Influence of discharge voltage on electrical arcing in magnet systems with short-circuits

For safety analyses of large magnet systems the possibility of short-circuits due to metallic chips within the winding pack must be taken into account. In this respect the important question is whether electrical arcing can be avoided after burnout of the short by reducing the dumping voltage preventing electrical breakdown. Results of experiments performed at the superconducting torus TESPE show that there exists no voltage limit below which the arc would not ignite. Reduction of dump voltage of inductive systems below the arc burning voltage cannot prevent the occurrence of arcs after burn-out of short-circuits