High Temperature Gas Reflection as Function of Distance between Arc and Wall in Sealed Arc Extinguishing Chamber

The downsizing of direct current circuit breaker (DCCB) of electric vehicle is expected. However, it is not enough space to extend the arc in sealed arc extinguishing chamber of short distance to the wall. To extinguish the arc, extension of it is required with applying external magnetic field in DCCB. The arc and high temperature gas are moved to the wall. When high temperature gas reflects to the wall, it moves back to the opposite direction. A reflection of the high temperature gas from wall to inter-electrode area is caused. As a result, the electrical conductivity of inter-electrode area increment causes the arc re-strike. This phenomenon is difficult to be observed by experiment because physical phenomenon is complex. In this research, high temperature gas reflection as function of distance between arc and wall in sealed arc extinguishing chamber is analyzed using three dimensional electromagnetic thermal fluid simulation.