Probe measurements and potential distribution in copper A-C arcs

SEVERAL articles of recent years have shown the importance of the problem of reignition of a-c arcs in air between copper electrodes. Recently, 2 of the present authors described the conditions controlling the rate of voltage rise across the arc electrodes during the interval of cyclic current zero and its relation to the rate of deionization of the gap. The arc reignites if the circuit constants permit the arc electrodes to experience a voltage rise of rapidity sufficient to overcome the growing dielectric strength of the arc space.