The sparking and arcing phenomena on d-c machines were investigated by means of the new commutation testing apparatus which consisted of three parts, i. e. a pulse height analyzer, a simulated commutation tester and a photomultiplier spark detector. The important results described in this paper are:
(1) The sparking voltage is distributed over the range from about 2 volts to 5 volts and its mean value is about 2-3 volts.
(2) The arc limiting values for brush current, commutating inductance and commutator speed were measured.
(3) When the average reactance voltage exceeds the limiting value, i. e., at above 0.4 volts, an arc appers between the brush and the commutator segments.
(4) The arc duration time is respectively proportional to the difference between the factors described above and its arc limiting values.
(5) The arc energy is proportional to the squave of the arc duration time, and to the cube of the brush current.
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