The study of the relationship between arc duration and arc energy of relay and microswitch contacts

Under conditions of varying the load current, time constant, or other parameters, the arc duration and arc energy of relay and microswitch contacts at make and break are accumulated by means of microcomputer control and a high-speed sampling system. The influence of the variation of parameters on the arc duration and arc energy is analyzed. The relationship between arc duration and arc energy at break is established and verified experimentally. The authors study whether the performance of the sample can be evaluated according to the arc duration and the amount of arc energy. On the basis of the principle that the sum of arc energy released between contacts is equal, a fast equivalent test method is explored.<>