Optimization of the break-arc erosion performance of contact materials in switching devices

A test system and an associated analysis method are described for analysis of the erosion behavior of contact materials in a way that minimizes the effects of the characteristics of the devices in which they are tested. The method allows multiple data points to be collected from tests of multiple phase devices rather than having only one lifetime value for each device. The characteristic contact material property of erodibility is defined as the weight loss per erosive arc energy. Applications for applying erodibility values and device break-arc characteristics include comparison of different materials, testing the consistency of lots of the same material type and comparing the behaviors of a single material in devices with different operational characteristics.