Thermal Layers in Postarc Channel

The subject of the investigation is a short arc burning in air between electrodes made of refractory materials. Based on measurements of the electrical conductivity of near-electrode regions, as well as on calculations, it is stated, that thermal reignition takes place in a thermal layer near the new anode. In the paper, a model of short arc thermal reignition is presented and the results of calculations are compared with measurements. These results shed light on postarc conditions in low voltage circuit breakers.