Anode modes in vacuum arcs

Abstract

This paper reviews the five different anode discharge modes which can occur in a vacuum arc. These modes are diffuse arc (low current, with or without anode sputtering), footpoint (intermediate current), and anode spot or intense arc (high current). Descriptions of the various modes are presented, based primarily on experimental results. The hot anode vacuum arc mode, which occurs only with thermally isolated anodes, is also described. The effects of external magnetic fields on anode modes are briefly stated. Cathode modes and arc column modes are also discussed, primarily as they correspond to anode modes. ACKNOWLEDGMENT[21] J. Kutzner, "The Voltage-Current Characteristics of a Diffusion Vacuum Arc,r, physics, 1221 V. N.

Experimental Investigation on the Vacuum Arc Behaviors of the Axial Magnetic Field (AMF) Electrode with Single Coil Structure

“…And the arc column in the inter-electrode gap still kept diŠuse. After 6.5 ms, the arc transited into intense arc mode 6) . The concentration of arc column near the anode occurred up to 7.75 ms. After 7.75 ms the arc transited into a high current diŠuse arc 1) .…”

“…Two groups of arc modes were founded: 1) diŠuse arc modes including multi-cathode spot arc, high current diŠuse arc and high current diŠuse column arc 1) . 2) constricted arc modes including APJS, APJ 7) and intense arc mode 6) . With the amplitude of arc current increasing, the arc modes developed sequentially from the high current diŠuse arc, high current diŠuse column arc 1) and intense arc mode 6) .…”

“…2) constricted arc modes including APJS, APJ 7) and intense arc mode 6) . With the amplitude of arc current increasing, the arc modes developed sequentially from the high current diŠuse arc, high current diŠuse column arc 1) and intense arc mode 6) . When the amplitude of arc current is 8.0 kA, the concentration of arc column near the anode existed in a short duration between 6.5 ms and 7.75 ms.…”

“…To study the vacuum arc modes and their transition, we will have a brief review upon various vacuum arc modes as follows: 1) DiŠuse arc modes, which include multi-cathode spot arc 1) , low current diŠuse arc 7) , high-current diŠuse arc 1,7) , high current diŠuse column arc 1) , and transient foot-point mode 6) .…”

High-current vacuum arc: The relationship between anode phenomena and the average opening velocity of vacuum interrupter

“…Anode plays an active role in the transition process of the discharge. Miller [1][2][3][4] pointed out that the vacuum arcs exhibit two low-current anode discharge modes and three high-current anode discharge modes. The transition from a low-current anode mode to a high-current anode mode depends on the contact material, the contact geometry (contact diameter, contact gap, etc.…”