Stress Analysis of Dust Particle on the Electrical Contact Surface

Dust particle is an electric cont¬act failure causative factor that must be taken into account. In previous research, [1,2] the effect of dust particles on electric contacts was indicated and simplified model was established for the hazardous size range of hard dust particles entering into the contact interface. The electrical contact behaviors of several typical dusts with different compositions were also studied [3]. As a continuation, the specific characters of dust particle which could cause contact failure are investigated in this paper. The mechanics model of dust particles on contact surface under static and dynamic conditions is built. The mechanics analysis of dust particle on contact interface is performed. Through the sliding experiments of two kinds of dust particles with different bonding strength, failure mechanism and the influence factors on contacts related to dust particles is analyzed and discussed.