A method of measuring electrode temperature for arc power calculation

A technique for the construction of the thermocouple probe used for the measurement of electrode temperature under the influence of arcing in a low-power circuit breaker at break is reported. The problem of appreciable heat diffusion to the surroundings during the short time of arcing at break, typically 3-6 ms (depending on the speed of break), is dealt with by placing the thermocouple probe as near as possible to the electrode´s surface, and in the center where, in most cases, the arc occurs. Under dc test conditions the amounts of the are power received by each electrode for various parameters such as current and electrode spacing are calculated