Integrated Experimental and Simulation Investigation of Breakdown Voltage Characteristics Across Electrode Configurations in SF_(6) Circuit Breakers

This study investigates the breakdown voltage characteristics in sulfur hexafluoride(SF6)circuit breakers,employing a novel approach that integrates both experimental investigations and finite element simulations.Utilizing a sphere-sphere electrode configuration,we meticulously measured the relationship between breakdown voltage and electrode gap distances ranging from 1 cm to 4.5 cm.Subsequent simulations,conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics,mirrored the experimental setup to validate the model’s accuracy through a comparison of the breakdown voltage-electrode gap distance curves.The simulation results not only aligned closely with the experimental data but also allowed the extraction of detailed electric field strength,electric potential contours,and electric current flow curves at the breakdown voltage for gap distances extending from 1 to 4.5 cm.Extending the analysis,the study explored the electric field and potential distribution at a constant voltage of 72.5 kV for gap distances between 1 to 10 cm,identifying the maximum electric field strength.A comprehensive comparison of five different electrode configurations(sphere-sphere,sphere-rod,sphere-plane,rod-plane,rod-rod)at 72.5 kV and a gap distance of 1.84 cm underscored the significant influence of electrode geometry on the breakdown process.Moreover,the research contrasts the breakdown voltage in SF6 with that in air,emphasizing SF6’s superior insulating properties.This investigation not only elucidates the intricate dynamics of electrical breakdown in SF6 circuit breakers but also contributes valuable insights into the optimal electrode configurations and the potential for alternative insulating gases,steering future advancements in high-voltage circuit breaker technology.

Analysis of Arc Characteristics and Flow Field in Arc Chamber of High-Voltage SF_6 Auto-Expansion Circuit Breaker

A new magnetic hydro-dynamics model for nozzle arc emphasizing the interaction of arc with PTFE （polytetrafluorethylene） vapour is established based on the conservation equations. The interruption of auto-expansion circuit breaker is simulated numerically by finite element method and the influence of PTFE vapour on the arc is analysed with this model. The results reveal that the flow field inside the arc chamber is determined by the arc current, the arcing time, the nozzle arc and the clogging of its thermal boundary. The establishment of quenching pressure relies on both SF6 gas and PTFE vapour that absorbed arc energy in the nozzle. The PTFE vapour leads to an increase in the pressure of nozzle arc obviously, and a decrease in the temperature of arc. But it enhances the temperature of arc at zero current and slows down the decreasing rate of arc temperature as the current decreases.

Simulation of Arc Rotation and Its Effects on Pressure of Expansion Volume in an Auto-Expansion SF_6 Circuit Breaker

A 3D Magnetohydrodynamics （MHD） arc model in conjunction with an arc move- ment model is applied to simulate the arc rotation as well as to solve its effect on the pressure in an auto-expansion circuit breaker. The rotation of the arc driven by an external electromagnetic force is simulated in the case with 200 kA of the short circuit current and 16 ms of arc duration. The arc rotating process and the speed of arc rotation have been obtained in the simulation. A comparison of the pressure in the expansion volume with and without an external magnetic field has been carried out based on the calculation results of two cases. The results of the simulation reveal that the arc rotation, which causes more energy exchange between the arc and its sur- rounding gas, can evidently bring about the pressurization in the expansion volume, which would contribute to more effective arc quenching at current zero and further reducing operation power.

Simulation of the Process of Arc Energy-Effect in High Voltage Auto-Expansion SF_6 Circuit Breaker

A new magnetic hydro-dynamics （MHD） model of arc in H.V. auto-expansion SF6 circuit breaker that takes into consideration nozzle ablation due to both radiation and thermal conduction is presented in this paper. The effect of PTFE （polytetrafluorethylene） vapor is considered in the mass, momentum and energy conservation equations of the constructed model. Then, the gas flow fields with and without conduction considered are simulated. By comparing the aforementioned two results, it is indicated that the arc＇s maximal temperature with conduction considered is 90 percent of that without considering conduction.

Coupling model of AC filter branch in SF6 circuit breaker during the break process

In this paper, a coupling model of the AC filter branch circuit with the arc plasma in the circuit breaker was built to investigate the arcing process considering the harmonic current. The comparisons among the current at power frequency(50 Hz), power frequency combining the 11 th harmonic and power frequency combining the 24 th harmonic show that the high-order harmonic current would lead to higher decreasing rate of current before current-zero period. In addition, the influence of arc on the amplitude of high-order harmonic current is not negligible. Thus, the coupling of arc with AC filter branch circuit is quite necessary in the numerical modeling of the circuit breaker in the AC filter branch at the high voltage direct current converter station.

Research of Arc Chamber Optimization Techniques Based on Flow Field and Arc Joint Simulation

The preliminary design of an arc chamber in the 550 kV SF6 circuit breaker was proposed in accordance with the technicai requirements and design experience. The structural optimization was carried out according to the no-load flow field simulation results and verified by no-load pressure measurement. Based on load simulation results such as temperature field variation at the arc area and the tendency of post arc current under different recovery voltage, the second optimal design was completed and its correctness was certificated by a breaking test. Results demonstrate that the interrupting capacity of an arc chamber can be evaluated by the comparison of the gas medium recovery speed and post arc current growth rate.