Development of an Experimental Approach for Determining the Arc Quenching Capability of Different Gases

Abstract

Abstract. After being in the focus of sciences' and industry's research and development activities for many years, the investigation of possible SF 6 (sulfur hexafluoride) gas-alternatives has been even more intensified after the revision of the European regulation on fluorinated gases in 2014. This contribution focuses on the scientific assessment of the technical performance of several SF 6 gas-alternatives -gases and gas mixtures -currently under discussion. Therefore, a reference experimental setup, that allows the determination of the arc quenching capability of different gases as well as the axial resistance distribution of the switching arc around current zero crossing, is developed. Additionally, first experimental results for the thermal interruption capability and the arc resistance distribution of SF 6 and possible SF 6 gas-alternatives are shown.