Use of optical methods for temperature evaluation of switching CuCr contacts in vacuum

Authors

  • S. Gortschakow Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
  • G. Gött 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. Uhrlandt Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, Felix-Hausdorff-Straße 2, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
  • N. Dorraki Siemens AG, Rohrdamm 88, 13629 Berlin, Germany
  • A. Lawall Siemens AG, Rohrdamm 88, 13629 Berlin, Germany
  • F. Graskowski Siemens AG, Rohrdamm 88, 13629 Berlin, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/ppt.2025.2.117

Keywords:

vacuum arc, optical diagnostics, optical emission spectroscopy, thermography

Abstract

Properties of switching vacuum arcs are affected by melting and evaporation of the electrodes.The surface temperature dynamics during high-current operation was studied for the case of cylindrical contacts made of materials conventionally used for switching applications, namely CuCr40 and CuCr50. The measurements of the arc current and voltage have been accompanied by electrode temperature determination using a combination of near infrared radiation (NIR) spectroscopy and high-speed camera imaging enhanced by narrow-band filter. Special attention was put on the cooling dynamics of cathode and anode after current interruption. Lower thermal conductivity of CuCr alloy with higher Cr content leads to longer temperature decay. Faster cooling of the cathode surface comparing to the anode due to better current density distribution and moving of attachment points were found.

References

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S. Gortschakow. Diagnostic methods for switching vacuum arcs based on high-speed camera technique. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 52:4382–4389, 2024. doi:10.1109/TPS.2024.3353826.

S. Gortschakow, S. Franke, R. Methling, et al. Advanced optical diagnostics for characterization of arc plasmas. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 49:2505–2515, 2021. doi:10.1109/TPS.2021.3096289.

R. Methling, S. Franke, S. Gortschakow, et al. Anode surface temperature determination in high-current vacuum arcs by different methods. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 45:2099–2107, 2017. doi:10.1109/TPS.2017.2712562.

N. Dorraki, R. Methling, and S. Gortschakow. Advanced temporal analysis of anode activity during mode transitions in high current vacuum arcs. J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., 58:075204, 2025. doi:10.1088/1361-6463/ad96c5.

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Published

2025-09-10

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 S. Gortschakow, G. Gött, R. Methling, D. Uhrlandt, N. Dorraki, A. Lawall, F. Graskowski

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