CATHODE AND ANODE FALLS OF ARCS WITH FUSIBLE ELECTRODES

Anode and cathode potentials for electrodes of mild steel in stagnant air or flowing argon and CO2 have been obtained both of the voltage di stribution during are quenching and of a measured melting velocity. Th e potentials are independent of are current in the observed region 40- 200 A. The energy for melting a unit length of a wire electrode has be en established as the energy input for breaking a short-circuit bridge of the observed wire. The important role of neutral particle flux to melted electrodes has been revealed. A model of rapid are quenching du e to temperature and field emission of electrons has been suggested.