Numerical simulation of vacuum arc under different axial magnetic fields

AbstractAlthough used in the design and costing of large projects such as linear colliders and fusion tokamaks, the theory of vacuum arcs and gradient limits is not well understood. Almost 120 years after the isolation of vacuum arcs, the exact mechanisms of the arcs and the damage they produce are still being debated. We describe our simple and general model of the vacuum arc that can incorporate all active mechanisms and aims to explain all relevant data. Our four stage model, is based on experiments done at 805 MHz with a variety of cavity geometries, magnetic fields, and experimental techniques as well as data from Atom Probe Tomography and failure analysis of microelectronics. The model considers the trigger, plasma formation, plasma evolution and surface damage phases of the RF arc. This paper also examines how known mechanisms can explain the observed sharp field dependence, fast breakdown times and observed surface damage. We update the model and discuss new features while also pointing out where new data would be useful in extending the model to a wider range of frequencies.

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Numerical simulation of vacuum arc movement between transverse magnetic field contacts

Physics of Plasmas ◽

10.1063/5.0067036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (12) ◽

pp. 123513

Author(s):

Shixin Xiu ◽

Yuzi Jiang ◽

Zixi Liu ◽

Zhanpeng Liu ◽

Jinwang Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Numerical Simulation ◽

Transverse Magnetic Field ◽

Transverse Magnetic ◽

Vacuum Arc

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Numerical Simulation of the Microstructure of Magnetorheological Fluids in Magnetic Fields

Computational Methods in Engineering & Science ◽

10.1007/978-3-540-48260-4_28 ◽

2006 ◽

pp. 182-182 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

X. H. Peng ◽

H. T. Li

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Magnetic Fields ◽

Magnetorheological Fluids

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Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields on the Optical Absorption in a Parabolic Quantum Well

Journal of the Korean Physical Society ◽

10.3938/jkps.75.806 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 (10) ◽

pp. 806-810 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shaffa Almansour

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Magnetic Fields ◽

Optical Absorption ◽

Quantum Well ◽

Electric And Magnetic Fields

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Control of Diffuse Vacuum Arc Using Axial Magnetic Fields in Commercial High Voltage Switchgear

Plasma Physics and Technology Journal ◽

10.14311/ppt.2019.1.19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 19-22

Author(s):

S. Giere ◽

T. Heinz ◽

A. Lawall ◽

C. Stiehler ◽

E. D. Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Fields ◽

High Voltage ◽

Short Circuit ◽

Dielectric Behavior ◽

Vacuum Arc ◽

Minimal Amount ◽

Stress Tests ◽

Extensive Experience ◽

Medium Voltage ◽

Vacuum Interrupter

During the development of a commercial vacuum interrupter for application in HV (high voltage) switchgear at a rated voltage of 145kV, we investigated the behavior of vacuum arcs controlled by axial magnetic fields (AMF). AMF arc control is already extensively used in medium voltage (1-52kV) applications, the key difference is the 2-3 times larger contact gap and the corresponding reduction of the AMF strength for HV applications. We conducted several stress tests with short circuit currents up to 40kA, thus not only testing the interrupting capability, but also the electrical endurance of such a contact system. We also investigated the dielectric behavior of the vacuum interrupter by testing the capacitive switching duty. Overall, the contacts were used in about 40 operations at high currents. Despite this large number of operations, they showed a minimal amount of contact erosion and damage and demonstrated behavior very similar to the extensive experience with MV vacuum interrupters. In line with simulation results, we conclude that even at high contact gaps and currents, a diffuse vacuum arc was maintained which distributed the arc energy evenly over the contacts.

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