Calculation of Heat Input Considering Electrode Fall Voltage to Elucidate Anode Temperature during Opening Process of Electrodes in Circuit Breakers

One of the durability problems in circuit breakers is electrode erosion. Electrodes erosion is caused by the arc that occurs in the interruption process. Thus, it is necessary to elucidate the heat input from the arc to the electrode during the interruption. Attention is focused on the heat transfer from the arc to the anode and the heat input caused by electrons to elucidate heat input. It is necessary to consider the transient arc temperature distribution associated with the opening process of electrodes, and it is important to simulate the opening process in the analysis in order to elucidate the heat transfer in circuit breakers. In addition, it is necessary to consider the electrode fall voltage as well as the electron condensation heat in order to elucidate the heat input caused by electrons. This research calculates the heat input considering the electrode fall voltage to elucidate the anode temperature during opening circuit breakers. As a result, the heat input caused by electrons and the maximum temperature at the anode surface increased by introducing the electrode fall voltage.