A MODEL OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WITH ADVANCED DEGRADATION

C.G. Aronis, C.S. Psomopoulos, C.G. Karagiannopoulos, and P.D. Bourkas

Keywords

Modelling and simulation methods, switching, electrical contacts,nonlinear phenomena

Abstract

This paper describes a model of the operation of electric contacts. An equivalent circuit is proposed that is valid for the usual application of electrical contacts. The theoretical background of the model is relations derived from quantum mechanical tunnelling, and a new formula is proposed that describes the activity of arcs and discharges. The investigation is based upon commonly accepted principles of contacts operation. The experimental results and the theoretical results from the model are in close agreement. The proposed model appears to adequately describe the operation of electrical contacts, even badly degraded contacts.

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