Analysis of surface transient temperature on large current carrying high-speed sliding electrical contact

Abstract

The transient temperature of electrical contact surface during high-speed sliding can result in the ablation of the contact surface and the aggravation of its friction and wear through changing the contact surfaces environment. Based on correlation measurement and the academic analysis of the transient temperature field of high-speed sliding electrical contact surface under high current, a model for the calculation of transient temperature field is established, by the thermal analysis of transient temperature field of contact surface with the heat transfer and finite element analysis software ANSYS as theoretical foundation. The influence on the transient temperature field of contact surface under different heat sources is studied. The experimental data on the transient temperature of high speed sliding electrical contact surface under high current were obtained with non-contact radiation temperature measurement. The transient temperature field distributing state was simulated by the finite element methods software ANSYS, comparisons between experimental data and simulation results were made to verify correctness of the simulation model of transient temperature field. The further analysis of simulation results shows that the speed and the changes of electric current have impact on the transient temperature field of the contact surface．In this paper, the study on the transient temperature of high speed sliding electrical contact surface under high current is expected to provide the theoretical and technique foundation for reducing the temperature of contact surface, and selecting the appropriate material as contact surface to decrease the material wear and tear.