Recent results on the distribution of vacuum arc cathode spots （CSs） in nonuniform axial magnetic field （AMF） are presented. Based on previous studies, we deem that two contrary influences of AMF, inward effect an...Recent results on the distribution of vacuum arc cathode spots （CSs） in nonuniform axial magnetic field （AMF） are presented. Based on previous studies, we deem that two contrary influences of AMF, inward effect and outward effect, are attributed to CSs distribution. With this notion, we have analyzed the controlling effectiveness of nonuniform AMF on CSs distribution. Experiments were conducted in a detachable vacuum chamber with iron-style AMF electrodes. Images of vacuum arc column and the distribution of CSs were photographed with a high-speed charge coupled device （CCD） camera. Experimental results agreed well with the theoretical analysis.展开更多
The erosion of silver contacts due to break arcs with length proportional to time and of variable duration has been measured by weighing the contacts following 5000 openings at a constant current equal to 40 A.The exp...The erosion of silver contacts due to break arcs with length proportional to time and of variable duration has been measured by weighing the contacts following 5000 openings at a constant current equal to 40 A.The experimental results show that,for arc durations shorter than 60 μs,the transfer of metal from the anode to the cathode occurs,but after passing this stage,when the two electrodes are separated by greater distances,each will display erosion.This is the result of the diffusion of material outside the space between the two electrodes.In order to interpret these results,we have applied a classical model of the physical phenomena occurring at the root of the arc.Analysis of the experimental results shows that for an arc duration of less than15 μs,no distinct cathode root is seen to exist,but beyond this,several spots appear gradually on the cathode for arc duration up to 50 μs,after which they merge into a single spot.The comparison between experiment results and theoretical interpretation is reasonable up to 60 μs.展开更多
With the continuous improvement of current levels in power systems, the demands on the breaking capacity requirements of vacuum circuit breakers are getting higher and higher. The breaking capacity of vacuum breakers ...With the continuous improvement of current levels in power systems, the demands on the breaking capacity requirements of vacuum circuit breakers are getting higher and higher. The breaking capacity of vacuum breakers is determined by cathode spots, which provide electrons and metal vapor to maintain the arc. In this paper, experiments were carried out on two kinds of transverse magnetic field（TMF） contacts in a demountable vacuum chamber, the behavior of the cathode spots was recorded by a high-speed charge-coupled device（CCD） video camera, and the characteristics of the cathode spots were analyzed through the image processing method. The phenomenon of cathode spot groups and the star-shaped pattern of the spots were both discovered in the experiment. The experimental results show that with the condition of TMF contacts the initial expansion speed of cathode spots is influenced by some parameters, such as the tested current, contact gap, the structure of the contact, the contact diameter, the number of slots, etc. In addition, the influence of the magnetic field on the formation of the cathode spot groups, the distribution, and the dynamic characteristics of the cathode spots were analyzed. It is concluded that the characteristics of the cathode spots are due to the effect of the magnetic field on the near-cathode plasma. The study of the characteristics of cathode spots in this paper would be helpful in the exploration of the physical process of vacuum arcs, and would be of guiding significance in optimizing the design of vacuum circuit breakers.展开更多
文摘Recent results on the distribution of vacuum arc cathode spots （CSs） in nonuniform axial magnetic field （AMF） are presented. Based on previous studies, we deem that two contrary influences of AMF, inward effect and outward effect, are attributed to CSs distribution. With this notion, we have analyzed the controlling effectiveness of nonuniform AMF on CSs distribution. Experiments were conducted in a detachable vacuum chamber with iron-style AMF electrodes. Images of vacuum arc column and the distribution of CSs were photographed with a high-speed charge coupled device （CCD） camera. Experimental results agreed well with the theoretical analysis.
文摘The erosion of silver contacts due to break arcs with length proportional to time and of variable duration has been measured by weighing the contacts following 5000 openings at a constant current equal to 40 A.The experimental results show that,for arc durations shorter than 60 μs,the transfer of metal from the anode to the cathode occurs,but after passing this stage,when the two electrodes are separated by greater distances,each will display erosion.This is the result of the diffusion of material outside the space between the two electrodes.In order to interpret these results,we have applied a classical model of the physical phenomena occurring at the root of the arc.Analysis of the experimental results shows that for an arc duration of less than15 μs,no distinct cathode root is seen to exist,but beyond this,several spots appear gradually on the cathode for arc duration up to 50 μs,after which they merge into a single spot.The comparison between experiment results and theoretical interpretation is reasonable up to 60 μs.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51777153)
文摘With the continuous improvement of current levels in power systems, the demands on the breaking capacity requirements of vacuum circuit breakers are getting higher and higher. The breaking capacity of vacuum breakers is determined by cathode spots, which provide electrons and metal vapor to maintain the arc. In this paper, experiments were carried out on two kinds of transverse magnetic field（TMF） contacts in a demountable vacuum chamber, the behavior of the cathode spots was recorded by a high-speed charge-coupled device（CCD） video camera, and the characteristics of the cathode spots were analyzed through the image processing method. The phenomenon of cathode spot groups and the star-shaped pattern of the spots were both discovered in the experiment. The experimental results show that with the condition of TMF contacts the initial expansion speed of cathode spots is influenced by some parameters, such as the tested current, contact gap, the structure of the contact, the contact diameter, the number of slots, etc. In addition, the influence of the magnetic field on the formation of the cathode spot groups, the distribution, and the dynamic characteristics of the cathode spots were analyzed. It is concluded that the characteristics of the cathode spots are due to the effect of the magnetic field on the near-cathode plasma. The study of the characteristics of cathode spots in this paper would be helpful in the exploration of the physical process of vacuum arcs, and would be of guiding significance in optimizing the design of vacuum circuit breakers.
