Abstract
Keywords:
electric arc, 36-Vdc, electrical contacts, hybrid vehicle
Abstract:
This paper deals with the various phenomena that occur during a switching operation of a high intensity current under a 36/38 V DC supply voltage. For such supply voltages, an electric arc appears which makes the switching more difficult than the usual case of a 12/14 V DC supply voltage. The arc duration, and the electrode gap required to allow the switching off of the electric arc have been experimentally studied for various intensities, circuit loads, contact opening velocity and contact materials. The over voltage induced by the arc switching and the power peak which appears during the switching are also presented.