Study on Intermediate-Frequency Vacuum Arc Recovery Characteristics of Curved Contact With Different Bending Amplitudes

Abstract

Modern aircraft use 360–800 Hz variable-frequency power systems, and the increased frequency makes it more difficult to interrupt the arc. Traditional contacts are difficult to apply due to magnetic hysteresis effects. Curved contacts utilize the curved electrode shape to exhibit advantages in interrupting intermediate-frequency vacuum arcs but lack a design basis for the bending amplitude. This article develops a new type of measurement device for post-arc of intermediate-frequency current and uses it to measure the post-arc of curved contacts with a bending amplitude of 2–4 mm, a diameter of 30 mm, and a contact material of CuCr25. It analyzes the changes in gap conductance under different bending amplitudes and analyzes the mechanism of different bending amplitudes on the post-arc dielectric characteristics of vacuum arcs using a continuous transition model (CTM).