Arc Chute Splitter Plates Interconnected by Resistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switchgear with arc chutes comprising parallel splitter plates face issues with glow discharges across air gaps, leading to increased voltage stress and the risk of arc re-ignition.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating high-ohmic resistors (5 kΩ - 1MΩ) to interconnect splitter plates in the arc chutes, which bypass air gaps and distribute transient recovery voltage evenly, reducing the risk of arc re-ignition and glow discharge effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallel splitter plates are used in arc chutes to split arcs, then arc breaking performance is improved, but glow discharge occurs across air gaps causing voltage stress and arc re-ignition risk
Solution Approach 1:
High-ohmic resistors are introduced as intermediary elements connected between adjacent splitter plates. These resistors serve as mediators that conduct away glow discharge currents from the air gaps, preventing voltage stress accumulation and arc re-ignition while maintaining the arc-splitting function of the splitter plates
Solution Approach 2:
The resistors convert the harmful glow discharge currents into beneficial protective action by providing a controlled path for these currents. The glow discharge that would otherwise cause voltage stress and arc re-ignition is now channeled through the resistors, which dissipate the energy safely and maintain dielectric strength of the air gaps
2Reliability
If resistors are connected between splitter plates to prevent glow discharge, then arc re-ignition risk is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly connecting all splitter plates with resistors, the invention selectively connects only adjacent splitter plates within each arc chute. This local application of resistors targets the specific locations where glow discharge occurs (at the air gaps between plates) while avoiding unnecessary components elsewhere in the system
3Temperature
If low ohmic resistors are used to commutate current, then air gap cooling is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the resistance parameter from low ohmic to high ohmic values. This parameter change fundamentally alters the resistor's function from current commutation and active cooling to glow discharge current diversion and passive protection, thereby reducing power consumption and heat generation while maintaining arc re-ignition prevention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly reduces arc re-ignition risk within the arc chute while maintaining low costs, as high-ohmic resistors manage glow discharge currents effectively and prevent uneven voltage distribution.
Implementation Method 1
resistors interconnect at least some of the plates in at least a first of the arc chutes for bypassing corresponding air gaps wherein all the plates in the first arch chute except for the uppermost splitter plate are connected by resistors
Implementation Method 2
The resistors may have values in the range 5 kΩ - 1MΩ, current ratings below 100 mA and power ratings below 1W
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A switchgear comprises a circuit breaking section (12) having a moveable contact bridging element (22) and at least one first arc chutes (18, 20) adjacent the contact bridging element (22), each arc chute (18, 20) comprising a base plate (BP1A, BP1B) for connecting to the contact bridging element (22) and a group of splitter plates (SP1A, SP2A, SP3A, SP4A, SP1B, SP2B, SP3B, SP4B) placed adjacent the base plate (BP1A, BP1B), where the splitter plates of the groups are separated from the base plate and each other via air gaps (G) and resistors (RA1, RA2, RA3, RB1, RB2, RB3) interconnect at least some of the plates in at least a first of the arc chutes (18) for bypassing corresponding air gaps, wherein the resistors have values in the range 5kΩ –1 MΩ, current ratings below 100 mA and power ratings below 1 W.