Modelling of switching arcs at short electrode distances

Authors

  • S. Gortschakow Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
  • R. Methling Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
  • D. Gonzalez Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/ppt.2025.1.28

Keywords:

fluid simulations, arc plasma, non-equilibrium plasma, microarc

Abstract

Properties of the arc plasma at electrode distances below 1 mm have been studied by one-dimensional time-dependent (1D-t) fluid-Poisson model. Silver vapour is assumed to be the arc medium, as the electrodes mainly contain Ag. Pronounced voltage falls in the near-electrode regions were found. The model predicts clear thermal non-equilibrium as well as negative anode fall in case of small DC currents. For implementation in power grids simulations, a simplified arc model in form of current – voltage characteristics was derived. Predicted modelling results for electrical characteristics at various conditions have been compared with experimental results obtained for a low-voltage DC hybrid switch. A reasonable agreement between predicted and measured data was found.

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Published

2025-08-26

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 S. Gortschakow, R. Methling, D. Gonzalez

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