Simulation of the gasdynamic and electromagnetic processes in low voltage switching arcs

Author

Karetta, Frank ; Lindmayer, Manfred

Author_Institution

Inst. fur Hochspannungstech., Tech. Univ. Braunschweig, Germany

Volume

21

Issue

1

fYear

1998

fDate

3/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

96

Lastpage

103

Abstract

The switching arc in a low voltage circuit breaker is a very complex phenomenon, which is determined by the interaction between heat conduction, gas flow, current flow, and magnetic forces. A realistic simulation of the switching arc must consider all these effects. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3-D) simulation model is described, which is based on the differential equations for the mass, momentum, and heat balance. Furthermore, it contains a potential differential equation for the calculation of the current flow and the resulting magnetic field. This set of equations is solved by the finite volume method. First results are presented, which show the shape of the arc and the gas flow while the arc is moving between rail electrodes in a simple arc chamber

Keywords

circuit-breaking arcs; finite element analysis; heat conduction; switchgear; 3D simulation model; circuit breaker; current flow; differential equation; electromagnetic processes; finite volume method; gas flow; gasdynamic processes; heat balance; heat conduction; low voltage switching arcs; magnetic field; magnetic forces; rail electrodes; Circuit breakers; Circuit simulation; Differential equations; Electromagnetic forces; Fluid flow; Low voltage; Magnetic fields; Magnetic forces; Magnetic switching; Switching circuits;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

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

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1070-9886

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/95.679038

Filename

679038