Electrode erosion as a function of electrode materials in high current, high energy transient arcs

Donaldson, A. L.; Kristiansen, M.

doi:10.1109/ppc.1989.767429

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous research has primarily concentrated on the thermodynamic erosion of switch electrodes caused by electric arc [12]. Donaldson and Kristiansen et al [13][14][15] have conducted groundbreaking research on electrode erosion in spark gap switches since the 1980s. They initially developed a heat transfer model of switch electrode erosion, elucidated the physical processes and mechanisms of erosion, and systematically explored the factors that influence the electrode erosion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bio-inspired pulsed power switch under shock wave

Luo,

Li,

Guo

et al. 2024

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The spark gap switch is a crucial component in the primary energy drive system for large pulse power devices. The switch electrodes are composed of high-density artificial graphite, possessing excellent erosion resistance. However, insufficient mechanical strength in the graphite electrodes makes them especially susceptible to mechanical damage under the enormous impact force caused by the increasing arc current, which seriously affects the reliability and service life of the switch. The distribution of the shock wave overpressure on the graphite electrode surface is deduced and calculated, and the refraction and reflection process of the shock wave from the air to the graphite interface is analyzed based on the Huygens-Fresnel principle. Furthermore, the doubling of refracted shock wave intensity into the graphite electrode is a preliminary characterization. The propagation process of stress wave after the shock wave enters the electrode is investigated by establishing two conventional graphite electrode structure models, namely T-shape and reverse T-shape, which reveal that severe stress concentration occurs in both structures. Drawing inspiration from the physiological structure of the woodpecker's head, renowned for its exceptional impact resistance, the macroscopic geometry of the graphite electrode and the assembly structure of the switch have been bionically designed. The simulation results demonstrate that, in comparison to the conventional electrode structure, the bionic electrode structure eliminates stress concentration at the bolt end and electrode corner, while significantly reducing maximum equivalent stress and the degree of the stress concentration on the bottom surface of the electrode. These features contribute to the enhancement of the current capacity and reliability of the spark gap switch.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bio-inspired pulsed power switch under shock wave

Luo,

Li,

Guo

et al. 2024

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Yu et al used 'Ecton (explosion centre)' theory to explain the whole surface erosion of the electrode [12]. Donaldson et al mentioned the role of the skin-depth effect of high-frequency pulsed arc for thermal damage at the electrode surface [13]. Li et al imaged plasma channel expansion in a spark gap and explained the behaviour of the molten layer under the magnetic pressure considering the skindepth effect [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Donaldson et al. mentioned the role of the skin‐depth effect of high‐frequency pulsed arc for thermal damage at the electrode surface [13]. Li et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observation and verification of surface electrical explosion driven by radial‐distributed pulsed current in laboratory lightning strike test

Han,

Cao,

Liu

et al. 2023

High Voltage

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The laboratory lightning test is essential for assessing the effectiveness of lightning strike protection (LSP). Particularly, direct lightning strike damage can be performed with pulsed current injection into the specimen. This paper focuses on the dynamic process of arc plasma and shock wave behaviour in the vicinity of the ‘strike’ point. A rod‐plate discharge load is built for testing aluminium and coated plate under 40‐kA‐level pulsed current. The visualisation of the luminous discharge plasma and its flow field via high‐speed photography (from different angles) is meticulously designed and implemented, synchronised with electro‐physical diagnostics. The results indicate some new mechanisms for lightning strike damage, apart from the impulse heat loading from the thermal arc. The transient current injection through the arc root concentrates on a thin skin layer (skin‐depth effect), with the radial‐attenuated current density, driving asynchronously electrical explosions on the plate surface. The inhomogeneous Joule heating of the plate leads to outwardly propagating phase transition and shock wave along the conductive surface. In addition, the electro‐thermal instability is observed and regarded as the seed of irregular erosion region. Spectroscopic information reveals two different plasma states of main discharge arc channel and adjacent surface electrical explosion. The correspondence of the physical mechanism of electrical explosion and optical radiation is established. Microscopic images for different regions depict erosion characteristics and summarise influencing factors, further confirming the mechanism above. The research clarifies the role of skin‐depth effect in transaction arc erosion for electrode, complements the electrical explosion theory with unevenly distributed current and helps optimise strategies of LSP.

show abstract

“…Materials removal has four forms: charged particle, vapor, liquid and solid. Therefore, the volume of electrode erosion is [12,20]…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such etch pits are not found when the current is large. Some experimental researches also indicate that [12,20], when the current is not big enough to enable electrode materials to melt or vaporize, solid removal may exist.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on heat fluxes and their effect on electrode material removal on the copper electrode of a field-distortion gas spark switch

Wang¹,

Zhang²,

Tong³

et al. 2011

EPL

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gas switch is one of the key elements in pulsed-power devices, and electrode erosion is a key restrictive factor in high-power gas switch development and application. According to the thermal equilibrium equation near the electrode surface, this paper calculates electrode heat fluxes and their peak powers caused under different discharge conditions, and analyses their effects on the removal method of electrode materials. When discharge current is not too high, calculation results indicate that the arc joule heat is the main cause of electrode erosion and solid material removal may appear. Vaporization of electrode material is the main cause of electrode erosion when discharge current is high enough.

show abstract

Electrode erosion as a function of electrode materials in high current, high energy transient arcs

Cited by 16 publications

References 9 publications

Bio-inspired pulsed power switch under shock wave

Bio-inspired pulsed power switch under shock wave

Observation and verification of surface electrical explosion driven by radial‐distributed pulsed current in laboratory lightning strike test

Study on heat fluxes and their effect on electrode material removal on the copper electrode of a field-distortion gas spark switch

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About