ARC MODELING IN SF6 CIRCUIT-BREAKERS

The problem of the physical modelling of SF6 arcs in circuit breakers is considered. The authors present results concerning the simulation o f two model breakers (one of a two pressure breaker and the other of a rotary are breaker) using numerical programs involving different phys ical models and assumptions. It is shown that it is necessary to take compressibility into account and also the complete radiation process i ncluding absorption in cold regions. The authors discuss the assumptio ns and the importance of phenomena like turbulence and Lorentz forces and compare some available experimental data.