Simulation and Experimental Analysis of Multi-Chamber Arc-Quenching Arresters (MCAA) for 10 kV Transmission Lines

Abstract

Since conventional lightning protection measures do not effectively extinguish subsequent arcs of electrical frequency after the passage of lightning, it is impossible to prevent lightning-related accidents on the distribution lines. To solve this problem, a 10 kV multi-chamber arc-quenching arrester (MCAA) applicable to transmission lines of different voltage levels is developed. In order to research the arc-quenching characteristics of the MCAA, COMSOL software was used to simulate and analyze the high-speed airflow coupled arc process. Under the action of a strong airflow at high speed, the arc is segmented, the temperature of the arc falls sharply, and eventually, the arc is extinguished. In the simulation process, the conductivity of the arc and the clouds of change of air speed were achieved. It may be concluded that arc segmentation time and airflow generation time are at a subtle level. Meanwhile, an experimental circuit was established to conduct the arc-quenching experiment. A high-speed camera was used to observe the experimental process and the oscilloscope was used to record the arc-quenching waveform. The experimental results show that the MCAA had a good arc-extinguishing effect and that the arc was extinguished within 0.35 ms. The current amplitude of the frequency arc was 1.2 kA.