magnetic separation; Materials testing; Optical switches; Two dimensional displays;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology, Part A, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1070-9886

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/95.679031

Filename

679031