A Comparative Study of Power Frequency Arcs Influenced by Negative-Polarity Artificial Pulses

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a method to guide power frequency arcs (PFAs) and investigate the electric potential and temperature characteristics of PFAs when a negative-polarity artificial pulse (NPAP) is applied from an artificial pulse generator. Based on a two-dimensional finite-element geometrical simulation model, we acquire and analyze numerical simulation results for the electric-potential and temperature distributions in the presence and absence of NPAPs. The simulation results indicate that the NPAPs accelerate the air ionization and streamer breakdown processes, which physically affects the electric potential and temperature distributions. In addition, to determine how the NPAPs affect the PFA discharge process, we qualitatively compare the arc plasma-coupling simulation results, which suggest that the NPAPs either modify the path of the PFA or change the discharge characteristics. Moreover, we use a PFA generator to experimentally investigate the PFA voltage. These experiments enable direct observation of the PFA path produced by NPAP guides. Finally, the simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the NPAPs provide innovative, simple, and cost-effective improvements in the efficiency of arc-extinguishing devices. This technique is suitable for use with arc-extinguishing devices and has significant prospects for applications in other fields. INDEX TERMSArtificial pulse generator, electric potential, negative polarity artificial pulses, arc plasmacoupling simulation, power frequency arc.