Characteristics of Contact Resistance for Ag, Cu and Al Spot Contact under DC Current Flow of 300A

Abstract

The temperature rise of the contact spot by Joule's heat under high current flow may result in the softening or welding of the contact materials. Contact resistances of Ag, Cu and Al spot contacts have been observed under the current flow of up to 300A DC. The contact resistances of Ag and Cu with clean surfaces were revealed to be kept constant independent of the magnitude of the applied current flow. On the other hand, contact resistances of Al and Cu with oxidized surfaces were greatly reduced with the increasing current flow.