Plasma parameters after a forced extinguishing of the diffuse vacuum arc

A series of experiments were performed in order to optimise the forced vacuum arc current commutation with the counter-pulse current method. The experiments were performed in a laboratory arrangement with parameters representatives for the low-voltage vacuum switches. The tested vacuum arc current with values 400 A and 600 A was interrupted with a counter-pulse current at falling rates from 2 A/mus up to 90 A/mus. The main measured parameters were: ion energy and residual charge after the current zero as function of the forced falling rate of the arc current. The results can be useful in modelling and design.