Effect of the air pressure on the commutation delay of magnetically driven arcs across a gap or a stop in one of two parallel electrodes

Abstract

Research on the effect of the air pressure on the commutation delay of magnetically driven arcs across a gap or a step in one of two parallel electrodes has been conducted using high-speed photography and an optical fiber microcomputer system. The experiments were carried out on different kinds of electrode material, such as brass, copper (cold cathode), and graphite (hot cathode). It is shown that the commutation delay of cold-cathode arcing caused by step or gap on the electrode at low air pressure is directly related to the air pressure and polarity air pressure. A discussion on the experimental results is presented.<>