Simulation of the Arc Behavior in Puffer-type High Voltage Circuit Breaker Considering the Influence of Nozzle Ablation

In order to investigate the influence of nozzle ablation to arc,a 2-D axisymmetric magneto-hydro-dynamics arc model is developed to simulate the arc behavior during the whole interruption process in a puffer-type high voltage circuit breaker,considering the nozzle ablating and the mixing process of Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) vapor with SF6.The results show that the arc radius firstly increases and then decreases as arc current varies according to its sinusoida waveform.At 3.5 ms after arc initiation the nozzle ablation starts,and 2.5 ms later the current nearly reaches its peak value and nozzle ablation develops intensely.Meanwhile the nozzle is blocked by arc at this time and consequently the vapor concentration in nozzle reaches the highest.Then while the current decreasing and open distance increaseing the vapor concentration gradually decreases.Before current zero the extinction peak of arc voltage occurs.It indicates that the PTFE vapor enhances pressure rise in arc quenching chamber and strengthens the arc blocking effect on nozzle;the arc radius is wider and arc temperature is lower when nozzle ablation is considered.