Quantitative analysis of gas circuit breaker physics through direct comparison of 3D simulations to experiment

Understanding the dynamic processes governing gas circuit breaker physics is crucial in order to continue to improve short-circuit current interruption performance. In this contribution we study a single arc discharge both using measurements and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations. The primary quantity analyzed is the pressure in the heating volume created by radiative ablation of the Polytetrafluoroethylene nozzles surrounding the arc. We use cross correlation functions to investigate the behavior of pressure waves in the SF6 gas, especially those induced at flow reversal where the gas flow between the arc zone and heating volume changes direction.