Characteristics of Impulse Arc Discharge in the Circuit of a Powerful Capacitive Energy Storage Device

Abstract

Within the framework of the engineering approach and channel model of the electric arc, a new variant, impulse air arc discharge between metal (graphite) electrodes of an air double-electrode system (DES), which is part of the heavy-current discharge circuit of a powerful high-voltage capacitive energy storage (CES), was investigated. The amplitude–time parameters (ATPs) formed by the storage device of the current aperiodic pulse in the plasma channel of the air arc discharge corresponded to the slow current C-component of the artificial lighting intended for testing the elements of aircraft for the electrothermal lighting resistance. With respect to the rated ATP of the discharge current, the calculated ratios were obtained, in the plasma channel of the pulse electrical arc in an air DES, for determination of such main characteristics as the equivalent resistance, the released thermal energy, the maximum intensity of the longitudinal electric field, the linear power of thermal losses, the channel current density and the maximum electronic temperature. Distinctive features and general properties of pulse arc discharge in the air DES as compared with heavy-current pulse spark-discharge in similar DES were revealed. The offered ratios allow specifying the energy balance in the CE discharge circuit. The results of the approximate calculations proved the efficiency of the calculated ratios.