Investigate on the simulation of black-box arc model

The dynamic arc behavior of high-voltage switchgear during operation has been a topic of interest for many years. In order to improve the capability of high-voltage switchgear works the arc simulation is needed to be conducted. This paper investigates the implementation process of different kinds of black box arc model with different simulation software, which are MATLAB, EMTP-ATP and PSCAD/EMTDC. The realization principles of different software are compared. In MATLAB black box arc model is transformed to be a controlled source. In EMTP-ATP and PSCAD/EMTDC arc model is presented as a time-varying resistance using the built-in elements of the two program packages. Factors influencing on simulation precision are discussed, such as expression form (present arc model as differential expression or integral expression), time step-size setting and the detection of current zero. Under the same condition, using the same arc model in different simulation environment will get different arc voltage and arc current, which indicates that different simulation tools have different stability. The research results also show that compared with integral expression, arc model with differential expression is more accurate at current zero in electromagnetic transient simulation.