Influence of Contact Surface Microstructure on Vacuum Arc Stability and Arc Voltage

摘要

The results of dc vacuum arc lifetime and arc voltage measurements for contacts with a different surface microstructure, which was realized by treating the contact surface with different roughness emery paper are shown. Large influence of the contact surface microstructure on dc arc lifetime (several tens of times difference at most), arc voltage (30 percent difference at most) and arc erosion behavior is found. The mechanism of the surface microstructure influence on dc arc stability was analyzed and explained.