Abstract
Contact geometry evaluation using a full 3D Magneto-Hydrodynamic vacuum arc model is presented. The 3D model uses a two-step approach. The time dependent magnetic field is calculated by Flux3D® using the features of the arc control in axial magnetic field (AMF) type vacuum interrupters (VIs). The arc is modeled by a single fluid description of the arc plasma in Fluent®. Current flow is addressed by Ohms law. The model is applied to 3 contact geometries used in commercial AMF VI’s. The general results of the model like ion density, flow fields and energy flow are represented. It is demonstrated that the external transverse magnetic field created by neighboring phases in a circuit breaker causes off-axis deflection of the heat flow to anode. The deflection in the anti-Amperian direction is attributed to the boundary condition of the current flow at the cathode side.
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