Electrical contact phenomena during impact

Author

McBride, John W. ; Sharkh, Suleiman M.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Mech. Eng., Southampton Univ., UK

Volume

15

Issue

2

fYear

1992

fDate

4/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

184

Lastpage

192

Abstract

The events occurring during the impact of electrical contacts are vital to the long-term reliability of switching systems. The theory of impact as it applies to electrical contacts, under influence of current loading is described. The theory uses the coefficient of restitution as a means of modeling the events at impact. Design parameters are considered in terms of their influence upon the dynamics of impact and bounce. Experimental studies are presented which include the measurement of impact forces, impact time, and both current and voltage characteristics. The influence of preimpact arcing is evaluated in the medium current range, and is shown to have an effect on the events occurring during the first impact. A semi-empirical mathematical model is proposed for electrical contact bounce

Keywords

arcs (electric); electrical contacts; reliability; bounce; current characteristics; current loading; electrical contacts; impact; impact time; long-term reliability; preimpact arcing; semi-empirical mathematical model; switching systems; voltage characteristics; Circuits; Contacts; Current measurement; Force measurement; Manufacturing; Mathematical model; Springs; Switching systems; Time measurement; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Components, Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0148-6411

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/33.142893

Filename

142893