A one-dimensional hydro-kinetic model is developed to study arc extinction in a low-voltage breaking device. In part 1 of this double paper, the data necessary for the implementation of the hydro-kinetic model are presented. The equilibrium composition of the plasma is derived from the law of mass action. Mixtures of air and materials ablated from the thermoplastic wall (PA66, monomer C12H22O2N2) and from the contacts (copper) are considered. Thermodynamic properties such as mass density, enthalpy and specific heat at constant pressure are then calculated. Transport coefficients (viscosity, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity) are determined with the Chapman–Enskog theory. Concerning radiation, the net emission coefficient, corresponding to the power radiated per unit volume and per unit solid angle, is calculated. Finally, for chemical kinetics, a reliable set of reaction rate coefficients linking the chemical species of the plasma is compiled. Particular attention is paid to ionization and recombination of atomic species which are obtained with the ‘bottleneck’ method.