3D modeling of an electrical arc in low voltage breaking devices: study of the magnetic forces

Summary form only given. This paper deals with the magnetic forces and their influences on the behaviour of low voltage breaking devices. The originality of this study is based on both the chosen approach and the researched features. The approach is based on a structured and detailed study with a bibliographical synthesis of works undertaken on the experimental devices, the switching arcs, and their mathematical models. The magnetic forces issued from the presence of the electrodes, the current feed and the arc itself are computed according to two parameters: the angle /spl alpha/ and the distance d between the electrodes and the current feeds. The results show that these two parameters influence directly the dynamics of the arc. Indeed, a magnetic force is created and slows down the progression of the electrical arc.