Characterization of the High-Frequency Conducted Electromagnetic Noise Generated by an Arc Tracking Between DC wires

Abstract

In case of a short-circuit between two wires of a dc line, a sustained arc may occur and propagate along the wires through pyrolization of the insulation. This phenomenon, known as arc tracking, is quite critical from a safety point of view since it can cause fire or explosion, depending on its close environment. In addition, the arc generates conducted electromagnetic noise in a wide frequency range which can couple to other wires situated either in the same cable bundle or in its vicinity and disturb control/command devices. In this paper, only this last point is considered, the objective being to characterize the spectral density of the voltage and current generated by such an arc tracking in a high-frequency band extending from 300 kHz to 30 MHz. First, the measurement set up is described, emphasizing the key points to deduce the intrinsic characteristics of the arc from the measured values. A Thevenin generator equivalent to the arc is proposed in order to be able, in a further step, to predict disturbing noise at any point of the cable network.Index Terms-Aircraft electronics, arc discharges, electromagnetic conductive interference, high-voltage dc (HVdc) transmission lines, noise measurement.

Experimental Study of Visual Corona under Aeronautic Pressure Conditions Using Low-Cost Imaging Sensors

“…Arc tracking is a phenomenon in which due to the degradation of insulation, a micro-arc may be initiated, sustain itself, and propagate along the electrical wires [35], thus generating more damage to the insulation. It appears as a short circuit between adjacent wires and is a critical issue for aeronautics safety [36] since it generates a risk of fire and explosion [37]. It is also known that the current pulses, due to the arc tracking effect, cover a wide band, so it can disturb communication or control systems due to the electromagnetic coupling with other wires [35].…”

Arc Tracking Control in Insulation Systems for Aeronautic Applications: Challenges, Opportunities, and Research Needs

“…To this end, it is required to optimize the performance, reliability and power density, by lowering the weight [2], reducing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs, reducing system complexity, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of the new aircrafts. MEAs and AEAs will use more electrical power than their predecessors, since they replace pneumatic and hydraulic systems by electrical ones [3] to reduce the weight. Therefore, they are required to operate at higher voltage levels [4], above 1 kV [5], higher dV/dt, higher power densities and decreased wire distances.…”

“…The applied voltage will generate other carbonized paths on the healthy insulation surface between the high voltage electrode and ground, thus leading to a flashover or a breakdown [14], with the consequent fire hazard [15]. Therefore, arc tracking can be understood by self-sustained arcing between two or more wires across a carbonized path produced due to degradation of the insulation, which can induce ignition of wiring [16], even in 12 volt automotive wiring systems [17] or explosions [3]. Figure 1 shows an initial corona discharge and the effect of arc tracking in a conductor.…”

Ground‐level DC electric field sensor for overhead HVDC/HVAC transmission lines in hybrid corridors

“…Comprehensive assessment of the strength and loss of corona is very significant in the construction, operation and maintenance of transmission lines. Presently, the intensity of corona is comprehensively evaluated by studying factors such as the strength of the ground synthetic electric field, density of the ion current [5], audible noise [6] and radio interference [7–9]. Accurate measurement of synthetic electric field distribution at ground level under the configuration line of the hybrid corridor is important from the point of view of environmental effect and transmission engineering.…”