Coupled simulation of switching arcs considering transient-capacitive effects

The development of an electric arc in a low-voltage switching device is simulated using fundamental equations of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and electromagnetism. Coupling between the three is provided by Lorentz forces and by ohmic heating, where the temperature-dependence of electrical conductivity is included. In contrast to existing approaches to this problem, transient-capacitive effects are considered using the electro-quasistatic approximation of Maxwell's equations. The influence of the displacement currents on the transient behaviour of an electric arc is shown for simplified 2D and 3D models of an electric circuit breaker.

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