Analysis of DC Arc Characteristics Considering Contact Separation Velocity and Load Current

초록

A precise understanding of DC arc behavior is essential for the advancement of protection and diagnostic technologies in DC power systems. The impact of contact separation velocity on arc sustain time and gap length is analyzed to provide fundamental data for optimizing DC fault detection and interruption systems. Experiments were conducted using copper contacts with separation velocities of 5 mm / s, 50 mm / s, and 100 mm / s, with a final gap distance of 30 mm. A 200 V DC power source was applied, and arc sustain time was measured under load currents of 4 A and 8 A. Each condition was tested 10 times, and the arc sustain gap length was determined. Additionally, the standard deviation of arc sustain time was analyzed to evaluate the variability in arc behavior. Contact separation velocity influenced both arc sustain time and gap length. Higher separation velocity resulted in shorter sustain times, while the standard deviation of arc sustain time varied across conditions, suggesting that certain velocities contribute to more stable arc behavior. The variability analysis offers additional insights into DC arc characteristics beyond sustain time measurements. The relationship between contact separation velocity and arc sustain time was experimentally evaluated, highlighting its influence on arc behavior. Since various factors affect arc formation, further studies on different contact materials, load currents, and source voltages are necessary to enhance the understanding of DC arc characteristics. © 2025 IEEE.