Influences of Arc Plate on Arc-quenching Performance of Bridge-shape Double-break Circuit Breaker

For current-limiting circuit breakers, a well-designed arc plate can improve the interruption performances. Therefore, we investigate the influences of U-shape arc plate and its position as well as size on the arc-quenching performance. Firstly, a detachable bridge-shape double-break arc quenching chamber with a seizure configuration is designed, and the feasibility of the chamber prototype is invalidated based on the three-dimensional finite element method and multi-dynamic analysis. Then, the influences of three types of arc plates on the interruption performance are investigated via waveforms and key parameters of interruption. The results show that the U-type arc plate can increase the contact repulsion force and lengthen the arc. The effect is enhanced by the enlarged arc plated, and the peak voltage of the arc is increased by 15 V after the add of U-type plate. However, the back-restrike may occur when the U-type arc plate reaches the arc chutes, which is unfavourable for breaking the short current. The research results can provide a reference for the design of circuit breakers.