Phase occurrence of arc-backs in high-current mercury-arc rectifiers

THE phenomenon of arc-back in mercury-arc rectifiers is the major factor in determining present-day designs. To keep the frequency of occurrence of arc-back sufficiently low, the anodes are set at a sufficient distance from the cathode, shields, baffles, and grids are interposed, and cooling water temperatures are kept in a rather narrow range. These practically successful means for overcoming arc-backs were developed largely empirically as the cause and nature of arc-back is still little understood.