Electric arc during contact opening at 540 VDC

Authors

  • C. Pietri Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France // Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire Génie électrique et électronique de Paris, GeePs, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
  • R. Landfried Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France // Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire Génie électrique et électronique de Paris, GeePs, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1704-2472
  • T. Leblanc Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France // Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire Génie électrique et électronique de Paris, GeePs, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3228-8738
  • P. Testé Université Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France // Sorbonne Université, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire Génie électrique et électronique de Paris, GeePs, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France

Keywords:

Electric arcs, dc switching arc

Abstract

For several years now, the gradual electrification of aircraft has been one of the levers for the transition in the aeronautical field. Of course, the all-electric aircraft remains a prospect that does not apply to commercial aviation, but the more electric aircraft, and even hybridisation, seem to constitute concrete developments. Under these conditions, an increase in the electrical power of on-board grids seems inevitable. Future voltages are likely to be +/- 270 VDC or more. Such a change entails new constraints, including the need to switch off DC grids at such voltages and, moreover, at sub-atmospheric pressures. In this article, we present experimental work concerning the opening (at DC voltage) of a contact under aeronautical pressure conditions. The experimental conditions are as follows: pressure is between 200 hPa and 1000 hPa, supply voltage is 540 VDC, and the current when the contact is closed is 50 A. The change in contact voltage and current are measured. The influence of pressure on these signals and on the arc structure observed in fast cinematography is presented. 

References

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Published

2026-06-05

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 C. Pietri, R. Landfried, T. Leblanc, P. Testé

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