Influence of arc duration and current on contact welding in low power switches

A model test switch has been developed to investigate the influence of kinetic parameters (as contact velocity and contact force) on contact welding under conditions prevailing in relays, micro switches etc. Both frequency and intensity of the statistically scattered weld forces increased with increasing arc duration and current. Pre-strike and bounce arcs show identical results under corresponding conditions. Therefore, the configuration of the load circuit determining the actual arc current curve essentially influences the weld force values.

[1]  J. McBride,et al.  Electrical contact phenomena during impact , 1991, Electrical Contacts - 1991 Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh IEEE HOLM Conference on Electrical Contacts.

[2]  J. W. McBride.  Switch dynamics and instrumentation systems applied to electrical contact phenomena , 1989 .

[3]  J.W. McBride,et al.  Electrical contact bounce in medium duty contacts , 1988, Electrical Contacts, 1988., Proceedings of the Thirty Fourth Meeting of the IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts.

[4]  E. Walczuk,et al.  Computer controlled testing and evaluation of welding contact materials , 1990, Thirty-Sixth IEEE Conference on Electrical Contacts, and the Fifteenth International Conference on Electrical Contacts.

[5]  G. Witter,et al.  Dynamic welding of silver contacts under different mechanical bounce conditions , 1999, Electrical Contacts - 1999. Proceedings of the Forty-Fifth IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts (Cat. No.99CB36343).

[6]  D. Jeannot,et al.  Make arc erosion and welding in the automotive area , 1999, Electrical Contacts - 1999. Proceedings of the Forty-Fifth IEEE Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts (Cat. No.99CB36343).