CFD calculation of pressure rise and energy flow of hot gases due to short-circuit fault arc in switchgears

This paper presents the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations in the case of short-circuit fault arcing in a compact medium (MV) voltage switchgear. The calculation results of pressure developments in the switchgear show good agreement with experimental results. In addition, the energy flow density of hot gases exhausted from the switchgear is calculated. The energy flow density does not decrease rapidly and remains high, although the overpressures in the switchgear decrease to zero. It is necessary to consider the development of the energy flow of hot gases exhausted from electrical equipment when investigating the thermal effect of hot gases on personnel and flammable materials near the equipment.