Three-dimensional modelling of electric-arc development in a low-voltage circuit-breaker

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 51; no. 19; pp. 4973 - 4984
• Main Authors: Piqueras, L., Henry, D., Jeandel, D., Scott, J., Wild, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Connection and protection apparatus; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; 52.65.−y; Fluid mechanics; Electric arc; Dynamic characteristic; Fluid dynamics; Computational fluid dynamics; Dynamic properties; Thermomechanical properties; Modeling; Circuit breaker; Low voltage; Thermal expansion; Three dimensional model; Coding; Thermal fluid; Numerical simulation; Mathematical model
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2008.02.035

This article describes direct numerical simulation of the first three milliseconds following ignition of the arc in a low-voltage circuit-breaker using a computational-fluid-dynamics code adapted for electric-arc modelling. The mobile electrode is allowed for by a moving mesh. The results describe the evolution of the arc with time in terms of its detailed electrical, thermal and fluid dynamic properties. They allow the identification of several phases during the overall arc development process studied here: arc initialisation in the widening electrode gap, arc-thermal expansion, displacement of the arc towards the tip of the mobile electrode, and the beginning of commutation to the fixed electrode.