Current distribution and thermal effects analysis on the sliding contact arrangement in circuit breaker

This paper focuses on the current distribution and thermal effects of the sliding contact arrangement used in high voltage circuit breaker to allow the switching operation of the breaking chamber. Calculation results from ANSYS show that the currents flowing through different contacts are not equal, which may lead to overheating risk onto some contacts. Both steady and transient thermal effects analysis have been carried out. The influences of different factors, such as the size of conductors and contacts, structure and contact resistance of the sliding contact arrangement, on current and temperature distribution have been investigated. Several optimizing measures have been presented.