Initiation of electrical contact arcing observed at potentials down to the melting voltage
Abstract
Results of low-voltage electrical contact arcing experiments are presented. Visible arcs were initiated at potentials down to but not below, the melting potentials for various metals (0.3 to 1.1 volts), whereas the minimum voltage for arcing has been previously assumed to be 11 to 15 volts. Scanning electron microscope photomicrographs show arc pits, melting, and spattering for contacts arced at these low voltages. Circuits were designed to minimize the inductance, and oscilloscope traces of the arcing potentials were obtained.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974STIN...7516755C
- Keywords:
-
- Arc Melting;
- Electric Contacts;
- Electric Potential;
- Melting Points;
- Circuits;
- Electron Microscopes;
- Inductance;
- Oscilloscopes;
- Photomicrographs;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering