Simulation of high-voltage circuit breaker contact resistance via contact area coupling method

The key issue in thermal analysis of high voltage circuit breakers is the heat due to electric contact. However, as a conventional contact resistance model, the contact bridge structure is difficult in obtaining accurate parameters and is not feasible for the complex multi-contact structure of a high-voltage circuit breaker. In this paper, a novel contact resistance modeling method is proposed. In the method, the establishment of macro geometrical structure like contact bridge is given up, alternatively, some areas on both contact surfaces are coupled together to localize the current in the coupled area. Thus, the shrinking effect of current can be easily achieved via controlling the coupled area and proper contact resistance can be simulated. The validity of the proposed contact area coupling method is proved through the comparison between simulating and real results and further studies. This method may facilitate the process of high-voltage breaker contact model.