Virtual Neutral to Ground Voltage as Stability Index for Electric Arc Furnaces

Abstract

This article proposes an arc stability index for Electrical Arc Furnaces (EAF) based on the real-time processing of the line to ground three-phase voltage measurements typically available at the secondary side of the EAF's power transformer. This methodology uses the definition of a virtual neutral for the open delta connection to calculate the neutral to ground voltage waveform and its Root Mean Square value that can be considered in a simple formula as stability indicator of the arc itself and for the power delivery to the arc. This proposed stability indicator may be used for process monitoring and power control.