The Effect of Altitude on Arc Length in 200 Volt AC and DC Systems

摘要

The maximum length of a sustained arc has been investigated for air pressures equivalent to altitudes of up to 95000 ft (2900 m) with 200 V ac and dc systems. With a dc supply the maximum length varied from 1/2 in (12.7 mm) at sea level to 8 in in (203 mm) at 7500 ft (23000 m) or more. With an ac supply no sustained arcing occurred with any gap down to 1/16 in (1.6 mm) even at altitudes of up to 80000 ft. (Author)