Magneto-hydrodynamic simulation study of direct current multi-contact circuit breaker for equalizing breaking arc

Abstract

Abstract This work is based on a direct current (DC) natural current commutation topology, which uses load-carrying branch contacts carrying rated current and multiple sets of series arcing branch contacts in parallel to achieve circuit breaking. The proposed topology can meet the new requirements of higher voltage DC switches in aviation, aerospace, energy and other fields. First, a magneto-hydrodynamic arc model is built using COMSOL Multiphysics, and the different arc breaking characteristics of the arcing branch contacts in different gas environments are simulated. Then, a voltage uniformity coefficient is used to measure the voltage sharing effect in the process of dynamic interruption. In order to solve the dispersion of arcing contact action, a structural control method is adopted to improve the voltage uniformity coefficient. The uniform voltage distribution can improve the breaking capacity and electrical life of the series connection structure.