Arcing failure analysis of miniature circuit breaker using nano-W–Cu material

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of frequent failures of miniature circuit breakers and the resulting short arcing, research on nano-tungsten–copper (nano-W–Cu) material in arcing failure analysis of miniature circuit breakers was carried out by the authors. Ordinary pure copper material, which is widely used in electrical power distribution, exhibits major limitations such as low melting point and metal vapor, which causes frequent failure of the miniature circuit breaker. In this way, on the basis of analyzing the mechanism of miniature circuit breaker arcing and using nano-tungsten–copper material, this paper makes provisions for the 10 kA tolerance test process and conditions of short-circuit current and extracts the commonly used test for a certain type of miniature circuit breaker combined with nano-tungsten–copper material. The test results show that miniature circuit breaker arcing can be reduced by using nano-tungsten–copper material to replace the ordinary pure copper alloy. This could significantly enhance the performance of miniature breaker arcing and its breaking capacity and reduce the miniature circuit breaker arc time as well as the breaking time, which could effectively improve the reliability, security and stability of miniature circuit breakers and effectively solve the problem of miniature circuit breaker arcing failure.