Influence of Resistance on Switching Transients

An inspection of switching transients shows that the resistances of the circuits play an important part in limiting the amplitudes and the durations. Although only a few typical circuits have been analyzed, the general damping effect of resistance has been shown. The calculation of more complicated circuits becomes extremely difficult if the resistances, reactances, and capacitances are all considered. Consequently, calculations of more complicated circuits generally are limited to a consideration of the inductances and capacitances only. The damping of the transients is not included in the calculations and approximations for them have to be made. It is believed that the charts presented in this paper will help in choosing suitable damping factors. In the design of circuit breakers resistors can be used to increase the interrupting ability of the circuit breaker at the expense of simplicity in construction. The resistances of the are spaces of circuit breakers can appreciably influence switching transients by increasing the damping of the circuit.