Investigations on some parameters influencing the current commutation in the circuit breakers

The phenomenon of the commutation in a circuit breaker is the moment when the current switches from the nominal contact circuit to arcing contact circuit. Due to the difference of the impedance (resistance and inductance) between the two circuits, an arc appears between the contacts. So, this phenomenon can lead to two problems: the wear due to the commutation on the main contacts with bad issue if the main contacts could not withstand the nominal current and the particles of molten materials removed from the main contacts (pollution of the chamber with conductive particles). In this article we will analyze the influence of different parameters like materials nature, inductance and resistance of the circuits on the commutation. Calculations have been done and solution to improve the commutation has been proposed.