ARC STRUCTURE, ARC MOTION AND GAS PRESSURE 2.

1
BETWEEN LATERALLY ENCLOSED ARC RUNNERS
P. Zeller, W. Rieder
Institute of Switching De vices and High Voltage Technology,
University of Technology Vienna
GuBhausstrasse 25-29, A- 1040 Vienna, Austria, Europe

ABSTRACT
-

Arc motion along parallel arc runners tightly enclosed by lateral walls was investigated
experimentally, both with and without an exhaust barrier at the outlet. High speed movies
(33000 frames I s) were taken and the gas pressure was measured at several locations along the
path of arc motion. The measurements show how both arc shape and motion depend on the
parameters arc length (S- 15 mm), arc current (1- 5 kA), magnetic blast field (40- 100 mT), and
exhaust constriction.
In many cases both arc shape and arc motion were influenced by a plasma volume forming a
“nose” in front of the arc next one of the ~electrodes.Spontaneous formation of an anode spot
andlor a cathode spot in front of the arc may ignite a parallcl current path and initiate a
commutaticin process. The plasma volume in front of the arc is less significant at low electrode
distance, hi.gh arc current, high blast field, and in more realistic chamber geometries with an
exhaust barrier.
Cold gas shock waves hitting the arc strongly influence both arc motion and shape.
Simulation of arc motion may be a helpful tool in order to save expensive experiments when
designing low voltage miniature circuit breakers. The high speed movies showed that the arc
motion is sometimes strongly influenced by commutation processes requiring a very complex arc
model.

Key WordhL arc motion, arc shape, pressure, gas flow

I. INTRODUCTION 11. EXPERIMENTAL DEVICE

The development of magnet blast circuit breakers may be
improved effectively by pro:per simulation of the interaction A. Arc chute:
between the moving arc and its gas dynamic boundary
The arc cute consisted of parallel copper arc runners
conditions. More or less complex models have been developed
laterally enclosed by one ceramic and one glass wall (Fig 1).
in order to simulate the arc: motion under these conditions
[ I , 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 71. Complex models considering more details Arc runpers Sidewglls Helmholtz coil i
increase the computational effort but improve the accuracy of I n 1
I A’ T -
calculations. Experimental investigations show that the arc
shape influences the arc beha.vior, e.g., due to the influence of
YM
the local magnetic force caused by the current distribution [ 81.
The arc shape itself may be influenced by the specific gas flow
conditions, especially due 1o the interaction with pressure
waves 191. The arc structure calculated [2, 3 , 4 ] and
photographed [ 10, 1I] by various authors agree qualitatively.
Detailed investigations show, however, that very complex arc
shapes may appear (e.g., arcs with more than one arc root YM

[ 12]), especially in very complex chamber geometries.

It was the aim of the authors to investigate the influence of
- /
the gas flow conditions on both arc shape and motion Exhaust barrier Direction of arc motion ~

cspecially with regard to effects causing complex arc (Outlet) 4-

Dimensions in mm
structures even in simple geometries.
Fig. 1: Experimental device consisting of arc runners
between lateral walls, exhaust barrier, Helmholtz coil.

0-7803-4925-3/98/$10.000 1998 IEEE. 69

 In some cases the outlet of the arc chamber was dammed 111. RESULTS
by an exhaust barrier consisting of a stack of pertinax plates
similar to splitter plates in common miniature circuit breakers.
The arc current (1 to 5 kA) was supplied symmetrically (via A. Arc motion, shape:
RSYM)in order to minimize the self blast field induced by the A representative filmstrip shows the overall arc motion as
current feeders, while an external, homogeneous, and constant
well as detailed arc shape (see Fig. 3, details A, B, C). Detail
blast field up to 100 mT was applied with a Helmholtz coil.
A presents a characteristic arc shape which looks like a column
Thus the magnetic induction can be varied independently of
with an additional plasma volume (“nose”) in front of it near
the arc current. The Helmholtz coil was excited before arc
one of the electrodes. The contour looks like an asymmetrical
ignition. The arc was ignited in the middle of the arc chute
anvil (Fig. 3, schematic sketch A’). The nose was observed
90 mm from the arc chute ends. randomly near the anode or the cathode. Increase of either the
arc current or the blast field weakens the significance of the
B. Measurinp device, evaluation: nose.
Two optical systems were employed to observe both, arc
motion and structure (Fig. 2).

node
Glass wall
High speed camera

Light guide array

with photo optics

Cathode

Blast field current

Fig. 2: Measuring device

The arc was filmed with a high speed camera

(33000 frames / s, color reversal film). The camera was
equipped with a control unit synchronizing and generating a
reference signal at the moment of exposure of each frame. The
film strips were scanned and converted to black and white
images for further evaluation. The position of the arc on each
frame is defined as the center of the 50% contour area of the
digitized and converted black and white image.
A light guide array with l p s time resolution, Le., high
compared to that of the high speed camera, detected the light
emission from the arc, at thirty positions along a straight line
in the middle of‘ the two electrodes. The light guide signals
were plotted as a contour area of signal values higher than
10% of the maximum of all values in a distance vs. time
diagram.
The pressure in the arc chute was measured at three
positions with the aid of a piezo resistive gauge protected by a
copper screen (similar to [13]).
Anode
Cathode
Sketch A’
Fig. 3: Film strip of moving arc, electrode distance 5 mm,
arc current 2 kA, blast field 40 mT.
The distance vs. time diagrams are qualitatively well
reproducible under the same geometrical and electrical
conditions (Fig. 4). In the beginning of each experiment the
arc velocity is relatively low (indicated in Fig. 4 by the line
“10 4 s ” ) but increases up to 120 m/s. Individual arc motions
differ in detail due to spontanous velocity increases for short
time intervals (Fig. 4, time interval t,, experiment “I”). The
corresponding time interval is shown in Fig. 3, detail B.
The arc shape in the first frame of detail B is the same as in
detail A. On the second frame an anode spot is forming. This
process is initiating a parallel current path and a “forward
jump” of the arc due to current commutation from the rear to
the front path. The new arc path at the position of the new spot

70
remains immobile in most cases while the old arc path in Ihe 70
rear suddenly moves with increased velocity (Fig. 3, filmst,rip n

and detail B). The average velocity of the arc is also increased
E 60
(Fig. 4, time interval ti). After ignition of a new spot usually E
Y 50
scveral more spots are forrned successively within a short time E 40
interval (second new arc spot in Fig. 3, detail B, frame 6). If
no further arc spot is forrned the arc shape becomes like an
.=
0
.rl
30
a 20
anvil again (Fig. 3, detail B, last frame). It was always
observed that a new spot was formed at the electrode in 10
opposite of the nose but never at the electrode next the nose. - 0
During the commutation process the arc voltage dropped
below the value of the undisturbed arc before. Sometimes a
?L
Q)
a loa
commutation process initiates a change of the nose from near
the cathode to near the anode or vice versa (Fig. 3 detail B,
sknE 5(1
3d a
last frame, the second coinmutation process in the filmstrip ? I
0.5
before detail C, and detail C).
Time [ms]
Fig. 5: Distance vs. time diagrams of arc motion at three
different electrode distances d= 5, 10, 15 mm, arc current
2 kA,blast field 40 mT.

5 : p @ [ v ]
30 , 1

0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6

Time [ms]
Fig. 4: Distance vs. time diagrams of five identical
experiments, electrode distance 5 mm, arc current 2 kA,blast
field 40 mT; experiment “1” corresponds to the filmstrj’p
Fig. 3.

B. Electrode distance:
Increase of the electmde distance increases the time
interval of arc motion at reduced arc velocity (Fig. 5 ) .
At an electrode distance of d= 15 mm the arc is nearly
immobile during the first millisecond. After this time interval
the arc velocity increased very fast. Fig. 6 shows the filmstrip
corresponding to the curve “1.5 111111’’in Fig. 5.
In the beginning the ar~: is anvil shaped and the nose i.S
positioned near the anode (Fig. 6, detail A). During the first
Fig. 6: Film strips of a moving arc at 15 mm electrode
millisecond the anode spot is moving forward while the distance, arc current 2 kA, blast field 40 mT (according to
cathode spot remains immobile. Therefore the arc becomes Fig. 5 , curve “15 m”’).
tilted (Fig. 6, detail B) and the arc voltage increases. Then two
new cathode spots initiate a commutation process as described
above. The arc voltage decreases significantly (Fig. 5 , curve
“15 mm”).

71
C. Exhaust barrier:
Arc motion during the time interval 0 - 0 . 3 ms was
independent of the conditions at the arc chambers outlet
(Fig. 7). After this time interval, however, further arc motion is
strongly influenced by the exhaust barrier. In case of an open
outlet the arc velocity increases. The more the outlet is
dammed the more the arc motion is delayed and may even
change its direction against the magnetic force acting on the
arc (Fig. 7, “100%”).

Parameter:
n exhaust constriction

u 50- d’
J”

0 0.4 0.8
Time [ms]
1.2 1.6 2
. Position
Ant

Cal
Fig. 8: Film strip of a moving arc in an arc chute with fully
closed outlet, electrode distance 5 mm, arc current 2 kA, blast
Fig. 7: Arc motion in arc chutes with various exhaust barriers
field 40 mT (according to Fig. 7, curve “ 1 00%”).
(0% no exhaust barrier, 50% 5 plates 0.5 mm, 70% 7 plates
0.5 mm, 100% fully closed), electrode distance 5 mm, arc
current 2 kA, blast field 40 mT.
Pressure [bar]
In case of the more realistic chamber geometries with an 0 0.5 1 0.5 1 0.5 1
exhaust barrier the significance of the anvil shape decreases as
well as the number of new arc spot formations (Fig. 8).
During the phase of reverse arc motion the nose is situated
in the rear of the arc and a new arc spot is formed (Fig. 8,
details A and B). Fig. 9 correlates the light guide signals
(corresponding to Fig. 8) with the pressure signals.
In the displacement vs. time diagram the black area
indicates the 10% contour area of the light guide signals. The
back of the arc was not observed with the light guides. The
pressure signals were drawn at their respective position. The
position of the exhaust barrier is indicated (“100% closed”).
Each pressure signal shows two significant rises. The moments
of the first and the second sharp rise are marked at the position
of the corresponding gauge with in Fig. 9. Straight lines
O

connect these points. The extended “Ignition” line connecting

the points of the first pressure rise intersects the position zero
(position of arc ignition) at the time ‘‘Tign,tion’’(begin of arc 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
current rise), i. e., when the plasma expansion started. The Position [mm] 1 I I
prolongation of the lines “Ignition” and “Reflection” intersect Position of pressure gauge no. M 3I
at the surface of the exhaust barrier. The elongation of the line Fig. 9: Arc motion and pressure signals in an arc chamber with
“Reflection” in the other direction hits the range were the light fully closed outlet, electrode distance 5 111111, arc current 2 kA,
guide signals indicate the backward motion of the arc. blast field 40 mT (according to Fig. 7, curve “100%”).

72
 IV. DISCUSSION
A. Arc motion, shape:
Arc spot formation and/or anvil shaped arcs were
photographed or calculated already before [2, 3,4, 10, 1 I ] .
The tilting of the current path through an oblique arc
column according to Fig. 10 influences the magnetic field and
therefore the local force acting on the arc [8]. The tilted
currcnt flow may be caused by an anvil shaped and/or oblique
arc (cathode arc spot behind anode arc spot or vice versa) or
by the conductivity distribution in the inner of the arc. Fig. 10
shows an tilted arc and the simplified current flow inside the
arc column.
Inclined arc Anode
\ Increased electrode distances require a longer arc nose to
Cathode
Fig. 10: Current flow and resulting forces: in and around a
tilted arc
Forces inside the arc are acting due to the current supply
(“Loop 1” and “Loop 2”). The forces of “Loop 1” and
“Loop 2” weaken each other. It can be shown (by a simple
calculation) that the sum of the forces due to “Loop 1” and
“Loop 2” acting as qualitatively indicated by “Force 1” and
“Force 2” in Fig. 10. The force acting on the arc due to the
cxternal blast field is weakened in the arc root region lagging
behind (in case of Fig. 10 the cathode region). The other arc
root is exposed a strengthened force (in case of Fig. 10 the
anode region). Additionally a force component normal to the
electrode surface is generated. These effects may intensify the
tilting process.
The nose of thc arc might be caused by gas dynamics
cffccts inside and in the surrounding of the arc. Calculations
support this assumption 12, 3, 41. The tilting of the arc and the
local magnetic force acting on the arc may be effective
additionally. The nose increases the electrical field strength
near the electrode surface of the other polarity. The increased
field strength may stimulate the ignition of a new arc spot.
The increase of the velocity of the “old arc path” and the
immobility of the “new arc path” are consequences of the
symmetrically current supplies because different resulting
forces are acting upon each part. In casc of two parallel current
paths, assuming that each pa.th carries half thc current, the
simplified current distribution is shown in Fig. 1 I .
The two current paths are supplicd asymmetrically acting
as self blast arcs. This cause forces in opposite directions
(“Force 1” caused by “Loop 1” and “Force 2” caused by
“Loop 2”). In combination with the external blast field the
rcsulting force acting on the “old arc path” is increased but the
73
resulting force on the “new arc path” is decreased. These
effects cause the suddenly increased mobility of the “old arc
path” and the decreased mobility of the “new arc path”
immediately after a new arc spot formation.
Blast field force L
Old arc path New arc path
Fig. 11: Current distribution and resulting forces for two
current paths.
The decreased arc voltage in the time interval of
commutation processcs is caused by the increased total arc
cross section of the two parallel arc paths.
B. Electrode distance:
stimulate new arc spot formation due to conductive plasma in
front of the opposite electrode. Therefore at increased
clectrode distances anvil shaped arcs and arc tilting are more
dominant. The voltage drop across a tilted arc, however, is
significantly increased due to the longer arc. Consequently
formation of a new arc root yields a shorter bypass compared
to the old tilted arc root and a corresponding lower voltage
drop (Fig. 5, “Voltage 15 mm”, detail B).
C. Exhaust barrier:
The expansion of the arc plasma due to heating of cold air
by arc ignition and the following current rise causes a pressure
wave propagating symmetrically to both chamber ends.
Depending on the damming at the ends of the arc chute the
pressure wave is reflected as an expansion wave (open end) or
a pressure wave (dammed end). The reflected wave hits the arc
and changes the arc velocity [9]. This effect can be seen
clearly in Fig. 9. The ignition pressure wave (Fig. 9, line
“Ignition”) is reflected at the exhaust barrier and the reflection
interacts with the arc. Since the cold gas can not be exhausted
at a closed arc chute, the cold air flow in front of the arc is
inhibited significantly. A certain amount of air must pass
bctween the arc and the lateral walls [l]. These effects may
weaken the ‘hose” (Fig. 8, detail A) or change its position to
the rear, depending on the specific pressure and flow
conditions around the arc. Since the ‘hose” consists of
conductive plasma arc spot formation is also possible in the
rear of the arc in this case (Fig. 8, detail B).

V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Arcs moved by a magnetic field in a simplified arc chute
consisting of parallel arc runners between adjacent lateral
walls showed stochastic irregularities in shape and motion. A
plasma “nose” in front of the arc, randomly near either
electrode yielded an arc column shaped like an asymmetrical
anvil. That nose may induce a new arc spot ahead followed by
current commutation into the new branch of the column. Thus
arc voltage, shape, and motion are changed irregularly,
especially at low values of arc current, and blast field but at
long electrode distance and open outlets.
Pressure waves generated by arc ignition and reflected at
the chambers ends influence both arc motion and shape
significantly.
New arc spot formation can hardly be predicted
quantitatively not only due to lack of a proper mathematical
model, but mainly due to the unknown boundary conditions
(e.g. actual surface conditions along the individual arc runner).
In contrast the interaction between the arc column and the
surrounding gas flow can be simulated effectively in special
arrangements when gas flow is prevailing and the specific
boundary conditions are known [ l , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 71.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The work was supported initially by the “Fonds zur
Forderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung” (FWF) and by
the companies EATON, Milwaukee, WI; Klockner-Moeller,
Bonn, Germany; Siemens, Regensburg, Germany: DODUCO,
Pforzheim, Germany; DuPont, Bad Homburg, Germany;
Hager, Obernai, France. The authors acknowledge the
assistance of Dipl. Ing. Wilhelm Ziegler in the high speed
filming.
VTI. REFERENCES
[l] G. Andre, W. Schneider, A slug model of moving electric
arcs, Proc. GAMM Conf. Regensburg 1997, Z. angew.
Math. Mech. (ZAMM) (in print).
[ 2 ] Unpublished calculations by Gerald Andre, Institute of
Switching Devices and High Voltage Technology, Vienna.
74
F. Karetta, M. Lindmayer, Simulation of the gasdynamic
and electromagnetic processes in low voltage switching
arcs, Electrical Contacts, Proceedings of the Annual Holm
Conference on Electrical Contacts 1996, 96CB35984, pp.
35-44.
F. Karetta, M. Lindmayer, Simulation der
Lichtbogenbewegung und Druckentwicklung in kompakten
Loschkammern, VDE- Fachbericht 5 I , Kontaktverhalten
und Schalten, 1997, pp. 193- 205.
P. ChCvrier, C. Fikvet, P. Petit, Comparisons between
measurements and simulations for moving wall-confined
arcs, Switching Arc Phenomena 93; 7th international
conference, Lodz, Polen 27. Sept. - 1. Oct. 1993 Part 1:
Conference Materials, pp. 9-13.
P. Chevrier, M. Barrault, C. Fievet, Hydrodynamic model
for electrical arc modelling, IEEE Transactions on Power
Delivery v 11 n 4 Oct 1996, pp. 1824-1829.
K. Horinouchi, Y. Nakayama, M. Hidaka, T. Yonezawa, H.
Sasao, A Method of Simulating Magnetically Driven Arcs,
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 12, No. 1,
1997, pp. 213- 218.
D. Amft, Die Lichtbogenwanderung als Ergebnis
unterschiedlicher Bewegungsereignisse und mit besonderer
Berucksichtigung der Vorgange an den Elektroden, Diss.
TH Ilmenau 1975.
H. Edels, D. Whittaker, The determination of arc
temperatures from shock velocities, Proceedings of the
Royal Society, A, volume 240, pp. 54-66, 1957.
[lo] H.H. Mai, K. Dimoff, B. Jean, Optical analyses of the
interface between a moving arc and air at atmospheric
pressure, J. Appl. Phys. 50(6), June 1979 pp. 3944-3955.
[ I l l P.M. Weaver, J.M. McBride, Magnetic and gas dynamic
effects on arc motion in miniature circuit breakers, 39th
Holm conference 1993, pp. 77-85.
[ 121 L. Muller, Wanderungsvorgange von kurzen
Hochstromlichtbogen im eigenerregten Magnetfeld
zwischen ruhenden Laufschienen und zwischen sich
trennenden Kontaktstiicken, Diss. TH Braunschweig 1957.
[ 131 G. Clemens, Untersuchungen an strombegrenzenden
Loschkammern, Diss. TU-Braunschweig, 1989.