Research on the arc ablation characteristics of carbon-copper electrodes in low air pressure environment

Abstract Arc is a strong discharge phenomenon during the operation of sliding electrical contact systems, which can cause irreversible ablation damage to the electrical contact system, seriously affecting the service performance and life of the electrical contact system. In recent years, with the continuous promotion of electrical contact systems to low air pressure environments, the problem of ablation damage to the system caused by low air pressure environmental arcs cannot be ignored. In this work, an experimental platform for arc ablation of carbon-copper electrodes in a low air pressure environment is established. The ablation characteristics of carbon-copper electrodes by arc in a low air pressure environment are investigated. It is found that air pressure has a great influence on the ablation morphology and electrical and mechanical properties of carbon and copper electrodes after arc ablation. The key influencing factors of the degradation of the electrical and mechanical properties of carbon-copper electrodes are proven as the motion law of the arc root, the stationary time, and the arc energy density. The mechanism of arc ablation aggravated on carbon and copper electrodes under low air pressure is revealed. This research enriched the research system of arc ablation characteristics in the field of electric contact, and provided theoretical support for reducing arc ablation control and improving the service life of electric contact systems.