Numerical simulation of magnetic blowout process of air arc plasma in electrical contacts

Abstract

This study aims to clarify extinction phenomena of air arc plasma through magnetic blowout process in electrical contacts. For this purpose, numerical simulation taking into account ablation of polymer vapour was carried out. As a result, increase in the pressure due to polymer ablation was found to strongly affect the arc extinction phenomena. Especially, the pressure above 6 atm prevented arc re-ignition due to decrease in arc temperature which lowered electrical conductivity in the electrode gap.