The European Physical Journal Applied Physics

Table of Contents - March 2008 - Volume 41, Issue 03  

Plasma, Discharge and Processes

Influence of arc currents and axial magnetic fields strength on high current vacuum arc

L. Wanga1, S. Jiaa1, L. Zhanga1, D. Yanga1 and Z. Shia1

State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P.R. China

Abstract

Based on numerical simulation technology, the influence of arc currents and axial magnetic fields (AMFs) strength on high current vacuum arc (HCVA) characteristics is studied and analyzed. Simulation results show that electron temperature, ion number density, axial current density, plasma potential, plasma pressure and heat flux density to anode in HCVA are all increased with the increase of arc currents. For very high current vacuum arc, current constriction near cathode side can be more significant than that of anode side. The increase of AMF strength can decrease the above parameters, and will control HCVA more efficiently. The simulation results of HCVA under different arc currents are also verified by experiments.

(Received September 27 2007)

(Revised November 27 2007)

(Accepted January 3 2008)

(Online publication April 9 2008)

PACS:

  • 52.80.Vp – Discharge in vacuum;
  • 52.80.Mg – Arcs; sparks; lightning; atmospheric electricity

lijunwang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn