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Development of switching performance evaluator and arc modelling tool for low-voltage switching devices

Dongkyu Shin (School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK)
Igor Golosnoy (School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK)
John McBride (Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK)

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering

ISSN: 0332-1649

Article publication date: 9 August 2018

Issue publication date: 22 November 2018

108

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a reliable evaluator of arc re-ignition and to develop a numerical tool for accurate prediction of arc behaviour of low-voltage switching devices (LVSDs) prior to empirical laboratory testing of real products.

Design/methodology/approach

Two types of interruption tests have been carried out in the investigation of re-ignition evaluators. Arc modelling tool coupled with the load circuit has been developed to predict arc characteristics based on conventional magnetohydrodynamics theory, with special attention given to Lorentz force acting on the arc column and surface phenomena on the splitter plate. The model assumptions have been validated by experimental observation of arc motion and current and voltage waveforms.

Findings

It is found that the exit-voltage across the switching device and the ratio of system to exit-voltage at the current zero point are reliable evaluators for prediction of re-ignition. Where the voltage ratio is positive, instantaneous re-ignition does not occur. Further, the probability of re-ignition is very low if the voltage ratio is in the rage of −1.3 to 0.

Originality/value

It is observed that the voltage ratio can be considered as a reliable global evaluator of re-ignition, which can be used for various types of LVSD test conditions. In addition, it is shown that arc modelling allows a good prediction of the current and voltage waveforms, arc motion as well as the exit-voltage, which can be used to obtain the evaluator of re-ignition.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper forms part of a special section “Microwave Energy Applications (3GCMEA 2016) ”, guest edited by Juan Monzó-Cabrera.

Citation

Shin, D., Golosnoy, I. and McBride, J. (2018), "Development of switching performance evaluator and arc modelling tool for low-voltage switching devices", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 37 No. 6, pp. 1943-1957. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-03-2016-0112

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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