DC-arc blowing under pulsed magnetic field

The behavior of the arc formed during electrical circuit opening is examined, in the presence of a pulsed magnetic field. The field is applied in the inter-electrode gap where the arc develops. The opening sequence may be separated into two temporal phases. During the first phase, the arc remains stuck at the same position as under zero field. This is ascribed to the existence of a sticking force, which overcomes the Laplace force. The sticking force is related to the high pressure existing in the plasma. During the second phase, the Laplace force dominates. The arc is blown out of the contact region in a time duration of 1 to 1.5 ms. A model is developed which provides a semiquantitative account of the experimental behavior.