Arc Motion in Low Voltage Circuit Breaker (LVCB) Experimental and Theoretical Approaches

Abstract

This paper is related to the study of the arc motion in simple low voltage circuit breaker geometry. Experimental and theoretical approaches are investigated respectively by fast camera and by a magneto hydrodynamic model. Two theoretical methods have been developed to characterize the arc movement called MECM (Mean Electrical Conductivity Method) and GCRM (Global Current Resolution Method). The results obtained by the two models are in good agreement with the experimental observations. The MECM allows obtaining faster results but the stagnation phases are well represented with the GRCM and this last method is easier to implement in more complex geometry. The results show also the importance of the exhaust description on the arc behavior.